NAVIGATION BY THE SHAME OF THE NATION DAY OF FAME FOR TOMORROW: Humanities as a pilot, a love song to my husband and the New Nigeria, 17th in the SE
NAVIGATING THROUGH THE SHAME OF THE NATION DAY OF FAME FOR TOMORROW:
SOCIAL STUDIES AS A PILOT
17TH IN THE SERIES OF MEETINGS OF INAUGURATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DELTA STATE, Abraka, Nigeria.
Administered by
Professor Emman Osakwe
BSc (NIG), M.Ed. (Philadelphia), MA (London) Ph.D. (Ibadan)
Professor of Social Studies and Dean, Postgraduate School,
Delta State University Abraka.
On Thursday, February 26, 2009
Copyright © 2009 Delta State University, Abraka
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or by any means, Photocopying, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the owners of copyright.
ISBN 978-33872 – 7-4
Published February, 2009 By
Delta State University, Abraka,
Delta State, Nigeria.
Print by
Press and Justice Jeco Publishers Ltd.,
Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
PREFACE PROLOGUE
This instructor teaches processed … Famous + +, Nigeria will
(A Song of Love to my husband and the New Nigeria)
And he said "marry me, May!
"I do not do: marry no" teacher "said May
Dreg professions: teachers – Disqualified
Yet the most telling, lingering voice in class! – Qualified
This teacher now treated, is a teacher, prophet and the priest.
Oil palm, brush and sponge, Banga soup – Processed Palm
By fire, by water, the cutting blade, agents of decay – Processed
As Kero, diesel, gasoline, cream, jelly, this balm processed – Gross
Emman Osakwe, Professor processed voice heard beyond
Beyond the forum of nations.
Transformed by grief, denial, denial, is fun then
Keynote today mounted the podium, here it comes:
My husband, my principal, my father
Transformed by the fire, through water, was denied his due
The teacher trainers of trainers
Is a teacher, teachers education teacher of teachers.
Promotion to the top denied for ten years!
My co-parent, persevering through years!
As diamond processed carbon, Prince patient and peacemaker
This teacher is charged with Knowledge:
Intellectual and divine, has a message:
Nigeria is the treatment of shame —
The shame of corruption, the tomb-like greed!
Shame of maladministration and mismanagement
Anarchy, yielding the poverty level of opulence giant
Shame monumental waste of resources
The shame of wickedness and religious atheism
Treatment with the shame of our reputation as desired:
Our famous home, yes our country;
My native land, land of my pain, my land of shame
Land of your birth, the land of your pain, your shame earth
To load too long after independence, fragile as the eaglet
For this eaglet fragile, ready to fall, unable to fly,
Become the great eagle in flight
Famous bird not to fly, but soar —
My native land, the land of your birth, country of our birth
Land of my glory, the glory of your land, the land of our celebrity —
Nigeria is your name!
Mabel Osakwe Ejima (2009)
Chair, English
Delta State University, Abraka
Courtesies
The Vice-Chancellor,
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration)
The Vice-Chancellor Assistant (Academic)
The provosts, Asaba and Oleh campus
The Acting Registrar,
The thrifty
University Librarian
The Provost, College of Health Sciences,
Dean, Faculty of Education,
Deans of other faculties,
Teachers and other members of the Senate
Department heads and other university colleagues,
The administrative staff and technical
My Lords Spiritual and Temporal,
Members of my family, nuclear and extended,
My in-laws,
Distinguished Guests,
Gentlemen of the Press
Great DELSUITES,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Preamble
I feel very honored and privileged to be invited to give conference Opening of the 17th State University Delta Abraka. I thank God for granting us journey mercies to this meeting and I think we will all safe in Jesus' name – Amen.
Have you bought and read the papers today? How the mind plays well stories and gore? What is the latest crime and militancy in the Niger Delta? How sad! You may try to take your mind these issues depressive and feed your mind with the Obama dream come true and if you ours. Yes, welcome to the forum! On this occasion given by God to us to reflect and discuss social issues like those mentioned earlier in this tip welcome. Sorry to say this clear that I have the monopoly of speech in this debate, which is why it is called a conference. But the study of your mind to travel along as drivers of social studies of our voyage, out of shame today to tomorrow Fame.
INTRODUCTION
The first thing to pay attention to the nature and purpose of social studies and how it serves as a vehicle to address the issues of our time. In short, the studies social, is learning to live and participate in this world at a time and place where we have the formula:
SSE = PSPT
P = People
S = Society
P = Place
t = time
This conference is a speech in depth on one aspect of my academic expertise, and my contribution to the social studies as a field of knowledge, will be guided by the SES formula as stated and the nature of social studies.
Here then, P means that the Nigerian people; S is the Nigerian Society, p denotes the entity Geographical and t called Nigeria is Nigeria, yesterday, today and tomorrow. In this conference, Nigeria, Nigeria yesterday involves pre-colonial times before the 2nd Republic, while now extends Nigeria, the Republic 2nd period to date.
We recognize that the public is not only interdisciplinary "dress", but also a heterogeneous "city". Attempts will be made, then operate defined in this area.
Social Studies enters every facet of human existence: the man himself as a product of nature and social man as a product of nurture, arising from the social, political, economic and physical. Social studies has long been identified as a real tool or can reshapening society. (Lawton and Durfour 1973 Osakwe 1993) The nature, content and scope of social studies, is a manly instrument for the development of a new order – social, political. This speaker professed majorly in this area Social Studies and has 20 publications on the current discourse. Four of these are listed here:
Osakwe, EO (1992) "Studies social and military policy in Nigeria "Nigerian Journal of Social Studies Review Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 89-91
Osakwe, EO (1993a) Citizenship Education: The Hub of Social Studies Nigerian Journal of Social Studies Review. Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 23-38.
