Ghana 2008 and the Spirit of Nationalism
At long last, the golden jubilee 26th Africa Cup of Nations - Ghana 2008 tournament has come and gone. Even though Ghana could not grab the gold, she was able to snatch the bronze medal; and the nation is patriotically richer than ever before.
But one legacy bequeathed Ghanaians by the tournament which must never be allowed to desert us as a people is the Spirit of Nationalism. And the 23 young players out of 22 million coaches, who carried the entire nation on their fragile shoulders and sweated under supreme pressures from January 20 to February 10, 2008, were the twinkle, twinkle Black Stars of Ghana. The stylish Stars did the trick with their superb "soccerlistic" skills and crowned it with their "kangaroonistic" acrobatic legs and pinching fingers to stride. It was simply titillating and infectious like flu. It did not take long before other African nations, starting with the almighty Nigeria, began to make photocopies of their copyright dancing steps. No piracy here, please! Michael Essien of Ghana is the originator, initiator and inventor of "Kangaroonistic" dance in Africa and in the world of soccer. Any body who wants to duplicate that dance must obtain permission from him. Period!
What shall we tell the gallant 23? "Ghana Black Starts, "Ayikooo!" Bravo! You have chalked up what Napoleon could not have achieved." And we should always keep this African proverb at the back of our minds: "Those who did not take part in the warfare always have the pleasure to fume and critisise the battalions that they did not fight hard enough." Do not blame them, for they know not how monkey sweats.
As matter of fact, Ghana did very, very well. To be able to crush Guinea 2 - 1 ; pip Namibia 1 - 0; demolish Nigeria 2 - 1; massacre Cote d'Ivoire 4- 2, before finally going down 0 - 1 against Cameroon under some technical mishaps and "huhudious" officiating conspiracy, it was not a mean feat at all. In other words, with exception of Namibia, all the countries that Ghana crushed like empty shells on the way before snatching the Bronze medal are super power nations as far as football in Africa is concerned. Just go and look at the FIFA ranking of those countries on the continent before the commencement of Ghana 2008 tournament.
About 20 years ago, in 1987 to be precise, this author watched an American film at the Executive Theatre of the then Ghana Film Industry Corporation (GFIC) in Accra. (I don't quite remember the title of that film). But in the film, a little boy of about five, living with his mother was naughty in some way. It was as if the boy intentionally poured some water on the dinning table and his mother was mad. The mother started scolding him. She nagged and nagged and made insinuation to the boy's father who was not at home at the time. Suddenly, this tiny boy flared up, looked at his huge mother in the face and retorted: "Mum, why are you nagging at me like that? Don't you know that I am an American?" The mother was so shocked and spell-bound that she could no longer utter a word thereafter.
How do some nations on this planet of imperfection manage to infuse or inculcate the spirit of patriotism into their citizens to the extend that, even when they go wrong in one way or another, most of their citizens are still prepared to defend them or even lay down their lives for their countries? At what age do they start pumping the sense of patriotism into the minds of their citizens? And what returns do such patriotic citizens expect back from their nations?
Fired up by this "holy" spirit of nationalism, some Ghanaians went to the extent of not only draping themselves in national colours, but adorn their dogs, cats, rams, goats and fowls, with Ghana flags - all jubilating in support of the national team - the Black Stars. Even some foreign nationals in Ghana or visitors who just came in to witness the event were so infested with the Ghanaian spirit of nationalism that they started competing to prove that they were even more Ghanaians than the Ghanaians themselves. (We say they are more catholic than the Pope himself). It was just fantastic!
In August 2007, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation formally launched the National Orientation Sensitisation Programme at the Accra International Centre. It is relevant to quickly refresh our memory of the Five Pillars of the National Orientation which were unveiled on that occasion: 1. Proud to be Ghanaian; 2. Patriotism and a Spirit of "Ghana First"; 3. Positive and a "Can - Do - it "Attitude; 4. Productivity and Accountability and 5. Dedication and Discipline.
One is yet to conduct a scientific survey to determine the impact of the programme on the population. Nevertheless, through casual observation so far, it will not be out of place to opine that since the launch of the National Orientation programme, coupled with gradual but deliberate and sustained efforts by the Ministry to conscientise people about the need to do things in a certain way as a people, slowly but progressively the spirit of patriotism or nationalism is being rekindled in the minds of many Ghanaians. It can be concluded that at least, the Pillar N0 1, "Proud to be Ghanaian" has virtually taken roots in the hearts of many citizens of this loving country of hospitable people.
Do you remember that during the tournament, the Minister for Information and National Orientation, Hon Oboshie Sai Cofie, had to issue an official statement, reminding the entire nation that any time the national anthem was being played or sung, every body ought to remain standing and quiet until the anthem was over? That was a simple but profound national orientation instruction. So, even in our anxiety to display the depth of our patriotism, it is important to take note of such basic ethics of nationalism.
Although it is the Information Ministry which initiated the policy, it needs the collaboration of other institutions such as the National Commission on Civic Education, the Ghana Education Service, Commission on Culture, Commission on Children, the Churches, Mosques, the Shrines as well as individual parents and teachers to be able to effectively executive it for the success of the National Orientation programme in the supreme interest of the nation.
At this juncture, it is imperative to say a word of appreciation to all Ghanaians from the President of the Republic to the truck pusher at the Sodom and Gomorrah market for the massive support accorded the National Team. Ghanaian Parliamentarians made better noises than even the Supporters Unions who were paid to make noises. For those Pastors who cast away their orthodox cassocks for a moment and put on dresses in national colours to preach with their congregations blowing horns in the churches all dressed in national colours, God has taken note of the holy spirit of nationalism that descended on them.
Our Muslim brothers and sisters as well as the traditional worshipers could not be outdone in the massive support for the Black Stars. Did you see that man who always went to the stadium with live guinea fowls? How about those who carried R.I.P.coffins of certain countries and opponent players? They were all part of psychological supporting strategies. As for those who do not believe in the existence of God, God still loves them any way.
But if prizes were to be awarded to individuals or groups of best supporters of the Black Stars, Ghanaian women would have cleared all at stake hands down. Ghanaian women do not only know how to play football but they can analyse soccer and support the national team in grand styles. My goodness! I saw women of all shapes and sizes from toddlers to octogenarian supporting the Black Stars from January to December non stop. It was incredible. Apart from supporting the Black Stars as a National Team, Ghanaian women instantly established women supporters unions for every individual Black Star player.
Here is the list of Women Supporters Unions for all 23 players of the Ghana 2008 tournament:
1. Sammy Adjei - Women Supporters Union
2. Hans Adu Sarpei - Women Supporters Union
3. Asamoah Gyan - Women Supporters Union
4. John Paintsil - Women Supporters Union
5. John Mensah - Women Supporters Union
6. Anthony Annan - Women Supporters Union
7. Laryea Kingston - Women Supporters Union
8. Mihael Essien - Women Supporters Union
9. Manuel Agogo - Women Supporters Union
10. Kwadwo Asamoah - Women Supporters Union
11. Sulley Ali Muntari - Women Supporters Union
12. Andre Ayew - Women Supporters Union
13. Baffour Gyan - Women Supporters Union
14. Bernard Yao Kumordzi - Women Supporters Union
15. Ahmed Apiamah Barusso - Women Supporters Union
16. Abdul Fatawu Dauda - Women Supporters Union
17. Nana Akwesi Asare - Women Supporters Union
18. Eric Addo - Women Supporters Union
19. Alhansan Illiasu - Women Supporters Union
20. Quincy Owusu-Abeyie - Women Supporters Union
21. Harrison Afful - Women Supporters Union
22. Richard Kingson - Women Supporters Union
23. Hamidu Draman - Women Supporters Union.
These women supporters unions can be found in every home in Ghana today. And it was their singing, dancing and artistic antics alone that provided the necessary energy for the Black Stars to die for the nation. Any challenger?
Closing ceremony
Ghana has succeeded in proving to the entire world through the Africa Cup of Nations that Africa is a continent of beautiful cultural heritage. The simple but profound closing ceremony was exceptional in the history of the tournament. Only one person could have taken the trophy to the podium to be handed over to the winning team. But this simple act was dramatized with four solid bodybuilders a.k.a macho men, carrying an innocent pretty little girl like a huge queen mother in a palanquin was fabulous.
The smiling sweet "black angel" was adorned in royal ornaments of gold and colourful kente headgear with traditional touch. The multiple "fontonfron" divine drummers stirred the foundation of African culture and the Egyptian champions could not help but to try their own hands on the drums and dancing like ancient Pharaohs. When their floating spirits were appeased, they solemnly and respectfully collected back the magnificent sparkling trophy they brought from Egypt from the fatherly hands of the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E.J.A. Kufuor.
Fellow country men and women, even if Ghana could not fulfill the goal of "Host and Win" dream, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has done the nation proud. The tournament has elevated Ghana to the zenith of World football pyramid. There is no country that is worth its name in the world today can say she has not heard of a country called Ghana in West Africa.
What must be done now as a nation is not to cry over spilt milk or engage in blame game. We must admit our little, little organisational short falls such as accreditations, ticketing and the potato-like fields of our magnificent stadia. The current Black Stars must be maintained and sustained so that they can remain in form at all times. There is a need to inject fresh blood of first class strikers into the team. As for technical and medical aspects of the team, I leave to the experts. If we do our home work very well, use creative visualisation techniques and petition God to be our Guide, come 2010, Ghana can win both the African Cup Nations in Angola and the World Cup in South Africa at ago. Remember that he who laughs last...
