Ok guys. About 10 minutes to conference. Please log unto the forum and click on "THE GENERAL CHAT ROOM" on the top. Log in and go into the public channel. We begin in 10minutes

Here are some people giving their own money, their own time, their own energy, putting their own lives at risk all for the same of some common good. And then there are some people sitting comfortably on their well heated/air conditioned room criticising and writing tonnes of garbage on Nairaland.

It feels sad to be lonely and not able to apply something constructive to all the things we do and all the pieces we write. It’s a shame to see your fellow youths doing things and trying to effect people’s lives not for their sole senseless selfish interest but in a bid to set good paradigm and have the other able-bodied youths see the light through them and then participate but some of these same youths would rather churn out trivia in the name of making themselves heard.

They criticise and say we cannot get our names right. They call us nonsense. They call us ignorant for not supporting their mindless views of divide and conquer analogy. They think we are cults after hundreds of articles written and expectations raised of how we could save a nation endangered.

It’s a movement to get our country developed and you don’t have to partake nevertheless if you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything. If you stand for the off-putting, you’ll never last in your deeds. If you stand for fading and below par theories in order create your bastardised hullabaloos, you’ll fail while your contemporaries reach great heights.

I hope whoever this relates to doesn’t shoot me (the messenger) and ignore my message. As it stands, our country would grind to a halt if we don’t act and how to prevent this happening is up to us with almost every sector deteriorating and just a bunch of few people with affirmative aims.

We don’t need just prayers, we need to get physical with our intentions and not by any means violent. However as it stands, with zero positive aspiration and zero hope, as much as I believe in the almighty, I know for sure that God can never multiply zero.

boss sorry i culd not make it to the chat yesterday where can i get details of what was discussed?

superboi:

boss sorry i culd not make it to the chat yesterday where can i get details of what was discussed?

It's ok. We all understand everyone has one or two things to attend to at the same time we don't want to interfere too much especially if you have important things to attend to. 

Send me an email and I'll update you what we discussed. _{My email address is on my profile.}

And by the way, yesterday was a success so hopefully we'll get onto better things.

it painful i missed the conference.

i have prepared to attend the conference but my network went down.
i could nto help despite all my strugle.

please send me a mail concerning what was discused in the conference.

discuswithmayor@yahoo.com.

i have also prepared some articles to share together with celebrating a good governance.

here is it.

GOOD GOVERNANCE IS WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR.
WHAT IS GOOD GOVERNANCE
Recently the terms "governance" and "good governance" are being increasingly used in development literature. Bad governance is being increasingly regarded as one of the root causes of all evil within our societies. Major donors and international financial institutions are increasingly basing their aid and loans on the condition that reforms that ensure "good governance" are undertaken.
This article tries to explain, as simply as possible, what "governance" and "good governance" means.
GOVERNANCE
The concept of "governance" is not new. It is as old as human civilization. Simply put "governance" means: the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented). Governance can be used in several contexts such as corporate governance, international governance, national governance and local governance.
Since governance is the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented, an analysis of governance focuses on the formal and informal actors involved in decision-making and implementing the decisions made and the formal and informal structures that have been set in place to arrive at implementing the decisions.
Government is one of the actors in governance. Other actors involved in governance vary depending on the level of government that is under discussion. In rural areas, for example, other actors may include influential land lords, associations of peasant farmers, cooperatives, NGOs, research institutes, religious leaders, finance institutions political parties, the military etc. The situation in urban areas is much more complex. Figure 1 provides the interconnections between actors involved in urban governance. At the national level, in addition to the above actors, media, lobbyists, international donors, multi-national corporations, etc. may play a role in decision-making or in influencing the decision-making process.
All actors other than government and the military are grouped together as part of the "civil society." In some countries in addition to the civil society, organized crime syndicates also influence decision-making, particularly in urban areas and at the national level.




