Restructuring: True federalism in Nigeria; constitutional reform or devolution of powers? By Dr Abbati Bako

Restructuring and true federalism in Nigeria: constitutional reform or devolution of powers?

My contributions at the Kano State Stakeholders Consultative Meeting on Senate Constitution Review of the 1999 Constitution by Kano Civil Society Forum in Partnership with Aminu Kano Centre for Democractic Studies Mumbayya House Kano State on 21/05/2021

By

Abbati Bako,psc

Topic 1

Restructuring and true federalism in Nigeria: constitutional reform or devolution of powers?

This writing share the same opinion with most Nigeria’s political elites the so called true federalism or restructuring needs more explanation from those advocating the system and again Nigerians must re-think on the current political system that’s Presidential system of Government or Liberal Democracy.

This is because the system is too expensive to operate and very attractive and encouraging corruption and engulfing 1/4 of our annual earnings. The liberal democratic system has been in practice mostly in developing democracies in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 

But one may ask, why is Nigeria’s democracy too expensive/attractive to operate and encourages corruption? Why not expensive and attractive in credible democracies in Africa; Ghana, Namibia, Zambia and South Africa? How can dependency on the central government be broken? All those need to be answered by the NIGERIA’s Democractic schoolars, practiciners and pragmatic politicians. This means that Nigerian leaders must learn from other emerging Democracies.

Devolution of powers may bring some developmental changes in the country. Also, constitutional amendment may bring sanity in to the system. But creating states or local councils may trigger more problems. 

This writing think the best way for Nigeria is to shift to Parliamentary Democracy.The system is less expensive and unattractive for money bag politicians. Second, lack of reliability on scientific researches made by our institutions on formulating and implementing policies to develop our nation is the key to the failure of our leaders/political elites.

And this writing agree with the opinion that Nigeria must go beyond oil in generating nation’s revenues. None among the OPEC nations is among the top 20 economies. So oil is just a wheel driving the world economy and contributing less than 10% of world economy compared to 90% by trade and services.

Paul Collier (expert on African Political economy) of Oxford University argues that four key issues restrict African societies to develop—

“1. bad governance 

2. trapped resources 

3. conflicts 

4. landlocked”. (Professor Paul Collier of Oxford University, London,2009).

On the other hand, this writing opined that lack of population policy is another problem making Nigeria backward among the comity of nations. Considering the key principles of Globalization era; over-population in emerging Democracy is a serious issue in developing economies.

Do our leaders ever realise these key points? In the view of this writing that lack of population policy in Nigeria is another problem. One barrel of crude oil sold in Nigeria takes care of 80 citizens on security, health, housing, infrastructure, education and so on. On the other hand in Algeria one barrel of oil sold takes care of only 30 citizens. And in Saudi Arabia takes care of only three citizens. 

Our past leaders has to answer this question what have they done to solve the landlocked problem of the northern Nigeria? Which is a key to economic development in the region.This means that most landlocked areas universally experience harsh economy than those within coastal areas.Those living in coastal areas have been in contact with the world than those living within landlocked areas. Hence, constitutional amendment must have a critical look into the landlocked Northern Nigeria with a view to tackle the economic aridity of the region. Over-population is fueling economic problem and that what’s use to trigger insecurity in any parts of the world. 

The reason is that cost of transportation is less in coastal areas than in landlocked areas. And again, landlocked areas are only connected with small markets than bigger ones. However, for example, Swiss is a landlocked area in Europe but connected with big big markets in the north and central Europe. If our leaders can realise these points then northern part of Nigeria would have been different today. The poverty in the region maybe less compared to now. 

Politics or Governance being the key in human life the earlier our leaders realise their mistakes the better. Nigeria must urgently get an acceptable constitution that will be able to harmonize and unite the nation as one family.

1. What’s restructuring and true federalism? 

2. Which country in the world at this globalization era try the system and succeeded? The advocate of the system must try to give example of some countries that adopted restructuring and they’re living in peace and prosperity. 

