ASTIGMATISM

Never rget, our skins shrink when we get older.

Our eyes get dull and our teeth may begin to descend from their throne.

Our waists get bent by chance and the once beautiful cheeks begin to tremble.

Our walk becomes elephantic.

Never astimatise, for life is like a flower.

It blossoms in the morning and withers in the evening.

Or child, the old ones were once beautiful and smart.

Honor her and show him respect.

TEARS OF A GREAT KINGDOM

We were told and we believe it.

A great Iroko tree stood tall among other trees and shrubs in a mighty forest.

He danced and swayed with joy and happiness.

A great Iroko indeed, a friend to many.

Home is more homely when the father is with his children.

The great Iroko never left the forest for the shrubs.

Rich culture, rich people, rich kingdom.

The Iroko sprang up a shoot, joy spread in the air.

Many offspring but the first fruit for the synagogue.

Our tongues count our teeth.

Just a little while, a strange wind blew

No one could believe it but it was just true.

The great Iroko fell in the great forest.

Cold hands gripped every shrub and every tree.

The shoot was transplanted, just far away where pastures could be greener and where dews could touch the hearts.

Calm everywhere.

The forest was left porous.

Akuebishi the deadly tree grew tall, every tree around him was made to wither.

Every animal became cruel to the smaller animals and jungle justice reigned

The successor was far taken away to avert the bad wind.

After decades, the great forest was no more greenish and every trees and shrubs tormented.

No more tall trees to cover the forest.

Protocols observed, the transplanted Iroko was planted into the great habitat

Oh no, never used to trees within, never comfortable with the deadly Akwuebishi.

Many trees were uprooted, many animals went extinction just to save the forest.

The young Iroko grows taller, taller and stronger.

He’s an Iroko, he’s a Lion.

The lion in a strange forest, always thinking of the mountain where he knows better.

Willing to be the king of the jungle but never happy in the jungle.

The lion, yet at the mountain, brought forth a cub who may never know how the jungle looks like.

How about the trees?

Many are falling asunder.

Thunder storms, earthquakes, bush burning… oh the forest is fading away.

The Lion who is also the Iroko brought a sheep to the forest and strange animals came along .

Eyes have seen ears.

The sheep becomes a wolf, and the teeth are stronger than for chewing herbs.

More trouble for the jungle, more wailing for the kingdom.

We need not the sheep, we need not akwuebishi, we need not the strange animals in the forest.

Let the Lion feel at home in the forest. A brave and mighty lion who has no reason to fear the forest.

Let the Iroko stand tall in the great forest.

The great Kingdom is weeping somewhere.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA AND AFRICAN YOUTHS.

Abysmal and thunderous, roaring like a male Lion.

Your mouth opens wide to swallow as many that trespass.

Our youths are reducing, only Papas, Mamas and babies remain to watch the lizards on the walls.

Thousands have gone, millions yet to come by.

Their flesh become a meat for your inhabitants and their bones rest in your belly.

From ages to ages, you remain what you are, a long hand of magnet.

The history lives and the news spread, yet the children of Africa come to you.

The Seekers of greener pastures from the backdoor patronize you and the Arabians feed you with the souls they condemn.

Oh Mediterranean sea!

Do you really beckon on them to come?

Does your Queen feed on blood?

By nightfall they thread on you, “ lampa- lampa”, a 50/50 adventure.

Your salt is a sword and your coldness than snow

How would they survive when they fall into you?

On their arrival to their ends, their inoculate struggle betray them still.

Many fall off and struggle, a dance of death in the chilling salty aqua.

Except for the smartness of good souls that give a helping hand, their flesh is a meat for the sharks and their skeletons decorate your palace.

Mothers are weeping, many are waiting, waiting but in vain.

Many hope for the arrival of African children who journeyed through your yard.

Hoping and waiting but most blood is sprinkled on your bosom.

Would they stop coming to you? Would you ever vomit the bones of Africa to live again?

THE CONCEPT OF PHISM IN EDUCATION AND WHY MOST PHD HOLDERS ARE STILL UNEDUCATED.

WRITTEN BY DR. OKAFOR AGHOLOR AUGUSTINE (OMEJOI YUTA)

Education has been defined in various perspectives by various scholars.

As contained in Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary( 8th edition),

Education is a process of teaching, training and learning, especially in schools or colleges to improve knowledge and develop skills.

Whitehead (1929) viewed education as the acquisition of the art of the utilization of knowledge.

According to him, an acquired idea or knowledge that is not utilized is harmful. This means that education is not complete at the acquisition level, but the application process is of paramount importance.

One is educated by having a transformed behavior and using the acquired skills to contribute to the development of the society.

Herbart (1776-1841) maintained that education is a process of developing sound MORAL character and for the good of the society.

Going by the above definition of education, one who speaks big grammar but has no sound moral character is with an incomplete education.

Ukeje (1979) cited by Ughamadu (2006), noted that education can be viewed as:

1. A process

2. A product

3. A discipline.

As a process, education is the means by which people acquire the civilization of the past and are enabled both to take part in the civilization of the present, and to make the civilization of the future.

From the above, education explains the transmission of acquired knowledge, the preservation and advancement of the culture of the people( not making the culture go into oblivion or necessarily replacing the culture in every sense).

As a product, education means a change in behavior. Thus, being educated means having a change from negative to positive.

As a discipline, education, according to Ukeje (1979) and as cited by Ughamadu (2006), is a body of an organized knowledge that deals with:

*What to teach

*Why we should teach

*How we should teach and

* Who to teach.

The analysis of the above reveals that “What” refers to the curriculum, “Why” refers to the educational philosophy, “ How” refers to the teaching methodology and “Who” refers to the learners who would receive the teaching.

The questions that can be generated from the above discourse so far, using Nigerian educational system as a focus point, are:

1. According to the view of Whitehead(1929), are the acclaimed acquired knowledge and skills by Nigerian leaders being utilized? Why is Nigeria retrogressive in every sense even when Doctors and Professors are in the helm of affairs?

2. According to the view of Herbart( 1776- 1841), are Nigerian educated individuals really with sound moral character? Why is even the judiciary so confused in their judgements, especially on electoral issues?