Osakwe, EO (1994a) Education citizenship in a multiethnic society: teaching ideas. Studies in Education Vol. 2. No. 1. April. Pp 60-64.
Osakwe, EO (1994b), strategies for teaching social studies: using the best exemplars and non-African Journal of Social Studies Vol. III, No. 1 & 2 pp. 49-55.
In Nigeria, the humanities has found concrete expression in the school system after National Conference 1969 curriculum. The subject is directed to individuals and construction and the nation (Osakwe 1993). The potential of social science are yet to be fully exploited in our quest for a desirable socio-political and economic.
Social studies are concerned with human relations. The world is constantly undergoing changes and social studies remains a veritable instrument for reviewing these changes, whether positive or negative. Social Studies revolves around man (people) and everything that impinges on them.
Areas of emphasis in Social Studies
The knowledge included in social studies is related to important generalizations about human relationships, institutions and problems, with supporting facts to ensure that these generalizations are clearly understood (and Osakwe Itedjere 1993). Studies examining social issues and problems from a holistic point of view – thus solving a problem or question, social studies examines the historical, cultural, sociological, economic, physical and other related aspects. Unlike the vertical merger is seen in most school subjects, social studies adopts a spiral horizontal analysis of computer problems. Social Studies, has strong affinity with the social sciences, but should not be seen as an amalgam of social science.
Social Studies Education is a means of providing young people a sense of hope for the future and confidence in their ability to solve social and environmental problems of the individual, community, state or nation.
On this occasion, the conference addresses an aspect of my discipline is public and academic – Navigating the Nation, shame today the reputation of Tomorrow: Social Studies as a pilot.
Addressing the issues of yesterday, today tomorrow and automatically provides three segments of the speech: Nigeria Yesterday, Today, Nigeria and Nigeria tomorrow.
NIGERIA – YESTERDAY
It is simplistic to treat the problems of nation building in Nigeria today without paying attention to because of our past and the past world, because it affected our past and present.
Mr Vice-Chancellor, Sir, the education system we have inherited from our colonial masters, although criticized for us away from our culture, a product of disciplined individuals and people see us as the pillars of our democracy and national development. Our education system of the past was very structured, organized and predictable. This is the time where education was fully the responsibility of government or agencies of the mission. The schools have enough staff, equipment and monitoring has been effective. The academic calendar has been stable, with virtually no disruption. A newcomer to the system was able to predict when he / she will graduate. Graduation not a candidate at the appropriate time has never been the fault of the school or establishment, but the inability of students to work hard to graduate as planned by the school. The period under review was marked by students in primary and secondary schools to put on uniforms that were uniform in effect. There had no provision for students doing their own seats / offices or residents, by providing their beds. Laboratories of secondary schools and Tertiary were comparable with that achieved in other parts of the world.
Sound Moral education was an integral part of education in pre 1970 to late 80s in Nigeria. Relations between students and teachers, students and teachers and students and teachers different levels of education was in a very large business. Incidents of malpractice review were very rare and anyone found to compromise the integrity of the examination was promptly treated. Incidents negotiating grades with their students teachers or professors / teachers requesting "incentives" were almost nonexistent. During the period under review, the academic standards in first generation universities in Nigeria was commendable and comparable to those obtained in most advanced countries of Europe and America. The period was marked by massive exchange of staff from universities abroad. Our universities have an international reputation and genuine, with staff and students from different parts of the world. Apart from the international perspective of our universities and scholars, university professors were highly respected and were the top social rating. Okech (2008) has rightly noted that stating the title of "professor" has attracted much attention. The Office of the Vice-Chancellor has been very reverred. The Vice-Chancellor has been more respected than any government appointee.
Most Nigerians have gone through higher education have some form of financial support either by the government. Education is profitable and has been considered the key that opened the door to success and fame.
Laziness, theft, prostitution, ostentatious life, greed, oppression, inequality and social space have been considered extremely shameful of the past in Nigeria. It is common practice, for example, the seller to leave daily at the lodge that students have confidence to make money and take papers. Similarly, the product of Rag Day have been used for charity as expected. Social vices were frowned upon and there was a greater sense of responsibility among citizens, including public office holders. workers were told their jobs on time and remained to work until closing. Schools and other institutional barriers were closed at 8 pm and remained until. Close absenteeism was an aberration and frown at something serious. There was freedom of political association, although the political divide was along the three main ethnic groups except the Belt East which had its own political identity. It was possible for relatives to belong to different political parties and yet still live in harmony. The example of Ikokus can attest to this fact – that father and son belonged to two opposing parties.
Humans are generally political animals. The ability to organize people into groups with the political motive is a fundamental instinct inherent in human beings. Nigerians are very articulate political beings. It is the practice of traditional policy Community has always been with us. There was a fusion of traditional and modern social life and politics. Because culture is not static, practices have also adjusted to adapt to new challenges and developments, including intercultural contacts with its implications that thereunder. The social life of a people and their political culture, largely affects many other areas of life. Nigeria is an amalgam policy. This is reveals the cultural plurality of the country. To a large extent the North is much more articulate and politically sensitive. This probably accounts for the practice for our Northern brothers are still with their radio and listen to new local and international, are always well informed. Social life and political parties is not a function of Western education. Some southerners despite their level of education, are still politically naive and can not read or understand the political horizon. Nigerian economy during this period was very stable and has been articulated on agriculture. This was the time groundnut pyramids. Nigeria is the world's largest producer of peanuts, rubber, palm oil and almonds, soybeans, beniseed and also a major cotton producer, 2nd largest producer of cocoa. It was in this period that Malaysia came to Nigeria to get our oil and rubber plants to try in their country. We know where the two countries stand today in the production of palm oil and rubber.