On the other hand, global political experts such as Prof. Joseph Richard (he teaches political science for 40 years) have said that in political science “they don’t know what’s restructuring or true federalism means”. So, let the world know from where did you learn how the so called “restructuring and true federalism” worked and succeeded anywhere in the world.

If you’re backing your point with the simple said restructuring or true federalism is about devolution of powers from FG to State or to LG you have failed. Because I am one of those political consultants who worked on “World Bank Project on devolution of powers” from LG to state or FG; no where I have seen anything related to restructuring or true federalism in the research we made. 

Please can you consult any political scientists and strategic planning to tell you whether is there anything known as restructuring or true federalism in political science? There are Liberal Democracy (like in Nigeria or USA) Social Democracy (like in Germany or France) and Direct Democracy (like in China)————–pure and simple. This writing appeal to the Constitutional Amendment Committee to look into the current political system Nigeria operate and see the possibility of changes that will make Nigeria united and prosperous nation.

Topic 2

Nigeria’s democracy: two four year tenure limitation for President or six year single tenure? And the example of other nations.

This is an important point in Democratic Governance especially in emerging democracy like Nigeria. There has been a heated debate in Nigeria whether four year two terms tenure be maintained in or six year single tenure be created. Hence this writing must look at the advantage and disadvantage of four year two terms tenure in Nigeria and other emerging nations of S/South of the globe and the leading democracies.

Democratic Governance was originally initiated in Athens (Greece) in 508BC and the tenure at that time was only one year and one year after was changed to ten year single tenure in Rome in 509BC. At the moment 73% of global nations that practice democracy have tenure limitation. And in Nigeria 6 out of 10 insisted on the idea of four year two terms tenure limitation.

And in USA’s Democratic Presidential system of Governance 235 years a go during the first President George Washington there was no tenure limitation for elected President then. And the issue of tenure limitation was debated for many years. But during the USA’s civil war in 1861 the tenure limitation was six year single term for elected President.

Until in 1808 President Thomas Jefferson insisted to create tenure limitation in USA’s Democratic Presidential system and President Thomas Jefferson refused to accept third term tenure then. 

In USA President Franklin Roosevelt was the President in 1933 during second world war and the only President made 4+4+4 but created four year two terms tenure in 1951. 

So, this writing appeal to the constitutional amendment committee to chose six year single tenure for NIGERIA’s DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM. This will bring rapid Development to the nation and curtail the political violence in the country. On the other hand, NIGERIA’s Political parties must be reduced to 5 or 7 and that’s what will sanitize the electoral system. And again, electronic voting system must be the way of voting in 2023 elections. The electoral law of 2006 and 2010 must be looked into for amendment. Laws that will curtail  electoral violence must be enected. Also, money bags politics must be brought under control.

*TOPIC 3

CURVING INSECURITY AND ECONOMIC ARIDITY: THE NORTH ON MY MIND AND THE CHANGING WORLD EXAMPLE ON DNA EDITING, ROBOTIC WORLD AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)———

The world seems to be changing every twenty years from one stage of development to another. Certainly, by the year 2030 this planet earth will experience wonderful changes from electronic self driving cars, self driving flights, DNA editing, robots and artificial intelligence (AI) that will control global economic interplay and possibly may render half of global population jobless; especially in developing nations like Nigeria. Northern Nigeria with huge unproductive population maybe a sorry region in Nigeria and beyond. The current economic aridity and insecurity in northern Nigeria is alarming. Had it been our past and current leaders had followed the concrete foundation laid down by the past northern leaders; the north and Nigeria wouldn’t be left behind in the current global political and economic interplay.

Experts asserts that to  get nation or society to have economic audacity and viability within its midst; there must be patriotic, dynamic, fair, accountable, determined, honest, focus, fearless, vibrant, with political will, with mission, vision, enlightened and just leadership. Otherwise, that society will find it self in doom. The world has changed and will continue changing and will wait for no one.

For example when the geopolitical policies and laws on editing of human DNA (Chinese had gone far in research of Biotechnology and they may lead the world by 2040) start to strike the world by 2030 or 2040 the undeveloped regions of the world will be in a sorry condition and if they fail to build their societies based science and technology knowledge. 