3. Are Nigerian leaders really educated? If they are, are they really learning from the past to guide the present and the future as opined by Ukeje (1979)? Why then is the economy falling instead of improving?

4. Why was Nigerian currency higher than USD in 1970s but far lower today than one can imagine?

5. Regarding to education as a discipline, is Nigerian education really teaching what it should teach with the appropriate methodologies? Why do we have so many graduates that end at paper qualifications without real skills for personal and societal development? Why do we have many SSCE holders who can hardly read?

From my findings, Nigerian education is porous and erroneous, basing qualifications on paper work and undermining true efficiency.

At this point, I like to talk about the concept of PHISM in the achievement of the complete goals of education.

What is PHISM?

PHISM is an acronym that refers to

Physical,

Health,

Intellectual,

Social and

Moral aspects of education.

I advocate that for one to be considered educated, one should be able to obtain at least, 50% of PHISM in education.

For example, how would we justify the quality of education of a Master Degree holder who still throws off banana peels through the window of a moving vehicle, to litter the environment?

What happens to the knowledge of health and hygiene he acquired?

Where is the application of what he has learnt over the years?

How can we say a man is highly educated all because he speaks big grammar and has obtained big certificate without the entrepreneurial ability for self reliance?

As a Pragmatic/ Idealist Philosopher, I conclude that most Nigerians, even most of the leaders with big degrees are still uneducated by their lack of application of acquired knowledge and skills for the good of the society.

Nigeria should wake up because her educational system is sleeping.

THE UFOs

They cruise across our planet and hover over the inhabitants of the fearful earth. Unknown visitors!

Just appearing and disappearing like a flash of light, sometimes like the twinkling stars, they never wait to receive salutations from our inquisitive eyes.

Many say it's a flying saucer, some say it's a hyper meteorite and others say it's the craft of the Aliens from celestial realms.

Sometime ago, when it came cruising the atmosphere without

the expectation of the innocents, fears tore the hearts of men and they said

"Our planet has come to an end".

Scientists labour day and night to tell what they are, yet too many opinions remain.

Could they be visitors from another planet?

Are they really Aliens coming to spy the arrogant earth?

The Unidentified Flying Objects remain mysteries that leave questions on our minds.

Are they passersby on errands?

Are they spies or sparks of rocks from above?

Everyone is eager to know what you are, oh flying objects.

Let us know if you are from us or visitors from above.

Let us know if you are for us or against us.

Except we know you better, we still fear for the planet we live in.

THE MOTHER OF BOUNTY.

Gratitude, they say, is the mother of bounty.

Do the little things people appreciate and appreciate every little things people offer to you. A grateful heart is a graceful heart, but an ingrate is a burning furnace.

Each day I wake up, I am grateful for the life that remains in me, for the air I breathe and for the hope before me as I face the future.

Gratitude stands upright before a multitude while ingratitude falls before a mere shadow. When we are grateful for the good we receive, it gives us confidence to mingle, whereas people are skeptical of helping a known ingrate.

Such an individual who is ungrateful digs his own pit of loneliness.

I am indeed grateful for this publication site for making me have more interest in writing as I freely submit my write ups for global viewing.

LONELY NIGHT.

Unstable mind breeds unstable thoughts.

Unstable thoughts breed unstable dreams.

I know I was dreaming, but at last, nothing....in... my mind....

Refrain:

Refran:

All on my rocky heart.

I know I was thinking, alas, nothing.

A plain heart but thorny, I couldn’t find it funny.2x

My head grew thorns, sharper thorns like the bunch of “cactus”.

Body rolled to and fro as my head grew with sadness.

A sad heart, the mother of a sad night....

Refran:

All on my rocky heart.

I know I was thinking, alas, nothing.

A plain heart but thorny, I couldn’t find it funny.2x

My whole body ran away from my bed, even the night seemed longer.

A different time zone set, all in my head....

Refrain:

Frightful and freaky night like never before.

Body rejects clothes, everywhere was hot.

A thorny bed, innocent but guilty because I was sweaty. 

Refran:

All on my rocky heart.

I know I was thinking, alas, nothing.

A plain heart but thorny, I couldn’t find it funny.( till infinity)

 PONDERS IN MY HEART.

No matter the weather, we shall be together.

I seek the ability to make this a reality

My heart ponders but little I wonder

No matter the rain, no matter the sail,

We’ll go all the way.

I take a deep breath, all is by faith.

I’ll close my eyes to open my mind.

Let more love flow in my veins like a running stream.

By the power of your angelic voice, distance is made shorter.

Let the clock tick faster to behold your lovely face

1.

BEFORE NIGHTFALL.

( A SHORT STORY)

There lived a man called “ Okolie” in Agbor, Ika South LGA, Delta State Nigeria.

Everyday, Okolie went to farm as early as 6 AM. He had a wife and children that he was so mindful to take care of. However, Rebecca his wife was always seeing things from another angle.

One day, Okolie prepared to go to farm as usual, but another scene was set.

“ A shameless man that cannot take care of his family as the head” Rebecca murmured within herself as she places her hand on the jaw, wearing on a tightened face like the apron of a village trader. She walked down to meet Okolie where he was sharpening his cutlass in preparation for farm.

“ Hey, Oga! Where are you preparing to go?” Rebecca asked Okolie her husband in a sarcastic manner. The sharpness of her voice shook the heart of Okolie like as thunder would to the sky and Okolie stopped what he was doing at the moment.

“ Woman! Must you wake each day with a dirty mind full of trouble? As you can see, I’m getting ready for farm” Okolie responded.

Rebecca became furious and shook her head simultaneously in a manner that signified trouble immediately she felt Okolie was not ready to consider her feelings for the moment. She went on complaining of being left alone all through the night. She complained that the children’s school fees have not been paid and complained of many things. She went to the door post and used her body to block the passage to prevent Okolie from passing. She began to shout at Okolie that except the money she asked for was given to her, she would not allow him to pass.

Such character proceeding from Rebecca angered Okolie. He stood up and ready to leave the house.

“ Well, if a child says its mother will not sleep, let it Keep crying and have no rest” Okolie said and pushed Rebecca off the way and left for farm.

A week later, Okolie sat in the sitting room and kept gazing the ceiling as he was folding his hands across his chest. After awhile, he stood up and walked around in a shamble manner.

