NIGERIA

The ensign be tattered

Gloss taken off your egg-white

When your green be faked

Of 419 reasons you should split

We miss merry days of yore

When bangers spice Christmas, Eid

Now, its insomnia sucks your life

But Nigeria, we hail thee

The Giant in Nigeria

I find myself walking down Randall Street, trying to connect to Broad Street via Mechlin Street. The Ministries of Finance and Education sit right by the corners respectively, as you hit Monrovia’s biggest street. I am heading home after work closed early, and there are boys on the street, dancing to “Away”, a dancehall hit song by Ghanaian sensation, VIP as it purred from the giant speakers mounted by one of the musical stores selling music and movies. Their dance steps were new to Liberia, and it looked odd. They would raise one leg, freeze it, bounce and drop, then do the same to the other leg rhythmically. Though it blended with the sound beat, it was still odd in Liberia as it was not American. Gosh, this society can be dope on American culture sometimes. This was in 2010.

Fast-forward, September 2012, and that same dance step which was abhorred, is called Itigi, a now world renown dance step of Ghanaian origin, modified, prefabricated and well promoted by Nigerians, thanks to their better advancement in music entertainment across the West coast. And you won’t wonder much, why it had to get to Nigeria to get popular. Talk of Azonto and Alanta, and you have other dance brands which have gained acclaim on the shores of Nigeria. Every weekend, a popular night club in Monrovia, off the Old Road junction by President Sirleaf’s residence, hosts a Nigerian artiste – musician, movie act, or entertainment star. The streets in Monrovia and surprisingly, in Ganta and even Fishtown, are awash by Nigerian entrepreneurs, seeking that proverbial land of milk and honey. A vast majority of them are Igbo, but Nigerian is the common name. Even the hardly accessible border and port town of Harper, is home to some Nigerian businessman.

The Ghanaian educational system is now popular, and touted to be the best in West and Central Africa. Well, this happened, only after parents from Idi-Roko eastwards in Nigeria got frustrated by the educational system and sought succour for their children in a more politically stable Ghana. The number of Nigerians studying in Ghana today is reportedly in excess of 71,000. Young Nigerians now dream of leaving high school and going abroad to Accra to pursue university education, one which though comes at an economic cost in excess of 160 billion NGN, is efficient, devoid of industrial strikes which has become a major feature of academic calendars in Nigerian universities – bar private universities.

In August, the Gambia executed nine Nigerians, convicted on murder charges, but there are also imprisonments for drug trafficking. I won’t be surprised, if the murder charges are connected to drug peddling deals. The trade route goes through Guinea, the Gambia, Cape Verde and then to Europe. It is no longer news, that hundreds of Nigerians served in the late Col. Muamar Ghadaffi’s well armed mercenary unit. Although most of them who had used Tripoli as a route – in trying to get to the golden fleece said to be harboured in Europe, would end up in prisons in Tripoli and in the deserts, those who were somewhat fortunate to make it to the armed unit, were said to be some of the best men in that band.

Every day, millions of Nigerians wake to the hope of having a better day. Once said to be the most religious people on earth, one in every six persons on the continent is Nigerian, and this adds to the intense competition to survive. No wonder, words like hustle, struggle and “make am” have found their way to the very popular Pidgin English lexicon. This Monday, Nigeria celebrates fifty-two years since it gained independence from Great Britain, but it has been marred by the flooding crisis which has overwhelmed the government.

Celebrations would largely be low-keyed no doubt, but I will find a reason to celebrate and be proud to be Nigerian, all the same. While attending a twitter-preneurship seminar in Abuja recently, Dayo Benjamins Laniyi, entrepreneur and owner of outdoor entertainment giants, DOXA, reiterated the stance of patriotism, by proclaiming that Nigeria is not finished yet, even though there has been predictions of Nigeria breaking apart. But like she stated, the marriage between the Northern and Southern divides in 1914, was for a reason, and it was high time, love was the key to building a “happy home”.