Although the first artificial intelligence (AI) University in the world was opened in UAE last year 2020 but other advanced nations will soon prosper in that field. Unfortunately our conventional universities in Nigeria use to be on strike for months for the failure of FG and States government to provide 26 percent allocation on education in every annual budget as prescribed by UNESCO (kudos to the governor of Kano State Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for providing 26 percent allocation for education in 2021 budget and primary and secondary schools is free and compulsory in Kano State) for the development of the nation.

Economic viability of individuals and the nation it self is an imperative part of living in peace, harmony, tranquility and prosperity. No nation on this planet can live in peace and prosperity without economic audacity, freedom of want, security of individuals and the nation. Ignorance, hunger, diseases, uncontrollable population and lack of freedom of want; will never allow people to live in peace and stability. So, economic stability for every citizen is the the answer to security challenges.

The majority of the people in the north are not aware of the positive and negative impact of globalization policy; talk less of the approach of global policies on AI and robotic world, DNA editing on medical care and electronic cars or taxis that are control by robots that will start this year 2021 in China. This means that our leaders must be aware of global view and global direction and educate Nigerians on the move for awareness and Development.

And again, experts say that; any nation with population explosion (population crises especially unproductive population) and without economic power there will never be peace and prosperity in that nation. In a society where there is high population and the consumption rate is higher than the productions and the leadership of that society have had no designed serialized strategic planning to use that  nation’s population as a tool (China is an example of using the strength of population for economic productions and 80% of northern population are between the ages of 35 to 0 years) to prosper and move the economy of that society; the idea or notion to see that society in peace is a mirage. 

I am aware that this writing was supposed to start with the issue of political leadership; but without economic viability, the stability of governance will also be a mirage. Therefore,  the constitutional amendment committee must give emphasis on the ECONOMY because is the live wire of human life and every nation. 

Questions———

One may ask: how could and should the northern Nigeria do to use the political power to develop the region? Without political power, can northern leaders have economic viability in this resourceful region to move the region forward? Education is the cornerstone of achieving viable and vibrant economic standard in any nation or society; what should the leaders of the north do to build a standard and a world class education and economy in the region? Will it be possible to design a serialized strategic plan to achieve a viable economy and social standard/good governance and free from corruption in the region by the year 2030? Can the northern region lead the rest of the Nigerian regions economically, politically and socially from the year of 2030? Will the north be a role-model of other regions and even to other African societies? Factually speaking China and India are an excellent example as far as converting population strength to wealth. Hence, the NGO’s from the region must make extensive research that will solve the problems of Northerner Nigeria and the nation generally.

Its advisable the north must have serialized strategic planing based on unified policy that will make it possible to achieve the developmental target from now on to 2030.

*Topic 4 what can Nigeria learn from the analysis below?

GLOBAL ECONOMIC INTERPLAY AND DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP: USA VS CHINA AS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE—-

Let me quote what Professor Chris Brown says in his book of  International Relations (IR) “America possesses preponderant power, power which is increasingly regarded as illegitimate in many part of the world which is difficult to challenge (USA, 2005). Likewise Professor George Friedman argues in book “The Next 100 Years” 2009,USA that to take over the mantle global leadership from USA is not an easy task. He based his argument that “geopolitical location of China and the population density as well as unification of China as a United nation” will be the stumbling block of Chinese to lead this world politically, economically, militarily based technology and sciences as a leading light. USA has been a global leader 75 years a go after the second WW. They dominated the global political leadership and possesses 26% of global GDP (according to Friedman, 2009) with only 4% of global population and compared to 1/5 of global population by Chinese. This argument of Professor George Friedman was exactly eleven years old. 

But what bubbles in the mind of experts is the current ongoing of global political and economic restructuring will it bring the end of US dominance of global economy and military power especially when we look at what happened in political imbroglio that  happened in American democratic history in the year 2020.