Solid minerals like coal, tin and columbite have been exploited in economic quantities and Nigeria were known to be an actor global player in the production of these minerals. The buoyant economy has been further strengthened with the discovery of black gold (oil) Nigeria. Gradually, the focus began to move away from agriculture to oil … … …. mainstay of the Nigerian economy. The Nigerian currency was strong and highly sought after during this period.
Exchange rates between the 70 and 80
Nigeria British American of German origin
N1 PD Stg U.S. $ 3.64 DM
- £ 0,615 $ 1.51
The figures above present a vivid picture of the strength of the naira at the moment.
Nigeria has been well served by road, rail, air / sea. During this period, there were more than 95,000 km of paved roads and more than 3200 kilometers of railway routes. Nigeria came from two international airports in Lagos and Kano. Both northern and southern parts of the country has attracted significant investment in infrastructure development, especially in the highways and feeder roads, and some measure of social services such as electricity, water supply, hospitals, schools and colleges. This period was marked by the staff of the Public Works Department (PWD) clearing the grass by the side Road to provide long distance and a clear vision for the drivers and other road users. Some roads have been maintained regularly – although there roads were narrow, and sometimes wind, they are passable all year.
Nigeria Airways was the pride of West Africa. She stood above other airlines in the sub-region. Nigerian pilots were known for their courtesy, competence and trust. Their takeoff and landing has been remarkable and devoid of jerks and hiccups. Nigerian Airways flies constantly to Europe, Asia, USA and several African roads spotless. The DC 10s, Boeing 737, 707 and 747 were constant on international routes, while smaller planes serving the local (internal) roads. Closer at home here, the waterway from Sapele Obiaruku Ethiopia by the river was navigable and building materials were transported through it.
Security of lives and properties has been a very large extent, during the warranty period. It was possible to travel all night without fear of thieves. Travel at night was preferred by a number of Nigerians. Incidents of armed robbery was rare, and it was easy to track down criminals. It's not fashionable to engage in crime because there was a general rejection of the society or disgust for anyone who was known to be a criminal or social deviant.
NIGERIA TODAY
Today, Nigeria has swapped his dignifying values of diligence, patriotism, high ethical standards, its abundant natural resources of the past for patterns inglorious familiarly called "Nigerian factor": the continued injustice, reversed values, endemic corruption and gross mismanagement. Today, Nigeria is mortally wounded in a car deliberately inflicted. Most of what happens today Nigeria amounts to the national shame, our pain and shame. The shame is most evident in our political life "News" that is marked by violence causing loss of lives and property, massive rigging and assassinations. Unworthy beneficiaries are quick to make efforts to convince and confuse the masses to support the outcome of their political exploits. Almost immediately, the approval is precipitated from the whole countries, especially certain religious Christian and Islamic, and other self-seeking leaders who pontificate on the false that governments and leaders are selected and ordained by God and that we should accept things as they are to save our nascent democracy. But Peace without justice can not stand the test of time and is an invitation to anarchy.
Contrary to what occurs in Western democracies and other political stability, where election results are reported within 24 hours of the close of polls at Nigeria, it could take three days. In certain situations ridiculous as local elections are even smaller geographical entities to manage, we must still beautiful days before results are officially released. This barrier normally leaves room for manipulation and panel beating numbers. Despite All these figures are released as ridiculous results. In some cases, more votes than the number of registered voters. Multiple voting is not uncommon. The trial court in Edo State revealed that voter voted fictitious and some others have voted several times, including alleged voters across the Atlantic.
The foundation of all democratic, stable and functional is the electoral process. This should be considered as the key issue in a country like ours. The electoral process is a political choice by the populace. gossips following marketing and schmoozing, voting is the only activity that demonstrates the breadth of citizen involvement in politics. When the vote free and secret ballot takes place, management and the quantum of individual participation come boldly into their true form.
In a survey conducted by the teacher in 1998, the degree of apathy expressed by young people was striking.
Possible percentage of participation in national elections
S / NO
CATEGORY
NO ANSWER FOR EACH CATEGORY OF STUDENTS
TOTAL NO STUDENTS
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL
1.
Indifferent or undecided
162
250
65%
2.
Yes or interested
63
250
25%
3.
No, or not interested
25
250
10%
The foregoing has been almost a decade before the monumental electoral fraud of 2007, but the figure shows high levels of alienation and disenchantment of the political and electoral process youth. In most cases, this alienation or apathy high level leads to disinterest and political. effective participation of citizens depends knowledge of how the system really works.
Our citizens have not been systematically exposed to methods of how our political system. Many of our youth have been left to wander aimlessly on the Nigerian political scene. This led to misinformation or the stifling of political instinct among young people to national affairs.
Our electoral process and protest pending the results is unprecedented in the annals of elections in any part of the globe. Many Nigerians now think that a individual vote does not count – that the results are predetermined. This has led to severe apathy and discouragement on the part of a large segment of the electorate (See Osakwe 1998 Ogini 2008). On June 12, 1993 election, adjudged to be the case for free has been canceled ignomity to the chagrin of Nigerians. Since then, the situation has worsened. It is understandable that now many of cynicism toward elections and the electoral process by several Nigerians.
Another disturbing dimension in this discourse is that politics in Nigeria is no longer considered a service road, rather, it became a means of rapid dominance of the wealth and public recognition. This has led to the emergence of managed politics with a mind twisted on the political perspective of the electorate. Their lifestyle is marked by flamboyant life, luxury cars, including armored vehicles, with escorts sirens and intimidation of all suspected opponents and those who refuse to recognize their new found status and wealth that they deem difficult to manage. What we witness now is a replay of the biblical Haman Mordecai saga. Haman, a political upstart paid a sum of money enormous that the entire Jewish people is destroyed just because Mordecai the Jew will not bow to him.
