Our
Editorial in QUOTES:
October 13, 2004
A
Plea for Consideration:
There was a time, not too long ago in
Nigeria when
despair
and hopelessness
was the bane of existence, a time when all problems seemed to defy
all solutions, and everything seemed to head for collapse. Indeed,
there was a time, when as it appeared, like the historic
Israelites in the land of Egypt, or the idol worshippers in the
land of Mekkah, the worst had to be experienced before God would
send a messenger to take them to freedom. Even in those simple
days, there was obvious need for a ‘Miracle’ to come to the
rescue. Now, new times are setting in, Nigeria, and indeed the
whole worlds are getting even more complex, yet smaller. There is
an even greater demand for leaders with greater courage, vision
and godliness to find solutions where non-seems to exist. In the
Nigerian situation, more than at any time before, there is greater
need for a leadership with
potentials and capabilities
to channel the path of economic development and provide the peace
and stability required for sustainable growth; a political
platform
with
leaders
that
are
capable of formulating workable economic policies that can sustain
high standards, and provide tools of empowerment to the youth
including women. Nigerians need visionary leaders, New and
prosperous Nigeria – New Nigeria
October 24,
2003
MARSHAL LIKE
PLAN FOR AFRICA
But we cannot solve the urgent problems of
poverty without a fourth step -- a substantial increase in funds
for development. An investment fund of $50 billion per year that
invites applications for health, education, and anti-poverty work
will help build the capacity of the poorest countries for
sustainable development. In the future, no country genuinely
committed to open, corruption-free, pro-stability, and
pro-investment policies should be denied the chance to progress
because of the lack of basic investment in education and health..
September
29, 2003
Nigeria must overcome its crisis and continue
to grow. First we have to reform the economic system to increase
its efficiency and responsiveness. Second we must bring about an
internal adjustment, improving movement of resources all over and
particularly to the rural areas to ensure the economic empowerment
of the rural populace including women, increase domestic market
competition and improve the organization and the quality of
investment program in vital economical sectors in all part of the
country. Third there has to be substantial
external adjustment...
August 21,
2003
STATE & CIVIL
SOCIETY
Government can
act in partnership with agencies in civil society to foster
community renewal and development. The economic basis of such
partnership is what is referred to as the new mixed economy.
Reform of the state and government should be a basic orientating
principled of a third way politics - a process of the deepening
and widening of democracy with values thus: Equality, Protection &
Security, Freedom as autonomy, No rights without responsibility,
No authority without democracy, Cosmopolitan pluralism and
philosophic conservatism...
July 21,
2003
By
origin mankind were a single people or nation. That being so, God
could have kept us all alike, with one language, one kind of
disposition, and even one set of physical conditions to live in.
But in His wisdom, He gives us diversity in these things, not only
at any given time, but also in different periods and ages. This
tests our capacity for unity and accentuates the need of unity and
self esteem. Since geography has made us neighbours, let freedom
make us friends and let us understand that the real issue now,
then, lies on the question of whether we can collectively make
sufficient unanimous, efficient declaration of unbreakable unity,
stand by our declaration, rally behind common goals and understand
our differences even during rough rides, which surely will be the
price to pay but so negligible will they be compared to the
surplus of economic and political growth to come afterwards.
July 9,
2003
"In
Nigeria, where people live off politics and politicians and where,
despite the propaganda, there are no real Civil Service but
frozen-in "show me and I show you" and a few trusted appointees,
there is now more than ever a healthy desire for a "more
professional" administration again"
Let us
rally behind our leadership whose true commitment towards lasting
peace and economic progress is impeccable, let us understand the
government innovative consultation process with a simple goal in
mind: to let the citizens of this great state guide its plans and
priorities for the years ahead. Let us support a government that
is guided by following the very simple, four-step formula that has
guided great leaders of the world. It will ask for citizens'
input. They will answer. It will listen. It will take action. Here
is a government that believes that this approach is the heart of
democracy and the soul of leadership. Only by working together can
we realize the benefits of our strong economy, identify and invest
in the priorities that matter and realize the promise of our
founding fathers. Nigeria has always known about that promise. Let
us work together to feel and see the promise fulfilled.
July 12,
2003
"Tradition and
nature are alike in the sense that they take many decisions 'out
of play'. Activities and events are 'always done this way' or are
accepted as 'natural'. Once tradition and nature are transformed,
forward-looking decisions have to be taken, and we have
responsibility for their consequences. who should bear
responsibility for the future consequences of present activities
(whether of individuals, nation or other groups) is one of the
major concerns of the new politics, as is who provides security if
things go wrong, how and with what resources.."
