SAFFGLIA book sets leadership agenda for Africa

SAFFGLIA book sets leadership agenda for Africa 
 By Prisca SamDuru 

AT last, the much expected Inaugural Lecture of the Segun Adeleye Foundation For Good Leadership In Africa (SAFFGLIA) tagged Africa: The Tragedy of Wrong History as well as launch of the book ‘So Long Too Long Nigeria’ by Mr Segun Adeleye, held at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos. As expected, the occasion turned out as an opportunity for eminent Nigerians to retrospect on where past leaders have gone wrong, a situation that has brought untold hardship and insecurity upon the people. Honourable Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who was guest Lecturer said the theme of the lecture was of utmost importance to most Africans, especially the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. 


Minister who was represented by the Head of Lagos Operations, News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Joe Bankole noted that in considering the idea behind the event, the organisers  have provided a platform for a robust discussion on the subject of African leadership through their mission and vision. He said with the theme of the lecture, ‘Setting the Agenda for Good Leadership in Africa’, a discussion on “Setting agenda for good leadership in Africa will ultimately link good governance, which has been the bane of underdevelopment in the continent. The story of woes that have become commonplace in Africa in general and our dear country, Nigeria, in particular, especially in view of recent history, calls for sober reflection on the way forward. This state of affairs has created an image problem for Africa such that the rest of the global community feels obliged to stay away from the continent in terms of investment and other collaborative efforts.” In his review, Gabriel Akinadewo said that the book ‘So Long Too Long Nigeria’, a compilation of Adeleye’s  weekly columns when he was the Business Editor of Nigerian Compass, is a lamentation on the state of decay which has brought the country to this pitiable level. Written in simple prose, Adeleye not only criticised policies of government, but also proffered solutions to Nigeria’s challenges. His style of writing educates, entertains, informs, investigates and moulds opinion.” Responding, Adeleye noted that, “If we reflect on the major discourse in our country for so long too long now, it’s about corruption- the EFCC arraigning people almost every day for stealing millions or billions of naira. A lot of people had stolen so much in the name of taking their share of the national cake, such that the young ones coming up can no longer think straight of how to be successful, but waiting for their turn.”

SAFFGLIA books sets leadership agenda for Africa

SAFFGLIA book sets leadership agenda for Africa
By Prisca SamDuru 

AT last, the much expected Inaugural Lecture of the Segun Adeleye Foundation For Good Leadership In Africa (SAFFGLIA) tagged Africa: The Tragedy of Wrong History as well as launch of the book ‘So Long Too Long Nigeria’ by Mr Segun Adeleye, held at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos. As expected, the occasion turned out as an opportunity for eminent Nigerians to retrospect on where past leaders have gone wrong, a situation that has brought untold hardship and insecurity upon the people. Honourable Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who was guest Lecturer said the theme of the lecture was of utmost importance to most Africans, especially the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. The Minister who was represented by the Head of Lagos Operations, News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Joe Bankole noted that in considering the idea behind the event, the organisers  have provided a platform for a robust discussion on the subject of African leadership through their mission and vision.


He said with the theme of the lecture, ‘Setting the Agenda for Good Leadership in Africa’, a discussion on “Setting agenda for good leadership in Africa will ultimately link good governance, which has been the bane of underdevelopment in the continent. The story of woes that have become commonplace in Africa in general and our dear country, Nigeria, in particular, especially in view of recent history, calls for sober reflection on the way forward. This state of affairs has created an image problem for Africa such that the rest of the global community feels obliged to stay away from the continent in terms of investment and other collaborative efforts.” In his review, Gabriel Akinadewo said that the book ‘So Long Too Long Nigeria’, a compilation of Adeleye’s  weekly columns when he was the Business Editor of Nigerian Compass, is a lamentation on the state of decay which has brought the country to this pitiable level. Written in simple prose, Adeleye not only criticised policies of government, but also proffered solutions to Nigeria’s challenges. His style of writing educates, entertains, informs, investigates and moulds opinion.” Responding, Adeleye noted that, “If we reflect on the major discourse in our country for so long too long now, it’s about corruption- the EFCC arraigning people almost every day for stealing millions or billions of naira. A lot of people had stolen so much in the name of taking their share of the national cake, such that the young ones coming up can no longer think straight of how to be successful, but waiting for their turn.”

Buhari too slow to ignite change -Clergy

Buhari too slow to ignite change -Clergy

by Prisca Sam-Duru

Founder and President of Bible Believing Mission Incorporation, Aba, Abia State, Pastor Kingsley Innocent has said that against the expectations of Nigerians that things will turn out well with the Buhari led administration, the President is too slow to ignite change.