It is a mark of immaturity policy of trying to use political expediency to settle accounts. It is a sign of shame and reflection of the struggle against a complex. Politics should be a very exciting part of our national life, but she is now a matter of life or death, sometimes sending shivers down the backs of the populace. Therefore, the organization or the holding of elections in Nigeria is war and many lives have Gone with the elections in Nigeria.
Political killings
Between 1999 and 2009, 39 cases of politically – motivated murders were reported in the country. The schedule these killings reveals that it is generally more prevalent in the years preceding the election campaign and fair elections. For example, 17 cases of murder were between 2002 and 2003, 9 cases were registered between 2005 and 2007 (another pre-election period election).
Murders policy – 1999-2009 (- a graphical representation)
In the most recent elections in Nigeria, the firearms were used freely. In the Jos crisis of November / December 2008, more than 500 lives were lost in the chaos that dragged this election. Several of those hospital were victims of gunshot wound. How does this compare to what prevails in other parts of the world, where election results are respected and the electoral process is conducted in an orderly fashion?
A common feature of land policy in Nigeria is the issue of retraining of individuals and families – Give the impression that there is some eternal mandate that individuals and families should always be there. How explain a situation where some politicians who were contemporaries of the Sage by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, hovering in the corridors of power. There are individuals who remained in the political flirtation throughout the 29 years of military rule, the era of democracy in Nigeria. What a shame that nearly two years after the 2007 general elections, there are still many that remain to be resolved in court cases.
It is a fact that since the elections controversial, Nigerians for various attempts have been united in seeking a reform process that the waters of a tree transparent, free and fair election to eliminate the resentment that greeted the results of the April 2007 polls and has literally created hatred and anarchy.
For how long will Nigerians living with this level of rancor and uncertainty? When will elections be made transparent so that at the end the loser is even faster to admit defeat and congratulate the winner? In the U.S. elections of November 4, 2008, Republican candidate John McCain has graciously conceded victory to Democratic candidate for president, Barack Obama in less than 24 hours after polls. The winner and loser in the American elections do not have to wait for the boss to announce election results the results of elections the most famous in the world. They rely on the results as announced live by Cable News Network (CNN).
It is instructive to recall that on national television in Nigeria, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) had live coverage of the U.S. election. Why has he not been possible to cover our living national elections. Some international observers were denied entry and put out their reports by our electoral authorities, but Nigerians went to Ghana to monitor the elections! Our electoral process is not transparent and acceptable. It remains yet to be made so as national and international.
CORRUPTION
Corruption is used here to refer a condition or state of lying, irregular, illegitimacy, illegality or injustice directed towards the acquisition power, money or position of private profit and sectional.
Corruption has become endemic in Nigeria and a culture of corruption would generate a corrupt society. A society and people naturally produce its kind, unless there is a cultural operation so drastically or there is a shift in the course of time: remember the formula for Social Studies. The Nigerian society has a very fertile ground for practical fraud, which led to the institutionalization of corruption. A corrupt society in the sense of Lewis (2008) produced corrupt leaders and followers, corrupt leaders to copy or create corrupt institutions and corrupt institutions to create a multiple compromised systems. This may explain why there hardly any institution or system that is free from corruption in Nigeria. Religious institutions are not exempt it. Corruption is indeed the worst enemy of Nigeria preventing citizens from receiving enormous natural resources. Corruption is bad for economic growth. It increases income inequality and poverty by reducing economic growth. It also promotes and supports the unequal distribution of property assets and unequal access to education (Olajide, 2008).
Despite the creation of anti-corruption agencies such the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) corrupt practices have continued to manifest itself in several ingenious ways known and forms in Nigeria. This monster called corruption continued to plague the driving the country towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Recently, during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee against drugs and narcotics and financial crimes, the director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has alleged that some Nigerians have benefited from falling world prices and had criss day and night world to acquire properties with the money stolen in the country. The author This crime know how to beat all the mechanisms in place to verify their harmful activities. Our image was seriously tarnished activities by corrupt Nigerians. Corruption among Nigerians is also evident in Internet fraud and the famous advance without fraud (aka 419). A number distrust of foreigners and Nigerians have been victims of Internet and Advance fee fraud. A number of young people today live big and fat the proceeds of corruption and fraud.
The image of Nigeria has been badly damaged throughout the world as a result of fraudulent practices some of our citizens. Many Nigerians are languishing in prisons in a number of countries – some of those who were not so lucky, were executed by the authorities in those countries where they committed these atrocities. The war against corruption seems to have been a focus during the Obasanjo regime. Yar Ardua's government has promised that there would be no sacred cows in the fight against the administration to combat corruption. However, its anti-corruption came under the skepticism and cynicism serious after the redeployment of the former President of the agency Anti-corruption and its galleys thereafter, many leading to his dismissal. It is a very sad commentary and sends a very wrong message to Nigerians and the international community.
The tempo anti-corruption crusade is gradually grinding to a halt and some observers are becoming really concerned, because of the suffering masses they claim to have been caused by a few individuals who have diverted the money for the welfare of the masses personal gain. One apparent reason why corruption has continued to invade the length and breadth of Nigeria may be that the three branches of government lip service to its eradication.
Corruption has been damage to the political and the generality of our people is immeasurable and invaluable. The unease reigns in all strata of society, including public institutions. According to Day Notice of November 5, 2008, nothing works well in Nigeria because of corruption. Many roads are in deplorable condition, even if attempts are made to rehabilitate roads, Corruption will not allow a thorough and sustainable.