But one legacy bequeathed Ghanaians by the tournament which must never be allowed to desert us as a people is the Spirit of Nationalism. And the 23 young players out of 22 million coaches, who carried the entire nation on their fragile shoulders and sweated under supreme pressures from January 20 to February 10, 2008, were the twinkle, twinkle Black Stars of Ghana. The stylish Stars did the trick with their superb "soccerlistic" skills and crowned it with their "kangaroonistic" acrobatic legs and pinching fingers to stride. It was simply titillating and infectious like flu. It did not take long before other African nations, starting with the almighty Nigeria, began to make photocopies of their copyright dancing steps. No piracy here, please! Michael Essien of Ghana is the originator, initiator and inventor of "Kangaroonistic" dance in Africa and in the world of soccer. Any body who wants to duplicate that dance must obtain permission from him. Period!
What shall we tell the gallant 23? "Ghana Black Starts, "Ayikooo!" Bravo! You have chalked up what Napoleon could not have achieved." And we should always keep this African proverb at the back of our minds: "Those who did not take part in the warfare always have the pleasure to fume and critisise the battalions that they did not fight hard enough." Do not blame them, for they know not how monkey sweats.
As matter of fact, Ghana did very, very well. To be able to crush Guinea 2 - 1 ; pip Namibia 1 - 0; demolish Nigeria 2 - 1; massacre Cote d'Ivoire 4- 2, before finally going down 0 - 1 against Cameroon under some technical mishaps and "huhudious" officiating conspiracy, it was not a mean feat at all. In other words, with exception of Namibia, all the countries that Ghana crushed like empty shells on the way before snatching the Bronze medal are super power nations as far as football in Africa is concerned. Just go and look at the FIFA ranking of those countries on the continent before the commencement of Ghana 2008 tournament.
About 20 years ago, in 1987 to be precise, this author watched an American film at the Executive Theatre of the then Ghana Film Industry Corporation (GFIC) in Accra. (I don't quite remember the title of that film). But in the film, a little boy of about five, living with his mother was naughty in some way. It was as if the boy intentionally poured some water on the dinning table and his mother was mad. The mother started scolding him. She nagged and nagged and made insinuation to the boy's father who was not at home at the time. Suddenly, this tiny boy flared up, looked at his huge mother in the face and retorted: "Mum, why are you nagging at me like that? Don't you know that I am an American?" The mother was so shocked and spell-bound that she could no longer utter a word thereafter.
How do some nations on this planet of imperfection manage to infuse or inculcate the spirit of patriotism into their citizens to the extend that, even when they go wrong in one way or another, most of their citizens are still prepared to defend them or even lay down their lives for their countries? At what age do they start pumping the sense of patriotism into the minds of their citizens? And what returns do such patriotic citizens expect back from their nations?
Fired up by this "holy" spirit of nationalism, some Ghanaians went to the extent of not only draping themselves in national colours, but adorn their dogs, cats, rams, goats and fowls, with Ghana flags - all jubilating in support of the national team - the Black Stars. Even some foreign nationals in Ghana or visitors who just came in to witness the event were so infested with the Ghanaian spirit of nationalism that they started competing to prove that they were even more Ghanaians than the Ghanaians themselves. (We say they are more catholic than the Pope himself). It was just fantastic!
In August 2007, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation formally launched the National Orientation Sensitisation Programme at the Accra International Centre. It is relevant to quickly refresh our memory of the Five Pillars of the National Orientation which were unveiled on that occasion: 1. Proud to be Ghanaian; 2. Patriotism and a Spirit of "Ghana First"; 3. Positive and a "Can - Do - it "Attitude; 4. Productivity and Accountability and 5. Dedication and Discipline.
One is yet to conduct a scientific survey to determine the impact of the programme on the population. Nevertheless, through casual observation so far, it will not be out of place to opine that since the launch of the National Orientation programme, coupled with gradual but deliberate and sustained efforts by the Ministry to conscientise people about the need to do things in a certain way as a people, slowly but progressively the spirit of patriotism or nationalism is being rekindled in the minds of many Ghanaians. It can be concluded that at least, the Pillar N0 1, "Proud to be Ghanaian" has virtually taken roots in the hearts of many citizens of this loving country of hospitable people.
Do you remember that during the tournament, the Minister for Information and National Orientation, Hon Oboshie Sai Cofie, had to issue an official statement, reminding the entire nation that any time the national anthem was being played or sung, every body ought to remain standing and quiet until the anthem was over? That was a simple but profound national orientation instruction. So, even in our anxiety to display the depth of our patriotism, it is important to take note of such basic ethics of nationalism.
Although it is the Information Ministry which initiated the policy, it needs the collaboration of other institutions such as the National Commission on Civic Education, the Ghana Education Service, Commission on Culture, Commission on Children, the Churches, Mosques, the Shrines as well as individual parents and teachers to be able to effectively executive it for the success of the National Orientation programme in the supreme interest of the nation.
At this juncture, it is imperative to say a word of appreciation to all Ghanaians from the President of the Republic to the truck pusher at the Sodom and Gomorrah market for the massive support accorded the National Team. Ghanaian Parliamentarians made better noises than even the Supporters Unions who were paid to make noises. For those Pastors who cast away their orthodox cassocks for a moment and put on dresses in national colours to preach with their congregations blowing horns in the churches all dressed in national colours, God has taken note of the holy spirit of nationalism that descended on them.
Our Muslim brothers and sisters as well as the traditional worshipers could not be outdone in the massive support for the Black Stars. Did you see that man who always went to the stadium with live guinea fowls? How about those who carried R.I.P.coffins of certain countries and opponent players? They were all part of psychological supporting strategies. As for those who do not believe in the existence of God, God still loves them any way.
But if prizes were to be awarded to individuals or groups of best supporters of the Black Stars, Ghanaian women would have cleared all at stake hands down. Ghanaian women do not only know how to play football but they can analyse soccer and support the national team in grand styles. My goodness! I saw women of all shapes and sizes from toddlers to octogenarian supporting the Black Stars from January to December non stop. It was incredible. Apart from supporting the Black Stars as a National Team, Ghanaian women instantly established women supporters unions for every individual Black Star player.
Here is the list of Women Supporters Unions for all 23 players of the Ghana 2008 tournament:
1. Sammy Adjei - Women Supporters Union
2. Hans Adu Sarpei - Women Supporters Union
3. Asamoah Gyan - Women Supporters Union
4. John Paintsil - Women Supporters Union
5. John Mensah - Women Supporters Union
6. Anthony Annan - Women Supporters Union
7. Laryea Kingston - Women Supporters Union
8. Mihael Essien - Women Supporters Union
9. Manuel Agogo - Women Supporters Union
10. Kwadwo Asamoah - Women Supporters Union
11. Sulley Ali Muntari - Women Supporters Union
12. Andre Ayew - Women Supporters Union
13. Baffour Gyan - Women Supporters Union
14. Bernard Yao Kumordzi - Women Supporters Union
15. Ahmed Apiamah Barusso - Women Supporters Union
16. Abdul Fatawu Dauda - Women Supporters Union
17. Nana Akwesi Asare - Women Supporters Union
18. Eric Addo - Women Supporters Union
19. Alhansan Illiasu - Women Supporters Union
20. Quincy Owusu-Abeyie - Women Supporters Union
21. Harrison Afful - Women Supporters Union
22. Richard Kingson - Women Supporters Union
23. Hamidu Draman - Women Supporters Union.
These women supporters unions can be found in every home in Ghana today. And it was their singing, dancing and artistic antics alone that provided the necessary energy for the Black Stars to die for the nation. Any challenger?
Closing ceremony
Ghana has succeeded in proving to the entire world through the Africa Cup of Nations that Africa is a continent of beautiful cultural heritage. The simple but profound closing ceremony was exceptional in the history of the tournament. Only one person could have taken the trophy to the podium to be handed over to the winning team. But this simple act was dramatized with four solid bodybuilders a.k.a macho men, carrying an innocent pretty little girl like a huge queen mother in a palanquin was fabulous.
The smiling sweet "black angel" was adorned in royal ornaments of gold and colourful kente headgear with traditional touch. The multiple "fontonfron" divine drummers stirred the foundation of African culture and the Egyptian champions could not help but to try their own hands on the drums and dancing like ancient Pharaohs. When their floating spirits were appeased, they solemnly and respectfully collected back the magnificent sparkling trophy they brought from Egypt from the fatherly hands of the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E.J.A. Kufuor.
Fellow country men and women, even if Ghana could not fulfill the goal of "Host and Win" dream, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has done the nation proud. The tournament has elevated Ghana to the zenith of World football pyramid. There is no country that is worth its name in the world today can say she has not heard of a country called Ghana in West Africa.
What must be done now as a nation is not to cry over spilt milk or engage in blame game. We must admit our little, little organisational short falls such as accreditations, ticketing and the potato-like fields of our magnificent stadia. The current Black Stars must be maintained and sustained so that they can remain in form at all times. There is a need to inject fresh blood of first class strikers into the team. As for technical and medical aspects of the team, I leave to the experts. If we do our home work very well, use creative visualisation techniques and petition God to be our Guide, come 2010, Ghana can win both the African Cup Nations in Angola and the World Cup in South Africa at ago. Remember that he who laughs last...
Mawutodzi K. Abissath is a Ghanaian journalist, writer, poet and blogger. He is EzineArticles.com Expert Author, author of Kofi Annan the Great - poetry, Friends of Tomorrow-Poems for Young Children and Co-author of Traditional Wisdom in African Proverbs.