And Prof. George Friedman admitted that the “world changes every 20 years”. This means that in the early 1980s the policy on globalism changed how world economy move and the multiculturalism and Democratic governance as a way or principles of global leadership. And by the year 2000 the history of 9/11 have changed how this world was governed based globalism with three principles or code; democratization, global economic integration and multiculturalism and the policy still exist since then despite the policy supported by the former President Donald Trump as “America first”. 

Here comes another year of change; the year 2020. Should and could the imbalanced of global economy between the Northern part of the world and Southern part of the world could change from in favor of the global South? Would the International Public Policy (IPP) could change for the benefit of the “You the People”? Could the current global Covid-19 pandemic allow the global economic interplay to positively continue in the current year 2021?

But this writing argues that the US power of 26% of  global GDP may likely change based on fact that 30% of global economic interplay has now been in the possession of China. This writing said it several times that to challenge the dominance of global economy by USA is not difficult. But only no one single nation can challenge at the moment based on the fact that they have strong alliance with Europe. But another alliance of nations can challenge the US’s global economic monopoly; China, Russia and India could do that, especially in term of military power or even economic strength. 

Hence, Professor Daniel Drezner says “If there is a recurring theme that runs through the literature on globalization and global governance, it is that economic globalization attenuates state power.” This means that if dominance of global economic policy could be balanced in (to reduce the size) favour of emerging global South; the world will be at peace at this time of globalism.

Although 98% of global territorial Waters are under the watch of USA (Friedman) and over 20,000 nuclear capacity (Fareed Zakria) compared to Russia and China with about 3000 and about  200 or so respectably or 80 war carriers and that to compared to only one owned by China (F. Zakaria GPS) still what that bubbles in the mind of experts has been that; should USA continue to be a global leader up till the end of the 21s century or not? 

According to Professor John Groom of University of Kent, UK, “Portugal, Holland, France, Britain and  Spain each spent 50-50 years as global leaders (UK two times 50–100 years) in the last 500 years during global colonization. 

This writing is on the same page with some global intellectuals  that US did not fulfill all the necessary elements needed in global leadership; especially such requirements of diplomatic approaches (considering the fact on the former President Donald Trump’s  leadership with the policy of America first) to tackle the world crises such as terrorism and eradications of poverty in the world especially Southern parts of the world. Above all the current management of global pandemic of Covid-19 and the political imbroglio that happened in Capitol Hill two weeks ago are all minus in American history of global leadership. 

Therefore, this writing is on the same page with former Malaysian Prime Minister Mukhattar Mohammad (95 years old elected last year by Malaysians and resigned in year 2020 due to age) who observed that “the world has to follow China.” This means that wether global leaders like it or not the global economic development and leadership maybe shifted to the Chinese people.

The inability of USA to solve many problems; for example the sub Saharan nations do not account up to 1% of global economy and the FDI has not being up to $60 in Africa of which Singapore benefits 90% of FDI compared to 10% in 54 African nations according to Professor Tatah Mentan. Although China will is investing up to $300B in Africa soon that will confront unemployment and suffering of  human family from wars, hunger, diseases, illiteracy, poverty, climate change, and human rights as well as nuclear threat especially in the Southern parts of the world (India vs Pakistan and S/Korea vs N/Korea and again in the Middle East- Israel vs Iran etc).

Because of the above mentioned reasons, USA could and should not be commended as global leader. Economic power alone (especially at this time of globalization era) will not qualify US for the requirements needed in global leadership. Even the US economic approaches are too egocentric and self-centered for America and Americans benefit only, not for universal benefit and general benefit for the global families world over. The distribution of $1.9trillions to Americans alone for the relieve of Covid19 pandemic is an excellent example. Unless if the newly elected President Joe Biden will holistically look at the current global warming, economic aridity and insecurity. “Governance first and last is about the exercise of power to achieve political, social, and other objectives”. Professor John Groom.

Every scheme to govern economy therefore, must confront the fundamental question (according to Professor John Groom of Kent, UK) “Governance for what?” This means take example of rampant poverty, wars, conflicts, trapped resources and land locked as well as unproductive population in Africa. Hence, Africa must be revived economically and socially.