“ God! God! Please come to my aid. You’ve been so kind to give me four beautiful children. Please, I also need money to train them.” Okolie said and sighed. He walked down to the bathroom and called his wife who was already cooking as early as 6:am. It was on Sunday morning, so Okolie was not going to the farm.

“ Please sit down here” he pointed at the right side of the bed where he sat. Rebecca stood akimbo at the door entrance to the room and after some few minutes, she reluctantly walked towards Okolie and sat on the bed.

2.

“ You see, if two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers. If we continue to disagree and quarrel each day it will eventually hamper the future of our children. I want us to…” Okolie was still speaking when Rebecca interrupted him.

“ I already know what you mean. My food is on the fire okay? We can talk later” Rebecca asserted and left the room with a fainted smile.

A year later, Okolie and Rebecca his wife were still dragging on like cat and rat that forced themselves to marry each other. Their quarrel was regular that in a week, their noise must wake people in the neighborhood as early as 5:am. Their children were growing and observing the attitude of the parents.

Moses the eldest child was just ten years old and couldn’t say anything to correct his mother except he would receive a dirty slap on his face. People advised Okolie to endeavor to finish up the payment of Rebecca’s bride price with the opinion that it could be the reason for her continuous annoyance. Okolie always thought of going to Rebecca’s family to finish up the marital demands as listed in the paper given to him when he went for introduction usually called “ knocking at the door”. However, his financial imbalance remained a barrier to his plans.

On the 22nd of August 1993, a construction company called “BIWADAMS” came to Agbor for the award to the second lane of Agbor/Benin Express way. This could an emancipating opportunity for Okolie out of his level of from hand to mouth. The company announced their recruitment exercise to the public. Okolie and his friends applied for the job.

A month later, the names of the successful applicants were published. Okolie and his friends were sure of getting the job, having submitted the required credentials. Okolie squeezed out money and bought the local newspaper just to carefully check for his name. Immediately Okolie finished checking for his name, there was a strong feeling of despair that ran through his veins because neither his name nor his friends’ names were published among the successful applicants.

“ Ah life! Where would one continue from?” He soliloquized. “ This was my hope. Is it because I have no guarantor? My marriage! My family! Everything is at stake. Oh God please come to my aid” He prayed. He walked round his sitting room and down to the bedroom.

Sometimes, Okolie’s family made soup without any piece of meat. On the days they went to farm, if they were lucky, they found snails and mushrooms from rotten palm where wine was tapped. Life seemed constantly unfair to Okolie and his family. Apart from the low status of the family, what troubled Okolie the most is the attitude of his wife towards the difficult situation. Okolie, in many occasions, fought tooth and nail to get a job to support his farm work but to no avail.

A week after the names of the successful applicants for BIWADAMS were shortlisted, a man called “Ignatius” came to Okolie by Sunday evening. Okolie was not surprised to see Ignatius coming because he was owing Ignatius and the time he promised to pay him was overdue. Okolie began to sweat profusely immediately he saw Ignatius coming to his house. His mind began to calculate what

3.

he would tell him. As custom demands, Okolie welcomed Ignatius with a bowl of kolanut . He used a breakable plate specially reserved for visitors to show honour. As both of them were eating the kola, Okolie was systematically eyeing Ignatius if there was going to be any trouble from him. The both kept silent for some minutes and Okolie later broke the silence by first cracking his throat as a typical African.

“ Hnn hnn hnn! Em… Ignatius my friend, I know I have promised and failed you a lot. You see, em… I really….” Okolie spoke with every sense of humility and submission. As he was still calculating on how to beg Ignatius, Ignatius rose his head and looked at him in the eyes and said…

“ Okolie relax! We’ve been friends for long and it’s not money issue that would separate us today” Okolie could not believe his ears when he heard such statement from whom he taught has come to fight.

“By the way, that’s not why I’m here. I came to inform you that you can start work with BIWADAMS from the next Monday” Ignatius said and smiled with confidence.

Okolie couldn’t decide what to do or say for more than five minutes. He became dumbfounded.

“ But, how did it happen?” Okolie asked Ignatius in a flabbergasted tone

“Don’t worry, this is Nigeria” said Ignatius. The two friends embraced and after some moments, Ignatius signified to leave and Okolie walked down the street with him to see him off.

After three months that Okolie started his new job, he paid Ignatius his debt and equally bought him a giant Hausa goat to appreciate his kindness and assistance. In the fourth month, he went to fully marry Rebecca. Everything was successful as scheduled.

People say “ Money answereth all things”. Money indeed, has a commanding force. For up to one year that money began to come into the family of Okolie, every language in the home changed. The regular wrestling scenes in the house seized and Rebecca began to behave like a good wife.

“ Daddy, I need to buy some stuffs for the home and also make my hair. You know, em…” Rebecca spoke calmly.

“ How much is everything?” Okolie asked.

“ Em… let me say N11,000 because….” She stammered.

“Ok… have N12,000 in case of other items” Okolie said and handed the money to Rebecca.

“ Oh… thank you Daddy” Rebecca said and gave her husband a peck on the right cheek. She smiled uncontrollably, revealing the gap in her top set of teeth.

For about a year, there was a relative peace in the family of Okolie. Everything seemed to have resuscitated. Okolie opened a grocery store for his wife. However, every month, Okolie was still

4.

topping money to the store after receiving salary. Rebecca turned the store to a charity organization for relatives and friends.

Four years past since BIWADAMS came but the contract awarded to the company was not done. The government had no option than to revoke it. Many of the recruits were on contract base. Contract in Agbor being revoked also meant dropping of most of the workers. Okolie was affected.

Okolie had to continue with his farming. Not more than a year that Okolie lost his job, the grocery store he opened for Rebecca collapsed. Rebecca complained that customers didn’t pay the debts they owed. Everything seemed to return to square one immediately Okolie lost his job. Okolie regretted of not using the money spent on the grocery store to purchase a piece of land instead. However, regret solves nothing.

Six months later, Rebecca separated from her husband and ran to a wealthy man called “Ajude” in a nearby town. All efforts by her husband to bring her back proved abortive. Family and kinsmen went but it was too painful to hear that Rebecca already became pregnant for Ajude just within three months. Okolie couldn’t believe the drastic fall of his promising family. His eldest child was thirteen years old and the youngest six. Rebecca left the four children with Okolie and ran away to Ajude without the procedure of divorce. By that time, Okolie was forty years old.