He writes from Accra, Ghana
He writes from Accra, Ghana
New Homes Industry: The Key To Job Creation And A Better Economy in Nigeria
At her recent swearing in as Finance Minister for the second time around, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala reportedly declared, "I am here to create jobs." That is music to the ears of all Nigerians, including the reported and staggering 40 million job-seekers and those who know that lack of employment is a major contributor to the high crime wave in all corners of our Motherland. Combined with passage of indigene law, Nigeria will foster deeper housing roots and policies capable of ameliorating sectarian crimes, such as the ones that often occur in Jos and other parts of our "One Nigeria".
I understood Mrs. Iweala's "I am here to create jobs" comment to mean that she will work hard to create an economic environment that is conducive to the private sector creating good paying jobs for Nigerian citizens and immigrants. I will come back to why the "immigrants" part is critical to Nigeria's development and prosperity.
It will not be easy!
President Goodluck Jonathan should be commended for the heightened emphasis he seems to be according to the improvement of Nigeria's economy. I hope both the President and Finance Minister succeed for the good of all Nigerians, but like many Nigerians, I will hold further praise until I see measurable results even as we support only their worthy efforts. Nigerian history is full of false starts and wasted opportunities.
However, the President and the Minister cannot and should not be expected to do it all by themselves without our support. Nigerians everywhere should get all hands on deck and contribute to worthy causes of any administration. Both job seekers and the employed must have strong work ethics and provide superior services that make their employers' businesses prosper so they can hire more people and stay in business for a long time. Every employee should work it as if it were his or her father's company.
In the world's more efficient economies, the private sector is the engine of growth and job creation. Nigeria does not need more government or public sector jobs. It needs more sustainable private sector workers.
This and every administration should be vocally criticized when they pursue the wrong agenda. That is constructive and good for all. Each administration should be judged by how it improves the lives of the people in the short and long run with the people asserting their responsibilities along the way too.
For the first time ever, I wrote to Nigerian President in May 2011 to ask him to put development of Nigeria's new housing industry at the top of his economic agenda for the betterment of all. I stated the potential externalities of the new home industry for the Nigerian economy. In that missive, I expressed my willingness to contribute pro bono to that effort. I made it quite clear that I neither seek any monetary/political reward nor do I desire to return to Nigeria permanently any time soon.
Being content in America does not preclude me (or others) from making trips to Nigeria (at personal expense) to help organize seminars and tours for educating Nigeria's budding homebuilders who wish to learn the American new housing methods. Certainly, I do not have all the answers but since this is my passionate profession (new homes) here in America, it is my wish to give back by contributing the little I know to new homes development in our beloved Nigeria.
I respect Mrs. Iweala's decision to return to Nigeria to serve. I believe she will perform well in her encore as Finance Minister. After being at the top of one's career overseas for many years, it can be tough to uproot one's family. Leaving one's family abroad and returning home to work in Nigeria is a heavy commitment too, regardless of how much one earns there.
Nigerians inside and outside the country should respect those who go down this path to help, and not to loot the coffers. The leaders who ask these professionals to return to their homeland should be recognized and praised based on positive results, not lip services.
It was reported that President Jonathan recently formed the National Economic Management Team (NEMT) to spearhead his economic agenda. The names and agencies that make up the team appear impressive. If egos are checked at the door, and bureaucratic inertia is not allowed to engrain, monumental good can come from this team. Nigerians everywhere have been waiting for the "coming" to come.
It will be to the welcome credit of the Jonathan administration and all the NEMT members if they achieve tangible success. Nigerians should be cautiously optimistic.
Contrary to what some at home may think about those of us in Diaspora, we all want Nigeria to improve. We want to have the viable option to return to Nigeria for good. We hunger to contribute our share to the development of our Motherland. We want to take our children to Nigeria to show them how great and free life can be there, not only to show them how good they have it here overseas. We all love Nigeria (too), perhaps, more than Nigeria loves us!
True Nigerian professionals abroad were not swayed a few years ago by the past administration's "Clarion Call" to return home, because that was perceived as a rudderless call. Nigeria has disappointed so many of its people so many times that the few who have found greener pastures overseas will not be easily lead into the lion's den again. They see footprints pointing inward without any footprints coming out; and they know that those who entered were consumed by the hungry lion in the den.
It is heartbreaking when loved ones in Nigeria strongly urge their folks abroad not to return home due to the conditions there. It hurts each time I hear that warning: stay in America and do not come back. Content Nigerians abroad do not see any glamour in riding around in armored vehicles at insane speeds with deafening sirens blaring, as are commonly the cases when the lowest ranked persons in the government move around town back home.
Lack of security, stable electricity, adequate healthcare, and poor roads affect all. Not being able to jog or ride your bicycle ten miles down the street without fear of being run over, kidnapped, bombed, or robbed are very sad states of affairs in Naija.
Some Nigerians in Diaspora don't find it enticing to have helpers for chores they are used to doing themselves.For the creation of good jobs to take off and be sustained in Nigeria, both the leaders and the people should consider the following:
1. Fostering the Real Estate industry via public and private sectors partnership.
2. Passing and enforcing the Indigene law, which makes any city or state where one lives for 6 or more consecutive months one's new residence with full and equal rights.
3. Enforcing Federal, State, County, City, Property, and Sales Tax laws; no sacred cows. Corruption and waste would be curtailed when governments are funded by taxes paid by the masses. Looters would be castigated in public squares if they embezzle taxpayers' hard earned money. Stealing oil money is one thing; stealing tax revenue is an entirely different matter.
4. Schools need to be reorganized, locally controlled and administered. Parents should be prepared to pay the true cost of educating their children. Schools should be rated every year and the scores made public, so failing schools are closed and teachers retrained.
5. Every Nigerian should become a stakeholder with full responsibility and authority to be steward of the community and the nation. We must not allow foreign oil companies to pollute and destroy our environment with impunity.
6. Citizens and immigrants must be willing to pay for and defend the system or rule of law.
7. We ought to lay the groundwork for a network of radio, television, and print media to become the people's vanguard.
8. We should commence the much talked about national identification program to track and maintain records of individual activities and behaviors. This is not a police state thing, but a basis for commerce and accountability, just like the American Social Security Number system.
9. Decentralize and privatize electric power generation and distribution.
10. Decentralize police and other law enforcement agencies as they are in the United States whose system of government we aspire to emulate.
The Chief Executive Officer of DN Meyer Plc, Bola Olayinka, says that "Available statistics show that Nigeria is bedeviled with a housing deficit of about 17 million, thus requiring 50 years to bridge the gap." What a goldmine! Any nation would be glad to have the opportunity in housing that Nigeria has. NEMT should make single family housing a top priority.
For the reader who does not know much about the housing industry, let me take a few moments and scratch the surface of this critically important economic powerhouse; pun intended.
Some economists believe the American economy, and to a greater extent the global economy, will recover only after the U.S. Housing market recovers. Housing is that critical.In 2008, America's National Association of Home Builder (NAHB) estimated that the economic impacts include the following:
• 3.05 jobs and $89,216 in taxes (from building an average new single family home).
• 1.16 jobs and $33,494 in taxes (from building an average new multifamily rental unit).
• 1.11 jobs and $30,217 in taxes (from $100,000 spent on residential remodeling).
As used here, taxes are shorthand for government revenue from all sources, including construction-related fees imposed by local governments.
I know that average American homes cost more than average Nigerian homes, however, due to automation, styles, amenities, and technology constraints, more workers are needed to build a home in Nigeria. For the sake of the argument, let us assume it will take the same number of workers to build the average Nigeria home. Using the 17 million housing units deficit and 3.05 jobs per house figures, Nigeria could create 51 million jobs in a hurry and achieve full employment.
The World Bank estimates there are 40 million unemployed Nigerians now. Single family home business alone is capable of curing the unemployment problems in Nigeria. I know this a simplistic view but it is a realistic one.Housing will also create lots of indirect jobs such as:
1. Police Officers
2. Firefighters
3. City inspectors to oversee construction codes compliance
4. Water and waste water professionals, etc.
The economic externalities are endless, and so are the social benefits.
After people buy new homes, they go on to buy refrigerators, curtains, stoves, and all the home's furnishings. These spending sprees create more demand for goods and services, and even more jobs.
Immigrants should be encouraged to dig in roots in Nigeria. When they do, they become givers instead of just takers. Immigrants have unique and empowering potential to improve society. When embraced, immigrants enrich the host country socially, culturally, financially, academically, and other wise... Just look at the nation of immigrants called the United States of America.
There are many more social benefits to home ownership than meets the eye. In any society, you would be hard pressed to find homeowners causing problems that diminish their property values. Homeowners pay more in taxes and work harder to earn money to pay their bills and maintain their neighborhoods. They quickly become the middle class backbone on which a stable and prosperous society is built. Nigeria needs a viable middle class as fish need water and humans oxygen.
If the mortgage business is expanded in Nigeria, more people will be able to buy homes on installment terms that will spur more lending and banking activities. In the wake of these economic activities will be more high paying jobs for everyone.
However, Nigerian home buyers must understand and be responsible for their side of the borrowing business. If you miss as few as two payments, you will be due for late payment fees, damaged credit history and foreclosure and eviction: No excuses. You don't shoot or kidnap the bank manager because you lost your home via foreclosure.
Here in USA, those who did not fully understand what they were getting into during the housing boom ended up burning themselves and nearly breaking the back of the American economy in the process. Just ask those who swallowed the easy housing credit of the past 20 years and ended up financially comatose following the 2008 bust. You can't use your home as ATM either.
