PROJECT IGALA 2025: A Vision for A Brighter Future

INTRODUCTION

Just like other climes in sub-Saharan Africa, our beloved Igala land has long been enmeshed in a seemingly endless quest for a VISION that will amongst several others:

• Point a way forward for the race
• Set Igala land in a specific direction
• Direct the actions and workings of Igala people.
• Articulate a definitive stance on where and how Igala land should be in a decade, century and a millennium.
• Marshal strategies that will manifestly translate the peoples’ hopes and aspirations in to tangible realities.
• Lay a rock-solid foundation for the much-awaited Igala Renaissance.
• Advocate and inspire confidence in the viability and sustainability of the Project Igala
• Encourage and foster the ideals of Unity, Peace and Love as worthy basis for individual development and continued corporate existence
• Evolve sustainable political and intellectual structures that will train and equip the generation-next to take over from the fading generation

The quest for this all-encompassing vision, which has now metamorphosed into what is now known today as the IGALA QUESTION (A book entitled “The Igala Question” will soon be published), has no doubt been tortuous, painstaking and expensive as it has taken us through several years of political experimentation, economic docility, cultural dislocation, social inertia, and absolute impotence and irrelevance in the scheme of things nationally. All these have contributed, in no small measure, to the present socio-economic and political realities of widespread poverty, disease and colossal illiteracy garnished with low Boy-Child Education that are rudely staring us in the face today.

However, it is pertinent at this point, to recognise and applaud the indefatigable efforts of public spirited and genial Igala Leaders of yore and Pan-Igala bodies who through the limitless use of their time, treasure and talent, advanced the frontiers of Igala nationalism and selfless service to one’s homeland. Through their individual and combined efforts, Leaders like Ebulejonu, Attah Ayegba Om’idoko, Attah Onoja Oboni, Attah Ameh Oboni, Dr. Steven Makoji Achema, Chief Urah Ajibili, Prof. Francis Idachaba, Prof. Gabriel Oyibo, Dr. Jeremiah Abalaka, Dr. Jacob Abdullahi and groups like Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA), Igala National Solidarity Association (INSA) Igala Education Foundation, Igala Associations (UK & US), Frontiers Club, Club 582, Ufedo Club, www.igalaland.com and www.aneigala.com, have established, beyond every credible doubt, the innate capacity of the Igala Spirit to cater for one another, lead the world, stand out in every crowd, and to triumph over challenges.

These gallant men and women of our race realised early in life that it is from the fusion of ideas with passion, and by acting with integrity, serving with love and working for communal peace and progress that their contributions and relevance to igala land will achieve immortality. These icons, through the instrumentality of intellect, focal commitment to shared values, and unwavering abhorrence of individual success in the midst of communal failure, raised the intellectual tone of the igala society, cultivated the public mind, purified the igala taste while supplying true principles to popular enthusiasms and fixed aims to popular aspirations as well as giving enlargement and sobriety to the ideals of igala renaissance.

Let me also make bold to assert here that these online groups (igalaproject@yahoogroups.com/igala@yahoogroups.com) are no less important as ideas and strategies generated here continue to form essential milestones in our collective march to destined greatness as a people. Hence it has become a catalyst for sustainable People-Development as well as an everlasting resource for generations unborn! The significance of this forum will not be lost on the generation-next of Igalas as the ideas-house, which the forum’s archives, has become, will facilitate and shape the exercise of political and socio-economic power and as well as refine the intercourse of private life in the nearest future.

DIALECTICS OF AN IGALA VISION

In September 2000, world leaders agreed upon the Millennium Declaration, which distills the key goals and targets agreed to at international conferences and world summits during the 1990s. Drawing on the Declaration, the UN System, World Bank and OECD drew up a set of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with associated targets and indicators. By the year 2015, all 191 United Nations Member States have pledged to meet the MDGs. 191 Heads of State and Presidents at the General Assembly of the United Nations approved the Millennium Declaration which established what is now known as the Millennium Development Goals. They pledged to adopt new measures and join efforts in the fight against poverty, illiteracy, hunger, lack of education, gender inequality, infant and maternal mortality, disease and environmental degradation.

The foregoing presupposes that no ethnic group, nation or comity of nations can move forward or remain relevant on a global scale without a properly defined vision, setting goals and targets to be achieved within a time frame as well as stating in clear terms, the direction and destination of her people within a given time. With the 2015 target year almost half gone, a penetrative gaze at Igala land today will underscore the imperatives of an Igala vision that will find its true expression within larger framework of the MDGs.

Let’s state the fact in unmistakable terms. Igala land today has become a perfect picture of underdevelopment with neglect, poverty, disease, thuggery and illiteracy as totemic icons of fluctuating existentialism. Blessed with one of the biggest coal reserves on the planet (Okaba, Ogboyaga) and with over 12 natural and solid minerals such as iron ore (Egeneji), Marble (Itobe, Ankpa), Crude oil (Ibaji/Alade), Kaolin, hydo-power capacities (Ofu/Itobe) tucked under its pregnant belly, the region still shamefacedly flaunts itself as the habitation of some of Africa’s poorest people and probably the region with the worst case of neglect.

There is no denying the fact that there is an urgent need to objectively address these socio-economic and political problems that are currently rampaging igala land. A key step to achieving that objective is the conceptualisation and implementation of a People-Centred Vision that will set in motion, the machinery for the translation of the peoples’ dreams and aspirations in to barefaced realities. Such a vision must encompass a complex whole of strategies and steps that when implemented fully, will assuredly address the decades of neglect, underdevelopment and deterioration experienced by igala people and at the same time restore hope and impart a sense of collective fulfilment.

For an ethnic group that wears the toga of poverty and neglect like vestigial crowns, a clearly defined and people-oriented, multi-stakeholder development vision that is evidently meant to raise the people’s standard of living above the poverty line, and go beyond that to create favourable conditions for social stability, greater productivity and economic prosperity in the nooks and crannies of the land can be said to be a right step towards reclaiming a people’s lost glory and redeeming years of squandered opportunities.

