We need to stop promoting these fatuous and simplistic “big bad West” narratives as a counterpoint to African development, which appeal to the visceral sentiment by repeating a “primordial fact of all history”- nations seek to dominate others for the benefit of their citizens.
1) The international market economy is NOT a branch of the International Red Cross
2) African nations are very much capable of directing their own resources and navigating the interminable course of their own destinies. To argue otherwise is to deny them of agency - 60 years after independence (where was China 40 years ago?)
3) You don’t hear that argument in Asia which shares a similar experience of colonialism.
4) Dangote and Kasapreko and Aba leather goods, etc are selling across Africa.
I said the narrative is simplistic. Let me tell you a story. I have spent the last 5 years and millions of my own money having invented a digital system for local currency Exchange (a retail component of the PAPSS currency exchange) that allows Africans (54 countries, 42 different currencies) to use their local currencies for cross-border trade (USD exchange depletes national reserves and attracts $5.3 billion in yearly costs).
The U.S. government through its Commercial Service and Embassies, has left no stone unturned to make this project successful.
And African Central Banks? Only very few have responded positively. Can you guess what it takes to secure a regulatory license in Africa? 3- 4 years of undiluted pain and a boatload of money. (The process takes about 3 months here in the U.S.)
Make of this fact what you will.
We’re not ready for prime time
Peter Obi remains the only presidential candidate who can address international organizations, engage with world leaders & other nations, & take questions as well.
This is the European Union Parliament.
This is FDI.
This is Foreign Policy.
This is Passport Ranking.
This is how you market Nigeria.
Peter Obi took questions at the Africa Business Club Conference as well. It was a full session & he held his audience spellbound. You can see his obvious agility, gravitas, & sharpness. This is the type of 21st century president you need.
What Our Pervasive Insecurity Requires: A Holistic not Reactive Approach.
In a hasty effort to be perceived as attentive and courageous, it is reported that President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of about 1000 forest guards for Oyo State. This is a further demonstration of poor leadership and attending to very serious governance and security issues with a reactive approach. It is the same reactive approach that led to the sudden removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the Naira that has caused irreparable damage to ordinary Nigerians and the economy.
While recruiting more security personnel for Oyo state and the country is important, it should be done in a more organised and well-thought-out manner. Presently, almost all the 36 states in Nigeria are experiencing different forms of insecurity, with Oyo, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Borno, Katsina, Anambra, Niger, Imo, and Sokoto being very alarming.
The question, such as the reactive approach of our President, is whether all the states will receive the same approval to recruit 1000 forest guards per state, that is 37, 000 forest guards for the 36 states and Abuja or is the recruitment approval based on the mood of the President? Moreover, with the approval for Oyo, what will happen to the Amotekun Corps that is trying its best to secure South-West Nigeria?. Will they be disbanded in Oyo state?
The pervasive insecurity we currently have is directly related to the failure of our ecosystem, particularly leadership. It is only failure in leadership that can lead to the death of over 10,000 innocent Nigerians since 2023, and Nigeria is ranked among the top-most terror-affected countries in the world.
Addressing our insecurity situation requires a holistic or what can be described as an ecosystem approach. With failure in leadership, there is failure in unifying our dear nation, failure in industrialisation, failure in harnessing our abundant resources in agriculture, minerals, tourism, water, sports and even oil and gas to effectively generate required revenue, growth and particularly jobs for our exponentially growing youth population.
A New and Productive Nigeria will be POssible, and we will be OK! -P0
The abduction of the Chibok girls in 2014 triggered a global movement. One school abduction was enough to unite Nigerians, attract international attention, and place enormous pressure on the government through the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.
Yet, what has happened since then should trouble every Nigerian.
Under President Buhari's eight years in office, Nigeria witnessed about ten school abductions. Under President Tinubu's administration, in just three years, we have already recorded over ten school abductions.
Despite these repeated tragedies, there has been neither sustained national outrage nor significant international attention comparable to what followed Chibok.
This raises an important question: have we become so accustomed to insecurity that what once shocked our national conscience is now treated as normal?
At a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with insecurity, poverty, and hardship, it is deeply troubling that those in power appear more focused on political calculations and preparations for the next election than on addressing the urgent challenges confronting our people.
It is, therefore, no surprise that some observers have labelled us a "Now Disgraced Nation". While we do not agree with any attempt to define our great country by its present difficulties, we must acknowledge that persistent insecurity, economic hardship, and leadership failure have damaged our reputation and standing among nations.
The answer is not denial, propaganda, or political distraction. The answer is leadership that is competent, compassionate, accountable, and genuinely committed to the welfare and security of the Nigerian people.
The Nigerian youth must not become indifferent. We must all refuse to normalise failure.
Young Nigerians - Take back your country!
A New Nigeria is Possible. -PO