Number one on that list is, Somalia (home base for Al Shabaab); number four is, South Sudan (one of the world’s newest nations, at war with its sister nation, Sudan); and next to that is number nine, the Central African Republic (currently imploding, and a magnet for terrorist groups). In fact, Africa is the home of 15 of the top 20 failed or failing states on the Index. There is a very real risk that Nigeria could become part of a swathe of states from Africa’s that are effectively ungovernable, what I have dubbed the ‘United Africa Failed States’. It may be argued that this is already the case. For example, despite its support from France and the UN, the Central African Republic is in a state of anarchy. Nigeria has already lost some of its own territory and if care is not taken might even lose more in days to come. A situation where civilians are allowed to carry arm all in the name of CJTF (Civilian Joint Task Force), is the beginning of a failed state, the heroic actions of these civilians have their consequences, if not addressed on time. So what does the future hold for a country in a bad neighborhood, unable to break free of the disease of corruption and terrorist organization wreaking havoc in parts country? That depends on how effectively anti-terrorism assistance can be integrated into Nigeria society, and how long such assistance will continue to flow to the government. How effectively can the security forces deploy those assets, and to what degree can the government become proactive, rather than reactive, about the problem. Is that even possible? To date, regrettably, the security services have been relegated to the role of firemen. My best guess is that Nigeria will continue to muddle along as it has for decades, failing to address the corruption issue in any meaningful way, and squandering the opportunity to become a genuine regional economic powerhouse. In the process, its people will endure even higher unemployment (currently at 67 percent) and crime rates, while the terrorism threat continues to rise. My last visit to Nigeria in June this year gave me the chance to speak with some of my friends, almost everyone I spoke with are tired of the system, 95 percent of my fellow graduate from ABU Zaria in 2011 are still unemployed till date. The society has turned them into beggars; some are forced back to the University for their Masters Program because of unemployment. Nigeria is too important to fail. The government knows it, and so donor governments. So its dependence on foreign aid will also continue. Let us hope that Nigeria does not become part of the United Africa Failed States. As of now, there is just as much chance that it will, as that it will not. Change is inevitable like the saying goes; it will be too early to lose hope for a better Nigeria. I believe on the Nigerian populace to rewrite our history in gold.
Friday, 19 December 2014
Corruption & Insecurity In Nigeria
Number one on that list is, Somalia (home base for Al Shabaab); number four is, South Sudan (one of the world’s newest nations, at war with its sister nation, Sudan); and next to that is number nine, the Central African Republic (currently imploding, and a magnet for terrorist groups). In fact, Africa is the home of 15 of the top 20 failed or failing states on the Index. There is a very real risk that Nigeria could become part of a swathe of states from Africa’s that are effectively ungovernable, what I have dubbed the ‘United Africa Failed States’. It may be argued that this is already the case. For example, despite its support from France and the UN, the Central African Republic is in a state of anarchy. Nigeria has already lost some of its own territory and if care is not taken might even lose more in days to come. A situation where civilians are allowed to carry arm all in the name of CJTF (Civilian Joint Task Force), is the beginning of a failed state, the heroic actions of these civilians have their consequences, if not addressed on time. So what does the future hold for a country in a bad neighborhood, unable to break free of the disease of corruption and terrorist organization wreaking havoc in parts country? That depends on how effectively anti-terrorism assistance can be integrated into Nigeria society, and how long such assistance will continue to flow to the government. How effectively can the security forces deploy those assets, and to what degree can the government become proactive, rather than reactive, about the problem. Is that even possible? To date, regrettably, the security services have been relegated to the role of firemen. My best guess is that Nigeria will continue to muddle along as it has for decades, failing to address the corruption issue in any meaningful way, and squandering the opportunity to become a genuine regional economic powerhouse. In the process, its people will endure even higher unemployment (currently at 67 percent) and crime rates, while the terrorism threat continues to rise. My last visit to Nigeria in June this year gave me the chance to speak with some of my friends, almost everyone I spoke with are tired of the system, 95 percent of my fellow graduate from ABU Zaria in 2011 are still unemployed till date. The society has turned them into beggars; some are forced back to the University for their Masters Program because of unemployment. Nigeria is too important to fail. The government knows it, and so donor governments. So its dependence on foreign aid will also continue. Let us hope that Nigeria does not become part of the United Africa Failed States. As of now, there is just as much chance that it will, as that it will not. Change is inevitable like the saying goes; it will be too early to lose hope for a better Nigeria. I believe on the Nigerian populace to rewrite our history in gold.
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