Education and corruption
Sexual harassment has become so pervasive in Nigerian higher education. It is a very worrying state of the situation. The issue of sexual harassment in higher education institutions has attracted the attention of a number of academics – (Osakwe 2008 Igborgbor 2008, Okech, 2008). Harassment sex is a manifestation of power relations and most girls and women are listed in the receiving end. Sexual harassment is not confined to any What age level – some ancient university have been known to indulge in the game awful. Some academics have lost their jobs under this act. Some have continued to exploit and defile girls and boast the public of their sexual escapades. Some young girls and married women have been traumatized, all in order to acquire a university degree or other tertiary institutions. Closely related to the issue of sexual harassment is Corruption in our educational system from primary to university level. Pupils and students are forced to pay a levy or another. Signature of the report of arbitrators, the clearance, form, of course, data card – all to draw fees illegal. Some time ago in history Nigeria
Teachers at all levels of education has gained much respect by the public. Seen as honest, disciplined and morally above board, then it was more fashionable to look for a teacher when a public office who called a person of great integrity became vacant. They had the aura of saints and their fans always done right every time they have had the opportunity to bring their experiences and knowledge to bear on public affairs. However, this hallowed integrity class university appears to have taken his leave the country continues to stink of corruption (Aghedo 2008).
Within two years, three professors have paid the price for the purposes of sexual exploitation girls and had to be disgraced out of office. There are many more waiting to be dishonored. academic corruption has assumed different sizes ranging from plagiarism, victimization, muzzling academic freedom, erosion of mentoring in the production of Foot / "academic hostage taking "- by which young academics under a more experienced colleague had no choice but to fulfill the will their master. The academic freedom that once characterized the university system is rapidly eroded and gave way to politicians campus dangerous, clans and other interest groups – whose interests are other issues other than academics.
Examination Malpractice also became a major issue plaguing education in Nigeria. The phenomenon has become monstrous and only take a very bold and ruthless measures to eliminate. The unfortunate situation is that some people who are supposed to answer this question are products of examination malpractices themselves.
- Examination malpractice is not limited to gender, both boys and girls are in the business.
Transport and Corruption
The airports do not have facilities, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) can not locate the wreck sites of the air. The most recent defied place until several months after by hunters. The lines of railway remain dysfunctional – some rail lines are now used by traders to display their goods.
General attitude to corruption
People no longer express the bitterness and shock every time they hear of billions of naira stolen from public coffers, as it has now become a daily reality. For example, it has been reported in one month a governor in a state spent N1bn (one billion naira) in the state for security issues – a state where there was no war or the breakdown of law and order.
The state of corruption in Nigeria today is a product of inconsistency and the irregularity of the war against corruption – After being beaten to a standstill by General Murtala Mohamed between 1975 and 1976, monitored as Buhari / Idiagbon and later by Nuhu Ribadu would have brought the monster to its knees. But the interval between Mohammed and General Buhari introduced Babangida who ruled between 1985 and 1993. Contrary to the regime which came hard on Buhari looters of public funds which several were sentenced to various prison terms, Babangida returned the assets of various officers and restored in the ranks of licensed agents. Call the price of corruption! May this history is repeating a Again, if the work of Nuhu Ribadu is allowed to continue. Call it punishment for the fight against corruption! The war against corruption today is asleep.
Corruption and Power Sector
Two thousand (2,000) megawatts of electricity been generated in 2008 compared to 3000 was generated in 2003. These figures are ridiculous. South Africa with a population of 60 million euros generates 45,000 megawatts and the government of South Africa aspires to increase its capacity to 60,000. How Nigeria can still claim the giant Africa? Our industries and small businesses provide their own electricity – how can they break even meet production costs exorbitant due mainly to lack of regular supply of public power. How can industrial dreams of Nigeria to be updated the light of current challenges in energy. Despite the president's plan to declare a state of emergency in the electricity sector, things are not improved. Small businesses, independent artisans and several Nigerians have been forced to close their businesses due to the unavailability Energy.
It has been reported (Tell December 8, in one month (November 2008), the deterioration of power forced the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to announce the loss of production capacity of 800 MW – In the same period, the Sapele Power Station has been completely closed, and the central Egbin in Lagos was operating "at reduced capacity. Exactly 10 days later, PHCN reported an additional loss 200 MW. All these factors have been responsible for all power 12 hours zonal rationing in rotation to maintain system stability and ensure good distribution limits the production of generation plants operating. Under the rotation plan, PHCN divided the country into zones. Each zone receives electricity for 12 hours, even that is no guarantee that the light was coming. Some areas or sections of the country where the blackout is more regular that offers the public. Even the "promised" additional 6500 MW by 2009 is well below our expected electricity needs in Nigeria.
We are also informed (Tell-December 2008) that each university spends over N120 dollars a year on diesel. What a colossal waste of money which have been reinvested in other critical areas of university administration. Few universities in Nigeria can even afford spending this huge sum of money for electricity. Of course, this does not include regular electricity bills of PHCN.
CORRUPTION AND INDUSTRY IRON AND STEEL
The steel industry has swallowed billion dollars since the 1980s – and yet there is nothing to show them. The federal government has fixed the Ajaokuta and Delta Steel Mills, alongside three domestic Rolling Mills in Osogbo, Jos and Katsina. The steel mills and rolling mills have been unable to meet the steel aspirations of Nigerians, mostly because of corruption and beaurcactic bottle-neck. What we have now is more like museums instead of steel plants steel. How can one explain the astronomical price of iron and steel products imported when we are supposed to be producers of the product? In some plants, components and spare parts are no longer produced anywhere in the world. The components of the computer are completely obsolete leaving and engineers to cannibalize existing components, to the point that there is nothing to fall back.