Figure 1: Urban actors
GOOD GOVERNANCE
Good governance has 8 major characteristics and any government which fails to show any of these listed characteristics will achieve very little or none.
1. Participatory
2. Consensus oriented
3. Accountable
4. Transparent
5. Responsive
6. Effective and efficient
7. Equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law.
It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society.
Figure 2: Characteristics of good governance
Participation
Participation by both men and women is a key cornerstone of good governance. Participation could be either direct or through legitimate intermediate institutions or representatives. It is important to point out that representative democracy does not necessarily mean that the concerns of the most vulnerable in society would be taken into consideration in decision making. Participation needs to be informed and organized. This means freedom of association and expression on the one hand and an organized civil society on the other hand.
Rule of law
Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also requires full protection of human rights, particularly those of minorities. Impartial enforcement of laws requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force.
Transparency
Transparency means that decisions taken and their enforcement are done in a manner that follows rules and regulations. It also means that information is freely available and directly accessible to those who will be affected by such decisions and their enforcement. It also means that enough information is provided and that it is provided in easily understandable forms and media.
Responsiveness
Good governance requires that institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.
Consensus oriented
There are several actors and as many view points in a given society. Good governance requires mediation of the different interests in society to reach a broad consensus in society on what is in the best interest of the whole community and how this can be achieved. It also requires a broad and long-term perspective on what is needed for sustainable human development and how to achieve the goals of such development. This can only result from an understanding of the historical, cultural and social contexts of a given society or community.
Equity and inclusiveness
A society’s well being depends on ensuring that all its members feel that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream of society. This requires all groups, but particularly the most vulnerable, have opportunities to improve or maintain their well being
Effectiveness and efficiency
Good governance means that processes and institutions produce results that meet the needs of society while making the best use of resources at their disposal. The concept of efficiency in the context of good governance also covers the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of the environment.
Accountability
Accountability is a key requirement of good governance. Not only governmental institutions but also the private sector and civil society organizations must be accountable to the public and to their institutional stakeholders. Who is accountable to whom varies depending on whether decisions or actions taken are internal or external to an organization or institution. In general an organization or an institution is accountable to those who will be affected by its decisions or actions. Accountability cannot be enforced without transparency and the rule of law.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion it should be clear that good governance is an ideal which is difficult to achieve in its totality. Very few countries and societies have come close to achieving good governance in its totality. However, to ensure sustainable human development, actions must be taken to work towards this ideal with the aim of making it a reality. It is in ensuring that our great country Nigeria became one of the countries that came close to achieving good governance in its totality, we have decided to set up this great forum for change and I hope we all are ready to serve.
LET’S FOCUS ON CHANGE IN NIGERIA
A conceptual gap still exists in the understanding of the principles and practices of place branding amongst Nigeria’s many state and local government officials. Despite the efforts at the centre to promote this novel concept that has been described by branding professionals as one of the fastest growing knowledge sectors in global branding and marketing, it appears that place branding is largely only linked and associated with the various activities embarked upon by the federal government, aimed at improving Nigeria’s image in the international community, and to position her as a good destination for tourism and investment in sub-saharan Africa.
Since the Nigerian government launched the Nigeria Image Project in 2004, which was subsequently re-branded The Heart of Africa Project, not much has been seen from the respective local and state governments in the direction of formulating strategies to attract foreign investors and tourists to their various towns, villages and states. This overwhelming notion that place branding rests with the centre amounts to defeatist and faulty logic because according to Tom Traynor & Ro Breehl ‘every place does have some distinction, some reason to live there, work there, vacation there, rather than some other place’. They also argue that finding that ‘true compelling claim of distinction’ can be hard work which lots of tourism boards, city councils, business improvement districts aren’t prepared for, ‘preferring instead to move directly to (inevitably drab) advertising execution’. This line of least resistance appears to be the one towed by Nigeria’s state and local government officials.
There are many benefits to states and local governments who make conscious efforts to market their regions both to internal and external stakeholders. If the governments in these states and local governments can institute sound fiscal policies and invest in infrastructures, the job of selling their places becomes easier. The starting point would be the development of a branding framework and strategy encompassing their distinctive cultural, tourism, human capital, economic, educational and personality assets. The second stage would be the implementation of the strategy by appointed marketing communication professionals working closely with the commissioners of information and strategy; the local governments could also do a similar thing by appointing qualified supervising councillors to head the information and communication units of the local governments.
The respective state governors and local government chairmen having recognised the strategic importance of managing their brand assets could also set up small committees headed by marketing communication professionals, to coordinate their various place branding efforts. Appointing non-professionals to such positions purely on political grounds is actually counter–productive and could undermine their prospects of reaping the benefits of economic development which strategic place branding may attract.