Something to cheer about, are the increase in power generation output, an uplift of our imae in international circles, better trade relations amongst others. There’s no doubt, the influence of Nigeria in West Africa, and still to some extent, Africa. Only, there’s a need to put our hearths right. That is when others would see the real giant in us. Today, I proclaim my belief in the Nigerian dream project, and as a party, I shall contribute my quota to nation building. Happy 52^nd Independence Anniversary, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Stories of the Future

Our world is becoming smaller and ever more disintegrated interdependent; and while so many people have so much in common, never before have the things that divide them been so obvious. Humanity’s question – who are we, remains plausible in an age where flags count, and so do buntings and other symbols of identity, including crosses, crescents, even facial hair and head coverings; because culture counts and cultural identity is what is most meaningful to most people. Stories form a great aspect of culture – shaping business, governance and the world order – and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reminds us of the power in stories, of how they shape our world, and how they seem to give a definition of what and whom we are, in her TED presentation, “The Danger of a Single Story”.

Digital media revolution has grown exponentially, and it is changing the way we fight wars do business; the media and youth continue to look closely in to organizations’ responsible behaviors; and corporations are harnessing youth innovation for future-proofing their brands. While conventional media had in the past, propagated only a coordinated message about a topic or issue, social media now provides a wide stream of gossips stories regards the same topics or issues, providing a multi-dimensional approach to the panorama. With the sudden explosion of digital media content and access devices, we have also seen the economic potential of social media in its ability to reduce inefficient marketing and middlemen. Because social media enables open conversations, these open, often multilateral conversations are critical for internal and external communication. Thus, we need to (stop and) understand the sphere of our influence as social media users; and as leaders, begin to act as middlemen for positive stories which affects development and humankind’s potential. 

Social media has influenced the way companies do business today, and it is also challenging them on how they would do business tomorrow. Future-proofing brands have moved to the top of the agenda for companies, and they are looking to youth innovation, and current trends exciting youth, to predict growth paths for their brand. They are quite aware of the influence of youth on their products and services, and more than ever before, they are bringing their culture closer to young people. They are asking questions like; how their products or services would be perceived in 5 – 10 years time, and what new experiences people would be looking for in their brands. Young people need to stop worrying about innovation, and concentrate on creativity, as there are worries from wide quarters, that today’s schools kill creativity. The lack of originality in product development, enhancement or innovation, could kill a brand’s vision, than its positioning.

Of the 250 multinational corporations in 2010, only 64% published their CSR reports. This means that in taking decisions and actions that enhance societal welfare, managerial discretions require the capacity to consider constraints, interdependencies and multiple demands of various stakeholders. Whilst, individual characteristics (cognition, identity/integrity, values and emotions) are likely to encourage as well as be encouraged by socially responsible behaviors, virtue and practice are also critical. Companies need to (stop and) resist quick solutions, and wok on long term goals which incorporates host communities in their quest to portray themselves as socially responsible. This way, they allow outsiders the chance to experience their ‘culture’, which is why they are involved in CSR in the first place. 
 

The Reverend Martin Luther King once said, “Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability. It comes through tireless efforts and persistent work… Without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation.” We are making tomorrow’s stories today – of how youth innovation creativity would be a key resource; how today’s schools are killing that creativity; and why companies need to future-proof their brands, it is paramount that we make the most of these stories.

CULT ASSAILANTS TURN VICTIMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF JOS

The huge “Say No to Cultism” sign is the first to greet you as you enter the University of Jos through the student hostels access. 9It signal a commitment between the students – represented by their Union Government and the school’s authority, to fight this menace, a show of moral decadence amongst university students who have lost the cause that brought them nigh. Thus, it became alarming when gun-raids said to be by cultists begun rising by the numbers in quarters, occupied by students living off the school’s campus. There were reports, of attacks in the Anguwan Rukuba and Rusuo neighbourhoods amongst others. And if the events of yesterday were to affirm it and put the school’s security system on alert, it was a very dreadful one, which students bravely stood up to stamping a statement of discontent.