The Minister of State overseeing the Department Mines and Steel Development, recently pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with the pace of development, stating that "theirs is not a go-slow government." Unfortunately, Nigerians can only believe that this administration and the past have no clear policy on how to restructure the steel industry and position it for Nigeria's Industrial take-off. During How long Nigerians await the launch of an efficient iron and steel industry? Many Nigerians have been sent Europe, Russia and Japan to be trained for the iron and steel. All these manpower of high caliber have been laid off in the face of the privatization policy of the last administration. Some steel mills have been concessions to political partners and associates business of government of the day.
The iron and steel industry is the foundation of all genuine and technological development industrial nation. Nigeria can not afford to remain a perennial importer of steel products. This sector should contribute significantly to the development economy of Nigeria. He seems not to be a clear roadmap that would lead Nigeria to become a major player in steel development on the continent Africa. How the dream of making Nigeria one of the top 20 world economies by 2020 is realized? How can this be achieved when factories primary steel have been privatized into the wrong hands? Control of the Primary Source of steel (liquid dish) is the development control industrial nation. The steel industry is therefore a critical area of economic development should not be left in the hands of investors foreign or indigenous.
The dedicated railway line linking Delta Steel Company, Aladja, Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and Nigerian Iron Ore Mining Company Itakpe are not yet finished – until this is done the total value of business can never be achieved. The railway project, as several other government projects is more like an abandoned project which already suffers from rapid depreciation. The Niger River is yet to be dredged and the estuary Escravos is still clear. liquid steel can never be produced in Ajaokuta without all these things being put in place.
EXTRA murders judicial
One issue that has bothered many Nigerians and sent shivers down the backs of citizens have to do with the extra-judicial killings. A number of families have suffered injuries resulting from the loss of their loved ones in incidents bordering on extra judicial killing. The unfortunate aspect of this development is that the evidence is either completely erased or the victims are portrayed as criminals – the dead can not speak for himself or herself. Some examples to substantiate the point here – There are almost two decades, a star athlete Nigeria Dele Udo was killed during a police check point. This has also been the lot of a number of innocent Nigerians in different places police check across the country at a time either. In 2002, some traders traveling along the Okene – Lokoja Highway were intercepted by police who found they had a lot of money on them. The police handcuffed the merchants and grouped in the bus and set it on fire while doing away with their millions Naira. One of the traders miraculously survived and escaped and reported the incident. The officers were arrested late, tried and sentenced accordingly. A renowned journalist, Bayo Awosika death in circumstances bordering on the extra judicial killing. It was alleged that he died when his vehicle struck a police van and then somersaulting several times before landing on another party road. Despite the claim Sommersault, there were no marks on the vehicle, the car handbreak Bayo was still on, and there was a piece of firewood under the car. The post-mortem examination revealed that the young man died of injuries from missiles – that is, he was struck by a fast moving metal (bullet). Could we have another murder case of summary executions. The case of citizen John Abah in Benue State is still very cool. On November 14, 2008, shots fired by a team of police patrol has killed the young man had left the evening to relax with friends, when his life was shortened. The incident that led to his premature death is traceable to a rift between the deceased and a policeman during a public tavern. In 2006, police killed a young man in the same city – Oturkpo, during a demonstration by residents in an institution after PHCN a power outage.
On December 2, 2008, authorities in Lagos State University, have been forced to issue a press release on the shooting its students. This was following the shooting November 25, 2008, 4 students of the University who had been seeking local government identification. arising the rapid response of the authorities of University of Lagos State, Governor of the State came into action. The police have been lost arrested and subsequently released. A student shot finally succumbed to his injuries despite the efforts of the Government and the State Lagos Lagos State University to save his life. The question is how long will Nigerians put up with this barbaric and senseless killing of its citizens by people who are supposed to protect? The murder of a student in Athens, Greece early in December 2008 triggered protests by students and Teachers of several days. The killing of a Brazilian in the United Kingdom during a terrorist raid conducted in the trial of police officer concerned. In December 2008, a woman was killed in Ogun State – it has been mistaken for a robber armed. The police made a vigorous effort to explain away the fact that the woman was an armed robber. A young man was shot by police outside a bank in Benin City to engage in a fight in front of the bank – the incident took place in January 2009. In the same month of January, a young man was shot dead by police in Lagos in circumstances unexplained. Some commercial drivers have been victims of a fire police or other forms of brutality to their refusal a portion of their money illegally "toll usual.
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Following the Millennium Declaration United Nations which was adopted at the Millennium Summit held in New York, September 6th – 8th, 2000, Nigeria has committed itself to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. These goals are goals measurable for making improvements in the lives of the poorest citizens of the world.
Goal I: Eradicate extreme poverty And Hunger
Poverty still looking for millions of Nigerians in the face. The degree of hunger is evident at the funeral, weddings and other events Social where free food and drinks are served generously by a very select group. In these meetings, several uninvited guests rush on food. Worse yet, these are teenagers who are waiting impatiently for milling persons duly served, to leave the leftovers to eat them or win. Many of our youth have now become scavengers in the midst of abundance assumed.
According to Bolatito (2008), poverty exists, where people can not afford to meet their basic needs. These may be defined in a narrow sense as the needs for survival, and those needs will largely reflect the living standards prevailing in the community. poverty describes a situation where the resources of people (hardware, social and cultural) and limited to exclude these people from the way of life acceptable minimum. Poverty is multidimensional (Bolatito 2008), it includes access by the poor to public services and infrastructure, unsanitary environment, illiteracy and ignorance, poor health, insecurity, voiceless and social exclusion, including low levels of household income and food insecurity.
Between the period 1980 to 1996, the proportion of poor people increased from 28.1% in 1980 to 65.6% in 1996. This, in terms of staff translates into 17.7 million poor people in 1980 and 67.1 million in 1996. It is estimated that by 2015, between 30.1 million and 40.4 million people would still living in poverty in Nigeria.
