A Great Nation: Beyond Basic Social Amenities...

If we are going to successfully build a GREAT nation, then it's imperative for us to constantly remind ourselves that the call for good governance & leadership transcends good roads, hospitals, infrastructural development, and so on.

A lot of politicians are fast coming to the realisation that the provision of BASIC social amenities is a "perfect" cover for their sheer lack of sound leadership skills and qualities and the understanding of fundamental leadership principles.

Traditional politicians know that because the nation has been in lack of basic social amenities for a long time, the citizenry gets over-joyed and carried away with some laudable projects which they (Govt) embark on, it gives them the status of a 'Gulliver towering high over little Lilliputians' coupled with their smooth talking skills. More attention is thereby given to praise-singing than to at least evaluate and analyse the budgets, expenditure, and actual value of these supposed 'olympian projects'.

I am aware of the differing opinions which this issue usually raise and as such, I consider the issue as one of the numerous challenges which we have to contend with considering where we are coming from as a nation. However, one thing that must be taken very seriously is for us not to lose sight of the GREAT NATION which we desire to build. We must understand that it can't be built even by the fulfilment of political manifestos constructed with spurious bricks of promises such as "I will build schools", ""I will create jobs", "I will do this", "I will do that" and so on. To build a great nation, there must be a good FOUNDATION.

It is a VERY good thing to have political leaders who are now putting in place things that are basic and crucial but have never been paid so much attention to, but there's a lot more to be done. We as a people need to grow and go beyond putting our thumbs down on the ballot paper based on promises of BASIC SOCIAL AMENITIES. We owe it to generations hundreds of years ahead to raise the bar for what passes as "outstanding performance in government" in Nigeria. Beyond their smooth talks and hyped promises and performances, we must begin to look out for the qualities, skills, moral conduct, track records, values, and so on which both aspiring and incumbent public office holders possess.

Doing this, will hopefully cause "traditional politicians" to gradually shrivel into irrelevance and pave the way for men of substance to step into the political scene. It definitely won't be as easy as it sounds, but I agree with the saying that "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single THOUGHT".

Mayple

SO FAR ON FUEL SUBSIDY PROBE...

For the benefit of those not following the ongoing fuel subsidy probe by the adhoc committee of the house of representatives, here is an excerpt:

Fuel subsidy Probe:

Farouk Lawan: what is Nigeria’s daily fuel consumption?
Diezieni: 52million Liters
NNPC: 35m liters
DPR: 43m liters
PPPRA: 24M liters
Okonjo: 40M liters

Farouk Lawan: What was the subsidy for 2011?
Diezieni: 1.4Trillion
Okonjo: 1.3Trillion
CBN: 1.7Trillion

Farouk Lawan: Can we have the KPMG REPORT?
Okonjo: I have to go through the report first
Diezieni: I have not seen the report

Farouk Lawan: What is the production capacity of our local refineries?’
NNPC: 30%
PPPRA: 20%
DPR: 13%
Diezieni: 15%

Farouk Lawan: Does Nigeria pay subsidy on locally refined Products?
Diezaini: it depends
NNPC: The lay man cannot understand how it’s done
PPPRA: yes
DPR: No

Farouk Lawan: Why is Kerosene still scarce?
Diezieni: Because its use by the aviation industry as aviation fuel
NNPC: Because there is no subsidy so NNPC overstretched its resources
PPPRA: it’s not properly deregulated

Farouk Lawan: what is the balance in the subsidy accounts?
Diezieni: it’s a virtual account
NNPC: There is no account in existence as the lay man will look at it
PPPRA: The account is a technical one
CBN: There is no account with us for subsidy
Okonjo: The account exists but not with a bank

With my background as an engineer, I do know that having a supposedly "great" idea isn't as important as how that idea is implemented. A proper understanding of the problem which the idea seeks to solve is a prerequisite to a lasting solution; and then a good strategy that will put into consideration all factors pertaining to this idea based must then be developed. Looking at the excerpt I posted above, it is glaring that the FG has acted like the warrior who chose to release his missile from a canoe, or the hunter who waited to service his gun while the lion is already in front of him. It is embarrassing that those who want to build a "great" economy are seeking to do so based on differing data and information - beginning of failure!

Mayple.

ARE YOU ENGAGED?

“Never have we had a generation so well informed, so capable, so hardworking but so unengaged as your generation”
~ George Ashiru

Reading through the lines above, I see greater possibilities of change springing up from various regions of the country if only our young people will engage themselves in the change process. Engage themselves, not just verbally, but through actions.

The BIG question now is ARE YOU ENGAGED?

What change oriented actions have you been carrying out? We can’t just wish for a better Nigeria without consciously putting in effort to do our bit. I always ask myself: If things are this bad in my time, what would it be like in the time of my children’s children if this generation fails to kick off the change process? I am pleased to inform you that the change process has begun, but we need ‘you’ to also become engaged in the process.

Have you ever asked yourself this: If there was to be a total reformation in the police force, who will be those to replace this crop of corrupt officers? Would it be ‘change’ oriented citizens or the unengaged?

Interestingly, we can become ‘engaged’ at various levels no matter who we are or what we do. All that is required of you is just to set an example by doing the right thing.