The need to arrest the present rising wave of violence, thuggery, crime and prostitution in the land further accentuates the need for a vision that will discourage the ascendance of the twin evils of prostitution and armed robbery through pragmatic means. It is no longer strange or shameful to see Igala Parents flaunt the ill-gotten wealth of the children acquired through crime and prostitution as they (parents) now see it as partaking in the sharing of the national cake. Campaigning against and eliminating disdainful acts such as the glorification of armed robbery, prostitution and the mad rush to cities by our Daughters and Sisters through the instrumentality of a vision that will activate affirmative and decisive actions aimed at providing amenities and schemes that will keep them gainfully employed and busy at home remains a viable panacea. Thuggery, for all it has come to represent, must not be allowed to continue, as we cannot afford a sustained bonfire of our hopes and aspirations to greatness on the altar of youth recklessness and Governmental insensitivity.

Igala women still disproportionately suffer the burden of poverty, reeling heavily under the pangs of hunger with majority of them living on less than one dollar per day! As primary agents of child welfare, they are victims of widespread and persistent discrimination in all areas of life, and put their lives at risk every time they become pregnant. They are still increasingly susceptible to HIV/AIDS and other killer diseases. As unschooled adults, they have less to say socially and politically and to be able to support themselves.

Also, Igala women’s rights and access to land, credit and education are still limited not only due to legal discrimination, but because more subtle barriers such as their workload, mobility and low bargaining position in the household and community prevent them from taking advantage of their legal rights. These problems affect their children and households without a male head (Oya Akpoko) are at special risk of impoverishment with no capacity to immunise their children or know how to help them survive. The imperatives of a vision that will pragmatically curtail this state of affairs cannot be overstated

Igala land today, yearns earnestly for prompt actions aimed at directing the energies of our youths to worthy and scholarly ventures, continuity and youth participation in leadership, credible and responsive leadership, better deals for her sons and daughters in the Nigerian project, and full integration in to the global village through the provision of current technological inventions, limitless access to super information highway and world-class systems of mobile communication.

It is in the light of the above concerns that PROJECT IGALA 2050: A Vision For A Brighter Future, is hereby introduced into the public arena for the purpose of stimulating thoughts, fresh ideas, incisive analyses and corrections where necessary with a view to building consensus on its adoption and implementation for the greater good of our people.

PROJECT IGALA 2050 TARGETS

This vision aspires to achieve orderly and accelerated socio-economic transformation of Igala land. With an implementation timeframe of 30 years (2010-2040) in the first instance, the vision is divided into areas like economic growth, under which wealth is expected to be generated in order to reduce poverty, support better living standards, diffuse social tension, and regenerate rural areas; Human and community needs will address the welfare of individuals; the natural environment aspect aims to conserve bio-diversity resources, remediate and restore environmentally impacted sites and degraded resources, and set standards for regulation and control.

The key targets of the goals are as follows:

1. ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION = Eradication of extreme poverty and hunger

(a) Provision of Micro/Macro-credit facilities to indigent Traders and Farmers

(b) Establishment of Skills Acquisition/Vocational Training centres in each of the 9 LGAs

(c) Establishment of an International Yam Market

(d) Establishment of Wine/Fruit Juice Processing Factory

(e) Establishment of Itboe/Ajaokuta Export Free Trade Zone

(f) Establishment of Rice Mills in each of the 9 LGAs

(g) Revival and consolidation of Idah Sanitary Ware Company

(h) Establishment of a Coal Exploration and Development Company at Okaba

(i) Full exploration of Marble deposits at Itobe and Ankpa (Ceramic and Building industries)

(j) Full exploration of crude oil deposits at Ibaji and Alade

(k) Establishment of Soap-making, Margarine and Vegetable oil processing industries to exploit oil palm opportunities at Okura, Alade and Ankpa

(l) Establishment of Fish canning industries to tap the extensive fish farming activities at Idah, Ibaji, Itobe and Obale.

(m) Provision of mechanised farming equipment to farmers on lease/turnkey bases

(n) Establishment of Farmers’ Cooperative Societies in each of the 9 LGAs

(o) Provision of Ferry Services at Idah, Itobe, Ibaji and Egabada.

2. EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT = Self-reliance and communal edification

(a) Adoption of Free Universal Primary Education in each of the 9 LGAs

(b) Constant Training and Re-training of Teachers

(c) Establishment of a University of Technology

(d) Establishment of an Igala National Library

(e) Provision of Mini-computerised libraries in the 9 LGAs

(f) Establishment of ICT Training and Development centres in each of the 9 LGAs

(g) Establishment of LG Education Foundations in the 9 LGAs

(h) Provision Scholarships and overseas internship programmes.

3. HEALTH = Unfettered Access to Standard Health Services and collective fulfillment

(a) Establishment of a Specialist/Referral Hospital with up-to-date facilities such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Central Nervous System (CNS) e.t.c

(b) Establishment of fully equipped Primary Health Centres in each Ward in the 9 LGAs

(c) Provision of Pipe borne water and boreholes

(d) Establishment of community health outreach programmes with focus on sensitisation and advocacy efforts on the prevention and risk reduction of deadly infections such as HIV/AIDS, STDs, Malaria, Tuberculosis, Cancer, River Blindness and Cholera.

4. INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT = Pathway to a future secured

(a) Establishment of an International Airport

(b) Establishment of a Stock and Commodity Exchange

(c) Construction of a six-lane Idah – Anyigba Expressway

(d) Construction of an International Conference Centre

(e) Establishment of a Nigerian Naval Base

(f) Dualisation of Odolu – Nsukka Bridge

(g) Construction of Idah – Agenabode Mainland Bridge

(h) Construction of Dekina Metro rail

5. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT = Empowering the future

(a) The full implementation of an effective and efficient Youth Policy Framework will foster and create avenues for worthy interactions, vocational training, skills/knowledge acquisition, gainful empowerment and recreational activities as a bulwark against illiteracy and thuggery.

(b) Establishment and Mobilisation of Youth Development Groups to benefit from the UN’s World Programme of Action for Youths in the 21^st century.

(c) Transformation of the Steven Achema Stadium to host international competitions.

(d) Establishment of an Igala Film Village

(e) Establishment of Cinemas and Amphitheatres in each of the 9 LGAs

6. Tourism Development = Attaining National and Global Relevance

(a) Establishment of Olamoboro Resort

(b) Development of Ugwalawo Hills to world-class status

(c) Transformation of Ofejiji Falls in Okura-Lafia to world-class tourist attraction.