According to the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD 2005), Nigeria with an annual income per capita of only $ 300, is one of the 20 poorest countries in the world. It is estimated that Nigeria is growing at about 3% and the national savings rate is about 15%. Among the other challenges of dilapidated infrastructure and corruption, how can Nigeria to achieve the target number a millennium?
Since independence, Nigeria has steadily decreased in the group of countries with low development level human, as characterized by (HDI) of the coefficient below 0.5 (on a scale of 0-1). With a score of 0.470, Nigeria occupies a lowly 158th, where countries such as Eritrea and Senegal are better. This is a great shame, indeed. How can you say that Benin Republic and Rwanda are higher on the scale than the Nigeria in GDP per capita.
Table 1: Development Index humans in Nigeria in 2005
HND value
Life expectancy at birth (years)
Literacy rate of adults
(% Ages 154 and older)
Combined Primary, secondary and tertiary gross enrollment ratio (%)
GDP per capita (PPP)
1. Iceland (0.968)
1. Japan (82.3)
1. Georgia (100.0)
1. Australia (113.0)
1. Luxembourg (60,228)
156. Senegal (0499)
163.Botswana (48.1)
102.Algeria (69.9)
136.Nepal (58.2)
158.Rwanda (1.206)
157.Eritrea (0.483)
1653.Cote d'Ivoire (47.4)
103.Tanzania (United —
Republic of) (69.4)
137.Equatorial Guinea (58.1)
159.Benin (1.141)
158.Nigeria (0470)
165.Nigeria (46.5)
104.Nigeria (69.1)
138.Nigeria (56.2)
160. Nigeria (1,128)
159.Tanzania (United Republic of) (0.467)
166.Malawi (46.3)
105. Guatemala (69.1)
139. Bangladesh (56.0)
161. Eritrea (1,109)
160. Guinea (0,456)
167.Guinea-Bissau (45.8)
106.Lao People's Democratic Republic (68.7)
140.Yemen (55.2)
162. Ethiopia (1055)
177.Sierra Leone (0.336)
177.Zambia (40.5)
139.Burkina Faso (23.6)
172.Niger (22.7)
174.Malawi (667)
Human Development Report 2007/2008 summaries by country – Nigeria
Table 2: Selected indicators of poverty human for Nigeria
Human Poverty Index (HPI-1) 2004
Probability not survive beyond the age of 40 (5) 2004
Illiteracy among adults (15% or more) 2004
People without access to improved water source (%) 2004
Children underweight for age (% ages 0-5) 2004
1.Chad (56.9)
1.Zimbabwe (57.4)
1.Burkina Faso (76.4)
1.Ethiopia (78)
1.Nepal (48)
27.Yemen (38.0)
12.Congo (Democratic Republic (41.1)
34.Lao People's Democratic Republic (31.3)
8.Congo (Democratic Republic of (54)
22. Angola (31)
28. Burundi (37.6)
13.Guinea-Bissau (40.5)
35. Guatemala (30.9)
9. Fiji (53)
23.Maldives (30)
29. Nigeria (37.3)
14.Nigeria (39.0)
36.Nigeria (30.9)
10. Nigeria (52)
24.Nigeria (29)
30.Malawi (36.7)
15.Cote d'Ivoire (38.6)
37.Tanzania (United Republic of) (30.6)
11.Madagascar (50)
25.Sri Lanka (29)
31.Rwanda (36.5)
16.Uganda (38.5)
38.Algeria (30.1)
12. Mali (50)
26. Philippines (28)
108. Barbados (3.0)
173.Iceland (1.4)
164.Estonia (0.2)
125.Hungary (1)
134.Chile (1)
Human Development Report 2007/2008 – Country Fact Sheets – Nigeria
Tables 1 and 2, summarize the state of sordid affairs with respect to Nigeria Poverty Assessment at the global level. How is MGD1 achievement in the face of this level astonishing poverty in Nigeria?
GOAL 2: Achieve universal primary education
The National Policy Education (2004 Revised) states that "the government recognizes education as an instrument par excellence for the development national conduct. The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) is faced with the responsibility to ensure that Nigeria has achieved the goal of education universal primary education by 2015. How this noble objective to be achieved in the face of non-cooperation of several states of the federation, not responding to meet the requirements of their access to public funds for the program of universal basic education? Less than 50% of its states were able to comply by paying their counterpart funds. Unless and until this is done, these failed states and, by extension, the country will be unable to meet the 2015 target date for achieving universal primary education. What could be responsible attitude Poor governments of several states in fulfilling their part of the obligation in this regard? Can it be that education is undervalued by the current democratic actors or the conditions of access to Fund does not allow for huge financial gleet in wrong hands?
Nigeria has also approved the Jometien Conference on Education for All (EFA) by 2000, which set targets for care and early childhood development, primary education, junior high and adult literacy. The trend of gross enrollment ratio (GER) shows considerable variation in numbers between 1991 and 2000. Enrollment has increased significantly between 1990 and 1994 from 68% to 86%. Subsequently, the number decreased to 81% in 1995 and 70% in 1996. That is why Nigeria has not attained the goal Jometien EFA 2000.
The Universal Basic Education (UBE) Directive states that each primary and secondary school must have a laboratory science for general cope with the elementary science and domestic science, a well-ventilated toilet for a maximum of 40 pupils or students per toilet, a teachers to teach or manage 40 students or students. These conditions by what is achieved in our schools is a utopia, and may not be possible even in the year 2015. Very few schools have the appearance of a laboratory. neighboring bushes provide toilet facilities in some of our schools.
GOAL 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
The target of this goal is to eliminate gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005 and at all levels of education later in 2015. The indicators are:
– Ratio of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary.
– Ratio of literate women to men 15-24.