Pastor Innocent who spoke in Aba said that, “At this moment, our president is rather too slow in igniting and effecting the kind of change that Nigerians want rather things are getting worse by the day. I urge the federal government to sit up as quickly as possible to ensure that this change is realized. Our nation is hungry for the change, this was the reason we voted for him. We expected much more than what we are getting. This administration is too slow. Nigeria is a nation that needs immediate change and our president should sit up and do everything within his reach to show up a sign that we are expecting a change in its reality. We have heard of the verbal change which goes beyond it. We want to see the president turn the nation around. It is a difficult task but it is possible and achievable. The change that we so desired, should be given to us immediately because justice delayed is justice denied. We need this change as soon as possible because as it stands now, while we are hoping for the change, things are getting worst, Nigerians are getting poorer, hunger is getting hold of the people, everything is collapsing.”

I know that our president has a plan, it is high time that he left the planning room for the acting room and that is what we need now. This change is achievable, I believe in it and I trust in it and am hopeful that it will be ours?

Our president is loosing popularity, Nigerians are gradually becoming disappointed. Majority of Nigerians are not happy and we should not blame them for this because we have been through this suffering and smiling for a very long time and Nigerians are tired of it. We had thought and believed that six months in office, some things would have turned positively right, though some of us are still hopeful, many Nigerians are not very happy with the president and the way he handles matter.”

Pastor Innocent who called for prayers to save the country from total collapse, said, “Our nation is at a trial period and every Nigerian should pray to God for divine intervention. Nigeria has lived and survived through prayers. Prayer is the only weapon that we have as Nigerians to call upon God and He will step into the matter of our nation and bring solutions to problems facing the country.”

US Consul-General tasks Nigerian journalists on objective reporting

US Consul-General tasks Nigerian journalists on objective reporting

by Prisca Sam-Duru

The United States of America Consular General in Nigeria, Mr. John Bray, yesterday, tasked  Nigerian journalists on the need to to ensure press freedom and Internet neutrality through objective reporting of information in the country.

Bray, made the call yesterday during a programme held to mark the 2016 World Press Freedom Day at the US Consulate in Lagos in collaboration with the Lagos chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ. 

The Consul General who challenged Nigerian journalists to persist in the use of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act passed in 201, said, "Since I arrived in Lagos six months ago, I have been reading and listening to news reports and commentaries written by some of you and your colleagues. It is a pleasure meeting you and I trust there will be many more encounters in the next few years. You are well positioned to give a voice to the voiceless by echoing the concerns of the people to government and the private sector and by shedding light on the actions and in actions of the government and the private sector. You contribute to transparency, accountability, and good governance. Keep up the good work and probe deeper to strengthen your democracy. 

Many, many years ago, I studied journalism at Northwestern University. And I believe that today the fundamentals of practicing journalism remain the same but the platform for delivery of news has changed significantly due to ever changing technology. With smart phone devices in our pockets, we can, in real time, access vital information. And this is good for the global village especially when natural or man-made crisis erupt. The international community is quickly sensitized and is able to respond immediately. For example, as you may recall, during the Ebola Virus crisis in Lagos and Port Harcourt, the Nigerian Government and international health organizations responded immediately. And you and your colleagues were keeping citizens informed about prevention and treatment, which contributed to the concerted effort to contain the spread and stop the virus."

"Today, you’ll be discussing the freedom of the press, the Freedom of Information Act, and the neutrality of the Internet. These are important topics that your peers across the world contend with. President Obama on May 17, 2010, signed the Freedom of the Press Act named in honor of former Wall Street reporter Daniel Pearl who was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in Pakistan, four months after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. Through this law, the United States Government is reaffirming that freedom of the press is an essential part of a democratic process. 

We do not only defend a free press with vigor in the United States but we also monitor other governments how they operate when it comes to a free press.  Each year, the State Department gathers information and reports how press freedom is operating as part of our human rights assessment. The report is disseminated to governments, the news media, and civil society. Countries that condone the oppression of the press are exposed in the human rights report, which helps them to take steps to uphold the freedom of the press. In our public and private engagement we defend and reinforce a free press.
For a democracy to thrive there has to be transparency and accountability and a free press and civil society shoulder the burden of holding governments responsible for their action or inaction. In the United States, we passed the Freedom of Information Act in July 1966, which went into effect the following year. Since then, there have been numerous amendments to strengthen the law. The FOIA is supported from the highest level of our government. And government agencies have a responsibility to respond to FOIA requests from the public within a reasonable time frame. In January 2009, in a memorandum for the heads of executive departments and agencies, President Obama said, “In our democracy, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which encourages accountability through transparency, is the most prominent expression of a profound national commitment to ensuring an open Government. At the heart of that commitment is the idea that accountability is in the interest of the Government and the citizenry alike.”
Countries that have adopted a FOIA understand its value in a democratic society and the citizens are more informed. I am aware that you and your colleagues have been trying hard to make use of the FOIA that Nigeria adopted in 2011. I encourage you to persist until the law is enforced, including pressing hard for amendment to strengthen the law.