The housing market can be full of peaks and valleys. It can be a roller coaster of dizzying proportions. Both the government and the mortgage consumers need to know what they are getting into. When done well, the benefits can be immense. Your house is your home. It is not just an American Dream to own a home; it is every citizen of any nation's dream to have a good place to call home. Your home is your castle!
I strongly urge the NEMT members to eschew petty rivalry and seize the enormous potential of the residential housing industry, with its good-paying and quick-creating jobs. To unleash the full creativity and competitive power of this industry, all that the federal, state and local governments have to do is create an environment that is conducive for the private sector to flourish and accomplish the rest. I hope that is what the Minister means by, "I am here to create jobs".
I understood Mrs. Iweala's "I am here to create jobs" comment to mean that she will work hard to create an economic environment that is conducive to the private sector creating good paying jobs for Nigerian citizens and immigrants. I will come back to why the "immigrants" part is critical to Nigeria's development and prosperity.
It will not be easy!
President Goodluck Jonathan should be commended for the heightened emphasis he seems to be according to the improvement of Nigeria's economy. I hope both the President and Finance Minister succeed for the good of all Nigerians, but like many Nigerians, I will hold further praise until I see measurable results even as we support only their worthy efforts. Nigerian history is full of false starts and wasted opportunities.
However, the President and the Minister cannot and should not be expected to do it all by themselves without our support. Nigerians everywhere should get all hands on deck and contribute to worthy causes of any administration. Both job seekers and the employed must have strong work ethics and provide superior services that make their employers' businesses prosper so they can hire more people and stay in business for a long time. Every employee should work it as if it were his or her father's company.
In the world's more efficient economies, the private sector is the engine of growth and job creation. Nigeria does not need more government or public sector jobs. It needs more sustainable private sector workers.
This and every administration should be vocally criticized when they pursue the wrong agenda. That is constructive and good for all. Each administration should be judged by how it improves the lives of the people in the short and long run with the people asserting their responsibilities along the way too.
For the first time ever, I wrote to Nigerian President in May 2011 to ask him to put development of Nigeria's new housing industry at the top of his economic agenda for the betterment of all. I stated the potential externalities of the new home industry for the Nigerian economy. In that missive, I expressed my willingness to contribute pro bono to that effort. I made it quite clear that I neither seek any monetary/political reward nor do I desire to return to Nigeria permanently any time soon.
Being content in America does not preclude me (or others) from making trips to Nigeria (at personal expense) to help organize seminars and tours for educating Nigeria's budding homebuilders who wish to learn the American new housing methods. Certainly, I do not have all the answers but since this is my passionate profession (new homes) here in America, it is my wish to give back by contributing the little I know to new homes development in our beloved Nigeria.
I respect Mrs. Iweala's decision to return to Nigeria to serve. I believe she will perform well in her encore as Finance Minister. After being at the top of one's career overseas for many years, it can be tough to uproot one's family. Leaving one's family abroad and returning home to work in Nigeria is a heavy commitment too, regardless of how much one earns there.
Nigerians inside and outside the country should respect those who go down this path to help, and not to loot the coffers. The leaders who ask these professionals to return to their homeland should be recognized and praised based on positive results, not lip services.
It was reported that President Jonathan recently formed the National Economic Management Team (NEMT) to spearhead his economic agenda. The names and agencies that make up the team appear impressive. If egos are checked at the door, and bureaucratic inertia is not allowed to engrain, monumental good can come from this team. Nigerians everywhere have been waiting for the "coming" to come.
It will be to the welcome credit of the Jonathan administration and all the NEMT members if they achieve tangible success. Nigerians should be cautiously optimistic.
Contrary to what some at home may think about those of us in Diaspora, we all want Nigeria to improve. We want to have the viable option to return to Nigeria for good. We hunger to contribute our share to the development of our Motherland. We want to take our children to Nigeria to show them how great and free life can be there, not only to show them how good they have it here overseas. We all love Nigeria (too), perhaps, more than Nigeria loves us!
True Nigerian professionals abroad were not swayed a few years ago by the past administration's "Clarion Call" to return home, because that was perceived as a rudderless call. Nigeria has disappointed so many of its people so many times that the few who have found greener pastures overseas will not be easily lead into the lion's den again. They see footprints pointing inward without any footprints coming out; and they know that those who entered were consumed by the hungry lion in the den.
It is heartbreaking when loved ones in Nigeria strongly urge their folks abroad not to return home due to the conditions there. It hurts each time I hear that warning: stay in America and do not come back. Content Nigerians abroad do not see any glamour in riding around in armored vehicles at insane speeds with deafening sirens blaring, as are commonly the cases when the lowest ranked persons in the government move around town back home.
Lack of security, stable electricity, adequate healthcare, and poor roads affect all. Not being able to jog or ride your bicycle ten miles down the street without fear of being run over, kidnapped, bombed, or robbed are very sad states of affairs in Naija.
Some Nigerians in Diaspora don't find it enticing to have helpers for chores they are used to doing themselves.For the creation of good jobs to take off and be sustained in Nigeria, both the leaders and the people should consider the following:
1. Fostering the Real Estate industry via public and private sectors partnership.
2. Passing and enforcing the Indigene law, which makes any city or state where one lives for 6 or more consecutive months one's new residence with full and equal rights.
3. Enforcing Federal, State, County, City, Property, and Sales Tax laws; no sacred cows. Corruption and waste would be curtailed when governments are funded by taxes paid by the masses. Looters would be castigated in public squares if they embezzle taxpayers' hard earned money. Stealing oil money is one thing; stealing tax revenue is an entirely different matter.
4. Schools need to be reorganized, locally controlled and administered. Parents should be prepared to pay the true cost of educating their children. Schools should be rated every year and the scores made public, so failing schools are closed and teachers retrained.
5. Every Nigerian should become a stakeholder with full responsibility and authority to be steward of the community and the nation. We must not allow foreign oil companies to pollute and destroy our environment with impunity.
6. Citizens and immigrants must be willing to pay for and defend the system or rule of law.
7. We ought to lay the groundwork for a network of radio, television, and print media to become the people's vanguard.
8. We should commence the much talked about national identification program to track and maintain records of individual activities and behaviors. This is not a police state thing, but a basis for commerce and accountability, just like the American Social Security Number system.
9. Decentralize and privatize electric power generation and distribution.
10. Decentralize police and other law enforcement agencies as they are in the United States whose system of government we aspire to emulate.
The Chief Executive Officer of DN Meyer Plc, Bola Olayinka, says that "Available statistics show that Nigeria is bedeviled with a housing deficit of about 17 million, thus requiring 50 years to bridge the gap." What a goldmine! Any nation would be glad to have the opportunity in housing that Nigeria has. NEMT should make single family housing a top priority.
For the reader who does not know much about the housing industry, let me take a few moments and scratch the surface of this critically important economic powerhouse; pun intended.
Some economists believe the American economy, and to a greater extent the global economy, will recover only after the U.S. Housing market recovers. Housing is that critical.In 2008, America's National Association of Home Builder (NAHB) estimated that the economic impacts include the following:
• 3.05 jobs and $89,216 in taxes (from building an average new single family home).
• 1.16 jobs and $33,494 in taxes (from building an average new multifamily rental unit).
• 1.11 jobs and $30,217 in taxes (from $100,000 spent on residential remodeling).
As used here, taxes are shorthand for government revenue from all sources, including construction-related fees imposed by local governments.
I know that average American homes cost more than average Nigerian homes, however, due to automation, styles, amenities, and technology constraints, more workers are needed to build a home in Nigeria. For the sake of the argument, let us assume it will take the same number of workers to build the average Nigeria home. Using the 17 million housing units deficit and 3.05 jobs per house figures, Nigeria could create 51 million jobs in a hurry and achieve full employment.
The World Bank estimates there are 40 million unemployed Nigerians now. Single family home business alone is capable of curing the unemployment problems in Nigeria. I know this a simplistic view but it is a realistic one.Housing will also create lots of indirect jobs such as:
1. Police Officers
2. Firefighters
3. City inspectors to oversee construction codes compliance
4. Water and waste water professionals, etc.
The economic externalities are endless, and so are the social benefits.
After people buy new homes, they go on to buy refrigerators, curtains, stoves, and all the home's furnishings. These spending sprees create more demand for goods and services, and even more jobs.
Immigrants should be encouraged to dig in roots in Nigeria. When they do, they become givers instead of just takers. Immigrants have unique and empowering potential to improve society. When embraced, immigrants enrich the host country socially, culturally, financially, academically, and other wise... Just look at the nation of immigrants called the United States of America.
There are many more social benefits to home ownership than meets the eye. In any society, you would be hard pressed to find homeowners causing problems that diminish their property values. Homeowners pay more in taxes and work harder to earn money to pay their bills and maintain their neighborhoods. They quickly become the middle class backbone on which a stable and prosperous society is built. Nigeria needs a viable middle class as fish need water and humans oxygen.
If the mortgage business is expanded in Nigeria, more people will be able to buy homes on installment terms that will spur more lending and banking activities. In the wake of these economic activities will be more high paying jobs for everyone.
However, Nigerian home buyers must understand and be responsible for their side of the borrowing business. If you miss as few as two payments, you will be due for late payment fees, damaged credit history and foreclosure and eviction: No excuses. You don't shoot or kidnap the bank manager because you lost your home via foreclosure.
Here in USA, those who did not fully understand what they were getting into during the housing boom ended up burning themselves and nearly breaking the back of the American economy in the process. Just ask those who swallowed the easy housing credit of the past 20 years and ended up financially comatose following the 2008 bust. You can't use your home as ATM either.