When graduating students of Management were joyfully rolling the film, as they celebrated after writing their final exams; Linguistics students were electing new officials, a couple of guys were preparing to wreck havoc to the afternoon air. Donned in red (as all graduating students of management were), they camouflaged themselves to gain entrance in to the library complex at the permanent site (which currently hosts a bulk of academic activities), and reeled in a student of Psychology, who was their supposed target.

Eyewitness accounts say the target was shot at six times, but was not hit by any of the bullets (apparently, he had some voodoo done, to repel bullets). Then when he took off, they began screaming “thief”, to which other students too chase for, caught him and pinned him down for a beating. One of the assailants were said to have approached the mob, and aimed at their victim at point blank range on the head. But they then got alarmed that he was not getting hit, and began to retreat.

Person, reported to be the cultist who was stoned to death yesterday

That was when the wrath of students was borne, and they began going after the assailants. One was caught and stoned to death, while the other got the beating of his life, almost at the point of death with fatal injuries to his head, before men of the Department of State Security came to the scene and whisked him away. In the aftermath, a girl got hit by a stray bullet on the hand, and another got a gash to head from a stone.

No other death or injury was recorded at the scene, and activities got back to normal, apart from the security protocol getting even tighter. Thus, this is to debunk earlier reports by Sahara Reporters, that were had been a gun raid on the University, with about two Students killed, and several others injured.

KANO IS RUNNING TO THE SANDS

Kano Durbar; an annual Eid festival of pageantry and loyalty

Riding behind a commercial motorcycle in the ancient north-central city of Kano, Nigeria is a two-pronged experience. While it gives you an easy and faster escape from the terrible traffic congestion and its antecedent effects, it also provides the chance to be refreshed with air – freshness determined by what location of the city you are in – which brings reprieve from the scorching heat in a city, fast transiting in to the desert region, in the agro-ecological classification of Nigeria. Kano is a beautiful city, carved out of the clayey material remains of the alluvial plains of central Nigeria, with a very rich history and conservative society, after Islamic norms. And as much as the vegetative metamorphosis is ongoing, the vagaries of globalisation seem to be fast on its heels. 

With the mammoth Kasuwan Kwari – a haven for textile, dates, rubber and plastic merchants to name a few – nestled almost at the centre of the metropolis, little wonder the tag, “centre of commerce” has come to stay, much to the despair of other cities like Onitsha, and Potiskum, barring Lagos, which in its own right, is indeed, the “centre of excellence”.  The city of Kano, written in the annals of time is today an agglomeration of nine local governments of the total forty-four which make up Kano State. Characterised by thick traditional clay defense walls and gates, the original plan of the old city, brings repute to the ancient planners, who had made the city impregnable, a commercial bliss and a tourist’s destination.

Kano boasts of astute business men, ranging from Alhassan Datata who had surpassed Umaru Sharubutu Koki and Maikano Agogo by 1922, to become the city’s richest man. He is the great grandfather to Africa’s richest billionaire today, conglomerate magnate Aliko Dangote, who amongst business interests in flour, sugar, cement, oil and confectioneries, is currently developing a tomato processing plant by the expressway before you enter the city. The Sharada, Challawa and Bwopai Industrial Estates are situated in the city, which has an Export Promotion Zone.

Aliko Dangote - Chairman, Dangote Group

Notorious for its tye and dye, the Maitatsine uprising, the Durbar and the groundnut pyramids, Kano is a ‘wonder’ in Nigerian history and mythology. In January, 2012, it was a scene of deadly bombings carried out by the terrorist group Boko Haram, targeted at government installations in the city. This they claimed was a retribution for the city’s support for the federal government’s effort in ending their activities. Also, in as much as two-hundred years, the traditional Eid Durbar – a festival of class, pageantry, royal show-off and affirmation of loyalty of the polity to the ruler – was called off in August, due to a variation in reasons from security challenges, to the Emir, His Royal Highness, Dr. Ado Bayero – San Kano, taking ill.

