Almost everybody is no doubt on the look out for “power for all by dec,’09”. Many have lost all hope of its feasibility while others are optimistic, yet a few others are indifferent to it all. My position is that what is worth doing in the first place is worth doing very well.
If all the countries which river Niger courses are to build dams, then Nigeria’s domestic voltage would be around 20 volts. A big dam was built in Nigeria (being the last in the course of the river Niger before the atlantics) because of the river’s velocity having come this far. So we supply many countries with electricity, stable one at that.
Why then should Nigerians depend on petrol-powered generators for power supply? Many lives have been lost in surgical theatres, appliances bought with meager income have been spoilt, yet exorbitant bills are issued even when there has been no power supply for months. We talk of vandalism when it’s actually perpetrated by those who are adept in handling those property; who else but PHCN staff. Initially they were called NEPA, now PHCN; I suggest the ‘H’ be changed to ‘W’ i.e. withholding.
If the government intends making a substantial impact that will leave a long-lasting impression in Nigeria’s power supply, there should be a complete and drastic overhaul of the system. You can imagine that up till now, some people (especially those in Anambra state) are yet to know what ‘a prepaid meter’ looks like just because PHCN corrupt officials prefer to give them manipulated estimated bills obviously for personal enrichment; yet PHCN lack fund to maintain its property. Money is not the basics for the actualization of "power for all by december, 2009".
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Leaders and followers
“The bad state of the land is an advantage for the titled compatriots” says an Ibo adage. The rich gets richer while the poor gets poorer because policies are made only if they suit the elites.
A leader should have a sense of obligation knowing fully well that leadership is dependent on followership. Many a times, the followers complain of inadequate provision of social infrastructures, poor educational system, favouritism-filled policies, etc: and the leaders’ response is “I wonder why all these hullaballoo about our leaders when we don’t even know how to follow”.
You see; the followers feel their leaders embezzle public funds without at least making their lives better while the leaders feel their followers are lazy and oblivious of how difficult things are up there; so who is right and who is wrong?
Take a look at your family; a family is the simplest unit of a nation; there is a leader and followers. What is your position in your family? Are you a good leader or follower? What conscious effort can you make if your country is a reflection of your family? A stitch in time saves nine.
A leader should have a sense of obligation knowing fully well that leadership is dependent on followership. Many a times, the followers complain of inadequate provision of social infrastructures, poor educational system, favouritism-filled policies, etc: and the leaders’ response is “I wonder why all these hullaballoo about our leaders when we don’t even know how to follow”.
You see; the followers feel their leaders embezzle public funds without at least making their lives better while the leaders feel their followers are lazy and oblivious of how difficult things are up there; so who is right and who is wrong?
Take a look at your family; a family is the simplest unit of a nation; there is a leader and followers. What is your position in your family? Are you a good leader or follower? What conscious effort can you make if your country is a reflection of your family? A stitch in time saves nine.
Naijacracy
According to Abraham Lincoln of the USA, democracy is a government of the people by the people and for the people. This is what we claim to practice in Nigeria today.
Owing to the population size, indirect representative democracy is predominant in contemporary nations, relative to direct democracy practiced in ancient small Greek city states; thus election.
In Nigeria, elections are heralded by substitution in various levels of INEC (probably to favour the incumbents). Then comes lavish campaigns where wealth, power and connections are flaunted to win the interest of the hungry masses. The few resolute ones are stripped of their franchise on the polling day either by INEC (that provide few boxes and materials after long hours of delay) or political thugs; Next we are shown inflated results and figures that leaves one wondering “What the heck a poll”. Winners are sworn in and policies made to favour just the leaders; I presume they should be called rulers instead (democratic rulers though).
From the definition of democracy, a representative is elected not selected, he is there to serve and protect the interest of the masses not primarily for personal benefit. What we practice has the nature of democracy; it has been nurtured by Nigeria; now we have Naijacracy.
Owing to the population size, indirect representative democracy is predominant in contemporary nations, relative to direct democracy practiced in ancient small Greek city states; thus election.
In Nigeria, elections are heralded by substitution in various levels of INEC (probably to favour the incumbents). Then comes lavish campaigns where wealth, power and connections are flaunted to win the interest of the hungry masses. The few resolute ones are stripped of their franchise on the polling day either by INEC (that provide few boxes and materials after long hours of delay) or political thugs; Next we are shown inflated results and figures that leaves one wondering “What the heck a poll”. Winners are sworn in and policies made to favour just the leaders; I presume they should be called rulers instead (democratic rulers though).
From the definition of democracy, a representative is elected not selected, he is there to serve and protect the interest of the masses not primarily for personal benefit. What we practice has the nature of democracy; it has been nurtured by Nigeria; now we have Naijacracy.
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