COMMENTING ON GOOD GOVERNANCE
Donald Duke, the governor of Cross River state, provides a good model for other states and local governments in Nigeria to copy. He has consciously pursued a policy of shying away from controversy since he became the governor of the state.
Governor Duke’s admirers cut across different age groups and gender, not only because of his boyish looks, social savvy and bespoke fashion sense but also because he is one of the few governors that have actually implemented programmes that have directly impacted on the lives of his people. He has gone a step farther with his Tinapa project (Africa’s premier business resort); a project which when completed would put his state and Nigeria on the map of world tourism. The state government has also set up well-designed and maintained websites – www.tinapa.com and www.crossriverstate.com which serves as its windows to the world. The calabar and Cross River brands have steadily improved as strong Nigerian brands during Governor Duke’s stay at the government house.
Nigeria’s many states and local governments should indeed take advantage of emerging technologies such as the internet and incorporate them as governance tools, many do not yet have functioning websites, and for some that do, their sites lack the professional touch that would help enhance their overall brand image.
Governor Saraki proffers ways forward.
EDUCATION, they say is the best legacy. But this philosophy can only be described and accepted by those who know what education means to humanity and nation building. But Governor Bukola Saraki has since inception as Governor of Kwara State, noted the values and importance of education hence many Arsenals to make sure the system brings forth desirable results by embarking on series of steps to get rid of the rots associated with it.
Kwara from creation in 1967 can only boast of human resource education while many other states enjoyed many natural resources that keep their purses bulging via the Federal Allocation.
This I much believed prompted the actions of Governor Saraki to make sure the best is achieved in the education sector in the State. During his first term of office, an education summit was organized in which all stakeholders in the sector were invited. Ever since then, the face of education in the state changed. All secondary and primary schools teachers sit tight. Even the State owned tertiary institutions are not left out.
Governor Saraki since inception in 2003, has seen that many secondary and primary schools buildings which have been left over the years dilapidated was absolutely renovated. New blocks of classrooms were built. Till this moment renovations and building of new classrooms have not ceased. Books were distributed to schools in the State.
However, Governor Saraki in his quest for quality and quantitative education for every child in the State is not satisfied with renovation and building of classrooms and distribution of books. For this reason, he declared a total war on the sector by bringing up a very formidable REFORM AGENDA in the Sector. Because he much believe all the renovation and erection of new classrooms is far from achieving a desirable goals.
The teachers who inculcate sound teachings into pupils and students ought to be total overhaul for efficiency, hence the screening through TESTs, Training and Re-training of them. What occasioned this, is a primary school teacher who has been in the profession for many years failed a simple Arithmetic Test of primary 4!
This now called for the proper training and re-training of Teachers in the State. This training and re-training will go round Teachers in the State. Those who still cannot walk the trend will have to give way. As the Governor has promised no teacher will be aid off. Not only the practicing Teachers, the state owned Colleges of Education where these Teachers graduated to the labour market will be looked into. That the products out of them will be of good quality and not just push-through graduates. Ever since the administration of Governor Bukola started its Reform Agenda in education sector, tremendous results have been achieved. The students have stopped roaming the streets, Teachers no longer come to school late and their many petty trades in classes stopped. The corrupt principals and headmasters shown the way out. Students of unruly behaviour sent on suspension. All these strict actions have put both Teachers and Students on their toes.
Cultism which was a very strong menace in institutions of higher learning in the state has been stamped out in totality under Governor Saraki’s administration. Also, in his quest for solid and non-stagnant education system, Dr Bukola Saraki who has been the chairman of Governors’ Forum caused the negotiation that eventually brought an end to the nationwide Teachers’ strike that almost crippled the sector.
Currently in the pipeline, is the establishment of SCIENCE VILLAGE where school children can be expose to the evolving trends in the world of science. This was made known through Governor Saraki’s commissioner for education, science and technology, Mr Bolaji Abdullahi.
Mr. Abdullahi said, Governor Saraki brought the idea after one of his numerous trips to UK, where he saw a Science Village for school children. Coming home he saw the need for such in Kwara State. Any moment from now, experts from the UK will come for feasibility study. No wonder, during the launch of KWARA EDUCATIONCHARTER, Governor Saraki stated, “We have got to build an education system that delivers real results and inspires the confidence of parents and community”.
These feats can never be achieved without Governor Saraki trailing the path of one time United States of America President, Mr. Roosevelt who during his time as president of the US, brought on the best BRAINS to his administration. This, the Americans will never forget the tremendous changes witnessed under his administration. Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi is one of the BRAINS behind the soaring success of the Education Reform Agenda in Kwara State. Because he shared the dream of Governor Saraki to transform the education landscape of Kwara State. This he has been pursuing jealously. Therefore, Governor Saraki has a vision for a verile education system because in Kwara there is no OIL DEPOSIT. But HUMAN RESOURCES are in abundance. The reason his government is committed to improved Teacher quality; Better School Inspection, greater accountability and stronger institutions.
As the late Dennis Osadebe said, in one of his poem, WHO WOULD BUY MY THOUGHT…. The States in Nigeria and the Federal Government need buy the thoughts of Governor Saraki on improving the education sector. Because good and quality education system is the only thing that can bring opportunities to learn and for new opportunities to blossom into active citizens who will be able to make real contributions to our society and our economy.
Above all, let our leaders start thinking the Governor Saraki’s way, that, EVERY CHILD COUNTS.
Secondly, Ilorin Aviation College - Another New Dawn
As soon as Bukola Saraki took over the mantle of leadership in May, 2003, from Late Mohammed Alabi Lawal, he started springing surprises with his peculiar type of governance by embarking on developmental programmes that gave direct touch to the hearts and needs of Kwarans.
But in this piece, the point for discussion is not on those developmental programmes he has so far executed in the state. The point for discussion is the establishment of an International Aviation College in Kwara State.
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 was another day that will forever linger in the minds of Kwarans and the good citizens of the entire Nigeria . This I believe will cut across to many African countries that will be very optimistic to share from the blessings that will start hoozing out from the College come May 2009 when full operation will take off. This day, was the day that, the very impressive Governor of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki break yet another new ground like he did when he brought into Kwara, the Zimbabwean Farmers (now New Nigerian Farmers). Now, he brought in, all the way from Dubai, an Aviation Consulting firm, AVIATION TRAINING CONSULTING INSTITUTE, the owner of HORIZON AVIATION ACADEMY, Dubai, in the United Arab Emirate, to sign a MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) with its president, Muhammed Al-Zaabi and other official present.
This will boom the economy of the entire state as many investors will be delighted coming to Kwara from far and near to engage in one business or the other.
What a beautiful initiative, Again, many may be thinking how fund to run such a project will be raised? Raising of fund for this gargantuan project will not be a problem. Because the Chief Executive of the State will not just dabble into what is not realizable, manage and sustained in the course of time. That is why the project is public-private one. The first in Aviation industry in Nigeria.
You can see funding is no problem. Thinking of professionals to run the College? Thats not a problem Everything has been put in place as the Academy will be overseen by seasoned and reputable professionals. Tunde Yusuf, Chairman Bellview Airlines is among those who will run the College.
Aside this, the Aviation Consulting Form handling this project is a World Class one with name, Horizon Academy from Dubai . They have out-of-the-planet facilities to train any willing young Nigerian to become a pilot of international standard.
Therefore, the Ilorin International Aviation College, which will by May 2009, commence operations, has from all angle brought a NEW DAWN to Kwara State.
Nigeria may be known to the outside world as a major oil producer, but the mainstay of its economy is actually agriculture. Although petro-dollars account for 98 per cent of national revenue, the agriculture sector employs more than 70 per cent of our population. Close to three decades of oil wealth has not changed this equation. With this huge percentage of our people engaged in agriculture, you may however wonder why Nigeria has over the years come to rely heavily on food imports. A simple overview of agricultural practices in Africa's most populous nation will not only explain this paradox; it will also provide the clue as to why most people in our oil-rich nation live below the poverty line.
Nigeria has a total land area of 92.4 million hectares and 91 million of this is suitable for cultivation but only about half of it is put to use for both staple and industrial crops. And because they rely on age-old practices, a majority of the people engaged in agriculture are grossly under-employed and indeed under-productive.
The average farm size in Nigeria ranges between 1-2 hectares. The average farmer in Nigeria lacks any form of formal education and he lacks basic management skills or ability to learn from new technologies or existing best practices. He relies on obsolete implements and constantly waits on the rain for farming. Because he lacks education, he is unable to access funds and therefore relies on government for subsidies on major farm inputs like seedling, fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals.
Reports also indicate that up to 70 per cent of the various agricultural credit schemes offered by banks, especially the Central Bank of Nigeria and even the National Agricultural Commerce Bank which had the capacity to provide the level of funding required to achieve significant growth in the sector are under-drawn or not drawn at all because the farmers cannot meet the banks' conditionality. The net result of all these is that agriculture in Nigeria is grossly under-funded and has failed to attract any serious private sector involvement. Our aim is to change this old style and give public orientation and the direction whereby farmers can go directly to bank and get the fund they require. The logical consequence of what was submitted above in terms of low yield and productivity is Nigeria's heavy reliance on food import. Food importation constitutes an estimated 14.5 per cent of Nigeria's import bill. Our country spends about $2 billion annually in importing food items. Recent reports show that each year, Nigeria spends $132 million on importation of milk; $400 million on wheat; $200 million on poultry, especially frozen chicken; and $756 million on rice. Nigeria also imports about 95 million metric tonnes of sugar annually.