Courage, they say, is the only thing that keeps a man going when the going gets tough. How would Okolie play his roles and also play the role of a woman in his home? There was a primary school female teacher called Grace. Grace’s husband died when she was three months pregnant of her first and only child. Grace had survived single handedly with Lorena her daughter for three years since the demise of her husband. Her salary was relatively okay for her and her daughter to cope and she vowed never to accept the proposal of any man. However, when she got in contact with Okolie, her reasoning changed. Okolie and Grace had a court wedding and brought the five children together. Rebecca’s children got used to Grace as their mother and all the children had things in common according to the nurture by Grace. From the moment Okolie found Grace, his neck and stomach began to grow fat. Once an emaciated figure became filled up.

A year after their marriage, Okolie secured a non academic job in the primary school where Grace teaches. They boy opened a joint account, collected loan from the government, bought a car and built a bungalow. Though two years past they didn’t bear a child together but they were not disappointed in each other.

One day, there was a sad news that Ajude kicked the bucket. Before Ajude died, Rebecca already had a two year old baby girl for him. The wealth of Ajude could sustain very many people but there was something Rebecca didn’t know. Ajude’s wife was still alive and was a lecturer in the University of Ibadan. She legally got married to Ajude in the court and had two boys for him. The young men were also schooling in the University of Ibadan. Mother and children hardly came home while Ajude was a retired police officer. Juliet, Ajude’s wife and her children came home for the laying of Ajude’s body to rest and learnt how Rebecca left her husband and ran to live with Ajude. They decided not to show her mercy since Rebecca herself isn’t merciful. They drove her and the baby away.

5.

Before nightfall, Rebecca came begging Okolie for forgiveness and to accept her back, even if it meant her becoming the junior wife. Okolie affirmed that he forgave her but as for accepting her back as a wife, no vacancy. Grace pleaded with Okolie to give Rebecca some money to secure a new accommodation but only God knows if she meant it. Okolie decided to avoid anything that has to do with Rebecca.

It is said “ When one is in a place, one feels another place should be better till verification is made”

All the plea for pardon from Rebecca turned to a deaf ear. She wept and walked away.

THE END.

It's always my nature to focus on the future.

I go into adventures but have no fracture.

As I get more mature, I let go of some cultures that do not nurture my future.

I cry for humanity that fry other creatures.

I seek the cooperation of every nation as we'll need promotion to enhance jubilation.

Oh no! The abilities for better activities have been buried, making many a liability.

The work for everybody, left for somebody but done by nobody.

Humanity is failing, do they care? I think no-one cares as everyone fears.

I can't fully comprehend but tears tear my eyes for the plague is near.

Seven days gone, Seven days to come, humanity is fading!

INTRODUCTION

 One is the best friend to oneself as one could also be the worst enemy to oneself. 

An adage says ” if you don’t help yourself, no onevailable , coupled with present days experiences, Nigeria has witnessed a drastic retrogression because Nigeria in the 60s was better than Nigeria today in every ramifications.

Nigeria is not only underdeveloped but a good examination of the sociopolitical activities of the country and the present image of the country in the world affairs would show that the moral, educational, social, political, economical, religious and psychological lives of the people have been negatively affected by the people themselves, if not completely damaged. The big question here is ” who is to blame?”

When we talk about corruption in Nigeria tiday, every facet of the country is guilty. Be it religious bodies, political actors or the masses. The ostentatious  lifestyle of the people of Nigeria has become their norm and it seems to be that there is a struggle for ” Who is richer” and ” Who controls others”.

Nigeria has the highest number of religious bodies and leaders of which many profess Christianity. One would, in this case,  expect that the proliferation of church in the country would abate the rate of corruption in Nigeria but, ironically, many of such have helped to bamboozle the people and increase corruption.

The dominant religious bodies in the country are always at a loggerhead. This has increased assassination and insurgency in the country, thereby reducing manpower in the country.

Politically; selfishness, greed, tribalism and nepotism have eaten up Nigerian National strength and the rulership seems to be to the detriment of the minority groups.

Educationally, it is clear that that Nigeria has fallen from the mountain to the bare ground. Instead of Nigerian schools to produce Educationist, they produce experts in big grammar without real practicals.

Socially, things have really fallen apart. Many pastors now cajole their followers by making them believe they have enemies in their various families and all around them. The preach miracle money and at the end defraud them [ I mean so many of them but may not be all]. Purchase of private jet has become a challenge among Nigerian top pastors while the members who contribute to them remain in their abject poverty.

For greed, even the churches in Nigeria are in competition of ” Who gets the larger crowd and auditorium”, not who preaches repentance and morality. The fraudulent nature of many Nigerian churches has offended other religious bodies and individuals, and encouraged them to commit more crimes. How possible is this? People copy and make reference to what religious leaders do.

The politicians politicise education by the slots they share among themselves. Many teachers in Nigerian schools lack teaching efficiency but no one would quarry them because they have political influence.

One cannot be very sure if the Nigerian judiciary is really the hope of the oppressed.

To this regard, I think Nigeria my dear country, my fatherland needs to wake up from a deep sleep.

        Dr. Okafor Agholor Augustine.

        ( A sociopolitical scientist).

[Nigerian continuous retrogression:, causes, effects and possible solutions: A lesson for other developing countries]

               By

 Dr. Okafor Augustine Agholor

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE: 

CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1. Expected areas of development

2. Elements of development

3.Factors militating against development in Nigeria.

(a) Political factors

(b)Economic factors

(c) Religious factors

(d) Social factors

CHAPTER TWO: 

CONCEPTS OF CORRUPTION

1. Types of corruption

2. Areas of corruption in Nigeria

(a) corruption in politics

(b) corruption in religions

(c) corruption in  economy

(d) corruption in education and social lives.

2.Causes of corruption in Nigeria

3. Effects of corruption on Nigerian National Development

CHAPTER THREE:

 DEVELOPMENT OF CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA

1. First Republic

2. Second Republic

3. Third Republic

CHAPTER FOUR: 

NIGERIAN YOUTHS AND INCESSANT EMIGRATION.