Do not pay bribes to facilitate your NYSC posting.

Do not drop dirt on the ground indiscriminately.

Be responsible at home. Make sure your kids or siblings do their homework before watching TV or even before you exhaust them with errands.

In the little ways you can, Just ENGAGE YOURSELF and encourage others to do the same.

From next week I shall be sharing with us stories of young Nigerians and what they did to foster change. Time for More Action Less Talk !

God bless you and bless our dear Nation.

Dappa Maple Tammy

Create Your Badge

WHAT KIND OF LEADER?

It was yuletide season of 2006 when I stepped into a supermarket somewhere around the neighborhood to pick up some bottles of wine that I intended distributing to a few friends. To go with the wine, I decided to buy some Christmas cards which happened to be very dusty. I called one of the salesgirls and said to her “these items are so dusty, please could you kindly clean them when you are less busy?” Just as the girl was answering “no problem”, I heard a lady yell “Joy! What’s going on there?” The girl walked towards the lady and explained what I just said about the items being dusty and what I heard next was the lady referring to me saying “hey young man, this is my store and you don’t come in here to insult my personality” I was amazed while replying her that I’m sorry, but I wasn’t even referring to her. The items in the store are dusty and I thought it would be ideal for the girls to clean them up since it was a festive season and lots of people will be coming in to buy stuffs. “Shut up!” the lady screams and instructed the head salesgirl to take back the items I have picked already and refund me any money I may have paid. I stepped out of the supermarket that day shaking my head in disbelief. You may be wondering why I’m sharing this story. What has it got to do with 9JA2020? If you recall my message two weeks ago, a simple question was asked “who is really a leader?” this Lady in her own capacity is a leader. How is she leading and what would you expect of her if she becomes a public office holder tomorrow? At whatever level you are right now, you are a leader in one little way or the other. How are you leading? True leading begins now….As you go about your daily activities, ask yourself this; what kind of a leader am I becoming? Does your attitude reflect the kind of Nigeria you want to see? Have a pleasant day people!

Maple Tammy Dappa is an inspirational speaker/writer on Nation Building, Youth Development and Personal Development. Call him on +234-803267-8969

AFRICA: THE MONSTER OF EXPEDIENCY

Expediency means carrying out an action that is quickest or most effective in a particular situation even if it is morally wrong. In other words, an action conducive to the need of the moment or an action carried out in self-interest. Spending ample time to reflect on why Africa still suffer setbacks, and remain far behind the western world as well as the rest of the world in terms of human and economic development, I got to realize that though efforts have been made to address problems of various vital areas in the development of Africa, the monster of expediency has often been left unaddressed. While I appreciate and encourage those who are putting in efforts to make Africa a better place, I would like to swing the pendulum of this article to those who feel nothing or less concerned about what they can do to help make where they belong to – Africa a better place!

Those that expect to see a change in the world but don’t want to be that change, those who complain of how dirty the city they live in is but won’t stop throwing (littering) their “trash” on the roads, those who will eat banana in a car and throw the peelings out of the window on the middle of the road. One would ask why it is so. I tell you what, it is expediency! The need of the moment is to dispose off the “trash”, so people litter even if it is wrong. It is expediency that makes drivers not to wait for the traffic light to change from red to green before moving because the need of the moment is to get to their destination even if it is wrong.

Africa suffers setbacks because most of its leaders often borrow from integrity to pay for expediency. It is expediency that makes us lack true leaders. It is expediency that makes students to indulge in examination mal-practice because the need of the moment is to pass the examination, even if it is wrong. It is political expediency that makes politicians to assassinate their opponents because the need of the moment is to control power even if it is wrong. It is expediency that makes people traveling abroad to stash drugs in their abdomen because the need of the moment is to make fast cash even if it is wrong. It is expediency that makes young ladies to indulge in prostitution because the need of the moment is to make quick cash and have influence over their male counterparts even if it is wrong. It is expediency that makes our leaders (public office holders) to loot the treasury of their people because the need of the moment is to amass wealth even if it is wrong. It is expediency that makes a man to rape a girl that is young enough to be his daughter because the need of the moment is to satisfy his sexual desire even if it is wrong.

It is said that if you want to live in your future, plan it! But expediency doesn’t let you plan; it tells you there is no point since you can get whatever you need at the moment. An expedient fellow is like a tennis player who keeps his eyes on the scoreboard instead of the ball. We have to put in more effort to see our continent grow both in human and economic development.

However, expediency unlike in the cases listed above can be resorted to in very practical situations in which morals can be temporarily neglected. It can also be resorted to where there is the need for forceful evacuation in the wake of an impending natural disaster or an epidemic or be resorted to when there is the need to impose a curfew due to any form of security crises or as the situation may demand.

It is up to us to make this great continent and the world at large a better place.
Expediency in the former must be eradicated through self-discipline and patriotism and I mustn’t hesitate to state that expediency in the latter should only be resorted to if and only if it is absolutely necessary!

