If I Were President Yar'Adua....on Anti-Corruption

The greed in government is fast becoming a creed! There seems to be no appetite for public accountability or the guilt-function in the consciousness of our public officials. Budgets at all levels are loaded with outragious "recurrent" expenditure to the detriment of "capital" spending which is how development comes!!

It is why we owe workers, penalise pensioners, and pauperise da people...without a shred of shame!!!

If I were President Umaru Yar'Adua, the first place to start is to RECOVER all stolen monies at ALL levels of governance. To do so successfully, a vigorous tasking is due, backed by a robust "whistle-blowers" regime that promotes, procures, profits and protects both "informants and "witnesses".

If I were the president, I will invite, induce and sustain religious and traditional institutions to return to "truth" and "culture" by backing a 5-YEAR Cleansing Crusade.

I will put up a bill to "incentivise" and "subsidise" the media, as we do to the other arms ot the realm, to enable them discharge their constitutional duty as WATCHDOG. Of course, this means that the Freedom of Information Law is a sine qua non!

Finally, I will institute a Nigerian version of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for African Leadership in governance.

Due process, rule of law, foreign collaboration and exemplary punishment will be rigorous. Any country that aids or abets da looters must pay a stiff globally proclaimed price for such hostile act/sabotage. Our friends and partners must accept that ANTI-CORRUPTION is core, front and centre to our NATIONAL SECURITY.

If I Were Brown (UK), Merkel (Germany) and Sarkozy (France)

Here is my sense: Africa likes Gordon Brown. Africa is getting to like Angela Merkel. Africa wishes to like Nicholas Sarkozy. Yes. Hey, what about George W Bush? Well, after appointing two successive "Black" secretaries of state with apparently little interest in, and virtually no impact on, their mother-continent, let's pass that question. With Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US subprime crises, his plate be full.

Okay, you know I have a soft spot for these three leaders. Which is why I really want them to succeed. If they must fly in Africa, then this be the time to step ahead of the G8 and EU herd, and charge creatively, courageously and substantially forward...in their engagement with the region. Waiting on others, or sinking with their drag is a collective disaster very clear and present!

But the rationale for this distinctive and proactive intervention dates way way back, and is at once moralistic and pragmatic. If I were these conscientious leaders, I will deeply contemplate the following points/posers and act innovatively...and promptly:

Africa was partitioned and colonised at the infamous Berlin Conference of 1884. Beneficiaries: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Protugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. See wikipedia on "The Scramble for Africa". Well known story. So Germany, as host, has both an "anchor" stake and genuine "motivator/mobiliser" role in the revival and regeneration of Africa, and its peoples. Dear Chancellor, get on with it!

There is a modern fine reason the country should lead the rebirth, rebuild, of Africa: History and Experience. Getting back from the World Wars, and unification after the Cold War, makes her the mirror of change. Enduring change. Taking these capacities and capabilities to Africa will work magic. Germany knows what it is to be partitioned, down and suppressed! She can very deeply empathise with our continent. So, dear Chancellor, get on with it!!

The UK (Anglophone) and France (Francophone) had and still have the dispropotionate share, colonial legacies, links and influence in Africa. In their own self-enlightened and national security interest, I strongly recommend that they act unilaterally and multi-bilaterally to help redeem the abject poverty and hopelessness in the region. If they are sincere and strategic, their sphere of influence can and should be tackled without recourse to other players, notably the US. See what China and India are doing - warts and all.

If I were Prime Minister Gordon Brown, I will take the Gleneagles & UK Commission portfolios and actualise them for "Anglophonie". If I were President Nicholas Sarkozy, I will do the same for "Francophonie".

Once on track, I will work as a TRIOKA of Brown, Merkel, Sarkozy, to drive the EU and G8 in the same direction - especially Canada, Russia, Japan. Gordon Brown can also attract Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore to the new deal.

The key is simple: Massive investment in Agriculture, Solid Minerals, Infrastructure, Telecoms and MSMEs. Special funds for MICROFINANCE to support women and youths in creating jobs through self-employment. Massive investment in Energy (hydro, solar, wind, bio). All these through public-private partnerships backed by export guarantees, plus brain drain mitigation grants and technical assistance. Finally, a Bilateral Free Trade Zone that favours Africa's farm produce and manufactures. A 10-Year Action Portfolio.

Cost? With 20 Billion Euros per year for 10 years, by each government, as catalytic funding, I believe that this will unleash the power, passion and resources of the private sector, donors and development agencies for an unprecedented turnaround in Africa! No question.

If I were these three leaders, I will sign on TODAY!

If I Were AFRICAN Leaders...on Mo Ibrahim Prize

PS: Enjoy this....

Execu-Thieves
There is no power
than pen-in-awe
and penury-in-urge
Some must pen the world
some must part with pain
quashing da morrow's gain

As the great designs unfold
they write their name
in gold...
Either as leaders or looters
whether believers or atheists
They have their goons
smashing our moons
even as they soon disgorge

New-comers come for shine
Old-hands lose the fame:
Returning large swathes
and retiring to...
da Hall of Shame

copyright Victor Onoviran 2006

Our own Kofi Annan, Nobel Peace Laureate and retired UN Sec-Gen, this week announced the much-heralded and eagerly-awaited first winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. Prize money: $5m over ten years; $200,000 per annum for life; plus an additional $200,000 for good causes they espouse. This makes it the world's biggest individual prize. Thoughtful. As the Sage said ages ago, something new is always coming out of Africa! This is a grand offering by a good patriot to a grand continent. It was, thus, all ears and eyes come da grand day of its award.

And the winner....
Former President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique! Bravo.