(a) Causes of incessant emigration

(b) Effects of incessant emigration on Nigerian economy

(c) Possible solutions to incessant emigration from Nigeria.

CHAPTER FIVE: 

COMMON PERCEPTION OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES ABOUT NIGERIAN YOUTHS AND THEIR LEADERS

(a) Effects of Nigerian attitudes on Nigerians in foreign lands.

(b) Effects of Nigerian behaviors [ by ratio] on foreign investment in Nigeria.

CHAPTER SIX: 

A CALL FOR TOTAL REVOLUTION

(a) Concept of Revolution

(b) Areas of Revolution

i Religions

ii Education

iii Politics

iv Social lives 

v Economy

CHAPTER SEVEN :

 NIGERIA IN THE NEXT DECADES

1. Strategies for Development

(a) Social awareness

(b) Revolutionary actions

(c) Needed Policies and Implementations.

       IS THERE HOPE FOR NIGERIAN  DEVELOPMENT?

CHAPTER EIGHT: 

POETIC ILLUSTRATIONS OF NIGERIAN SITUATIONS AND HOPE.

CHAPTER ONE

CONCEPTS OF DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Development has been viewed in different perspectives by scholars, having many ambiguities in their views. An evaluation of the earlier views of the concepts of development could really assume Third World countries to have achieved the overall United Nations target back then in 1960s. The level of the living of the masses was not considered then. Only the gross national products were looked upon, and this made such perception erroneous. As a result of such errors, ” Development” was empirically redefined to meet  ” Cost and Effects” The availability of resources, the utilization of the resources and the conceivable impact of the resources on the lives of the people. Development therefore targets the well-being of the people instead of focusing on what is available.

According to Prof. Dudley Seers(1969), development goes with growth and the basic questions to ask about a nation’s development are:

What has been happening to poverty?

What has been happening to unemployment?

What has been happening to inequality?

Except one or all of the above questions are addressed, according to him, a nation’s development remains questionable even the per capita income is doubled. This assertion gains acceptability because when wealth is available without utilization, it is good for nothing. Nigeria as a State can not boast of efficient management of her resources nor making it flow to wholesome directions.

On this extent, Professor Goulet, in regards to his view on sociopolitical sphere of development, identified three cores of development which are: Freedom, Self esteem and self sustenance.

To what extent can we say that Nigerians are living above poverty?

To what extent can we say that Nigerians are not suffering unemployment?

To what extent can we say that Nigerians are practicing equality before the law?

Can we really say that Nigerian economy is not leaning on foreign countries when we cannot live without importations?

To what extent can we say there is self esteem in Nigeria when the Nigerian youths are incessantly migrating to foreign lands and dying in the Mediterranean sea or begging to be slaves in foreign lands?

To what extent can we say we have freedom when many Nigerian youths escape from the country, trapped and crushed like serpents in foreign lands?

When the importation is far higher than the exportation from the country, how would we say there is Self sustenance? Until the above issues are addressed, Nigeria remains awkward even after sixty years of independence. In regard to the above expositions, development can be empirically defined as:

″ Development [ as pertains to a nation] is the distribution of a nation’s wealth to wholesome directions, for the reformation and transformation of the people and the society, and a good utilization of the resources for the present society and setting a land mark for the future generations”.

The above therefore takes us to what is called ” sustainable development”

THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

The word ” sustainable” simply implies ” to last long or continue”. For example, if a man was rich some years ago and goes bankrupt for years after, the past glory would only be sympathetic and never a good reference. It ought to be that he was very poor and now becomes rich. The case of Nigeria is ” I get before”  which a singer calls ” story”.

In 1987, the Bruntland Commission published its report ” Our Common Future” in an attempt to relate the issues of economic development and environmental stability. The report in the process gave an offcited definition of sustainable development as:

″ Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs”.

[ See United Nations General Assembly, 1987, p.43]

By utilizing economic tools, early theories  stated policies for the protection of the environment which could promote innovations and turn a profit. Working and investing for the future.

  In 1920, Arthur Pigou noted that the presence of incidental, uncharged services act as a barrier to achieving equilibrium in the market. In his work, ” Economics of Welfare”,Pigou noted that the divergence between marginal social costs and benefits and marginal private costs and benefits, create what is called ” externalities”. The externalities, according to him, are conceived as transaction spillovers, or costs and benefits unaccounted for in the given price of goods and services. In order to correct market failures, he proposed a tax on those activities that produce negative externalities at a rate equal to those external costs. By levying this charge called Pigouvian tax, the market price will more accurately reflect the comprehensive costs and benefits of the activity.

From the above view, Michael Porter et al (1999), theorized that pollution is a sign of inefficient resource use. Therefore, win-win opportunities for the environment and economy can be captured through improvements which reduce pollution in production processes. The theory suggests that competitive advantages rely on the capacity for innovations; thus, by encouraging innovations, strict environmental regulations can actually enhance competitiveness. As the hypothesis states, properly designed policies for the environment that makes use of market incentives can encourage the introduction of new technologies and reduce production waste. This is called ” Reward for labour which encourages more effort and equals to transformation.” In other words, it is called ” Actual Development”.

 Sustainable development encompasses intergenerational equity, long term stability of the economy and the environment, which is achievable through the integration and acknowledgement of economic, environmental, and social concerns throughout the decision making processes. This seems to be lacking as Nigerian law makers sit in the National Assembly from time to time.

In regard to what sustainable development is, subtitutability of capital is important; natural and man-made capitals. Strong sustainability is said to embrace the important features of natural resources that cannot be replaced by manufactuted capital. The precautionary principle of sustained development examines and states that where there are irreversible damage or serious threat, lack full scientific  certainty shall be used as an excuse for withdrawing cost effective measure to avoid environmental degradation. Conducive environment, undoubtedly attracts investors and investments; local or foreign. Where are the early companies in Nigeria? Where are the paper mills? Natural capital is not enough to grant Nigeria ( likewise any developing country) a sustained development, the management, good education to acquire managerial skills for stable peace are important factors. If this is thinkable among Nigerian leaders, I believe by now, Nigeria ought not to be looking for foreign experts for road construction nor refining oil in foreign lands till now.