  Freedom of information is also closely linked to free and neutral Internet policy, which the United States advocates strongly. The advent of the Internet has changed the way we live, study, and work. The ever changing technology has also produced unimaginable global opportunities. We have seen unprecedented innovation and growth driven by online activities. Education, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and good governance are accelerated by access to the Internet.
Your profession has been profoundly impacted by Social Media. Today, we see every major broadcast and print media amplifying mainstream platforms via social media. Bloggers have carved a niche and have gained respect in contributing significantly to global discourse on major issues.
Overall technological innovation which drives social media has had a significant impact on globalization and democracy. And in general, the principle of Internet neutrality affirms that start-ups have the same opportunity to access the Internet as established businesses. As well as academics and university students have the same level of access to the Internet as teachers and students in the elementary and secondary schools. No one should unfairly slow down access to the Internet to make way for advertisers with more money. This is why we believe the Internet has broadened democratic principles.
On February 26, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission in the United States voted in favor of a strong net neutrality rule to keep the Internet open and free. Internet Neutrality was supported by millions of Americans across the country who worked together to make their voices and wishes heard loud and clear. I urge you to join millions around the world who advocate passionately for Internet neutrality.
In closing, I want to offer a bit of advice. Protect a free press and a neutral Internet in your country. The Nigerian people will rely on you to offer them objective information on major issues that impact the country. Today, your profession is by far better positioned to make significant contributions on behalf of the voiceless compared to the early years of democracy in your country." 

Chronicles of a polluted region

Chronicles of a polluted region 
BY PRISCA SAM-DURU 

At a time when the debauchery of youths which has resulted into total mental breakdown, gross involvement in all manner of vices, is at an alarming stage, it’s heart-warming to know that there are still few remnant committed to leading a good life. Delta State-born young award-winning writer, Peter Ukwa is one of such dedicated youths who are bent on impacting the society positively. It is even more encouraging seeing he decided to do this through his pen. His first collection of short stories, River People and Other Stories, published by Words Rhymes & Rhythm Limited, Jabi District, Abuja, attests to this. The book, an 80-page collection of 8 amazing short stories including True Independence which won the Association of Nigerian Authors’ (ANA) Centenary Literary Prize, directs the searchlight on some pressing issues still plaguing the Niger-Delta region. Coming at a period when there are intensified efforts to salvage what is left of the Niger Delta, the book which tells stories of family, people and culture of Africa, underscores the importance of patriotism, good leadership and non-violent revolution. True Independence, The Second Letter, Flower Vase, Wireless, The Poor Rich Man, The Stepmother, Nneka and River People are the 8 subtitles contained in the book. The Political Science graduate from the Niger Delta University, employs a simple narrative technique carefully laced with African proverbs such that the contents can be enjoyed by any age bracket. 
The use of flash backs as well as suspense as the dominating technique, usually climaxing in the core message he intends sending across, do well to hold the reader spell-bound until the last word is consumed. The Niger-Delta struggles against environmental disaster is a major feature in the book. The author brings to the fore, issues surrounding pipeline vandalism, oil spillages and the resulting environmental degradation which have over the years, plagued the Niger-Deltans. The book also documents selfless services of heroes such as Ken Saro Wiwa and others who fought to ensure that the region is made habitable for its people. Instance of this is seen in True Independence where Ukwa relives memories of incidences of fire resulting from burst pipeline which engulfed all those who scooped crude at the site. The fire also destroyed farm lands. In Flower Vase, readers are confronted with some of the demerits of military regime. In presenting that, he cleverly fuses family life with serious issues such as coup d’etat, using the later as potent suspense mechanism to arrest his readers’ attention. In the title story, River People, the author examines the huge difference between violent and non-violent revolution. And corroborating the stance of countries like America and revolutionary leader, Martin Luther King Jr., the book adopts the non-violent approach to resolving issues. This method yields an appreciable result as against violence that consumes the key players in the struggle. With his simple narrative style which no doubt, is reminiscent of late the literary legend, Professor Chinua Achebe; accounts of most unfortunate incidences of fire from vandalised or ruptured oil pipeline, unholy killings of youth corps members posted to the Northern part of the country, Peter Ukwa has proved himself, a voice people should watch out for. Unlike most books especially coming from fresh voices, River People and Other Stories is not laddened with typographic errors. The title is direct and suggestive of the content, the language is simple, apt and makes for easy assimilation. Since the stories are told through the eyes of a young boy, the cover design is appropriate and speaks volumes of the author creative ingenuity. River People And Other Stories is recommended for the reading pleasure of every family, school and all ages.