Since it returned to democracy mid-1999, Nigeria has however worked very hard to reform her economy and remove the national paradox of “rich country; poor people”. The Federal Government under President Olusegun Obasanjo introduced a package of reforms aimed at stimulating growth across the various sectors of the economy and thereby reducing our dependence on crude oil as a foreign exchange earner. The debt relief granted us by the Paris Club offers us an historic opportunity to build our infrastructure. The reform programme is all-encompassing. In the agriculture sector, which is seen as offering the safest route out of our poverty trap, a series of Presidential Initiatives on specific crops such as rice and cassava have been introduced to improve productivity.
This is exactly what the Kwara state governor focused his attention on in Kwara State over the past few years and which has today made kwara the number one focal state in driving the NEEDS agriculture policy.
Since 2003,They have focused strongly on achieving equitable development in Kwara State. They have tried to reduce poverty, improve human development standards and create the right environment and structures for investments. This has challenged executive capacities to break new grounds and create innovative strategies. It has also compelled a redefinition of the role of government as a facilitator and promoter of economic development by directing investments and interventions in high impact sectors.
Having studied the outstanding success of commercial agriculture in Zimbabwe, They reached out to some of the farmers who had been displaced by the land reform exercise of that country and succeeded in bringing a group of 15 of them to Kwara State to pioneer the commercial agriculture initiative. This initiative started last year on 15,000 hectares of land in an area at the bank of the River Niger. The local community has warmly embraced the project because of the opportunity it offers them to piggy back on the expatriate commercial farmers and learn from them new farming skills and techniques.
The development of local agricultural initiatives by small – scale farmers especially on rice, cashew and cassava is also a major focus of the State's agriculture policy alongside the commercial agriculture initiative. One of the approaches has been to make agriculture attractive and provide employment to youths through the establishment of a Youth Farm Centre, where 100 youths are camped under the tutelage of one of the Zimbabwean farmers. These youths plant maize, soya, rice and cassava on a 100 hectare farm land.
The Kwara State time bound Action Plan on Cassava in collaboration with the IITA is built on the Nigerian Presidential Special Initiative (NPSI) on cassava and it is meant to build up yield and develop processing capacity in the State. Under this action plan, They have set up demonstration and seed multiplication farms in each of our 3 Senatorial Districts. They have also set up the Market Information Service System to facilitate information sharing with existing and potential farmers.
The initiative on rice is built on the State's irrigation scheme in Duku – Lade. This irrigation facility was built by the First Republic Government of Northern Region in 1963. The project was however abandoned, until the present Government revived it in 2004. It was by rehabilitating the scheme that the 200 hectare of first dry season harvests was achieved in May 2005. The irrigation scheme has an installed capacity to cover 4000 hectares.
Therefore, while efforts are made to organize, support and mobilise local peasant farmers for large scale production, a major step-change would be achieved through the commercial agriculture that is also programmed to have multiple trickle down effects in raising the standards in peasant farming practices.
The Kwara State Commercial Agriculture Initiative is intended to generate substantial marketable surplus in food and cash crops that will encourage the development and expansion of local agri-processing and agricultural exports, while at the same time providing farm extension activities designed to transfer knowledge and techniques into the small scale subsistence farming sector.
It is projected that investment in dairy production alone will yield up to 5 million litres of milk per annum (pa) and will take care of domestic needs which is currently characterised by shortfalls, high prevailing prices, and the importation of up to 98% of domestic consumption.
It is also projected that production of broiler chickens would yield 125,000 broiler hens, pa; dry land rice at 15,000 metric tonnes p.a, and irrigated rice at 8,500 metric tonnes p.a.
With all these, projected growth in dairy output in Kwara State alone, excluding growth in other sectors (rice, maize and poultry) will generate a potential $21 million saving in foreign exchange outflow (20% of total whole milk import by Year 3), which will free up considerable potential development funds.
Quite significantly, it is projected that the Zimbabwean farmers would be cash-positive in poultry and diary in the first 3 years, and would declare profit for mixed farming in the first 4 years. It is anticipated that total agricultural output will increase substantially over a 5 year period as production expands and the impact of improved farming methods and techniques are disseminated to the smallholder population through a planned agricultural extension programme.
We are convinced from our experience in Kwara State that commercial farming, with the private sector as its core driver, is the future of agriculture in Nigeria. As the experience of Vietnam has demonstrated however, we have to make targeted investments in developing irrigation in Nigeria. The plan to restrict importation of rice would pose a challenge to domestic production. If we must meet this challenge, we must prioritise irrigation development, not only in Kwara State but in other States of the country with the capacity of large scale farming.
Kwara State government goes to the bond market to raise N30 billion to execute capital projects The projects are as ambitious as the funding. Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State took a bold step in his determination to improve the lives of his people when he announced that he was going to the bond market to raise N30 billion to execute some capital projects. This decision came on the heels of a good assessment by Fitch Rating which said that the state is one of the best managed in Nigeria.
Some of the projects targeted are; truck plazas, a rice mill, an aviation school, cement production, water supply and the state university. Abdulfatah Ahmed, commissioner for finance, unfolded the state’s development master plan at an impressive ceremony in Lagos, Ahmed said the truck plaza project was influenced by the revelation that on a daily basis, about 5,000 trucks move from the South-West to the North and that Kwara State is a terminus for most of them. That is why the state has thought it wise to build a plaza for the trucks where they could repair faulty ones or refuel properly. From this venture, the state hopes to realise N2 billion annually. The success the state government recorded through the Zimbabwean farmers has taken Kwara to another level. Ahmed said it has spurred it to venture into rice farming. “We are fortunate Kwara has the soil and weather very suitable for rice cultivation and we will use this to our advantage,” Ahmed told Newswatch. The government plans to build rice mills to process the product to meet international standard. To ensure an all-year-round farming, Governor Saraki will commit a huge sum to irrigation projects in various parts of the state, especially the farming centres. Currently, Kwara has 14 of such farms. “Farming is what we are best at doing and will do everything to support it.
Also, the state will soon join the league of cement manufacturers. It is partnering with Lafarge, one of the world’s biggest cement manufactures to build a plant. While the latter provides the technical know-how, the state will create an enabling environment by providing electricity, water and motorable road aside from its equity participation. “We found out that there will be a significant impact on the state’s economy if this project is executed.
There is a plan for a massive overhaul of all the dams in the state to boost water supply to the populace. The state hopes to generate considerable revenue from water rates once there is constant supply. The Saraki administration is committed to developing tertiary education in the state. To this end, it has set aside part of the N30 billion it wants to raise from the bond market to build a befitting state university. The governor said that this had become imperative to meet the needs of the state indigenes’ quest for a university education and ultimately boost the manpower development of the state.
LEADERSHIP IS NOT WIELDING AUTHORITY, ITS EMPOWERING THE PEOPLE
An average Nigerian, even the starkest illiterate knows quite too well that the greatest inadequacy bedevilling this nation - state called Nigeria is the problem of 'Leadership' - Good leadership. It is not that Nigeria had not had leadership, but what has or had remained elusive is 'Good and responsible leadership'. The seemingly intractable problems of Nigeria have not really been lack or non- availability of 'resources', human and natural, but rather a leadership that can harness and transform the abundant and ubiquitous resources to a 'total and wholesome' development that Nigerians can accessed and enjoyed.
Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State was named the Best Governor in Healthcare. The Paper wrote that the governor, a medical doctor, has worked relentlessly to improve healthcare delivery in the state. His initiative, D3 (Delta Diaspora Direct), is rejuvenating the health sector in the state. The state is proving free maternal healthcare, in addition to bringing back the state’s medical exports to come and help improve service delivery in the state. The state is also about to take delivery of medical equipment which it sourced from the United States to turn around its healthcare system.
Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State was named the Best Governor in Infrastructure. Because, Fashola, has been widely acknowledged for his articulated approach to governance, but his strides in infrastructural development have drawn attention from far and wide. His efforts at giving the state a facelift through the beautification project as well as road construction are also widely acknowledged
Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city has also done well in this regard and seems to be enjoying a new lease of life, conscious efforts by the federal capital territory (FCT) minister Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and his team to sanitise the city appears to be paying off, some of these efforts though have come at a heavy price such as homelessness for the residents of the houses demolished during the various rounds of demolition exercises in the city. Residents however appreciate the changing face of Abuja and the various recreation parks now available for their use. The FCT minister has embarked on policies to change the face of the city which sometimes appeared controversial. His ban on Okada (commercial motorcycles), importation of London cabs and vigorous pursuit and implementation of the Abuja master plan has led to the demolition of illegal structures in and around the city, and has in so doing reclaimed back lands which have now been transformed into parks for the enjoyment of city residents and visitors. Nigeria’s capital city has also consolidated efforts at re-branding its image through music, art, tourism and business.