EXPECTED AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

 A critical examination of the Nigerian situation would reveal that every facet of the country has been dented with scars of corruption. There should be a summon for a total rebranded Nigeria in:

Social Re-branding of Nigeria.

Social vices; kidnapping, robbery, high rate of fraud, cultism are all on the rise. These social problems are not only triggered by the corrupt politicians who have been known for embezzlement, but it also appears to be that ostentatious lifestyle is in the blood of both working and non working vast of Nigerians. Wherefore, an average Nigerian would commit any crime anywhere when money is involved.

If a proper orientation is not given early enough, the future generations of Nigeria would justify crime as a norm and culture even as it is already on. You there not say ill of an internet fraudster in the face of many Nigerians. To many, it is not a crime but the smart way of making money. This is so because fraud is everyday news of the government and agencies without penalties. 

Therefore, there is an urgent call for social re-branding of Nigeria through schools, workshop , seminars and other peace agencies. The laws should remain sacrosanct. 

Economic re-branding of Nigeria.

Wrong policies have over the years shattered the Nigerian economy. Nigerians value any imported product to the detriment of their economy. What is happening to Nigerian lump cultivation and the plastic industries?

Nigerians would cry blood just because importation of rice is reduced. They rather prefer to bury the local cultivation of rice in the country to the detriment of the economy and go for China Rice, not minding to know anything about balance of trade. The leaders on the other hand loot the treasury and establish big companies in foreign countries. What is wrong with Nigerian soil if not the greed to steal and privatize among the people? Nigeria shall be great if all the people realize the truth on-time and put heads together to rebrand the economy.

Political Re-branding of Nigeria.

It is an open secret that Nigerian political system is sick, from the presidency down to the local governments. The temperature of Nigerian political system is worst than that of typhoid Fever. This is why violence is always accompanied and rerun of elections, going to tribunal after elections becomes a custom.

What about the judiciary?  Never reliable because in the face of evidence, justice is denied.[ Reference to June12 1993 and 2019 presidential election.] Rigging of elections and imposition is not lacking in the politics. The Nigerian political situation justifies the words of late Obafemi Awolowo. According to him, Nigerian politics is a matter of ” Many holding the cow for few to drink the milk”.

If better innovations are not brought into Nigerian politics, the system will keep choosing wrong and selfish leaders who are uneducated and without clue of leadership. Nigeria has many unnecessary political offices, the counselors without duties are there not to mention SSA SA PA etc. All these wastage and Nigeria wants to develop like Dubai. I have not seen the magic for the transformation without first having transformation in attitude.

Religious Re-branding of Nigeria.

It is no more a secret that Nigerian governance is being influenced by the two dominant religions in the country. Voting systems are also string attached to the religious beliefs. Where, therefore, is the sense of national unity? Without mincing words, the religious leaders are already compromising their faith for political benefits and they now work hand in hand with the political actors they love. As whoever they hate, they condemn to the uttermost part of the roof even without proof.

Over the years, top religious leaders in Nigeria were busy prophesying who would win the presidential election coupled with a lot of drama. Not only that, the religious bodies especially in the name of Christianity, have become too materialistic. They now eye private jets from what they gather from the poor masses. Never to build industries but to live on luxuries, praying for the gullible to get visa to foreign lands. If their prayers are genuine, why not pray for a good and established Nigeria where youths will no longer think of escaping? Example is ” Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” .

The religious leaders give too many fake prophecies and put families asunder and because they want to demonstrate power by force.

Many of them collect money for prayers and bill their members unnecessarily[ Reference to Rev. Pastor Mrs. Funke Adejumor and her $1000  and  one million naira demand for new year blessings.] If many of those people have such amount, they could start up a petty business without any search for anointing. Unfortunately, Nigerians are ready to defend the cabals who cajole them with the last breath of their lives.

Psychological Re-branding of Nigeria.

Most times, Nigerians place emphasis on their tribes than their nationality. This psychologically reveal the level of tribalism and lack of national consciousness and unity. An Igbo man prefers to be called a Biafran while many Hausas believe that the Igbos have no right to be the president of the nation.

The political appointment into various offices shows the level of marginalization in the country.

Educational Re-branding of Nigeria.

It is common to see Nigerian graduates who can not defend the course they studied at the University. Why? Because many lecturers are busy talking bribes to promote the students. At the secondary school level is hard nut to crack. They create ” miracle centers where students can pass without having true intelligence. These are future leaders who later become doctors and many of such occupy the political offices to lead the great nation. Supervision of schools is a thing of the past. The primary school teacher may not plan her lessons. Sometimes, the teachers sit in the staff room with gist and when students come to call them, the usual word is ” go I’m coming”.  Such teacher ends up not teaching and by month end, she receives salary. In this area, I’m speaking from experience.

The appreciation of our natural resources have been said to be our interest. Rational and effective governance truly requires a nation to consider and protect the environment and natural resources on which its current and future developments depend. 

The connection between the environment and development thus seeks a powerful rationale for environmental protection. The Nigerian social environment, in this case has not encouraged sustainable development as anarchy, insurgence, violence and a lot more ruins the days. The inherent interdependence between the long term stability of the environment and the economy is the foundation of sustainable development. Similar to Porter win-win hypothesis that a trade off isn’t necessary, but sustainable development seeks to tackle the sources of environmental degradation, not just the symptoms. By tackling the sources of the degradation, incentives for economic advancement can be created.

Elements of Development:

As a tree is known by its leaves and fruits, so is development perceivable  by the following:

1. Reduction of hunger in the society. If the rate of employment is higher than the rate of unemployment , many people would self dependent and hunger would reduce in the given society. Therefore, level of employment can determine the level of self sustenance in the society, which is an element of development.

2. Political stability/ Peace:  As earlier discussed, no investor likes to invest in a troubled environment. The polity must be peaceful if investors would invest there in. A peaceful and stable polity is an indication of development because development does not only refer to the social amenities but the level of education and civilization of the people, the maintenance of peace and orders also prove if they are developed or not.

4. Reduction of diseases: It should be shown in the healthcare/  services of the people if a nation is said to have witnessed development. A developed nation would not be such that the president and other leaders often travels abroad for medical checkup while the masses die daily in the poorly equipped hospitals. Such situation would reveal the level of inequality because if the hospitals are put in order, why should they travel abroad for treatment? Like in the case of Nigeria, how many of the English or Indians come to Nigeria for medical checkup? 