In celebrating Chissano, we remember Mandela. Da common threat is humility, heritage and selfless service. Simply putting people first!

We are proud of this Son of Africa, and can only commend his outstanding personal qualities and official performance to his other brethren right here, and around the developing world.

Da poem, pray leader, may be ya pocket clip!

If I Were Iranian Leaders (2)

The time has come for the people of the great nation of Iran to show the quality of their long and cultured ancestry - as skilled diplomats and tribes. Nothing is more helpful in the long-running nuclear power matter than the goodwill of its friends led by Russia and China.

The visit of President Putin this week, for the Caspian Sea Summit, cements the fact.

The resignation of the chief nuclear resignation should be no excuse or set-back at all. Iran is entitled to choose its officials.


If I were the country's leaders, I will honestly take up Russia's proposals and show absolute good faith in resolving this matter soonest. There is nothing to be gained in either intransigence or ego tripping. Iranian interests must be paramount, and an early resolution, not international isolation, be da KEY.

More than anything else, Iran must not deceive or disappoint its friends and supporters. The world expects its word to be its bond!

Iran wants nuclear power for peaceful purposes? Yes. Then get it by peaceful politics. Period.


The time is NOW.

If I Were Chinese Leaders...on Myanmar

This is the moment of international footwork on Myanmar. China should not only act it's special role, but must be seen to do so responsibly and respectfully. It has the track record, now, of the "moderating force" - thanks to its role in the North Korean nuclear talks.

If I were the Leaders of China, I will immediately and publicly announce a "Special Envoy to the Myanmar Process", who will work with the both the UN and ASEAN to restore peace and democracy to the reclusive and boiling nation. Things are getting pretty dangerous and tedious.

There is everything to play for in this venture. Including time.

President Hu Jintao should ACT now.

If I Were BOTH Koreas

Even the most of skeptics could not have anticipated the inspiring outcomes of the 2nd Summit of the Koreas. The Summit Declaration, among other specific elements, committed to eventual full unification of the Korean Peninsula - ROK & DPRK.

We shall see the signs early. Prime Ministers will soon meet, defence chiefs will follow. Even the cheerleaders team to the Beijing Olympics will go by train through the North. Most important, however, is President Kim Jong II's personal confirmation to denuclearise the peninsula. It is in this realm that their ambition to work through a four-party talks to formally end the Cold War - with a permanent peace treaty - lifts the soul. Four-party? Yes: ROK, DPRK, US, PRC.

I saw these prospects in my incurable optimism for world peace when President Roh Moo-hyun pointedly asked President George Bush, at the last ASEAN Summit in Australia, to name a date for withdrawing American troops from South Korea. Mr Bush was jolted, but recovered fast to insist on considering such possibility ONLY after the North ends its nuclear programme. Peace, final peace, was in sight!

If I were the TWO Koreas, I will make things move quick, very quick. The North must end its nuclear programme, under the six-party talks, quick. The South will flood the North with new investments, under a special industrialisation programme. China and Japan will invest in both infrastructure and agriculture to upgrade both physical and human capital. The West (EU and US) will support export development. Russia and Canada will guarantee future energy needs of the peninsula. The AU will back strategic raw materials in a Special Africa-Korea Partnership. The UN will move in to secure a rapid & sustainable MDGs programme.

Voila!

Once the land is fully demilitarised, the huge annual costs of keeping 28,000 US troops and its DPRK opposites will be funneled into regeneration and renewal of the Unified Korea.

And by the way, America needs her troops back for homeland security!

If I were BOTH Koreas - leaders and citizens, alike - I will push and push, work and work, like hell; then pray and pray, like heaven; for....full peace & complete unification.

Timeline? Yes:
Peace Treaty - 12 Months.
Complete Unification (learning from the German experience) - 60 Months.

From this day, Pyongyang and Seoul must stay on da same page.

If I Were Opposition Parties...on Local Elections

Let's face it: winning is sweet! In all cases. Okay, in most cases - for, sometimes, there is "hollow victory"! And, on somethings, pray, it's better to let go. Like all them family feuds and all them nasty work-place wars!

In this country, I counsel that you should work to win: fairly and honourably. Then, please work with the mandate, the mantle. That...is sweet victory! Yes, whether business or politics.

The masquerades behind the April Elections' saga have not been legally and finally unmasked. It may yet take a while. No matter. But their space is being squeezed, their pace being punctured, and their face being fattened for the ultimate slammer - da court of justice, and da people's boo!
All matter.

What then were the principal lessons of the rigger's heist from April? Very simple, folks, very very simple:

A) The power of incumbency was used, abused and misused. Opposition parties must weigh their chances. If da ruling party or dominant forces in the state are not serving the people well, the it should be easy to form a winning alliance...to take power.

B) If the ruling party be too strong to be successfully dislodged, wise opposition parties should explore its underbelly for deals: put up superstars with threatening local appeal, and negotiate some working collaboration or "unity government" agreement - without merger or acquisition!

In other words, let's maintain the beauty and benefits of democratic pluralism.

There is no better place and time to display your party's appeal and electoral prospects than at the grassroots polls. If your party be worth anything, show us in the local government elections. Here, costs are lower, seats are many and diverse, and voters are freer and more daring!

Finally, if you truly wish for your party to grow and spread over time, you must start grabbing, holding and growing council seats for grassroots representation. It is a winning formula for all.

So, if I were Nigeria's opposition parties, THIS will be my chance to put up quality candidates and put everything behind them...to win. This is also the chance to prove that opposition politics is not just about personal interests and primitive contestation. Let the best candidates win!

This is THE time...