The housing market can be full of peaks and valleys. It can be a roller coaster of dizzying proportions. Both the government and the mortgage consumers need to know what they are getting into. When done well, the benefits can be immense. Your house is your home. It is not just an American Dream to own a home; it is every citizen of any nation's dream to have a good place to call home. Your home is your castle!
I strongly urge the NEMT members to eschew petty rivalry and seize the enormous potential of the residential housing industry, with its good-paying and quick-creating jobs. To unleash the full creativity and competitive power of this industry, all that the federal, state and local governments have to do is create an environment that is conducive for the private sector to flourish and accomplish the rest. I hope that is what the Minister means by, "I am here to create jobs".
New Homes Industry: The Key To Job Creation And A Better Economy in Nigeria Part II
Every Nigerian government since its Independence in 1960 has professed support for affordable housing but none has really done anything tangible in this all important industry. A vast number of Nigerians continue to live in substandard houses. The kitchens and bathrooms conditions are obvious tell tale indicators of the homes standards, just as one can judge a restaurant's food by the cleanliness of the restroom.. Kitchens and bathrooms are the hearts and souls of homes.
Truth be told, federal and state governments are ill-equipped to accomplish this feat. You can see that in the failed outcomes of the American and then Soviet Union housing "projects" from the 1950s to 1970s which appeared great on paper and newly built but became instant ghettos and incubator of crime and other social problems. The mission should not be houses for all, it should be houses for all who can afford them on on a low to middle class income: big difference. Hence the private sector is best suited for the new housing program.
The establishment of grass-root homeowner associations, Mechanic Lien, and Indigene laws are paramount to the success of the affordable and market-driven housing program. I am talking about cozy 1,200 square-feet, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage homes affordable on monthly paychecks of teachers, average government and private sector workers, recent graduates, budding business people, nurses, etc. These are the the real engines (that can) of growth that will create a sustainable Nigerian middle class, not the few who can afford N10 million to zillion Naira Taj Mahal-like structures with their obscuring high fences of insecurity. If good-paying jobs and other career opportunities are plentiful all over Nigeria and the people foster strong work ethics to sustain them, there would less need for these self-made large penitentiaries called homes.
When it comes to new homes and residential business, arguably, no nation does it better than the United States. And the externalities are boundless! Nigerians can learn a whole lot from the American housing industry: both the good and the bad. Yes, there are lessons of failure to learn and avoid too.
As one of the few Nigerians in the new homes business in America, I fully appreciate the tasks ahead of National Economic Management Team (NEMT) should they take this housing direction. If the NEMT wants to see first hand how the business is conducted here in the States in general and Texas in particular, I will be glad to organize a tour and training for the Team and their staff in Austin, Texas. I can help get NEMT to meet some developers, builders, estimators, sales people, warranty, finance folks, Realtors, etc. To be clear, the Team will need to directly bear the costs of the tour and training and seminar. However, there will be no cost for the role I play. My part will be purely pro bono.
In the same spirit of giving back without strings attached, I would be glad to travel to Nigeria on my dime and provide a detailed report on how the new home business is conducted in America and how to adopt and foster it in Nigeria. Also, it wound be beneficial to enlist some experienced Nigerian Realtors and Brokers in America to lend their expertise to this cause. This will cost little in public sector funds since most of the costs and benefits will occur in the private sector.
The key is private-public partnership where master-planned communities with walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, elementary, middle and high schools, restaurants, medical clinics, vehicle repair, and grocery facilities are cited in close proximity of the residents. Places of worship can be included if they pledge not to create noise pollution: no outside loudspeakers should be allowed. God hears whispers.
Through bond or bank funding, the Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) would pay for infrastructure (such roads, sower, water, electricity, natural gas, cable) installation. After inspections to ensure compliance to municipal codes, the municipality reimburses the MUD who in-turn repays the bondholders or investors. The MUD or the municipality recoups it costs over a long period of time through taxes and fees. This is a simplistic explanation of how the program works in America; it gets more detailed and complicated than this in real life.
Nigerian housing market is too dependent on one raw material: cement. That should not be! While cement is great for the foundation, it is has rather poor R-Value and the price fluctuation is immense and it's controlled by few hands. By the way, with all the limestone deposits in Nigeria, we should be producing more cement for bring the price down and to export. We should use more wood, steel, wallboard or sheetrock, hardiplank. Each material has its pluses and minuses. For example, increased use of wood would create more fire and termite and deforestation hazards. Also, wood use would expedite construction process while enhancing the utilization of local materials.
For the reader who thinks this program will not work in Nigeria, he or she should understand Nigerians all over the globe are playing positive roles in the development of their host countries. If these battle tested Nigerians can do that here in a foreign land, they can do it in Nigeria if they so choose. Nigerians are perversive in all fields in America. There is hardly any hospital in America where you will not find a few Nigerians as nurses or doctors; the same goes for universities where there are Nigerian students and or professors. With all the negativity focused on few Nigerian fraudsters, let us not lose sight of the sea of Nigerians who are shinning examples of the goodness of Nigeria and Nigerians. I don't know about you; while I would not want to inherit anyone else's sins, I am always eager to display pride in my Nigerian heritage. I say it loudly and proudly every chance I get: I am from Nigeria!
According to Abuja U.S. Embassy economist Ajibola Akeju, there are tremendous opportunities in the Nigerian housing sector waiting to be tapped. He too welcomes the public-private partnership approach."The government alone cannot fill the housing gap," Akeju explains. "In order to fill the gap we would have to leverage the resources available in the private sector, while also encouraging foreign investment. Government has no business building houses. Government (federal and the sub-national governments) should focus on providing a favourable investment climate, infrastructure, and mortgage insurance to first time home buyers and low-to middle income families. We must however, note that there are challenges to harnessing the huge potentials inherent in Nigeria's housing sector, and invariably providing affordable housing in Nigeria."
One reads about some able-bodied educated Nigerians engaging in robberies, kidnappings, Internet scams, drug dealings, and taking unimaginable risks to flee Nigeria. These people blame unemployment and dire living conditions in Nigeria for their criminal activities.
While individual avarice, misplaced priorities, societal pressures, governmental mismanagement, and the culture of poverty are all contributory factors to Nigeria's problems, making residential housing development a priority is a viable solution that can create 51 million sustainable good paying jobs and millions of affordable homes for Nigeria and its immigrants. Would this happen overnight? No! Is this feasible over a ten-year period if Nigerians so choose? Definitely!!
Truth be told, federal and state governments are ill-equipped to accomplish this feat. You can see that in the failed outcomes of the American and then Soviet Union housing "projects" from the 1950s to 1970s which appeared great on paper and newly built but became instant ghettos and incubator of crime and other social problems. The mission should not be houses for all, it should be houses for all who can afford them on on a low to middle class income: big difference. Hence the private sector is best suited for the new housing program.
The establishment of grass-root homeowner associations, Mechanic Lien, and Indigene laws are paramount to the success of the affordable and market-driven housing program. I am talking about cozy 1,200 square-feet, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage homes affordable on monthly paychecks of teachers, average government and private sector workers, recent graduates, budding business people, nurses, etc. These are the the real engines (that can) of growth that will create a sustainable Nigerian middle class, not the few who can afford N10 million to zillion Naira Taj Mahal-like structures with their obscuring high fences of insecurity. If good-paying jobs and other career opportunities are plentiful all over Nigeria and the people foster strong work ethics to sustain them, there would less need for these self-made large penitentiaries called homes.
When it comes to new homes and residential business, arguably, no nation does it better than the United States. And the externalities are boundless! Nigerians can learn a whole lot from the American housing industry: both the good and the bad. Yes, there are lessons of failure to learn and avoid too.
As one of the few Nigerians in the new homes business in America, I fully appreciate the tasks ahead of National Economic Management Team (NEMT) should they take this housing direction. If the NEMT wants to see first hand how the business is conducted here in the States in general and Texas in particular, I will be glad to organize a tour and training for the Team and their staff in Austin, Texas. I can help get NEMT to meet some developers, builders, estimators, sales people, warranty, finance folks, Realtors, etc. To be clear, the Team will need to directly bear the costs of the tour and training and seminar. However, there will be no cost for the role I play. My part will be purely pro bono.
In the same spirit of giving back without strings attached, I would be glad to travel to Nigeria on my dime and provide a detailed report on how the new home business is conducted in America and how to adopt and foster it in Nigeria. Also, it wound be beneficial to enlist some experienced Nigerian Realtors and Brokers in America to lend their expertise to this cause. This will cost little in public sector funds since most of the costs and benefits will occur in the private sector.
The key is private-public partnership where master-planned communities with walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, elementary, middle and high schools, restaurants, medical clinics, vehicle repair, and grocery facilities are cited in close proximity of the residents. Places of worship can be included if they pledge not to create noise pollution: no outside loudspeakers should be allowed. God hears whispers.
Through bond or bank funding, the Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) would pay for infrastructure (such roads, sower, water, electricity, natural gas, cable) installation. After inspections to ensure compliance to municipal codes, the municipality reimburses the MUD who in-turn repays the bondholders or investors. The MUD or the municipality recoups it costs over a long period of time through taxes and fees. This is a simplistic explanation of how the program works in America; it gets more detailed and complicated than this in real life.
Nigerian housing market is too dependent on one raw material: cement. That should not be! While cement is great for the foundation, it is has rather poor R-Value and the price fluctuation is immense and it's controlled by few hands. By the way, with all the limestone deposits in Nigeria, we should be producing more cement for bring the price down and to export. We should use more wood, steel, wallboard or sheetrock, hardiplank. Each material has its pluses and minuses. For example, increased use of wood would create more fire and termite and deforestation hazards. Also, wood use would expedite construction process while enhancing the utilization of local materials.