5. Good educational system: The quality of education in a country is a strong indication of development. We often hear people of Nigeria traveling to Canada, India, London and America, even to Ghana West Africa to further in their education. As one makes one’s bed, so would one lie in it. What does it insinuate? Simply that Nigerian schools are lacking efficient teachers or management. When we shall talk of development in Nigeria, one of the indications must be the quality of education Nigeria must have achieved.

FACTORS MILITATING AGAINST DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA.

The following among other factors have thwarted the socioeconomic and political development in Nigeria:

Sociopolitical factors:

It is no longer a strange news that the political system of Nigeria has been lying on a sick bed over the years. The end results of such problems like rig of elections, thuggery, snatching of balot boxes etc, is waste of government fund. Such wastage is a serious setback.

Nigerian government usually create unnecessary  political offices that have no duties to discharge all in an attempt to embezzle funds.

Politically,

There is no uniform political system in Nigeria. It is supposed that Nigeria is practising democracy and universal adult suffrage in the voting system, but it was so clear that the (2015) presidential election, children below twelve years old were all voting while in the south, such age has no mandate of voting. The video clips were in circulation. This kind of issue can lead to political uproar than can tear the nation apart. 

The political actors fight for their own selfish interests and this is why they keep regrouping in the name of defection from one political party to another. It is in Nigeria one would hear that snake has swallowed millions of Naira without a trace. To elect a credible representative in Nigeria remains a hard nut to crack because the people are easily bribed to vote against their conscience. This is why someone said that Nigerians are okay with hardship.

The Guardian Newspaper of 17th July 2018 had it that 242.4 billion Naira was budgeted for the 2019 elections. In comparison, the last population census carried out in Nigeria estimated the population of 190.9 million people. The political processes of Nigeria encourages wastage. Nigerian leaders loot the treasury to establish other countries. A typical example is the case of late Gen. Sani Abacha who, after ten years of his death, his loot was still discovered. Why wont Nigerians use such money to develop the country? 

In 2000, after two years of Abacha’s death,  a Switz Banking Commission Report indicted Switz Banks for failing to follow a compliance process in allowing family and friends of the late General to access his accounts and depositing the amount totaling six hundred million USD ( 600m USD) into the accounts. In the same year, mire than one one billion USD ( 1bn USD) of Abacha’s loot was discovered in various accounts across Europe. During the probes, Olusegun Obasanjo was in power and it was not clear how the recovered money added to the development of Nigeria.

According to Adams Odunayo(legit.com) 370m USD was still discovered from Abacha’s loot in 2018 in Luxembourg account.

According to Akintunde( Vanguard News), Nigeria received 322,515,931.83 dollars from Switz government into CBN from Abacha’s loot. These are few among many issues of looting from Nigerian treasury. Even if such money was recovered and added to the treasury, what has the government used it to better the masses?

A thief steals and creates a committee to look for the missing money. How would such money be found?

President Olusegun  Obasanjo set up the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) during his administration. Lagos EFCC commenced an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of public fund levelled against Obasanjo. The then EFCC head of general investigation, Mr. Sando Umaru said ” This is Lagos” . He claimed that the process of the investigation might be slow but that they were working.

Murtala/ Obasanjo admin (1975) issued a decree (Decree No 38 of 1975) for combating corruption. In essence, it was said that the mobilization of the resources in Nigeria was a crucial issue and as such, the fiscal aspect was significantly regulated by statute. The assertion could be reinforced by several agitations over resource control, sharing of the national cake and the cries about marginalization was to be looked into. This did not change any action.

ESTATE AND UNBRIDLED CORRUPTION: JIDE AYOBULU ( Vanguard News, Nov.1 2006)

 According to Jide, president Obasanjo by 1999 vowed that his government was going to work relentlessly to curb the menace of corruption that had systematically led to the development of underdevelopment  of Nigeria. In his speech, Obasanjo said nothing corrupt would be spared in the war against corruption. However, as at 1999, the president failed to explain the missing N31billion that should have been paid into the revenue account.

Secondly, it was reported that N84b was missing in NPA involving a ” big wig of the then ruling PDP, hence, the EFCC was lily-livered  to make it known to the public.

Again, Nigerians waited in vain to know what happened to the N6.4bn that was collected for the controversial presidential library that was adjudged to be illegal.

Nigerians had wanted to know from Obasanjo, who owns Ajaokuta Steel Mill, Delia Steel Complex, Jos Steel Rolling Mill, Oshogbo MachineTools and Itekpe Iron Ore Company. Who is the real owner of Obajana Cement Factory? Who owns Eleme Petrochemical? Who had the highest shares in Arik  Airline? Why did Nigeria sell the Nigerian Airways Hanger through bidding negotiation? Why did Nigeria allocate incrative international routes to Arik Air even before it brought planes when existing Airlines who were doing well in the country were denied such opportunities? Who are the people who have been importing fuel into the country since 1999?

What was the EFCC doing about the Israeli arm deals where some official made millions of dollars for themselves? What did the EFCC do about the old planes that were bought as new, which increased chances of crash? These were few among many unanswered questions about sociopolitical issues of corruption in Nigeria. [ 27/10/2007, Segun Toyin Dawodu PO Box, 710080, Hermdon , VA USA]

It should not be a surprise to hear that from 1960 Nigerian independence till 1985, Naira was greater than USD. What has been happening since then? Immediately crude oil was discovered, Nigeria abandoned Agriculture and became lazy. Nigeria began to sleep and has refused to wake up till now.

CHAPTER TWO: CONCEPTS OF CORRUPTION.

 Corruption, being a social problem, is viewed in different perspectives and has no definite definition.

In a general sense, corruption is a perversion from good to bad.

Sen (1999 p.275), sees corruption as a violation of established rules for personal gain and profit making.

Lipset and Lenz (2000 p.122-114) see corruption as an effort made to secure wealth or power through illegal ways or means for private gain at public expense; a misuse of public power for private benefits.

Corruption is any behavior that deviates from the formal duties of a public as it accords to the law, for personal satisfaction regarding to greed.