Before the bombings, it staked its acclaim during the #OccupyNigeria protests organized by the Save Nigeria group, then seeking the reversal of the Presidency’s decision to remove fuel subsidies, when protesters took to the silver jubilee square, and renamed it “Subsidy Square” though the naming didn’t stand the test of time. A British Broadcasting Service reporter approximated the number of protesters who camped there – a la Egypt’s Tahrir Square during the Arab spring, at two thousands. Protesters followed going-ons across the country, via their mobile phones and transistor radios as they made a name for themselves. The Murtala Mohammed ICT Park, a gigantic structure built by the state government to be the information technology hub, towered behind them. Even a twitter account, @Kano emerged from the event, highlighting the growing influence of information technology in a highly conservative and perceived illiterate society. Albeit, only 35 percent of the population are litereate.

Goron Dutse and Dalla Hills overlook the city, with the Gidan Makama museum housed in a 15^th century monument and the Kurmi Market where you can get the best of handcrafts, nestled in the old city. The Aminu Kano International Airport, the country’s largest cargo airport is situated outside the old city, where the first recorded flight to the city landed at the polo field, in 1925. And while the railway system is getting a facelift, a bus or a tricycle ride around, is another experience of its own.

However, a phenomenon scarring the beauty that is Kano is the mass of waste produced which is improperly disposed and managed. This has not only polluted the air and land, but also the ground water system, which traditionally supplies the bulk of residents who are still waiting for government pipes to reach them. Combined with poor housing planning and hygiene, a contamination of the water system would result in a quick fire cholera epidemic. In 2001, well over seven hundred people died and thousands more hospitalised. The World Socialist Web Site reports that up till 2001, the only year in which Kano had not suffered a disease epidemic, was 1997, but the year before, there was a triple epidemic, with almost fifteen thousand people suffering from cerebrospinal meningitis.

Most worrisome, is the flecks of sand that settle between the lips, eyelids and eyebrows, when you ride the motorcycle around Kano. While you might have to wait for the harmattan winds to bring you any evidence of the fast encroaching desert in the middle belt and southern parts of the country; fine loess filter in from the desert daily, as turbulent winds erode the Sahara desert. And with the desert encroaching at an alarming rate of 0.6 kilometres per annum, the efforts of the women employed by the government to sweep the roads of daily stockpile of loess might not be enough; and take frontline local governments in the North-Western and North-Eastern parts of the state are already feeling the impact of the desert. Soon enough, some loess landform might appear in the Kano horizon.

The state government is stepping in, planning to plant one million trees this year, with nurseries already established in Danbatta, Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, Bunkure, Dawakin Kudu and Takai local governments as well as at the monitoring unit in Kano city, according to Alhaji Maitama Danbatta, manager of the project. To confirm the severity of the situation, the federal government is also set to launch the Great Green Wall Sahara Initiative in October, a project which is expected to run across Africa, from Mauritania in the North-West to Djibouti in the North-East, which might just help rehabilitate the existing fifty kilometre shelter belt in the state.

Floods are among disasters that frequent the city of Kano, with yearly records of lives and property lost in the throes. As at Friday, 14 September, 2012 there were calls for volunteers to help evacuate neighbourhoods close to the Warawa Dam. On Sunday, it was reported; eleven thousand, five hundred people were displaced in Kano and Jigawa States. On this occasion, a motorcycle would be handy in saving lives and property.

Word goes around that if you can ride a motorcycle in Kano, then you can anywhere in the country. Enjoying a motorcycle ride around Kano has its downside afterall. Exposure to ghastly mishaps as cyclists meander through traffic is second only to Lagos. You might also be prepared to have your heart in your mouth sometimes, but always have some water in the bathroom for a bath afterwards.