The annual Abuja carnival modelled after the Rio de Janerio carnival, Abuja Rocks @ 30 (an entertainment package to celebrate the city’s 30 years and strengthen the consciousness of unity in Nigeria) and the proposed Abuja tower are some of the efforts aimed at repositioning Abuja as a good destination, such efforts would also help to stretch the Abuja brand further
It’s about time that Anambra state, a potential economic and regional tiger wakes up and starts to harness her true potentials for the benefits of her indigenes. Historical sites such as the Ogbunike cave, Agulu lake, Igwe Osita Agwuna’s Obu Ofor Nri palace, Ochanja main market etc should be actively positioned as business and tourist attractions. Also with the rise in interest in Igbo culture and history, packaged and guided tours to the towns in Nri kingdom (the acclaimed cradle of Igbo civilisation and ancestral home of Ndigbo) could also help in extending the Anambra brand worldwide.
The Lagos, Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom state governments have repeatedly failed to capitalise on the rich natural resources abundant in their states, they have also not fully exploited the huge presence of foreign nationals in their states who are active in the oil and gas industry, these expatriates could easily serve as unofficial goodwill ambassadors of these states to their respective home countries and help them to attract additional foreign direct investments in other sectors. Despite the huge revenues these states earn as oil producing states and the blessings of Mother Nature which has richly endowed them with oceans, rivers, fertile farmlands and crude oil, infrastructural development has not been top on the agenda of the respective governments thus making it difficult to leverage on their natural brand assets to successfully brand their cities and states as Nigeria’s favourite destinations for tourism and business.
It is in the interest of the federal government of Nigeria to actively involve the states and local governments in this new drive to re-brand Nigeria, state and local government officials should be encouraged to set up standing committees or to have designated positions responsible for liaising with the officials of Nigeria’s ministry of information and national orientation (the overseeing ministry of the Heart of Africa project), this is in order to share ideas and adopt models of best practice.