To Osoba (1996), corruption is an antisocial behavior conferring improper benefits contrary to legal norms, and which undermines the authority to improve the living condition of the people.

In response to the above definitions of corruption, it can be summed up to be: 

Any act or behavior, written or expressed otherwise, which violates established rules and regulations and embraces insincerity, racism, giving and receiving of bribes to pervert justice, or to acquire power, position or wealth illegally to the detriment of others.

As noted in the previous chapter, corruption is found in every organization though sometimes not noticeable. It is also important to note that corruptions are in every nation of the world but of different degrees.

TYPES OF CORRUPTION: IN NIGERIA

There are two major types of corruption in Nigeria:

*Bureaucratic (Petty) corruption and

*Political ( Grand) Corruption.

Beureucratic  corruption has a great link with political corruption. Although,beureucratic( economic )corruption basically deals with the issues of investment, economic growth and expenditures. In this regard, the economic factors militating against development in Nigeria are both individuals and governmental.

According to Mauro (1997) , economic corruption reduces private investment. To me, it equally thwarts public establishments. This is because the embezzled fund cannot at the same time create revenues nor jobs for the citizens. The culture of late or refusal of payment for goods supplied and services rendered are factors that hamper development. According to Lord Bishop of Guilford, David Pack, the attitude of late payment or refusal to pay for services rendered is one of the factors scaring  investor away from Nigeria. Not only foreign investors but also native investors are scared. He noted that those who fail to pay companies for the services rendered seem to forget that cash flow is the life blood of any company. He added that the prize of corruption, in terms of economy, is poverty. This is what Nigeria is facing.

According to Collaghy (1994), because of widespread of Petty and Grand corruptions, the international community regarded the whole Africa as a ” sinkhole” that swallows their money with little or no return.

According to Ndiulor (1999),the brazen display of wealth by Nigerian public officers which they cannot explain the source, points to how bad corruption has eaten up the society. Many of them lived on modest income before being elected or appointed. ( see ThisDay, June 24, 2002).

Glorification and approbation of ill-gotten wealth has become the norm and culture of Nigerians; in the government or not.

As source says, the Nigerian society worships and shower praises on known crooks who make jumbo donations to churches and ridicule the honest and so rich that does not spray money on sycophants. The value system of Nigeria and their nationality has long decayed. Even the religious leaders are not innocent of causing damage to the Nigerian economy. Once a warehouse is turned into a worship center with no contribution to the growth of the society. Corruption has made the quality of goods in the country to reduce to the barest minimum, even the goods imported. Corruption has made Nigeria a dumping ground for expired goods from other countries. Nigerians pay China and Dubai less and demand for inferior goods to be brought into the country. The centre point here is that products that do not give the expected utility can not thrive to enhance the development of the society.

POLITICAL (GRAND) CORRUPTION.

Political Corruption is the extreme violation of rules and regulations; a negative way of affecting the lives of the people in Power struggle and conversion of public fund and wealth to private at the expense of the State.

Usually, political corruption in African States like Nigeria and other countries in Africa can be read. The use of office power and governmental resources for sordid and disrepute for private gain.

Political corruption is not a new phenomenon that pervades the Nigerian State. Since the creation of the modern public administrations in the country, there have been cases of corruption; misuse of power for personal gain especially from the time oil was discovered in Nigeria till date that Nigeria has abandoned Agriculture to get hold of oil money.

AREAS (FACTORS) OF CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA.

Politics and Corruption in Nigeria.

As I have talked about this in chapter one, I would not like to waste pages, but to quickly assert that all is not well in Nigerian politics.

Election does not truly determines who gets his way into the office in Nigeria. Election in Nigeria is unequivocally rigged. Sometimes the candidate buys the votes having it in mind never to represent the interests of the people when in office. The national cake is not shared without bias. This is why many believe politics to be a dirty game.

Religious Factors and Corruptions in Nigeria.

According to Shadabi (2003), religion affects the transparency in Nigerian politics. For example, even if a candidate is credible, the electorates may decide to vote against him or refuse to vote at all for the sole reason that he is of the religion they don’t accept. Religious differences prompt Nigerians to criticize a given government without facts to back up their criticism, and praise the government of the person who is of the same religion with them. 

Onaiyekan (2002) states that it is impossible to disconnect religion from Nigerians. This means that religious identity is more valuable than national identity. A Nigerian would favor a foreigner of the same religion than a fellow Nigerian of another religion. Over the years, the two dominant religions in Nigeria have been in an internal loggerhead. Killing follows every now and then. Burning of churches, shops and so on in the northern Nigeria. Politicians donate large sum of money to the religious bodies of their choice to the detriment of the masses. Nigerian online news platform has it that Bafarawa confessed to have received N4.6bn from  Dasuki for  spiritual purposes. That was during the probe of $2.1b arms  as contained in the Premium Time. Report also has it that Pastor Dikwa, the executive director of Voice of Northern Christians was paid N7bn by former president Goodluck Jonathan to help him campaign against his opponent and that the money was handed over to the leadership of CAN on the 26th of January 2016. Top religious leaders in Nigeria work hand in hand with the corrupt politicians. This has reduced the teaching of truth as ought to be.

Social Factors and Corruptions in Nigeria:

Social factors here is a general issue. It refers to the misconducts of individuals and groups and their breaking of laws. This is usually aggreviated through peers and secret associations. This aspect of corruption points to the destruction of amenities and infrastructures, stealing, destruction of school property etc. Kidnapping is not left out. In a situation where there are social problems, businesses cannot grow and at the end, such places are left desolate. A typical example of such is in many towns of Rivers State Nigeria. Egbeda town is almost desolate because the youths kidnap workers a lot. No bank in the entire Elele town because of social problems.

Economy and Corruption in Nigeria.

The economy of Nigeria keeps falling because the Beureucrats have wrong mentality, not because of the available resources. They siphon public fund to make the nation weep.

Government policies are not meant to favour the masses but to enrich the elected or selected cabals. Nigerians can go to China to request for substandard products that can endanger lives.

Many smuggle fake drugs into the country and cause more illness for the nation.

As it is well known that many products are fake in Nigeria, people find it difficult to patronize the producers.  In such case, the economy is thwarted by low patronage.

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