For the reader who thinks this program will not work in Nigeria, he or she should understand Nigerians all over the globe are playing positive roles in the development of their host countries. If these battle tested Nigerians can do that here in a foreign land, they can do it in Nigeria if they so choose. Nigerians are perversive in all fields in America. There is hardly any hospital in America where you will not find a few Nigerians as nurses or doctors; the same goes for universities where there are Nigerian students and or professors. With all the negativity focused on few Nigerian fraudsters, let us not lose sight of the sea of Nigerians who are shinning examples of the goodness of Nigeria and Nigerians. I don't know about you; while I would not want to inherit anyone else's sins, I am always eager to display pride in my Nigerian heritage. I say it loudly and proudly every chance I get: I am from Nigeria!
According to Abuja U.S. Embassy economist Ajibola Akeju, there are tremendous opportunities in the Nigerian housing sector waiting to be tapped. He too welcomes the public-private partnership approach."The government alone cannot fill the housing gap," Akeju explains. "In order to fill the gap we would have to leverage the resources available in the private sector, while also encouraging foreign investment. Government has no business building houses. Government (federal and the sub-national governments) should focus on providing a favourable investment climate, infrastructure, and mortgage insurance to first time home buyers and low-to middle income families. We must however, note that there are challenges to harnessing the huge potentials inherent in Nigeria's housing sector, and invariably providing affordable housing in Nigeria."
One reads about some able-bodied educated Nigerians engaging in robberies, kidnappings, Internet scams, drug dealings, and taking unimaginable risks to flee Nigeria. These people blame unemployment and dire living conditions in Nigeria for their criminal activities.
While individual avarice, misplaced priorities, societal pressures, governmental mismanagement, and the culture of poverty are all contributory factors to Nigeria's problems, making residential housing development a priority is a viable solution that can create 51 million sustainable good paying jobs and millions of affordable homes for Nigeria and its immigrants. Would this happen overnight? No! Is this feasible over a ten-year period if Nigerians so choose? Definitely!!
If you missed it, click to Part I at:
Nigeria At 49 - Leadership As An Epidemic
Dwight D. Einsenhower (1890-1969) was the President of the United States of America from 1953 until 1961 once defined leadsership as, "The art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it." This simply explains that a leader is someone you put in your trust to get things done successfully. Good leaders are known for their competence, patriotism, dedication, committed to excellence, confidence, enthusiasm, openness to change and recognition of the value of change.
These are the major yardsticks or components of ethos to understand Nigeria leadership. Nigeria military and democratic leaders since forty-nine years ago have perform below expectations considering the largely untapped natural and human resources, boundless possibilities and opportunities that abound in Nigeria. In fact, our leaders are nothing but what Rev.Matthew Hassan Kukah has recently tagged "accidental leaders". They refuse to organise, unite and act to put their name in great history of transformation and development of this great nation.Our leaders fail to take advantage of the nation with world largest market. They fail to take advantage of our oil and gas to make life better for all Nigerians, instead we are facing with national psychosis of kidnapping, embezzlement of public funds, religion and ethnic conflicts, pervasive bribery and corruption, and massive election rigging.What have we done with our reserves that make us the tenth most petroleum-rich nation? Is it not a shame if we cannot boast of regular power and water supply at forty-nine years of independence? Is not a shame if our leaders cannot settle the ongoing federal universities workers' strike of more than three months? Students are to suffer for this strike action in the long run.
Leadership behaviour should be a natural part of performance. It is getting things done and not wasting of human lives. Leader doesn't tell his subordinates (ministers) what to do, but keep on inspiring them to see what they are capable of, or prompts others to be their best, then, helping them to get there. The reverse is the case in Nigeria. A leader will come to power by coup or election rigging, he will prefer to appoint a Yoruba graduate to head the ministry of agriculture and natural resources.This ministry boss in turns will appoint his relations, some party members and friends even if they are not qualified to complete his team.Are we expecting miracles from them? A round peg in a square hole is nothing but a misfit.Many qualified Nigerians are victims of this misfit.
It makes sense to recruit the best individual, an achiever who will do whatever it take to make sure he succeeds and not a kind a coward Professor who has shown face after SIXTEEN years to tell us the winner and those who annuled the most acclaimed, freest and fairest presidential election of June, 1993 that won by late Chief M.K.O.Abiola. He would have announce the result (be it in Nigeria or abroad) and made history for himself and Nigeria in laying good foundation for Nigeria`s democracy for the very first time that all Nigerians spoke with one voice. How is Ghana or Dubai in sixteen years ago? I have been living in Spain for the last few years. Spain was being ruled by General Francisco Franco for almost forty years of military dictatorship. Most Spainsh people left their country to look for greener pastures during the turbulent forty years of dictatorship. The death of the dictator in power on November 20, 1975, brought a turning point to the people of Spain. The country got her first democratic Constitution in 1978 (21 years ago) to ushered in a Parliamentary government led by Mr.Adolfo Suarez.Since 1978, the country has been experiencing a steady economic growth political stability coupled with quickly increasing mass-tourism which has favourable effects on their economy.
Meanwhile, leadership is a demonstrative ability. Good leaders always display sincerity, credibility, integrity, intelligence, competence in all their actions. They make timely and appropriate changes in thinking plans and methods to carry out their assignments out successfully. A good leader does not need up to 365 days before starting to perform with good results.He knows what is important to the people representing. We have witnessed that briefly in Nigeria with a man which was named after our former Lagos international airport, and we are still witnessing very few of our present democratic Governors performances. Their brilliant performances is a reflection of the characteristics and values of true leadership.This tells us that a new Nigeria is possible. It is either you are a bad leader or a good leader. Good leaders are very clear about their missions, goals, priorities and preferences.The poor ones will always refuse to do nothing after a lot of promises made in their political campaigns and voluminous party programmes. Since October, 1960, the only things we get from majority of our leaders is destructive leadership styles in which they violate the legitimate interest of the country and thereby sabotaging the socio-economic transformation for the development of the country. We should now get it clear that the behaviour exhibited by a leader may or may not reflect in their personalities. What do you think of a leader that traveled out to witness an inauguration of a University when he could not find solution to three months workers'strike actions of his country federal Universities ? Let our leaders know that the foundation of every state is the education of its youth.
Looking back from history, poor leadership in Nigeria appears to be an epidemic-a contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widly among particular population. This epiidemic disease time is up and we have to get rid of it with the help of immunization and quarantine of modern democratic principles and conceptions.According to Joseph Folkmania, "poor leadership in good times can be hidden. But poor leadership in bad times is a recipe for disaster".We have to act now to safe imminent disaster in our political society. What has happened to the national political reforms conference deliberations and recommendations? Don't we need true federalism? Don't we need meaningful balance between federal jurisdiction and the development needs of the states.?
Sometimes, I am very sad when reading and hearing from few Nigerians that so much believe that it is very difficult to have new Nigeria with undistrupted electricity, regular pipe-borne water, good road network. All these are POSSIBLE with good political leaders with physical vitality and stamina, intelligence and action-oriented judgement. A leader that understand its follwers and their needs. The time of "godfatherism" in politics should be a thing of the past. We must have learnt our lessons by now. We have all what it takes to build a solid foundation for a great nation. Let vote for an achiever, a statesman with exemplary character of trustworthiness with good vision to accomplish political process which has political consequences in relation to government and policy.
I will be not doing justice to my piece if I forget the words of the great author, Chinua Achebe in his book titled:The Trouble With Nigeria, where he emphasized that there is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian character, climate, land or water or air, but: "The Nigeria problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership....I am saying that Nigeria can change today if she discovers leaders who have the will, the ability and the vision" We need leaders that will provide the well-being of the led, and provide a social organization in which people feel relatively secure. In addition to this: We are not poor because we lack natural or human resources or because nature was cruel to us.We are poor and in this mess because we lack ATTITUDE and good LEADERSHIP. God bless Nigeria.
These are the major yardsticks or components of ethos to understand Nigeria leadership. Nigeria military and democratic leaders since forty-nine years ago have perform below expectations considering the largely untapped natural and human resources, boundless possibilities and opportunities that abound in Nigeria. In fact, our leaders are nothing but what Rev.Matthew Hassan Kukah has recently tagged "accidental leaders". They refuse to organise, unite and act to put their name in great history of transformation and development of this great nation.Our leaders fail to take advantage of the nation with world largest market. They fail to take advantage of our oil and gas to make life better for all Nigerians, instead we are facing with national psychosis of kidnapping, embezzlement of public funds, religion and ethnic conflicts, pervasive bribery and corruption, and massive election rigging.What have we done with our reserves that make us the tenth most petroleum-rich nation? Is it not a shame if we cannot boast of regular power and water supply at forty-nine years of independence? Is not a shame if our leaders cannot settle the ongoing federal universities workers' strike of more than three months? Students are to suffer for this strike action in the long run.
Leadership behaviour should be a natural part of performance. It is getting things done and not wasting of human lives. Leader doesn't tell his subordinates (ministers) what to do, but keep on inspiring them to see what they are capable of, or prompts others to be their best, then, helping them to get there. The reverse is the case in Nigeria. A leader will come to power by coup or election rigging, he will prefer to appoint a Yoruba graduate to head the ministry of agriculture and natural resources.This ministry boss in turns will appoint his relations, some party members and friends even if they are not qualified to complete his team.Are we expecting miracles from them? A round peg in a square hole is nothing but a misfit.Many qualified Nigerians are victims of this misfit.