– Percentage of women employed in the nonagricultural sector
– Proportion of seats occupied by women in national parliament.
Gender disparity manifests itself more strongly in access to primary education, secondary and tertiary education leading to unequal access to employment (Millennium Development Report 2004)
It is estimated that 50% of the Nigerian population are women and girls, however, the gender disparity in access to primary, secondary and tertiary era pre-colonial and has its roots in African traditional culture. Is the goal of gender equality and empower women to be achieved by 2015. The answer is obviously negative. The company must be prepared to deal with stereotypes and acceptance that females can aspire to greater heights, if the company permits. The age-long theory of women as just there to have children or to meet the requirements of pleasure the men folk should be dropped. Women excel in whatever career they go: they are very good and better management of home and society. There should be no discrimination between the sexes in employment, whether public or private.
GOAL 4 – Reduce child mortality
Millennium National Report (2004) noted that little progress have been made in reducing infant mortality. Estimates from the Demographic Survey and 2003 National Survey Health put under five mortality rate as 217 per 1000 with significant regional variations. urban and rural areas were under five mortality rates 243 for 1000 and 153 per 1,000 respectively. The projection objective of the study is that there must be a reduction of two thirds (2 / 3) under five years by the year 2015. In other words, Nigeria should be able to reduce under-five morality to 49 per 1,000 in 2015. There is very little likely that Nigeria will meet the 2015 goal of reducing under five by two thirds (2 / 3).
The main obstacles to achieving Objective 4 of the MDGs are poor access to health facilities health (poverty), HIV / AIDS and poor maternal health. Good service Health costs money and this is beyond the reach of the poor who are unfortunately the majority of the Nigerian population. Corruption and Greed has not yet allowed free health services to the poor. Unfortunately, those leaders who should ensure medical facilities high class in our public health institutions have failed in their responsibilities. These same people who can afford to travel abroad the ailments at all.
Availability of facilities for health care, 1996 – 2000
(Per'000 People)
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
Number of doctors
0.212
0.207
0.201
0223
0.22
Number of hospital beds
0.677
0.643
0.613
0.575
0.639
The table shows the most appalling state institutions of health care in Nigeria. What efforts are on the field so that the situation changed radically in the positive direction until the year 2015?
Goal 5: Improve maternal health
The target of this goal is to reduce maternal mortality by three quarters between 1990 and 2015. Even if there was slight decrease maternal mortality since 1990, the level is still high at approximately 1,000 per 100,000 live births in the late 1990 to 2001. The national rate Maternal mortality was 704 per 100,000 live births, with regional variations (MDG Report 2004)
Maternal deaths Nigeria, as in most developing countries are generally identifiable by the powerlessness of women and their unequal access to employment, finance, education, basic health care and other resources.
The challenges to achieving the MDG Goal 5, including early pregnancies, harmful cultural practices, lack of health personnel and other infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. Nigeria accounts for 10% of maternal deaths (UCAID 2008).
52,000 women die annually in Nigeria maternal complications. Lanre-Abass (2008) stated that the majority of births in Nigeria (66%) occur at home. A smaller percentage of women receiving postnatal care, which is crucial for monitoring and treatment complications in the first two days after childbirth. Nigerian health system has been plagued with problems quality of service, including hostile attitude of some staff (doctors and nurses), lack of skills degradation infrastructure, shortage of essential drugs and counterfeit medicines.
GOAL 6: HIV / AIDS, malaria and other diseases
It is estimated that over 4.5 million Nigerian adults and children living with HIV / AIDS in 2008. Cumulative AIDS deaths in 2008 was approximately 4.2 million people. These are startling figures which should disrupt any group of people (Osakwe 2008). Age groups most affected by the virus contains 20 to 29 years, while the regions with the highest prevalence rates are North Central, Northeast, South and Southeast areas. It is shocking to learn that the University treated 10,800 people living with HIV between January and October 2008.
Several factors contribute to the spread of HIV / AIDS in Nigeria, including sexual practices of networking such as polygamy, a high prevalence of sexually transmitted untreated (STIs.), low condom use, poverty, low literacy, poor health, stigma and irresponsible sexual practices. The prevalence of malaria in Nigeria has remained high, and this is due to the abundance of drains blocked and the overall cleanliness that AIDS malaria vectors. An estimated one million deaths occur each year in Nigeria from malaria. The fact that we have insufficient numbers of trained medical staff to implement programs such as National AIDS remains a major challenge to achieve the MDG goal 6.
GOAL 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
Nigeria is still grappling with the challenge of environmental sustainability. There are still major problems of land degradation, pollution, flooding, erosion, desertification, inefficient use of energy resources, loss of biodiversity, environmental disasters and deforestation. It are still poor access to improved sanitation facilities in Nigeria, which may be attributed to poor implementation of health and housing and related policies, high levels of poverty, low level of awareness on issues relating to sustainability and environmental improvement Rural general. Why gully perennial in the Southeast, parts of Delta and Edo defied the odds – on the contrary, agricultural lands and buildings Each year away, roads cut and separate communities, children and adults are swept away by floods. How it is understandable that in the 21st century, although in some campuses, students defecate anywhere and worse in some women's hostels! "Short-put" has acquired a new meaning to the struggle against social behavior. Students defecating in black polythene bags and throw themselves behind their halls or leave the toilet ends. Sometimes these human wastes are washed into gutters and drains thus creating health hazards. Excavations Construction and building sand may not be as obvious environmental hazard, as has been short, but searches without having recourse to the consequences the environment leaves a lot of pain and anguish for the people. Some Nigerians contribute daily to the environmental degradation and threat to lives and property by their reckless and Environment – unfriendly activities.
GOAL 8: Develop a partnership World Development
Nigeria has continued to play a leading role in regional Cooperati