cheers

@bilms, that is a very long write up and it might be more adequate to post it on the ndm forum, perhaps in the governance and corruption section? A shorter and more concise article might suffice for the nairaland postings.

Yesterday there was a general meet in the public chat room and Bhola and I gave a basic intro. There were a lot of questions. After about an hour we went into different committee rooms. Basically, in each committee goals of each committee were defined, hence work is going on with regards to designing strategies to work with to realise the set goals. There was a basic summary again in the public chat room and after that people lingered for quite a while. It was good to see people take such an interest in working towards progress and speaking for myself I was pretty pleased with the inputs by all, hence a dedicated group of people is beginning to form. The plan is to make the forum a workspace and a market place of ideas. Work is being instigated behind the scenes to set up a web site, we will put basic updates on different sites including this thread. Again, invites are open to those who share the vision of working towards progress and making a positive impact in Nigeria. It is about involving the people, you and I.

NDM - Get Involved
(Progress through Unity and Equality)

Sam Milla:

@eziachi.

you picked USA, thats smart,  what about INDIA AND THE CHINESE.
Formed by immigrants too i guess,

I have said this b4, I refuse to be swayed by your ideals,

Tell me, who is not crying out for marginalization in Nigeria?
The Central bank Governor happens to come from our part of the nation.
The moment it is shifted to the North or west, people like you will start to cry foul as if others are not Nigerians.
Why do you refuse to fall in love with the name Nigeria?

I have questions for you,

how many states do you intend to take along as Biafra?
I guess RIVERS, BAYELSA, DELTA who are not IGBOS ARE INCLUDED,
Because they have oil.
You greedy man. Biafra will be like DUBAI as soon as they have Independence,
Did you hear me say that we are no more interested in division, we are more interested in addition.
That means that if you can convince TOGO and BENIN REP to join us, you will become  hero,

When people speak you will know how smart or on the other side they are. What has a south easterner being a CBN governor got to do with my personal wellbeing or my poor grand parent in the village.
My definition of marginilization has nothing to do with political appointment of few individuals, whose main objectives in life are just themselves and their families and obviously that is what you understand by the word.
Don't talk about what you don't know or just concetrate on what you know.
You are asking me how many I intent to take to Biafra, dumbass= A nation is determined by any group that want to belong to it or wants to be part of it. Any one who chose to be in Biafra can be Biafran and not by force and Biafrans knew themselves and don't suffer from identity crisis like you seems to be suffering. Go and ask your father and he will tell you that we had a saying that any man who don't know where his land started or where it end, has no point of existing.

I have no time for Igbos like you whose father told they are Igbos and we call them EFULEFU

When we keep a dignified silence, it doesn’t mean we’re stupid, when we ignore your comments, it doesn’t mean we’re not good enough to give you a worthwhile response, and when we let you win, it doesn't mean we're weak.

Flatter us, and we may not believe you. Criticise us, and we may not like you. Ignore us, and we may not forgive you. Encourage us, and we will not forget you. Love us and we may be forced to love you. In fact we’ll damn your treacherous flatteries without winking.

Your harmful opinions beliefs of segregation in order to contend for peace might be dull, dim and haughty but we’ll rather ignore those and concentrate on the topic.

At this struggling stage of this nation, to be heard, we all need to be optimistically devoted and do more than belong but participate. Do more than care; help. Do more than believe; practice. Do more than be fair; be kind. Do more than forgive; forget. And finally to do more than dream; work.

To make this country great again, we need tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog in public duty, and in private thinking.

brein:

@B.O.S.S pls acept my sincer apeal dat i was ab, 4rm d meetini was actualy online but there wasnt responds?.

I'll mail you what we discussed. I understand there might be teething problems here and there.

It's cool mate.

sky blue, thanks for giving this info on the conference.

it was painful that i missed the conference due to my network. but By God's grace i will be present in the next conference.

i am really working on the progress of the movement and i pray God be with us all.

so what is the next move you guys have put in place cos i really want to be carried along.

bilms:

sky blue, thanks for giving this information on the conference.

it was painful that i missed the conference due to my network. but By God's grace i will be present in the next conference.

i am really working on the progress of the movement and i pray God be with us all.

so what is the next move you guys have put in place cos i really want to be carried along.

I believe you are already registered, only bringing that up because it is important to note that this is not just about the conferences serving as a footnote with nothing but empty space between them. Committees are now established so such have the opportunity to meet when it is convenient for them, to focus on their own goals. Conferences only serve to bring all committees and the whole group together to consider the direction the whole group is heading and see what has been achieved, as well as getting feedback, etc. Keep up to date on the forum because that is the dedicated work space and serves as a place to trade ideas, hold meetings and basically focus on the work before us. The work goes on everyday so get involved : )

At current membership stands at 62

NDM - Get Involved

Minutes of group meeting (Special Projects)

The first group meeting of the Special Projects group started at 7pm gmt with proudly9ja and Aladay in attendance. It was a very straight to the point meeting with both attendees introducing themselves at the beginning as a way of breaking the ice.

Memeber aladay gave a little peek into his background and experience with special projects as a youth corper in one of the states in Nigeria. As a corper, amongst other things, he helped start up a computer club in secondary schools in that state and even won a state award for his efforts. He shared his success story and setbacks. This will prove very useful as the group now has an idea of what challenges we will be facing in future. He mentioned how the local National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) opposed and stopped him from going ahead with his 'sink a borehole' programme due to the fact that it will affect that source of livelihood.

Aladay, later suggested that the group concentrate on two areas, ie Human Capital and Infrastructure.
As regards human capital, the major target is to inculcate the spirit of volunteering into Nigerians by using students of secondary schools and higher institutions including NYSC members, to execute some of our special projects (Infrastructure). We hope to achieve this by identifying a particular project (say rehabilitating a school or painting an orphanage) and starting school by school, talking to principals and heads of schools to let willing students join us in executing this project. The students will do this as part of a voluntary education scheme of which they will be rewarded with a certificate of attendance if they complete a pre agreed number of hours at the end of the term time.

The group believes that we will be accomplishing major feats by doing this. One is, we will be publicising the group via several media bodies, secondly, we will be teaching Nigerians the gains in volunteering and understanding that some of the problems in Nigeria are not as complex as they seem and can be solved by us joining hands and getting down to work. We will also at the end, we solving some of these problems. Building boreholes in communities, painting classrooms and orphanages, etc will directly affect the lives of citizens and overall, give a new sense of belonging to both the planners and the benefactors.

