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In My Opinion: Dear politicians, walk the (democratic) talk, or keep quiet – Buchi Obichie

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In My Opinion

In My Opinion: Another Democracy Day was celebrated in the country on Tuesday, May 29, 2018; and as usual, politicians seized the occasion to bombard the airwaves and social media with messages espousing norms and ideals that the country should live up to.

At the same time, they used the occasion to highlight whatever achievements they think they have made, and also take subliminal shots at their opponents; turning the day into an occasion for self promotion – self promotion on overdrive, considering the fact that the 2019 elections are just around the corner. I tried to read through as many of them as I could; but I had to stop when it started to feel like I was going through campaign manifestos! Phew!

These politicians are a wonderful lot. Their ability to shamelessly tout ideals and accomplishments that often times only exist in the realm of their imaginations is truly the stuff of great comedy. They like to imagine that they are some sort of statesmen on this great democratic stage; when for the most part, most of them would not even recognize Democracy, even if it appeared to them in a brown envelope – a very popular staple in the field of Nigerian politics.

When the late great Abraham Lincoln used the occasion of his famous Gettysburg Address to extol those who fought and died in defense of democratic principles during the Civil War, he described the system of government as that which is “of the people, by the people, for the people,” and prayed that it would not perish from the earth.

However, going by what Lincoln saw democracy to be, I dare say that we cannot give our leaders over here a high grade in living up to its tenets. Is this so-called ‘Democracy in Nigeria‘ really of the people, by the people and for the people; or is this country’s system of government really an ‘Oligarchy’, where a few elites have held sway from time immemorial, to the detriment of the many?

It is hypocritical, and even quite ironical, that Nigerian politicians – many of whom came into office via undemocratic means, rubbishing the will of the people and scheming their way into power – would suddenly become vocal champions of democratic values, one day of the year! What do they know about the rule of law, when they themselves do not obey the rule of law; and employ extra-judicial measures to keep their opponents and others in check?

What do they know about the dividends of democracy when many Nigerians are not really allowed to participate in the democratic process on established platforms, because they do not have a certain standing in society, or are not backed up by ‘powerful forces’? Even when these people form their own platforms, they are not permitted to stand on equal footing as others, and are stifled out via rigging and intimidation. What do they know about credible processes – one of the tenets of democracy – when elections are not really free and fair?

In My Opinion Continues…

PAY ATTENTION: Democracy Day Full Speech – President Muhammadu Buhari 

What do they know about the gains of free and open societies when the majority of the people cannot enjoy the wealth of the nation; because it is shared, piece by piece, amongst cabal members? What do they know about democratic norms when free speech is tagged as hate speech and citizens are fearful of voicing opposition so that they do not get thrown into jail?

And what do they even know about democracy and statesmanship, when they have not really made any worthy sacrifices for the nation? The true mark of any democratic government would be when the citizens can truly testify that they are reaping dividends. Do not get me wrong, Nigeria has come a long way. We have come past the days of coups and counter coups, when military officers seized power at will. We have also experienced a transition of power, peacefully, from a ruling party to an opposition party. We are thankful. However, we have not gotten to the Promised Land…it is not yet Uhuru! These politicians who use the occasion of May 29 to give speeches that they mostly did not even write, would serve the nation better, if they actually commit themselves to living up to the words.

In My Opinion continues…

It is my hope and prayer that by the next Democracy Day in 2019, everyone occupying public office would actually be the people’s choice, and that these leaders would serve as they should – that they would respect the rule of law; not stifle free speech; work hard for the people; not squander the nation’s resources; ensure that the nation’s wealth trickles down to the poorest Nigerian; be worthy ambassadors of the country and strengthen its image, home and abroad; commit to true national development; encourage discussions from all citizens that would help move the country forward; promote national unity and reconciliation; among others. But if they cannot commit themselves to these, then they should do us a great favour and keep quiet! Let us enjoy our public holiday in peace! This opinion piece was written by Buchi Obichie.

In My Opinion Section updated.

Credits: Naij

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Business Africa

Fuel scarcity looms as NUPENG threatens FG With Strike

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fuel scarcity looms as NUPENG threatens FG With Strike

The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) has issued a two-week strike notice to the federal government, raising the possibility of fuel scarcity across the country in the coming weeks.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by NUPENG President, Williams Akhoreha, and General Secretary, Olawale Afolabi, Monday.

The union said the notice of strike was one of the decisions reached at its special national delegates conference Thursday.

It listed non-payment of workers’ salaries and benefits, among others, as reasons for its resolution.

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One of the issues, NUPENG said, was the outstanding payment of terminal benefits to its members that were declared redundant in 2012 by the management of Chevron Nigeria limited.

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LCCI pushes for growth in intra-African trade

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LCCI pushes for growth in intra-African trade

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said it aims to promote intra-African trade at the 35th edition of its annual Lagos International Trade Fair.

The Director-General of the LCCI, Dr. Chinyere Almona, said in a statement on Wednesday that this year’s edition would feature business-to-business meetings simultaneously with the general interest fair.

She said, the focus this year is to encourage intra-African trade and position Africa as the preferred investment destination and an economic powerhouse adding that The exhibition will also facilitate networking amongst exhibitors and between exhibitors and visitors.

She said corporate organisations, including multinational corporations, indigenous conglomerates, financial institutions, and small and medium businesses, had indicated interest in participating at the fair and relevant agencies and departments of government would also be available to exhibit and attend to other exhibitors and visitors.

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She said agencies that had confirmed attendance to provide information and educate exhibitors and visitors were the Bank of Industry and Nigerian Export Promotion Council, among others.

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NEPC Empowers 60 Osun SMES for Export Business

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NEPC Empowers 60 Osun SMES for Export Business

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council has organised a workshop for over 60 operators of Small and Medium-scale Enterprises in Osun State on how to make their products fit for export.

The workshop, which was held in Osogbo, was tagged ‘Facilitating strategic export market access programme in collaboration with the trade support institutions.’

The Assistant Director, Policy and Strategy Department, NEPC, Aliu Saddique, said the participants were SMEs owners with the potential to export to the international market.

He said the council was using the model developed by the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries to train the participants so as to enable them to have a good understanding of the demands of the international market.

While speaking, The Osun State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Industries and Empowerment, Dr. Bode Olaonipekun, called for serious planning ahead of the time when crude oil would no longer bring revenue for the country again.

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Olaonipeokun, who also blamed the current economic hardship on the neglect of non-oil export, said planning for the era without oil must start immediately to avert economic crises.

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