(d) Development of the Awo Tunnel (A tunnel of about one kilometer long dug during the reign of Attah Onoja Oboni to serve as a hiding place for members of the royal family during the wars in Idah)

(e) Transformation of Ojuwo Atogwu to global standards (Ojuwo Atogwu, is an ancient earthwork at Idah, declared a national monument in 1963 by the Federal Government)

(f) Erection and transformation of the Inikpi Cenotaph at Idah

(g) Establishment of a Television station for the region

(h) Establishment of an FM Station for the region.

PROJECT IGALA 2050: VEHICLES OF DELIVERY

q PUBLIC - PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS/PUBLIC SPIRITED INDIVIDUALS

q PRIVATE INITIATIVES/NGOS/ASSOCIATIONS/INVESTMENT FORA

q INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS/DONOR AGENCIES

(UN/WORLDBANK/FAO/ILO//IMF/ROTARY/WHO INTERNATIONAL/UNAIDS/USAIDS/DFID/CIDA/UNICEF/UNESCO/UNFPA)

q FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA

q KOGI STATE GOVERNMENT

q KOGI EAST SENATORIAL CONSTITUENCY

DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (PROPOSED)

q NINE IGALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS

q IGALA TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL

ARE WE READY??????

Every mission must have a vision. Every vision must be a foresight. Every foresight must target an objective goal to achieve. If our collective mission is to restore the lost greatness, regain and retain our present consciousness and working hard to build a future identification keeping our nation, language, intelligence, competence, culture and creative idealism on world map then our thought, action and seed must reflect the dream and qualifications. The lapses of the past gave birth to what we have today and whatever we do now will greatly affect and influence the future. The past is important because it will help us know who we are and where to lay our foundation but the future is more necessary.

Who said we cannot? Are human beings not animals with sense of reasoning that react accordingly to every action as it touches their minds and conscience? Whatsoever made by man can be destroyed or renewed by another. Our land can be redeemed; we can break the bones of all the demons and vulture sucking our blood, resources, progress and ambitions. We must purge them of their diseases of self-centeredness, scientifically and diplomatically kill, burn, and evaporate their breath of individualism, greed, unmerited wealth, unnecessary pride including all their beautiful act of devilish and demonic ceremonies in the name of tradition and witchcraft/occultism.

We must stop dreaming if not ready to actualise, stop singing if not ready to harmonise, stop laying foundations if not ready to build, stop talking if not ready to listen, stop fighting if not ready to win, stop reading if not ready to understand, stop crying if not ready to smile. We either begin yesterday or leave it go forever. Igala land must be redeemed, igalas must be redeemed, but the choice is yours and mine. All we need is the mind, will, consciousness, sacrifices, dedication, accountability, transparency and the killer spirit of anti-corruption and contamination.

This hour in history needs a dedicated circle of transformed nonconformists. Dangerous passions of pride, hatred and selfishness are enthroned in our land; truth lies prostrate on the rugged hills of nameless Cavalries. Just as Martin Luther King posited in 1963 while speaking on “Non-conformity”, the yanking of Igala land from pending doom will come, not through the complacent adjustment of the conforming majority, but through the creative maladjustment of a nonconforming minority.

The least amongst us could live a maximum of 70 or 80 years while the earth remains for another more than 2000 years including Igala land. What we see in the west today is what was collectively laid down in the past having today as their foresight. Our seed must reflect what we work and cares to be, our names must reflect our language, our thoughts must reflect our consciousness, our shortcomings must be tolerated, our ideal must be our flag, our land must be cultivated by us, our politics must be dominated by us, our economy must be empowered by us, our technology must be constructed by us, our colour must be painted by us, our history must be written by us, our culture must be designed by us, our destiny must be fought and achieved by us.

Let the strong strengthen the weak, if you have 10 naira and 5 naira could provide your necessities then why not give the other 5 naira to save your land as you can?. The extent we want to go determines what we need to give. Our deserted and underdeveloped villages that need be transformed by our collective actions are our promise land. Are we ready?

CALL TO ACTION

A swift glance at the imperatives of an Igala Vision above will unearth a string of action words like ‘point’, ‘set’, ‘marshal’, ‘direct’, ‘articulate’, ‘lay’, ‘advocate’, ‘encourage’ and ‘evolve’. These go a long way to proving that the whole essence of a vision is to DO! It is a call to ACTION, not a leeway to flatulent postulations, academic flamboyance, arrogance, unrealistic projections, unfulfilled promises or mere sloganeering.

It is hoped that a shared understanding of the plan would go a long way to securing and sustaining public faith and participation throughout the vision’s implementation period as well as help all stakeholders in the Igala Project to make informed contributions that will enrich the vision.

Atayi Babs

MODERATOR, Project IGALA

2005

The Igala Man's Burden

I want to express my most profound gratitude to the members of the National Executive Committee of the Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA) for inviting me to speak at their maiden merit award winners' ceremony. I count this as a real honour. I want to commend ICDA for the idea and spirit behind the merit award. As one world figure once said, "a nation is not great for the talents it has but for the talents it recognizes." I hope this great idea will discourage the practice of PHD- 'Pull Him Down', for which our societies have been notorious over the last several decades. Against this background, it is truly remarkable that ICDA is honouring a number of our distinguished elders. It will be the beginning of great thing in Igala land, we can make faster progress along this line. We will have more people coming out to do things for the society without inhibitions.

We are assembled here today, as children and descendants of Ayegba Om' Idoko (of blessed memory). From time to time we need to evoke the spirit of Ayegba as a source of inspiration, a balm to our soul, and a kind of feel-good recall of the past glories of the achievements of the Igala people. The circumstances the Igala man has found himself in, these days, demand that we evoke this same feeling for self-examination and re-awakening. We expected the modern-day nationhood to have taken us to the land of Canaan, according to the general wishes of Ayegba. Rather we are headed for the opposite direction. A review of social or poverty indicators (life expectancy, infant mortality, access to safe water, birth rate, death rate, illiteracy rate, etc.) in Igala land reveals a sad picture. Compared to the other parts of Kogi State, Igala land is probably the worst in terms of these problems. A terrible thing is happening in our land. People are aging faster and dying at faster rate than ever before. At a very recent public function, a community leader in Igala land was said to have listed the need for a working mortuary as high priority in his community. What a priority!