At the end of the meeting, aladay volunteered to produce a blue print of our discussion and our plan. We also agreed that we will have our first project within the next 3 months, God willing and subsequently, execute one major project every 2 months.

The meeting ended by both parties agreeing to meet again next sunday after the general meeting to discuss further and work on the first project that will be coming up.

We then moved on to the general room to round up and closing remarks.

PS: If you are interested in joining this group, special projects, or you have ideas that you think we can run, please feel free to email me on kinre2002@yahoo.com

its OKays, i got em update from NDM committee. thanks ta'll

The first general meeting for this committee was on sunday 15th February 2008.

5 Members took part in the meeting.

agaba, shok, afro, pixiraver, naijex

we started by introducing ourselves and our various locations.

Then the objective of the committee was announced by the coordinator Mr afro.
We first of all agreed that we will take our campaign to as many media websites as possible.
Youtube, CNN, all the newsapers in Nigeria, nairaland, , nigeriavillage square and many more places as well.
The floor was then opened for everyone to contribute his or her idea on how we are going to achieve the aim.
Shok suggested that we develop straight to the point messages that can be on billboards, flyers, TV, radio  and the internet. Shok also suggested that we develop a songlike advert that can stick to the people's minds.
A kind of song that children and adults can easily understand and memorize.
Pixiraver suggested that we kick start things by first of all having a website.
He also suggested we create animation adverts but first of all , we have to develop our messages first before sending it to the media.
Agaba stressed the kind of message we need.
He said that our message must be diverse and touch the decadence of the academic system in Nigeria.

Pixiraver also said that we can start off our publicity in helping to checkmate corruption in our educational system, for example, during the SSCE exams, the 'movement' can donate hidden cameras to the likes of WAEC to see when students are cheating. That It will help combat cheating during exams and that we can add that donations to our various adverts.
He also suggested donating sports wears with the name of the Organization to schools and sports groups in Nigeria.
Some other means of creating awareness were also suggested by the members. We all agreed that it was a very good first meeting.

We discussed some other minor issues related to the section and went back to the general chat room.

On behalf of the committee, i am appealing to all Nigerians who believe that we deserve a better government to come forward and add suggestions to the ones we have already since this is about the people of Nigeria and not any Individual.

Any one who is also willing to join the group is highly welcomed. Send me a mail to @yahoo.com
, The committee on awareness and publicity will meet again on friday evening by
7PM NIGERIAN TIME. 6PM UK TIME AND 1 PM EASTERN U.S AND CANADA TIME.


"Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities.
Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning" SAM MILLA

i think i should be cleared on how to register.

when i got to the main website. i registered there.but i did not see any where to regsietr for the committee u wish. all i saw was the committe listed. i choose the committe of my choice and post my interest in te committee.

is that how to register or i have not join yet?

bilms:

i think i should be cleared on how to register.

when i got to the main website. i registered there.but i did not see any where to regsietr for the committee u wish. all i saw was the committe listed. i choose the committe of my choice and post my interest in te committee.

is that how to register or i have not join yet?

pls may I know what committee you joined? The coodinator of that committee will get back to you asap.

Welcome bilms and see you on sunday 3PM GMT, 4PM Naija time

Get Involved!

Today's Friday the 20th day in February, 2009. Just 5 days ago, history was made. Some Nigerians from around the world met and decided that enough is enough. Those that were present at that meeting decided that rather than sit back and watch and let things continue as they are, they decided that they will begin to make changes in their own ways trusting that little by little, like the continuos drops of water that change the form of a rock, or efforts will bring about that change in our Motherland, Nigeria. 5 days ago, on the 15th of February, Nigerian Development Movement (NDM) was formally Launched with the slogan, Get Involved.

As it is, we will be meeting again on Sunday the 22nd of February, 2009, just 2 days away at 3pm GMT, ie 4PM Nigerian time. If you were at the last meeting, we expect to see you again, if you were not, please join us at www.ndm..com.

And for those who are yet to join an action group, please don't hesitate any further, join any of the five action groups at www.ndm..com. Rather than just sit back and watch, why don't you just

GET INVOLVED!

See you on Sunday

Hi Guys, I'm deeply interested in the goals and objectives of the NDM. I am proud to identify myself with you all. I am Nigerian and I want to see Nigeria become an industrialized nation.

So count me in. I will register properly tomorrow. I have to sleep now. I am a journalist, author and motivational speaker. I've got lots of ideas for this Movememnt. I will get back to you asap.

Redman44

i joined the committe of governance and curruption

Ok mates, I have just registered for consideration as a member of the Nigerian Development Movement [ NDM ].

I want to plead with Nairaland Moderators that this thread should be put on the first page of Nairaland. I have directed a lot of my family members and friends who are Nigerians to the NDM site and Nairaland. My prayer is that this movement will not die out. It is a solid idea that can change Nigeria for good. I have some suggestions for the organisers of the NDM-

1. NDM memebers should start meeting face2face. Online activities should lead to physical meetings as soon as possible.

2. NDM members in Nigeria should start doing individual low key campaigns by telling members of their family about the movement and its objectives. Those who can afford it can print flyers and leaflets and distribute in their churches and social clubs.

3. 2011 is around the corner. We need to start laying concrete plans for the elections in about two years time. The corrupt piliticians have started buying armoured vehicles and are currently arming their private armies for 2011. We need to start having serious meetings and campaigns as a soon as possible.

4. The NDM should not act like a secret organization. We need to have leaders who will talk to the Nigerian Media and willing to be interviewed in The Print Media and on Television.

5. I see this movement becoming very strong as the days go by. There will be attempts to hijack the NDM by undesirable characters who might be on the payroll of our oppressors. The organizers of this movement should be careful. They must remain true to their original ideals. They must also not be corrupt. Corruption and lack of set objectives could kill this vision which I believe was given by God.