What concrete approach has the world leadership made to resolve those issues in Africa? According to Professor Albena Azmanova of Kent university “politics is between vision and practicality” this means that governance depend upon on what leaders have as a vision and put the vision into practical terms that will benefit the citizens. Professor Hans observed that “the job of the people is to elect a government and the work of the government is to do what the people want”. It is the responsibility of any leadership globally to solve the problems of the led—pure and simple.

The primary purpose to be served by the proposed mechanisms for governance of the global economy is the first issue that must be resolved”. The probable solution to global leadership at this crucial time is when the EU (BRIEXIT is another contentious issue discouraged this writing because of UK’S exit from EU) becomes one nation and takes over the mantle of global leadership; Europeans had enough experience and know-how to tackle every problem through diplomatic means. On the other hand, Chinese (they are not arrogant and they are orderly) maybe considered for global leadership based on the fact that they are not war mongers and all they are after is take over the global leadership on economic interplay based science and technology with a view to the door of “You the People”. 

Finally, this writing argue that, US did not fulfill the requirements for global leadership especially at the time of Donald Trump’s era due to aggressive behavior in approaching global issues. For this reason this paper will not qualify US to be the global leader. And again, what happened in era of President Trump’s administration has exposed the weakness of USA as a global leaders on political, economic and social issues..

*Topic 5

SEPARATION OF SOUHTHERN SUDAN AND TIGRAY IN ETHIOPIA: A LESSON FOR NIGERIA’s IPOB, ODUDUWA AND NIGER DELTA

The current crisis in Tigray in Ethiopia and the unfortunate separation of S/Sudan is very lamenting and unfortunate. And the root cause of crises in Africa has been as a result of  five key issues; bad governance, conflict, population crisis, trapped resources and land locked that restricting African societies to develop; politically, economically and socially. 

The current President of S/Sudan Salva Kiir is from majority Dinka and former V/C President has been in political turmoil since 2012. The number of atrocities have been reported; thousands of people have sough refuge and thousands of people have been killed in the civil war fighting. The Southern Sudan have voted in a referendum last eight years to separate themselves from the Republic of Sudan for the simple reason that they have oil in the area and they are granted independence by Sudan in 2012. 

Therefore, they became the 54th African Union member and 179 member of United Nations (UN). But the question one may ask is why the Africans are still fighting each other(since 1960th) despite the fact that the world has been in globalization/digital era. 

Why African leaders never learn a lesson? Why are we still under developed? Does the cause of the problems from African stakeholders or foreign stakeholders? 

Let’s always remember that European Union (EU) with 27 (after the brexit of Englan) countries with 510 million population as members should be a good example for African leaders. No nation or society can achieve any meaningful development without cooperation among its leadership and stakeholders. 

Political power mongering, greediness and self enrichment over night must be avoided. Otherwise, Africa will remain in darkness and under develop for decades; despite the 1.2 billion population and unlimited resources in the continent (60 percent of global resources are in Africa). Africa is the most resourceful continent with about 1/7th of the world population but we are still the most backward, poor and uneducated. 

The Nigeria’s Niger Delta region must learn a lesson from S/Sudan for the fact that some of the unpatriotic among them agitating for disintegration of Nigeria; because of the reason that the oil resources are from that area. How sure would they be at peace if Nigeria disintegrated? The unpatriotic among them must think twice on the; ongoing civil war in S/Sudan and Ethiopia. That must be a lesson for the wise to learn. The only path to develop any nation is understanding, patriotism, commitment, unity of purpose and cooperation among the regions and all citizens and leaders of Nigerian nation. 

The UN Peace keeping operations in S/Sudan and UN Charter———    

Peacekeeping Operations is an important subject matter  since the inception of United Nations for the past 75 years. The importance attached to this gigantic work, scholars and experts have had written so much about. It has been agreed that, peacekeeping operations is one of the major development that has not been directly reflected in UN Charter. There is no clear cut Chapter in UN Charter which a word “Peacekeeping” mention therein. In Chapter V1 Article 37.2 there is no word ‘peacekeeping’. But some argue that, Chapter V11 Articles 41 and 42 will be applied to re-store and maintain peace and stability in any nation. Still there is no specific or direct answer to peacekeeping operations in case of breach of peace, act or aggression against any nation. 