Culture
The objective of my paper is to put issues of culture and cultural identity to the forefront of the Igala public agenda. Failures and frustrated expectations of development have given rise to cultural tensions in many Igala communities. Elsewhere, we see successful development that not only close gap between rich and poor but also shows that tradition, specific to each culture, could be combined with the most modern economic, scientific and technological resources. Javier Perez de Cuellar, former Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) and currently Director-General of UN's Commission on Culture and Development for the 21st Century, once observed "that development efforts had often failed because the importance of the human factor - that complex web of relationship and beliefs, values, and motivations, which lie at the very heart of culture - had been underestimated in many development projects." The UN recognizes and endorses the diverse culture of the world as integral to the overall development of nations. ICDA's invitation for me to speak at this occasion had given me the leeway to talk on any topic relating to culture. Their choice of focus can not be better.
Generally speaking, culture is conceptualized in two ways, which define its use. There is the materialistic or idealist concept on the one hand and the holistic or sectoral concept on the other hand. In the context of our discussion, (now and in the future) we will find both
concepts useful, with various limitations. The former looks at man's direct interaction with the material environment, emphasizing the importance of the productive process, material life, tools and artifacts in the determination of value, idea, aesthetics, organizations and institutions. In addition, it emphasizes the spiritual element especially that composed in motivating ideas, a kind of collective conscience, and consciousness that gives meaning to situations and orientation to practical activity and the material environment. It imbues the processor with the necessity of ingredient self-esteem and authenticity. The latter concept, that is, the holistic or sectoral refers to the whole way of life of a people, concerned with leisure, the arts and crafts, religion, ceremonies, festivals, customs, and valuations and affecting economic and political orientation.
Chris Smith, British Secretary for Culture, describes culture as emotions, experiences and life-defining elements in all our lives that cannot be pinned down in mechanistic definitions, that cannot be counted by an accountant, that cannot be readily measured in a calculus, but that together form the most significant parts of our character, and our purpose in life. These elements form themselves into what we might call our own individual culture, our own sense of identity and self-worth. It can encompass the whole history of a people, on their current way of life, or their ideas for the future, or their religious beliefs or the corpus of their thought or their literature or their music or their art.
There are some aspects of culture that are retrogressive and unhelpful. For example with an ailment like malaria requires prompt treatment with medicine rather than blaming or accusing the mother or relations of practising witchcraft on the child.
However, there are very beneficial results that can come from traditional practices if properly integrated into the modern system. For example, there was the story of a man who broke an arm. He was taken to the General Hospital, but the staff of the hospital were on strike; he was then moved to a private clinic where there was no electricity to take X-ray pictures of the broken limb. Finally, he was taken to a traditional healer who cured him of his problem. Traditional medicine has been proven to be particularly efficacious in orthopaedics. This is certainly one area where modern medicine can collaborate with traditional medicine, instead of a wholesale rejection of the latter.
To a large extent public discussions and findings in the development world have focussed extensively on the linkage between economic and political autonomy and culture. The UN's world commission on culture and development has this to say:
Human Development . . . refers to the individual human being, who is both the ultimate objective of development and one of the most important instruments or means to it. For an alert, skilled, educated, well nourished, healthy, well-motivated labour force is the most productive asset of a society. People, however are not self-contained atoms, they work together, cooperate, compete and interact in many ways. It is culture that connects them with one another and makes the development of the individual possible. Similarly, it is culture that defines how people relate to nature and their physical environment; to the earth and to the cosmos, and through which we express our attitude to and beliefs in other forms of life, both animal and plant. It is in this sense that all forms of development ultimately are determined by cultural factors. Indeed, from this point of view it is meaningless to talk of the 'relation between culture and development' as if they were two separate concepts, since development and the economy are part of or an aspect of a people's culture. Culture then is not a means to material progress: It is the end and aim of 'development' such as the
flourishing of human existence in all its forms and as a whole.
Ayegba Om' Idoko wished his descendants good living standards. He left a legacy of a good central administration, stable society and good economy. The Igalas had their own food, farming system, food processing methods, cloth weaving, medicine and treatment of ailments, marriage systems, etc. These gave them their own identity. Experts in traditional technologies from other ethnic communities were lured by the old Attahs to Igala land so that the Igala people could benefit from their exotic technologies. This partially explains the existence of Igalas of some other ethnic extraction, for example Hausa and Nupe. Igala's own institutions and culture, through an immensely long history, had taught its people how to provide public service. Meritocracy was a recognised way of advancement in society. Only the best hunters led their colleagues. All these gave the Igala people the confident sense of possessing and exercising a real control over their own lives. Ayegba's descendants grew to be the nineth largest tribe of Nigeria (1963 census) with communities of Igala origin found in states like Enugu, Edo, Anambra, Delta and distant relatives in Taraba, Adamawa, Benue, Plateau, Niger, and Nassarawa. Ayegba's system worked.
Cultural Decay
Looking at the Igala land today you observe a number of depressing symptoms of societal decay. You will observe a general lawlessness through out the culture. There is a loss of economic discipline and self- restraint. You will see tedious bureaucracy and the ineffectiveness of government due to over- centralization; top-heavy system of administration, lack of moral judgement, promotion of the wrong people and unnecessary extravagance. A decline in the quality of education is very apparent. We see a weakening of cultural foundation that contributed to the greatness of the people and loss of respect for tradition. There is a loss of respect for established religions and an increase in materialism, with primitive capital accumulation. Important spiritual indicators of this decay indicate a rise in immorality, the lure of alien gods and a lack of respect for human life.
The problem of our youth demands special mention. The youth represents our future. We can get a glimpse of our future from the present state of affairs concerning them. Dr. Mahathir Muhammed, prime minister of Malaysia has this concern, "we can easily achieve material progress by physical planning and development. But the stark truth is that the material wealth that we accumulated can be completely wiped out if we do not have the morally right set of values among the people who manage it".
Our youth today are ill prepared, with their inadequate education, with mindset very wrong, misplaced values, disorientated attitudes, unrealistic expectations, and lack of job opportunities, all these culminating in intense frustration expressed both at home and on the street. They are a product of our "new societies" A few have motorcycles and use them to generate some money. In the next ten to twenty years they would not have the energy and other things required to ride the motorcycles. They will have no job experience or skills to rely on. Then we will face the real cyclic and devastating social crises. This is a time-bomb. The hopelessness of the situation is felt more when we realize that our last well- trained people are now in their fifties.
What went wrong
Basil Davidson in his invaluable book The Black Man's Burden: Africa and the Curse of the Nation-State offers an explanation for Africa's problems. Modern-day Africa neglected its culture in its development plans. Africa did not have the social structure required to benefit from the modern day nation-hood. This gave rise to the various ills of our society - corruption, nepotism, abuse of power etc. The experience of pre-colonial Africa was ignored. With very few exceptions, no peasant societies were studied to identify development potentials. In fact no such potentials were thought to exist in the African peasant societies. Just like in the rest of Africa, no studies to identify development potentials were carried out in Igala land. We seemed to be contented with being copycats.
The Way forward
There was no doubt that pre-colonial Igala communities made progress in their development efforts. Ralph Emerson would have advised the Igala people at independence, "insist on yourself, never imitate". The words of Henry David Thoreau in this regard is instructive -'we cannot lay foundations of our houses on the ashes of another civilization'. The Eastern Asian Japan, Malaysia Singapore, etc) followed the advice of Emerson and Thoreau, they insisted upon being themselves first and foremost. They returned, in cause and effect terms, to the education that was rooted in their own culture. This has been yielding for them economic, social, cultural and technological dividends, which the Westerners have now learnt to respect. The Chinese for example, returned to Chinese medicine and literature. National classics and Buddhism were introduced.
While retaining their cultures, they accepted the inevitability of science and technology, and the change of life they bring. They kept their important personal values - hardwork, respect for others, honesty, self-discipline and self-reliance. They kept their important societal values - orderly society, harmony, accountability of public officials, and respect for law and order. In the Chinese society, the interest of the community is superior to individual rights.
The Igala man's burden
The Igala man's burden is how to move forward without losing his Igalaness; how to modernize without being Westernized. It is in fact, a task which faces all Nigerian peoples. We have the task of looking at the potentials of development of the past, so that we can bring them alongside modern science and technology. We have to rediscover ourselves, look for the old medicinal trees, re-establish the family values that ensured public accountability, prevent abuse of the society - all essential to development. This will call for re-examination of our tradition institutions with a view to empower them for further development of our culture. The rural people, also as custodians of our culture, will need to be similarly empowered. The new leadership of the Igalas must shift emphasis from developing only some physical elements and build the people. Physical infrastructure must be developed, but not at the expense of the people. I am referring to the practice of building houses and not the people, rehabilitating the school building not paying staff salaries and encouraging people to depend on state patronage and handouts, instead of giving them the initiative to develop their own livelihood.
There should be a major effort in developing our economy along the cultural experience. For example, the woman processing palm oil or weaving cloth should be assisted to be better in her occupation. The farmers, fishermen, tailors, carpenters, etc should be similarly assisted. Development initiatives must shift in favour of the rural areas in other to produce balanced progress.
Renewed emphasis on all forms of education is key to lightening the Igala man's burden. We should have a cultural philosophy in the State University, as a good starting point. Through the state traditional council we should encourage a state-wide renaissance (Igala renaissance, Okun renaissance, Koto renaissance, Ogori renaissance, Bassa Nge renaissance, etc.). Community-based organizations, hometown associations and their women wings will need to refocus interest in their special contributions to the wider Igala culture. These should be worked into each other to produce a 'confluence renaissance', using a strong department of sociology and anthropology at the state university. The university will need to strengthen its pure sciences, pure arts and philosophy courses as priority. This will enhance basic research work which is essential for development
As individuals, our respective attitudes can make or mar the lightening of the burden. We must resolve to make the change as individuals and at family levels, to uphold values which advance societies - focus on merit, hard-work, honesty, fairness, etc. we will need to rededicate ourselves to the ideals for which Inikpi sacrificed herself.
Conclusion
The Igala man's burden is essentially cultural. It has been made heavier as a result of neglect of the Igala culture and failures of development initiatives which were imports of non- African scenarios and solutions. The Igala leadership failed woefully to establish vital links with the poor and dispossessed of the land. Participatory leadership, participatory politics and participatory development are a necessity in our new initiative. The various youth associations (e.g Igala Student Association) must be empowered to participate in the resolution of youth problems in Igala land. An empowered traditional institution and rural populace have special roles to play. The state university appropriately staffed will lead the cultural and philosophical battle. ICDA has taken the lead by establishing its consultative forum and encouraging this particular discussion today.

· Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo

Global Job Crises And The Nigerian Prodigals

A recent trip back to Nigeria brought the reality home. Nigerians, an inimitable set of the most hardworking and intelligent people on the face of the earth, contributing to global development in all spheres of human existence, are not insulated from global job losses after all. The brimful arrival lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International airport was all confirmation needed. Luggage of all sizes and colours belonging to returnee Nigerians struggled with the attendant human traffic for relevance. In the midst of this urban chaos was frustration and disillusionment boldly inscribed.

 

A chat with some of them unearthed the deep currents of dissatisfaction flowing copiously beneath the ocean of thoughts in which their jerky return to the land of their birth has subsumed them. Job losses, redundancies, shrunken investments, “Madoff syndrome” attacks, mounting bills to pay, and switched off services and utilities all topped their bill of complaints. In a 21^st century re-enactment of the biblical parody of the prodigal son, they are coming back home with the hope of finding jobs where they are none, creating non-existent opportunities as well as reverse the brain drain in our universities to brain gain. A sudden flash of realisation and alien patriotic zeal seem to suddenly burst on their sight.

 

The facts on the ground are grim. Governments, Multinationals, Corporations and blue chips across the globe where these vibrant Nigerians once regarded as their fortes, impregnable safe havens, are now grunting under the smashing yoke of the latest capitalist malady called recession. Initially it was the capital market, and then oil and gas, motoring, manufacturing, banking, aviation and now media institutions are all reeling in this unfathomable descent to nothingness. Internet giant, Yahoo ran up one-off costs of more than $600m during the first quarter as it shed 1,600 jobs, equivalent to 10 per cent of its workforce, and took a hefty accounting charge on its international operations. For the full year, the company remained in the black with profits of $424m, compared to $660m in 2007, fended off a takeover offer from Microsoft, struck an aborted co-operation partnership with Google and wrestled with a shareholder rebellion.