6. A good logo should be created for this Movement. It should be a logo that is catchy and that has a deep meaning. Let the graphic designers among us come up with logo ideas.

7. Selfish motives need to be cast aside if we want to get anywhere. I am glad to be a member of this movement. and I don't want to see this dream die. Honourable members of the Press like Reuben Abati, Louis Odion, Nosa Igiebor, Yemi Adebisi etc etc should be contacted about the activities of the NDM. If someone like Reuben Abati writes about this movement in his CROSSROADS Column, a lot of publicity will be generated. We should also try and write about the NDM in our respective blogs and Websites. We can also write individual and collective articles to National Dailies and Magazines in Nigeria on different development topics but with NDM cited in the articles.

I will come up with more ideas as time goes on. Cheers.

Nigeria will become great again.

Redman44:

Ok mates, I have just registered for consideration as a member of the Nigerian Development Movement [ NDM ].

I want to plead with Nairaland Moderators that this thread should be put on the first page of Nairaland. I have directed a lot of my family members and friends who are Nigerians to the NDM site and Nairaland. My prayer is that this movement will not die out. It is a solid idea that can change Nigeria for good. I have some suggestions for the organisers of the NDM-

1. NDM memebers should start meeting face2face. Online activities should lead to physical meetings as soon as possible.

2. NDM members in Nigeria should start doing individual low key campaigns by telling members of their family about the movement and its objectives. Those who can afford it can print flyers and leaflets and distribute in their churches and social clubs.

3. 2011 is around the corner. We need to start laying concrete plans for the elections in about two years time. The corrupt piliticians have started buying armoured vehicles and are currently arming their private armies for 2011. We need to start having serious meetings and campaigns as a soon as possible.

4. The NDM should not act like a secret organization. We need to have leaders who will talk to the Nigerian Media and willing to be interviewed in The Print Media and on Television.

5. I see this movement becoming very strong as the days go by. There will be attempts to hijack the NDM by undesirable characters who might be on the payroll of our oppressors. The organizers of this movement should be careful. They must remain true to their original ideals. They must also not be corrupt. Corruption and lack of set objectives could kill this vision which I believe was given by God.

6. A good logo should be created for this Movement. It should be a logo that is catchy and that has a deep meaning. Let the graphic designers among us come up with logo ideas.

7. Selfish motives need to be cast aside if we want to get anywhere. I am glad to be a member of this movement. and I don't want to see this dream die. Honourable members of the Press like Reuben Abati, Louis Odion, Nosa Igiebor, Yemi Adebisi etc etc should be contacted about the activities of the NDM. If someone like Reuben Abati writes about this movement in his CROSSROADS Column, a lot of publicity will be generated. We should also try and write about the NDM in our respective blogs and Websites. We can also write individual and collective articles to National Dailies and Magazines in Nigeria on different development topics but with NDM cited in the articles.

I will come up with more ideas as time goes on. Cheers.

Nigeria will become great again.

Thanks for your interest. We invite you to partake and contribute in the dedicated forum. There are already set up avenues so people can easily get involved in committees and join in the work ahead that is geared towards making a positive impact in Nigeria.

NDM - Get Involved

ok guys. the newbie wants to join. i think this is a laudable thing to think up on nairaland. thumbs up

@ YD

It is easy for you to join the NDM. Send an application to: ndmnigeria@gmail.com

also visit www.ndm..com

You'll get all the directions you need there. Try and spread the word to your peeps and family all over the world.

I am also waiting to see when Nairaland will have 1 million members. The day will come. Amen.

is this about nairaland having 1m members or about NDM having patriotic members to the good cause of our country

@YD

I believe NDM will succeed and I am happy to be part of the movement. I also wish Seun Osewa well. That is why I want Nairaland to increase in memebership. And it will.

I am a very resourceful young man and I am happy when I see my contemporaries doing great things.

I wish you well too.

Cheers.

Jensen
2)percussive
3)Keens
4)Charlesmud
5)LaTeX
6)Naijex
7)Young's
proudly9Jae
9)Busy body
10)Ampex
11)acreage
12)Agata123
13)innocent oh
14)sashbaby
15)B.O.S.S
16)Bernelle
17)hatches
18)Sky Blue
19)cube
20)Homeric01
21)Bola
22)Sam Millay
23)Brien
24)Fe32
25)Sanger
26)juju
27)Moves
28)PAPABrowne
29)superb
30) Oink
31)abdurrazaq
32)gongo aso
33) Gilgee
34)Kola
35) Hardballer

Wow, Wow You guy really mean it so badly.I thought you are playing. If you guy can really help Nigeria Achieve this. I will be Really Happy Indeed & there will be a Hero Like Nelson Mandela. I am In. Please Guys Give Me Information to My







,

Please Hacker Stay Away. Email. charmingsamson@yahoo.com
,

What happened to this movement - is it dead like the rest of them

is not dead,

u just go check what was on

Bola is in Nigeria right now. One of the major things we wanted to do was establish contacts with the youth. Hence, Bola had a live interview on UNILAG FM (I just spoke with her not too long ago so I will relay). One of the projects we have been trying to get of the ground is the idea of "a school at a time". Picking up a school as a project, and working on it. Whether it is helping with the renovation or building of classrooms, or providing books, or software, or compunters, whatever we can. So Bola talked about that and other projects we were also working on. The site was having some problems today, but it is being worked on right now and hopefully the issues would be resolved by the end of today, hence making sending mass emails to members through the forum a bit of a problem. For those in Nigeria, there might be a meeting on Saturday with Bola who would be in Lagos.

This is a Nigerian thing and not a Lagos thing by the way. If you want to get in conact with Bola, you can call or send her a text at 0803 533 1839 and if possible, a meeting would be set up. She is leaving on Sunday.

Rest assured, we are determined to do what we can, and all are welcome.