Kind Regards,
Maple Tammy Dappa

BUILDING THE NATION

In the building of a house everyone has a role to play, from the architect to the laborers who will have to clear the site, to the engineers who will start construction, masons and even those who will supply the workers on site with water for drinking and finally, those who will make use of the building have the role of ensuring that the building is maintained properly, so it is with building the nation. Building the nation is a thing of collective responsibility. While the Government has to come up with developmental designs & plans that must be implemented, we the citizens have our own roles to play. We all know like it was rightly stated by Late John F. Kennedy that, we should not ask what our country can do for us but rather ask what we can do for our country. This is a workable pattern of building a nation. It is better for us the people, having full knowledge of our desires, to begin to put our potentials into good use that will be of immense benefits to the nation rather than prowling about various embassies in search of visas, all in a bid to abandon our fatherland and enrich a strange land with our potentials while our own home country still lags behind in developmental trends. Who then will make our country better if we all get visas and travel out someday? There’s absolutely nothing wrong in going abroad to study, do business or have a vacation but everything is wrong when we travel out with the mind-set that we’ve got to leave ‘this God forsaken country’!

I know that the Government has failed us in the past, in my opinion they are failing us presently, still in my opinion they will fail us in the future so long as it is the same crop of people that are being produced as leaders by a corrupt and highly unreliable electoral system. In defense of their flaws they say ‘our democracy is still young’ but I refuse to accept that because it isn’t the word ‘democracy’ that makes a good leader, most of these people have been in the corridors of power even in the military regimes and nothing good came out of their leadership and so what makes them think something good will come out of them in the future, because it is now democracy? Hell no! Unless the electoral system is overhauled and the populace gets involved in the selection process of candidates whose credibility must be proved right from the ‘primaries’ within individual political parties, this system of governance will continue to fail us! However, that the government is going wrong doesn’t mean we the citizens should go wrong too, who will lead who back if we all go wrong?

I see this nation at a Y-Junction with a signpost hanging over it asking, ‘which way Nigeria?’ The map of Nigeria portraying the Nation is at the middle of the junction. The road branching off from the left side of the junction leads to a nation of no bearing (crisis, deception, insincerity, massive looting, lawlessness, proliferation of police brutality, etc) and a few group of persons made up of public office holders and capitalists especially are working successfully towards pulling the nation into this road. The road branching off from the right side of the junction on the other hand leads to a nation with global influence (Human resource development, eradication of extreme poverty, infrastructural/socio-economic development, technological advancement, food giant, low crime rate, high level of environment consciousness, good health, LOVE & UNITY) but the people who are to pull the nation to this road are either placing hands on their heads, sleeping, talking without action, folding their arms, prowling embassies for visas, or encouraging the few on the left road by pushing the map towards them through bribery and actions carried out for perceived personal gains without concern on the negative effects which their selfish interest will have on the nation in the long run!

I agree with what George S. Clason wrote in his book - The Richest Man in Babylon, he said, ‘our prosperity as a nation depends upon our prosperity as individuals’. How many employment opportunities has the government created in the past ten years compared to the number of employment opportunities that would have been created if individuals were courageous enough to start something for themselves? There are needs everywhere in the society, why don’t we begin to proffer solutions to this needs and thereby create wealth for ourselves and ultimately, stare this nation to greatness? How many jobs will be created in the next ten years by the government? How many will be created if individuals and well meaning corporations create new businesses within the same ten years? We shouldn’t be like a tennis player who would put his eyes on the scoreboard instead of the ball. It is time for more action and less talk on the part of us the citizens of this nation.

We must understand that there is no progress without an organized struggle! Why should commercial transporters hike fares simply because there is a traffic jam and you still find the people who cry of poverty boarding these vehicles instead of challenging the hike? If there is a boycott on filling stations that don’t sell petroleum products according to the prices stipulated by the Federal Government, won’t they bring down the prices back to normal? And if they opt to shut down, better for us! We can bear such hardship! The government is hurting us and here we are hurting ourselves also! For this nation to progress there is an inevitable need for us as individuals to embed our dreams into ‘the great dream’ of healing this broken nation and its people by waking up to pull the nation into the road that branches off the right side of the Y-Junction. It is up to us to become change agents to start making changes in any community we find ourselves in, be it an academic community, trade community, political community, industrial community, health community, local community, religious community, Etc. we complain about unemployment but too many a times we fail to make impact in the society when we get employed, giving our jobs the best becomes a problem! We complain about poor education but too many a times we fail to educate ourselves with the educational materials that are available to us. We rather spend our pockets on calls, clothes, electronics and every other thing we can, except for books, newspapers, educative and other learning materials!
It is time we stop paying attention to our immediate families alone forgetting that our immediate families exist in a bigger family called Nigeria. What hope are we giving to our generations yet unborn? Or do we want to bring our nation to an end even before the world comes to an end? It is time to start mapping change from any corner of the nation we find our self in no matter how insignificant our efforts may seem. Remember how insignificant just a stick of broom may seem when single but can sweep mansions when tied together with other sticks. Our nation needs ‘broomsticks’ that will be tied together! It is time to start getting involved in developmental activities! It is time we begin to ACT RIGHT and help steer our nation to Greatness! Our 9JA will RISE to DAZE the WORLD!!!