Why Nigeria needs to be re-structured

Why Nigeria needs to be re-structured
Post Date September 1, 2018
Comments 41 Comments
Author
Category Democracy, Nigeria, Politics, The Economy, Uncategorized

In a recent interaction in the United States, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo asserted that the “problem with our country is not a matter of restructuring…and we must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the argument that our problems stem from some geographic re-structuring”.

It is a surprise that the Vice President would take such a position and, in particular, fail to appreciate the connection between Nigeria’s defective structure and its underperformance.

It is unhelpful to reduce the construct of “Restructuring” to a geographical …

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Black Panther – A good film with many lessons for Nigeria

Black Panther – A good film with many lessons for Nigeria
Post Date March 5, 2018
Comments 29 Comments
Author
Category Democracy, Education, Leadership, Security

Over the weekend, I joined my children to watch the much talked about ‘Black Panther’. It was a good film, and I was happy they took me to see it. However, I came out of the movie theatre a little upset.

When the first scenes came up, and I saw “Sambisa Forest” I was unhappy that the only reference the film makers could have for Nigeria was a negative one, but I was later encouraged by the thought of Africans solving African problems. That is a …

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I will never stop fighting for democracy. Here is why…

I will never stop fighting for democracy. Here is why…
Post Date September 15, 2013
Comments 128 Comments
Author
Category Democracy

On the night of April 19, 2007, I sat with the head of my media team in a long conversation over dinner. It was a light-hearted conversation about many things: family, religion, and history. We joked about a recent visit by a friend, and the recent pranks by his youngest child. Everything but politics.

This might sound strange because that was two nights before the 2007 Presidential Elections, and we were about to lose. It was my first, and only, run in a general election for …

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Moving Nigeria beyond oil: Is there really a political will?

Moving Nigeria beyond oil: Is there really a political will?
Post Date September 4, 2013
Comments 76 Comments
Author
Category The Economy

Speech by Atiku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2nd Annual Nigeria Diaspora Leadership Summit, London School of Economics, 4 September 2013.

As originally prepared for delivery – Due to scheduling difficulties, speech has been cancelled.

I am not sure a politician is the right person to ask whether the political will exists in a country to accomplish a particular task.  This is more so when that politician is not holding any executive or even legislative position.  Perhaps your request that I speak on this topic is informed by my having occupied a senior …

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OPED: Atiku Abubakar: Nigeria must allow every citizen to vote

OPED: Atiku Abubakar: Nigeria must allow every citizen to vote
Post Date August 1, 2013
Comments 0 Comments
Author
Category Democracy

Originally published in the Daily Post
Image Credit: www.ap.org

By Atiku Abubakar

Democracy is not bestowed on a society over night. It is a process by which the citizens and their government perpetually negotiate over the tenants upon which that society operates. By 2015, Nigeria will have been on its democratic journey for 16 years, and despite progress towards a more democratic future I fear that apathy towards the arduous journey has set in and we are swiftly losing the sight of our goals…

 

… it is imperative that every Nigerian citizen of …

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