 

On their part, Microsoft announced the most sweeping job cuts in its history as a worsening economy and weak spending on technology sent quarterly profit sharply lower. Microsoft stated in a release that “in the light of the further deterioration of global economic conditions, it was eliminating up to 5,000 jobs in R&D, marketing, sales, finance, legal, HR and IT over the next 18 months, including 1,400 jobs today.” Toyota, General Motors, Honda, Royal Dutch Shell, British Petroleum, Exxon Mobil, Bank Paribas, Airfrance-Klm, British Airways, Rfi, Bbc have all tasted the bitter fruit of job cuts in the face of dwindling fortunes with over two hundred thousand hands waking up into unexpected docility.

 

All these notwithstanding, the end of this global job sludge appears far from the vista of realistic permutations as the world economy is firmly on the part to losing no fewer than 51 million jobs by the end of 2009. In its recent damning report, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said that the global job cuts which could climb 51 million by the end of this year is a direct consequence of the disparaging economic meltdown, which has dealt heavy blow on economies of Europe, America and Asia. The ILO figures indicate that developed economies would be hit hardest with the fastest rise in unemployment rates, from an average of 5.7 per cent in 2007 up to 6.6 to 7.9 per cent in 2009 and East Asia which had the lowest regional unemployment rate at 3.5 per cent in 2007 is forecast to experience a jump of between 4.5 to 5.5 per cent in a year.

 

Putting it plainly, this crisis carries the prospects of pushing another 200 million workers into extreme poverty as they and their dependants are faced with the grim reality of being forced out of a living in informal, underpaid and unstable work situations especially in Africa South Asia. With no remarkable progress in poverty reduction and the colossal weakening of the middle classes, and the attendant socio-political and security implications, the situation could get even worse especially for Africans in Diaspora.

 

With this seemingly unending dramatic twist of events, Nigeria has once again proven to be the last resort to many of its citizens in Diaspora what with the current unprecedented scramble for Lagos and Abuja flight tickets from major destinations in the world. As they come in their droves, it is only apposite to assure them of Nigerians’ usually receptive and legendary courtesies to both foreign and indigenous visitors. They should be reminded of their country’s peculiar circumstances in case they may have forgotten due to long sojourn overseas. They are indeed welcome to their country, which is powered by the lethal fumes of generators and fuelled by crime. A Nigeria that subsists largely in a yet to be recognised but trail-blazing leadership meltdown where every family unit constitutes a government on its own, providing water, power, security and tarrying roads.

 

A refreshingly new country where banks and other financial institutions declare cooked and cancerous profits and dividends under a distended money market regime that stands economics on its head awaits them. Also waiting with its long arms of welcome is the history grabbing, Obama-endorsing capital market, tucked firmly in the ‘safe’ hands of Transcorp patrons and led by one of their own, a “been to” with a shouting green card to match. This market, imbued with a loathsome distaste for good corporate governance, and all its manipulative tendencies that are not market-driven, awaits them with its prostituting spiral fall and the trademark regulatory impotence that stalks its existence. 

 

The 21^st century Nigeria feverishly longs to embrace her prodigals in her bosom from where poverty and ill-gotten wealth both flow, coalescing into a confluence of motion without movement, and forming tributaries of widespread deprivation, infrastructural decay, moral decadence and militancy of epic proportions. Beneath this bosom is a history of job losses, which has long transmuted into job scarcity with recruitment tests into banks and para-military bodies recording over 200,000 applicants as well as sending some of them to their early graves. Yes, this is the Nigeria they have read so much about, where the minimum wage rests comfortably within the State confines of $52 and any attempt to disparage the tokenism is stoutly resisted and termed as blackmail by the ruling class.

 

A different country awaits them, a Nigeria where electoral excellence has been elevated to the realm of rocket science and pharmacognosy. Where town union elections end up in bloodbath, professional and student bodies fight continually over elections, their teachers fare no better, up to selections in traditional institutions, blood must flow. An experience of a lifetime beckons for these incoming agents of brain gain. Welcome to educational paralysis, an overarching rustication of academic ideals where intellectuals gather to listen to the foolishness of idiots because of donations, decorate with degrees, the very people who ruin them and bestow honoris causa on nonentities all for filthy lucre.

 

Welcome back to your country, the 20^th hungriest country in the world, where 65 per cent of its population live in food insecurity with insufficient access to the amount and variety of food necessary for a healthy and productive life. Welcome back home, welcome to Nigeria.

Atayi Babs  

atayibabs@yahoo.com

 

Lessons from the Yenagoa Declaration

For the first time after the famous and historic gathering of all Ijaw sons and daughters christened The Kaiama Declaration more than one decade ago in which they demanded socio-economic and environmental justice from the Nigerian state, the pioneer and present leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) the foremost nonviolent ideological youth movement in the Niger Delta converged on Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital to chart a way forward for the youth of the region especially on issues that affect their role in economic development and the security of the region.

Also, in what seemed like a great departure from the past, the youth group through the support of the Bayelsa state government unanimously agreed to brook the frowns of criminality among their ranks. In their collective resolve, they stared cruelly at the cabal of dishonesty and the mightily corrupt straight in the eyes and asked them to desist from their evil ways. They for once promised to back their rhetoric with sustainable punches.

The well attended summit’s theme “Economic Development and Security in Bayelsa State/Niger Delta: the Role of the Youths” was apt and timely following the incessant cases of youth restiveness and frequent kidnaps that have resulted in the colossal loss of lives and revenues to the beleaguered region and the country at large. The action of the youth leaders convoked an agreeable unanimity that for the first time ever united the ideological tangents of hoodwinked Nigerians about the role of the Niger Delta youth in nation building.

During the summit under review, all honest commentators and analysts became agreed on the greatness of the meeting’s core objective of uniting the youth for peace which is sine qua non to human and socio-economic development as well as security of the region.