It makes sense to recruit the best individual, an achiever who will do whatever it take to make sure he succeeds and not a kind a coward Professor who has shown face after SIXTEEN years to tell us the winner and those who annuled the most acclaimed, freest and fairest presidential election of June, 1993 that won by late Chief M.K.O.Abiola. He would have announce the result (be it in Nigeria or abroad) and made history for himself and Nigeria in laying good foundation for Nigeria`s democracy for the very first time that all Nigerians spoke with one voice. How is Ghana or Dubai in sixteen years ago? I have been living in Spain for the last few years. Spain was being ruled by General Francisco Franco for almost forty years of military dictatorship. Most Spainsh people left their country to look for greener pastures during the turbulent forty years of dictatorship. The death of the dictator in power on November 20, 1975, brought a turning point to the people of Spain. The country got her first democratic Constitution in 1978 (21 years ago) to ushered in a Parliamentary government led by Mr.Adolfo Suarez.Since 1978, the country has been experiencing a steady economic growth political stability coupled with quickly increasing mass-tourism which has favourable effects on their economy.
Meanwhile, leadership is a demonstrative ability. Good leaders always display sincerity, credibility, integrity, intelligence, competence in all their actions. They make timely and appropriate changes in thinking plans and methods to carry out their assignments out successfully. A good leader does not need up to 365 days before starting to perform with good results.He knows what is important to the people representing. We have witnessed that briefly in Nigeria with a man which was named after our former Lagos international airport, and we are still witnessing very few of our present democratic Governors performances. Their brilliant performances is a reflection of the characteristics and values of true leadership.This tells us that a new Nigeria is possible. It is either you are a bad leader or a good leader. Good leaders are very clear about their missions, goals, priorities and preferences.The poor ones will always refuse to do nothing after a lot of promises made in their political campaigns and voluminous party programmes. Since October, 1960, the only things we get from majority of our leaders is destructive leadership styles in which they violate the legitimate interest of the country and thereby sabotaging the socio-economic transformation for the development of the country. We should now get it clear that the behaviour exhibited by a leader may or may not reflect in their personalities. What do you think of a leader that traveled out to witness an inauguration of a University when he could not find solution to three months workers'strike actions of his country federal Universities ? Let our leaders know that the foundation of every state is the education of its youth.
Looking back from history, poor leadership in Nigeria appears to be an epidemic-a contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widly among particular population. This epiidemic disease time is up and we have to get rid of it with the help of immunization and quarantine of modern democratic principles and conceptions.According to Joseph Folkmania, "poor leadership in good times can be hidden. But poor leadership in bad times is a recipe for disaster".We have to act now to safe imminent disaster in our political society. What has happened to the national political reforms conference deliberations and recommendations? Don't we need true federalism? Don't we need meaningful balance between federal jurisdiction and the development needs of the states.?
Sometimes, I am very sad when reading and hearing from few Nigerians that so much believe that it is very difficult to have new Nigeria with undistrupted electricity, regular pipe-borne water, good road network. All these are POSSIBLE with good political leaders with physical vitality and stamina, intelligence and action-oriented judgement. A leader that understand its follwers and their needs. The time of "godfatherism" in politics should be a thing of the past. We must have learnt our lessons by now. We have all what it takes to build a solid foundation for a great nation. Let vote for an achiever, a statesman with exemplary character of trustworthiness with good vision to accomplish political process which has political consequences in relation to government and policy.
I will be not doing justice to my piece if I forget the words of the great author, Chinua Achebe in his book titled:The Trouble With Nigeria, where he emphasized that there is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian character, climate, land or water or air, but: "The Nigeria problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership....I am saying that Nigeria can change today if she discovers leaders who have the will, the ability and the vision" We need leaders that will provide the well-being of the led, and provide a social organization in which people feel relatively secure. In addition to this: We are not poor because we lack natural or human resources or because nature was cruel to us.We are poor and in this mess because we lack ATTITUDE and good LEADERSHIP. God bless Nigeria.
Written by,
Adewale T Akande
Author and Road Safety Consultant.
Alicante, Spain. Tel
Adewale T Akande
Author and Road Safety Consultant.
Alicante, Spain. Tel
Managing Nigeria - Vision 2020
"By 2020 Nigeria will be one of the 20 longest economic in the world, able to consolidate his leadership role in Africa and establish itself as a significant player in the global economic and political arena.""I have a dream..." It is just not enough to dream dreams; living it is what matter most and to live his dream - NV2020 it would require focus, self determination sacrifice and fellowship on the part of those who have been saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the project and the other party which includes every sector of the economy and its individual citizens.
Nigeria was identified by Goldman Sachs along side ten other countries to have the potential for attaining global competitiveness based on their economic and demographic setting and the foundation for reform already laid. His prediction was based on the fact that Nigeria has been experiencing a turnaround - a remarkable degree of progress - and condition seemed right until now with the reversal of some policies, weakening of some institutions like the EFCC and the unraveling of the rot in the banking industry even though it seems political.
However, the economic management team and the other organs involved can weather the storm and fulfill this big dream-NV2020. The economic management team is the think-tank of this vision. It should be focused enough to drive this visioning process. The foundation has been laid. This includes institutions like the rule of law, security, anti-corruption, infrastructure, macro economy, health, education and real sector. There should not be deviation from this track at any time and in whatever forms so that in no distant time we will begin to benefit immensely from our own present day decision. From our present state of being under "the influence of gravity" we could begin to "escape from gravity" just like Brazil and in no distant time from this period, we would be "cruising the orbit". This we would realize if our management team of professionals in their various field would remain focused determined, make the necessary sacrifice and have fellowship - reason together along the same line of action.
Stakeholders like state Government, federal ministries departments and agencies (MDAs) has a major role to play in the actualization of this vision. Each major stakeholder putting focus self determination and the idea of fellowship first should prepare its V2020 thoughts and ideas based on the guidelines approved by the National council on V2020 chaired by the president. The development process, method to be applied and milestones should be clearly stated.
How do we as citizens become part of this process of actualizing Nigerian vision 2020? It has to start from our attitude toward ourselves and our environment - in our homes, on the streets, in the market place, in our offices and place of work, in the church, in the mosque, any where we find ourselves within our environment. Have we ever asked ourselves why we easily conform to the laws and way of life when we travel to developed countries like the United States and England but find it difficult to do the right things here? We liter the streets, evade taxes and so on. Honestly our attitude really matters. Let us begin to do the right things at the grass root and we will see things get better.
Lets start form our homes. Lets begin to stand up for righteousness, teach one another to do the right, stamp our feet against corruption of any kind in any form at home and then see how we would multiply in doing the right things, changing our society for the better, for our own good and that of the future generation.
A song writer wrote this:
Your life is a book before their eyes,
They're reading it through and through.
...does it point them to the sky?
The sky is what the vision is, where we intend to be by 2020. If we would start living the life, doing it right, People seeing us do it right, we helping them to do it right, they start living it right then the sky will become not even our limit as a society or a country but our starting point.
We should no longer sit down with our hands folded and expect government to perform some kind of miracle with a sweep of the hand. We can lead this revolution it we are willing and determined to and "Yes, we can!" Let us live this dream of a new Nigeria big.
J.F. Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Nigerians?
"Ask what we can do for Nigeria and do what has to be done to make Nigeria what America and other western countries a
Nigeria football is a massive brand. Impressive performances on the pitch and in the boardroom over the years has compelled more interest in the brand from corporate organizations and establishments.
Today, the Nigeria Football Federation has a number of partners, sponsors and suppliers.
These are:
Africa Independent Television
Guinness Nigeria PLC
AFRIBANK
Adidas
West African Milk Company
Cadbury Nigeria PLC
Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd
Pamodzi
Industrial and General Insurance
Supersport
AIT (of the DAAR Communications group) are the Broadcast partners. AFRIBANK is the Official Bank of the NFF and the National Teams; Guinness Nigeria PLC pays the salaries of the assistant Coaches of the Super Eagles; Adidas of Germany are the kits suppliers; West African Milk Company, through its Peak milk, is the Official Milk, Cadbury Nigeria PLC, through TomTom, is the Official Candy of the National Teams, Coca-Cola is a sponsor of the national senior team; Pamodzi is the marketing consultant; IGI brokers the insurance package for the teams and; Supersport is technical partner for production of clean feed during matches.
Industrialisation and Nigeria's 2020 Goals
Just days after the announcement and even before the survey could be launched, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria came out with a startling report identifying 37 companies that had closed down across the country over a space of just two weeks. The report once again confirms the bitter state of affairs of the Nigerian economy, where closures are a frequent and constant refrain. A complete account of contemporary Nigerian industry is in fact impossible without a mention of the de-industrialisation that continues to plague it. Just another point of irony in the great 'Nigerian Paradox' of acute economic backwardness in a situation of abundant natural and human resources!
The collapse of world oil markets in the early 1980s skewered Nigeria's foreign exchange reserves and practically stalled economic growth. The cumulative effect of years of incoherent policies further upset the country's fragile international and domestic fiscal condition, causing massive inflation, unemployment and poverty. Nigeria's standing as a middle-income country was thoroughly humiliated, and by the 1990s, it was confirmed as one of the poorest in the world. An even more demeaning fall in average living standards accompanied the loss of national fortunes.
The economic downslide proved especially harsh on the manufacturing sector, partly at least due to the over-dependence on oil exports that thwarted economic diversification. With local sourcing of raw material confined to all but a few industries, capacity utilisation plunged dramatically in import-dependent operations. Nigerian manufacturing is predominantly about isolated assembly-line functions with very limited or no backward connections to the economy. These and other factors combined to bring the total GDP contribution from manufacturing down from a little over 9% in 1981 to 6% by the end of the last century.
