By Jonas Odocha 

Let us not delude ourselves; we need to come to terms with the real essence of governance. It encompasses various aspects of laws, policies, processes and management of resources which focus on the people and on development. Development, by itself, is predicated on value addition, failing which we either stagnate or retrograde.

Please recall that prior to our independence in 1960, Nigeria was an agrarian economy, in which agriculture was the main sector of the economy which contributed significantly to our foreign exchange earnings and our GDP. The North with its extensive arable land boasted of groundnut pyramids; the West produced cocoa plantations and the East was proud of its palm produce. Collectively we produced most of what we consumed for food. Alas, 60 years after, what commensurate value have we added to these earlier accomplishments? Today are we not under the threat of palpable food insecurity?

An independent Nigeria saw a Nigeria that had joined the enviable league of global petroleum oil and gas producers. Petroleum resources changed the economic scene as the major foreign exchange earner; and at the same time changed the energy scene, displacing coal as a cleaner and more efficient and readily available energy resource. Locally, Nigeria began to process, produce and distribute petroleum products with the establishment of an indigenous oil refinery in 1965, in Alasa Eleme [PH refinery], by its pioneer international oil company, Shell BP. A decade later, in late 70s, more refineries were built in Warri and Kaduna and later an additional one to the PH refinery, giving the country 4 refineries with a total capacity of 445,000bpd. Storage depots and 6,000km of interconnecting pipeline networks were established to enhance products distribution and availability . But in the past decade these refineries have gone comatose, irrespective of humongous amounts devoted to their rehabilitation. In addition, successive governments had resorted to the importation of petroleum products, with the concomitant depletion of the national foreign reserves and our overall economy, while these refineries remained abandoned. Is this then the desired quest for value addition to development? In reality is this a form of governance with a sincerity of purpose?

As successive governments, wittingly or unwittingly, intensified efforts to render our overall national economy in shambles, how far have we accepted this reality and what efforts are in place to ensure transparent recovery measures? Leadership is about trust; it is not a popularity contest. Will you be trusted when you request the citizenry to tighten their belts while you flaunt financial recklessness?

Take a look at the display of convoys of very expensive SUVs accompanying these leaders. Consider the extremely mysterious security votes cornered by state governors, not to talk of their emasculation of Local Government governance and usurpation of their funds, with no development in those rural areas. Yet these emperor governors are currently trying to manipulate the Supreme Court ruling on LG autonomy. Is a Supreme Court ruling no longer with immediate effect? As we are lamenting all these, the trailing revelation by a courageous senator of the monthly N21m take-home of Senators is hitting us unashamedly in the face. Yet all the institutions that should intervene in this vulgar emolument disclosure have remained deaf, dumb, blind and insensitive to the national outcry of economic woes and poverty. Is this the way to dig this country out of her glaring economic doldrums?  

Nigerians, why do all these not bother the citizens of a country richly endowed with human and natural resources, but mired in poverty, if we are not under a spell? Worrisome!!!

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EMPTY WORDS!

As I listlessly skimmed through President Tinubu’s Independence Day speech last week, I was struck by the massive disconnect between his stirring words and the realities on ground…awful realities that his government has inflicted on us. And I ask myself whether anyone actually believes a word he says nowadays?

Excerpts:

“Fellow Nigerians, better days are ahead of us. The challenges of the moment must always make us believe in ourselves. We are Nigerians—resilient and tenacious. We always prevail and rise above our circumstances.  

I urge you to believe in our nation’s promise. The road ahead may be challenging, but we will forge a path toward a brighter future with your support. Together, we will cultivate a Nigeria that reflects the aspirations of all its citizens, a nation that resonates with pride, dignity, and shared success. 

As agents of change, we can shape our destiny and build a brighter future by ourselves, for ourselves and for future generations.  

Please join our administration in this journey towards a brighter future. Let us work together to build a greater Nigeria where every citizen can access opportunities and every child can grow up with hope and promise.”

DONU’S WORLD

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Today, on Donu’s World, I talk about why I found my recent birthday immensely depressing and didn’t bother to celebrate.

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