During the event, sad moment like the Odi butchery which was one of the fallouts of region’s agitations for economic and social justice may have testified to the tyrannical propensities resident in the core values of the Nigerian state, the determination of the youth to take their destinies in their hands send powerful signals that would give courage and hope to the Obong Ufot Ekaette’s led newly created Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. This was evident considering the quality and weight of personalities like Asari Dokubo, Felix Tuodolor, Maxwell Oko, Samuel Ogbuku and Patterson Ogons who graced the one day summit.

The shockwaves that reverberated in kidnap–merchant–camps were legendarily enormous as reported in the state capital. At least the geriatric debauchees who derived pleasure in burying the posterity of the youth in the crapulence of their avarice must turn a new leaf. The message in the Gloryland Cultural Center Yenagoa was very simple and concise: The youth are simply saying that political robber barons that stole the moment by embezzling their future, summiting them to be pillars of stagnancy and decadence have all been challenged and shocked into the realization that their evil will ultimately consume itself.

May this new sense of responsibility among the Niger Delta youth not lose steam!

With such atmosphere of unanimous stand against violence, kidnapping and restiveness, the ball is now in the President’s court to match his sanctimonious 7 point agenda with action. Previous attempts to address the Niger Delta question have rather been energetic than useful. Some were out rightly pharisaic and brazenly hypocritical. For instance the government stance on the region’s problems is anything but sincere. This fact was well articulated by Chief Edwin K. Clark who presided over the summit as father of the day and the generality of the youth in a communiqué issued at the end of the summit. It may interest Nigerians to know that President Yar’Adua visited the region only twice since assumption of office. It is on record that these visits were political not facts finding mission.

The present administration seemingly deceitful policies, volte face attitude in the region in question and most importantly the liberalization of ethnic politics in Nigeria are a dangerous trend in our body politic. How else can one describe the latest appointments in the oil industry? At first, the government was able to hide its depravity under the cloaks of populist mantras such as ‘the rule of law, 7 point agenda and servant leader style of governance’. But today, in order to coerce the impoverished Niger Delta masses into genuine submission, a retired and tired technocrat was called upon to man the 21^st century reformed and transformed energy ministry after more than two decades of retirement from active service while his then personal aide was handed over the chair of authority in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). All these are men with northern cleavages. Essential ministries and bureaux such as works, finance, energy, national planning, FCT, Office of the SGF (very soon CBN) and juicy transactions like Oil Lifting License are the exclusive reserve of my brothers from the north. Justice to the people of the Niger Delta is stillborn!

The greatest tragedy and paradox of the region is likened to sending one to a farm without a basic tool like a hoe. Compare the budgetary allocation to the FCT and Niger Delta Ministries and imagine the gross disparity considering the developmental challenges of the region. These salient facts are the path Chief Clark and the youth have consciously chosen to tread in there seminal, thematic, eloquent and lucid presentations during and after the summit. They laid out the issues and invited reason to judgment albeit with threat to take legal action against the government if such injustices subsist.

As the youth resolve to eschew violence and follow the path of intellectual reasoning as canvassed by the group’s president, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, the Nigerian state must not continue to wander in a desert of socio-political injustice for so long without any oasis of hope insight.

Maxwell James

Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

CAPITAL MARKET CRISIS: Should We Consider Our Investments As Contributions to Nation Building?

 

The above question has become expedient in the light of the rigmarole and blame game currently being played out by self-confessed economic czars. Just two days ago, the Securities and Exchange Commission attributed the crisis in the capital market to what it described as the financial recklessness and greed of the banks, adding that the inability of banks to recover their loans from stock broking firms had a devastating effect on them. According to SEC, the banks granted N388 billion loans, which are yet to be recovered. Everyday the share goes down, the value of this loan decreases. The SEC DG, Musa Al-faki (who is obviously trying to learn on the job as he once admitted that he had never stepped into any Exchange in the world before OBJ appointed him as SEC DG) even alluded to the flamboyant lifestyle of bankers, saying that some of the banks’ chief executives are richer than the banks. SEC presently regrets the fact that its plan to recapitalising the stockbrokers to the tune of N1billion was blocked by politicians.

 

Al-faki recalled that there was a time of boom when the banks lent out money, especially to politicians without collateral even though he wasn’t man enough to name the banks. In addition to this, SEC attributes the current liquidity squeeze to some foreign investors who are selling their shares because they have problems at home. Presently, the situation of the capital market has worsened to an extent that shareholders sell their shares and deposit the cash in the banks where there is huge profit. Also to be blamed is the volatility of the exchange rate, which aggravated the Nigerian capital market’s decline.

 

Meanwhile, the operators of the capital market responded yesterday in Lagos by upbraiding the Federal Government for not taking urgent steps to bail out the market. At the Lagos meeting, which was convened by Oba Otudeko, President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, were chief executives of stock brokering firms and senior stockbrokers as well as Ndidi Okereke Onyiuke, the NSE DG. They all berated the government for its poor approach to the resolution of the market’s crisis, demanding an overhaul of the pension laws, which forbids pension funds administrators (PFAs) from investing not more than 25% of their funds in the capital market. They, on their own part, believe that government should allow PFAs to invest between 50 and 60% in the capital market. This according to them, will engender confidence and the liquidity needed at this time in the capital market. They now want Government to play active roles in buying back some of the shares of the blue chips sub-sector in the economy, as well as relax terms on funds used for margin trading facility by allowing brokers more time to pay back since stocks bought have down to as low as 60% in value.  And the blame game goes on and on

 

For emphasis sake, the Nigerian capital market in its booming days between 2005 and 2008 experienced a spiral increase in the market from N2.5 trillion to N12trillion in March 2008, a growth of 824%. People were selling and trading volume increased by 820% while the market index also increased, which made investors to make gains by dividends. This led to impressive inflow of foreign investments of about $2b coming from overseas. When Nigeria cleared up her debts and got better rating from capitalist and imperialistic firms, pension, insurance and banking reforms brought so much money into the system, setting the stage for massive funds chasing stocks on the Nigerian capital market.

 

But all that is now heaped on the bin of history as the global meltdown which Yar’Adua’s economic wizards shouted themselves hoarse trying to convince us some months ago that it will not affect Nigeria has entered right into our kitchens. Now we know better. The market capitalisation dropped to N2trillion on 30^th January 2009, losing over N8trillion in 6 months.  The All-Share Index is down 27.5 per cent since January 1, and is the worst performing equity index in the world so far this year, according to Business Monitor International, which said in an earlier report: Add to that a 9.2 per cent drop in the currency, and you are looking at a third of your investment gone in one month. 