The renewal of democratic governance in 1999 was followed by an enthusiastic redirection of development policies. Abuja quickly announced multiple programmes to achieve a stable and globally aggressive economy that is not critically dependent on the oil and gas sector. The crux of the government's new ambitions were outlined with the adoption of the 2020 goals, a radical vision document that foresees Nigeria as one of the 20 top world economies by that year. While there are no comprehensive progress reports yet, some international aid and monitoring agencies are ambiguous about the eventual fate of this grand scheme. Others, like the IMF, are confident that Nigeria will not only achieve its goals, but will do so despite the current global financial crisis. In July, a visiting IMF team reaffirmed optimism about rapid growth and economic diversification, insisting however on the importance of a macroeconomic policy conducive to private sector growth.
What Nigeria effectively needs are policies fostering rapid business development across sectors: In other words, an enterprise revolution that accelerates sustainable growth while simultaneously helping alleviate poverty and improve living standards. The complex socio-economic realities in this corner of West Africa often defy the best laid development plans, and it is no surprise that initiatives like the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (established 1964) or the structural Adjustment Programme of 1986 have consistently failed to deliver as far as improving Nigeria's industrial scenario goes. The severity of challenges facing it in this regard can hardly be overstated:
o Poor industrial performance and an unfavourable tax regime make the cost of manufacturing abnormally high, curtailing demand and reducing profitability.
o Most industrial activity is linked directly to foreign markets in terms of both inputs and delivery, with very few industries being rooted to the local economy.
o Underutilisation of resources - brought about by a plethora of causes including labour and security problems, falling demand and low liquidity - is a major industrial constraint.
o The infrastructure deficit, especially in power, is acute and inhibitive to viable industrialisation. Additionally, road and rail networks need massive overhaul.
o Trained manpower shortage in both technical and non-technical fields is a crucial shortcoming that affects productivity and optimisation in industrial operations.
o Low standards of education are deepening the already critical unemployment problem by turning out graduates who are unemployable in new or existing businesses.
o Socio-economic disparities and ethnic divides have provoked militancy and armed extremism to uncontrollable levels, especially in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
o Official indifference, lax administration and ingrained corruption all combine to frustrate existing enterprises and deter the emergence of new ones.
Beyond just correcting these deficiencies however, Nigeria needs significant additional impetus to take industrial development into overdrive.
The present government under President UM Yar'Adua is pursuing a "cluster-concept" strategy to drive non-oil growth through the creation of industrial parks and special economic zones. Such clusters, often located near the coast or an international airport, offer lucrative investment options and tax breaks for new industries. The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, a single-window investment centre, is also actively involved in implementing policies and incentives that attract foreign industrial investors. The thrust of these initiatives has primarily been on encouraging public-private partnerships as a vehicle for rapid economic growth.
A central obstacle to industrialisation arises from the spatial distribution of existing plants and infrastructure. The fact that industrial growth has been traditionally restricted to a few geographic locations is not so much alarming as the fact that there is virtually no inter-linking between locations and their respective industries. Widening the industrial distribution pattern remains a fundamental issue, one that can be intelligently resolved through industrial linkages. The keyword here is production subcontracting.
History demonstrates adequately the fact that industrial expansion is inseparably linked to rapid job creation, enterprise development and viable economic growth. Nigeria's goals would be well-nigh impossible to achieve without the active involvement of entrepreneurs in a regulated atmosphere of industrial networking and subcontracting.
The question, once again, is whether Nigeria manages to discern the opportunity hidden within the challenge!
The collapse of world oil markets in the early 1980s skewered Nigeria's foreign exchange reserves and practically stalled economic growth. The cumulative effect of years of incoherent policies further upset the country's fragile international and domestic fiscal condition, causing massive inflation, unemployment and poverty. Nigeria's standing as a middle-income country was thoroughly humiliated, and by the 1990s, it was confirmed as one of the poorest in the world. An even more demeaning fall in average living standards accompanied the loss of national fortunes.
The economic downslide proved especially harsh on the manufacturing sector, partly at least due to the over-dependence on oil exports that thwarted economic diversification. With local sourcing of raw material confined to all but a few industries, capacity utilisation plunged dramatically in import-dependent operations. Nigerian manufacturing is predominantly about isolated assembly-line functions with very limited or no backward connections to the economy. These and other factors combined to bring the total GDP contribution from manufacturing down from a little over 9% in 1981 to 6% by the end of the last century.
The renewal of democratic governance in 1999 was followed by an enthusiastic redirection of development policies. Abuja quickly announced multiple programmes to achieve a stable and globally aggressive economy that is not critically dependent on the oil and gas sector. The crux of the government's new ambitions were outlined with the adoption of the 2020 goals, a radical vision document that foresees Nigeria as one of the 20 top world economies by that year. While there are no comprehensive progress reports yet, some international aid and monitoring agencies are ambiguous about the eventual fate of this grand scheme. Others, like the IMF, are confident that Nigeria will not only achieve its goals, but will do so despite the current global financial crisis. In July, a visiting IMF team reaffirmed optimism about rapid growth and economic diversification, insisting however on the importance of a macroeconomic policy conducive to private sector growth.
What Nigeria effectively needs are policies fostering rapid business development across sectors: In other words, an enterprise revolution that accelerates sustainable growth while simultaneously helping alleviate poverty and improve living standards. The complex socio-economic realities in this corner of West Africa often defy the best laid development plans, and it is no surprise that initiatives like the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (established 1964) or the structural Adjustment Programme of 1986 have consistently failed to deliver as far as improving Nigeria's industrial scenario goes. The severity of challenges facing it in this regard can hardly be overstated:
o Poor industrial performance and an unfavourable tax regime make the cost of manufacturing abnormally high, curtailing demand and reducing profitability.
o Most industrial activity is linked directly to foreign markets in terms of both inputs and delivery, with very few industries being rooted to the local economy.
o Underutilisation of resources - brought about by a plethora of causes including labour and security problems, falling demand and low liquidity - is a major industrial constraint.
o The infrastructure deficit, especially in power, is acute and inhibitive to viable industrialisation. Additionally, road and rail networks need massive overhaul.
o Trained manpower shortage in both technical and non-technical fields is a crucial shortcoming that affects productivity and optimisation in industrial operations.
o Low standards of education are deepening the already critical unemployment problem by turning out graduates who are unemployable in new or existing businesses.
o Socio-economic disparities and ethnic divides have provoked militancy and armed extremism to uncontrollable levels, especially in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
o Official indifference, lax administration and ingrained corruption all combine to frustrate existing enterprises and deter the emergence of new ones.
Beyond just correcting these deficiencies however, Nigeria needs significant additional impetus to take industrial development into overdrive.
The present government under President UM Yar'Adua is pursuing a "cluster-concept" strategy to drive non-oil growth through the creation of industrial parks and special economic zones. Such clusters, often located near the coast or an international airport, offer lucrative investment options and tax breaks for new industries. The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, a single-window investment centre, is also actively involved in implementing policies and incentives that attract foreign industrial investors. The thrust of these initiatives has primarily been on encouraging public-private partnerships as a vehicle for rapid economic growth.
A central obstacle to industrialisation arises from the spatial distribution of existing plants and infrastructure. The fact that industrial growth has been traditionally restricted to a few geographic locations is not so much alarming as the fact that there is virtually no inter-linking between locations and their respective industries. Widening the industrial distribution pattern remains a fundamental issue, one that can be intelligently resolved through industrial linkages. The keyword here is production subcontracting.
History demonstrates adequately the fact that industrial expansion is inseparably linked to rapid job creation, enterprise development and viable economic growth. Nigeria's goals would be well-nigh impossible to achieve without the active involvement of entrepreneurs in a regulated atmosphere of industrial networking and subcontracting.
The question, once again, is whether Nigeria manages to discern the opportunity hidden within the challenge!
By Peter Osalor FCCA, CTA Partner Peter Osalor and Co Chartered Certified Accountants and President Success in your business.com.
OFFICIAL PARTNER (10 SLOTS)
An Official Partner to the NFF has exclusive right to the product and service on all pillars of the Nigeria Football Federation brand spectrum. The partnership right is not limited to the national teams only but extended to cover specific projects of the Federation.
OFFICIAL SPONSOR/SUPPLIER (100 SLOTS)
An Official Sponsor/Supplier has no right to product exclusivity on a particular brand of the Nigeria Football Federation. Under this platform, the level of participation determine the sponsor upgrade to ‘Official Partner’ level. Donations, grants and other gratifications from both private and public sector enterprises fall under this category.
Windows Still Open:
- The Federation Cup
- The Nigeria National League
- The Nigeria Women’s League
- The Nigeria Amateur League
- The Charity Shield competition
- National U-13 Boys & Girls Championships
Partnership with Nigeria Football Federation and the National Teams will:
- Create worldwide mileage for sponsors’ products and services
- Create a halo effect through the transfer of the passion of soccer fans across the globe on sponsors’ products and services
- Reduce the cost of above-the-line advertising
- Create brand loyalty for sponsors’ products/services and build emotional connections for increased patronage
- Give sponsors’ brand world class status
- Foster warm relationship between sponsors and international football bodies like FIFA, CAF and WAFU
- Enable for sponsors priority consideration in the execution of government projects in the sports sector
- Grant to sponsors the right of exclusivity which creates monopoly for their products and services for worldwide publicity during important competitions and tournaments
- Grant access to our world –class players for endorsement and testimonial of sponsors’ products and services
- Grant to sponsors right of exclusivity to handle the Federation’s projects where available, et cetera