 

In place of an innovative and hard creative thinking to solve the current turmoil, Nigeria’s Government and capital market operators are busy, fixated in “bolekaja” economics that will not cushion the effects of the meltdown which has already affected Nigeria’s economy in the areas of capital flight, exchange rate of the naira, upward pressure on inflation and dwindling foreign reserves.”

 

In the light of these discordant tunes emanating from the seat of power, we may all begin to prepare our minds for the worst as Bola Ige once posited, “Blessed are those who do not hope for they shall not be disappointed”. In no distant future, our leaders will come to us with the usual mantra: “let us forget the past, forge ahead and consider our investments in the capital market as part of the sacrifices we all have to make in nation-building”.

 

 

 Atayi Babs 

Project IGALA FETES ORPHANS & THE LESS PRIVILEGED…

In line with its unwavering dedication to the transformation of the Igala society, Project IGALA, a non-religious, non-political and non-governmental organisation has awarded scholarships to 417 orphans and children of the less privilege in Primary and Post-Primary schools in the Igala speaking areas of Kogi State. The awards cover their school fees for the 2009 academic session in the first instance.

 

The disbursements, which coincided with the yuletide celebration and lasted till the first week of January 2009, took members of the group to 16 communities, which cut across the 9 LGAs that constitute the eastern part of Kogi state. The beneficiaries, who all came disadvantaged backgrounds, were painstakingly selected by Group’s Committee on Education in collaboration with Project IGALA’s Grassroots Committees which comprises Community, Women and Youth Leaders in the 16 communities. The selected communities which all reflect the origins of the members of the Group are Agbeji, Ajagwumu, Ajiolo Oja-ji, Alloma, Anyigba, Egume Aloko-Egbe, and Ejule. Others are Ikpakpala, Inye, Iyogbo, Odu-Ochelle, Odenyi, Ofakaga 1, Ofakaga-Ojejini, Okele, and Umomi.

 

Speaking at the chain of events, the Moderator of the Group, Atâyi Babs commended the members of the group for their undying love for their fatherland as evidenced in their contributions towards the scholarship scheme and assured the host communities of more holistic socio-economic and infrastructural interventions aimed at propelling Igala land into a future of global relevance. In his own remarks, the Chairman of the Group’s Education Committee, Hon. David Abutu enjoined the beneficiaries to be studious as Project IGALA intends to sponsor them till the end of their university education. He further added that his committee is already looking into ways of increasing access to quality education in Igala through the provision of ICT facilities, libraries and modern classrooms.

 

The Traditional Rulers, Community Leaders and Guardians of the beneficiaries who attended the events in their numbers extolled Project IGALA’s kind gestures, which they remarked, was novel in their part of the country and called on other groups to emulate Project IGALA.

 

Signed.

 

 

Musa Haruna Esq

Scribe

Igala Heroes deserve recorgnition and Honor

Igala kingdom is sogreat and Historic that there should be a standard for the selection of it's leadership. Leadership and legacy are natural partners in progress. We should not also forget that one can easilly be remembered by what he/she has done. If you show me your legacy, I will tell you how far you can lead. Ledership is about pashion and empaty.

 

How long can we continue to entrust leadership responsibilities of our dear land into the hans of strangers. You can't blame them if they don't perform because they don't know us and our feelings. The success of Barak Ubama at the American pols was predicated on his involvement in his community activities.

 

Let's have a line up of our Heroes and Honor them and when ever we nead a ruler we can always refer to this and make our judgements.

 

When I visited Nigeria last october, I met a manager of one of the big Banks who identified me as Igala, because of the "akpai" tatoos on my face. We got talking and the woman said to me, oga, what is going on in Igala land? I said what? she said in the recent recruitment conducted by her Bank,about 90% of those hired were Igala. It was gathered later that it was a combine effort of two top management of the Bank, one Executive Director and the other a top manager with the subsidiary of the bank. This is quite phenomenal.

 

We all must have heard of the same group of philantropists described above having a foundation from which they have positivelly impacted many people's life. For instance, we learnt that this foundation has financed GCE/ WAEC registrations of both GSS and GTC Dekina for some years. We also heard that the same foundation has financed a lot of pilgrims to hazz. These are the few that we can mention. This is worty of honor.

 

Another Hero worhty of recorgnition is a one time Governor of our lovelly state. He was remembered by his legacy when he was a commissioner in Benue state. He was able to connect the historic confluece city with the eastern gate way at otukpa Branch.

He is known as a fighter for his land, he stepped on so many toes to locate kogi state university in Igala land. He made the University to be of international standard. He was

outstanding in infranstructural development. This guy deserve honor.

 

This guy was top in Radio Nigeria, he was smart enough to locate radio Benue in ochaja during the creation of kogi state.He once ran for the governorship race in Kogi state. He should be recorgnised.

 

This guy retired a colonel in Nigerian army. He was the secretay to army recruitment. During his service, his door was opened to any igala youth that wanted to make a career in the Nigerian army. No one can number the people he helped into the army during his time.

This guy should be honored.

 

This guy planted Igala personalities in the key positions in his carbinet. This is also worthy of recorgnition, plus he is the incurnbent.

 

There could be others out there that we don't know, let's recommend them for recorgnition during the upcoming Italo. Let's have this list documented to enable us have standard for making our selection when it comes to a position that will represent Igala land for a state wide election. Who among the following personalities do you think meet the desciption above.

 

1.  Alh Isah Jibrin - Dekina

2. Alh Abubakar Rajab - Dekina

3. Gov.Abubakar Ibrahim (Prince) - Ofu

4. Isah Edimeh - Dekina

5. Col. Suleman Usman (Bbanawa) - Olamaboro

6. Gov. Idris Ibrahim.- Omala

 

Suggest the ones known to you with their legacies for onward recomendation to the Italo committee for recorgnition.

The time that a stranger may rule us has past, let us look for the best by setting a standard. Let us work togather towadrs restoring the glory of our dear Igala land.

 

Respectfully,

 

Dan Emah