Although some experts suggests that, “Chapter X11 of UN Charter ‘The Responsibility to Protect can give purposeful guidance on Peacekeeping Operations” Simon C. 2004 ed. but still there must be need to amend the Charter. 

The discourse to amend the UN Charter or create a military and police force directly under United Nations control has been a subject of discussions since the formations of United Nations. The Canadian Foreign Minister Lester B. Pearson once suggested in (1956) after the invasion of Suez and crises broke out that, the need for “a truly international peace and police force” Simon C. 2004, Pp103. 

Former UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld Located in the interstices between the peace coercive measures available to the Security Council- “Chapter V1 & 1/2 as he famously called it” Simon C. 2004, ‘You the Peoples’ Pp103.I understand that, it is surprising or even confusing;   why the fast leaders of UN ignored the importance of Peacekeeping operations, and not being mention in the Charter? While most nations of the World suffered tremendously in fighting wars and conflicts. (Europe suffered worst than any part of the World). 

 

“The action lay in Chapter six and a half as Dag Hammarskjöld and Lester Pearson were shaping it, initially to constrain the folly of two of the Permanent Members- Britain and France- at Suez, then to ease the process of decolonization and keep it, as far as possible, out of the cold war and, in so doing giving the Secretary, for a while a free eminent role in peace and security matters in the UN frame work’ A.J.R. Groom, 2007. This clearly indicated that, the fast UN leaders neglected to amend UN Charter to signified the importance of peace keeping operations, just to serve the interest of the ‘big three”. 

“At San Francisco Conference that led to the adoption of the Charter in 1945, Norway proposed to amend the Chapter V11 enforcement powers of the Council to provide that it should, in special cases, temporarily assume the administration of a territory if the administration of the occupant state it self represented a threat to the peace.” Simon C. 2004, You the Peoples, Pp50. By and large, if the proposal suggested by Norway at that time were accepted, the issues of Chapter six and a half wound have been a history.  

Since the inceptions of United Nation in 1945 there have been lots of success stories about peacekeeping operations around the world. Peacekeeping operations in some Countries like Lebanon, Cambodia, Rwanda, SerLeon, Liberia, East Timor, Kosovo, Cyprus, Angola, Namibia, Western Sahara and many more; mostly success have been achieved. “The capacity of UN in its economic and social work, and its management of peacekeeping and post conflict reconstruction has expanded since 1990” Baylis J. 2008 fourth ed.

Also UN in Namibia 1989- 1990, Cambodia 1992- 1993 ‘involving 22,000 military and civilian personnel at a cost of 1.6 billion USD over its eighteen months operations ‘Simon C.2004, Pp.73, and Eastern Slovenia in 1996- 1998, are all a success stories. All these will go into history as an achievement and developments in building peace among the Nations of the World. Mission in Kosovo in 1999 and East Timor in 1999- 2002 has been written in history with the golden pen in UN Peacekeeping operations, and efforts made by the UN to build Government activities by using institutions in those Nations is historical also a commendable efforts. 

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and UN efforts to maintain peace and stability and sustain democratic practice are major developments. The UN Department of peacekeeping operations (DPKO) must be commended for their tireless efforts to keep the World at peace. 

Although they used to suffer from traumatic pains, including the killing of their personnel in October 2009 in Iraq and even the historic killing of 250 of their staff (including Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld) in Congo in early 1960s. They must learn lesson from the past as why they suffered such casualties? And preventive measures has to be taken. 

“Peacekeeping, is not a job for soldiers, but only a soldier can do it” Dag Hammarskjöld. 

If peacekeeping operations measures were not taken by the UN in some Countries of the World, some wars and conflicts would have last for decades. This writing understand the need viewed by some Scholars and experts that, amendment must be made in UN Charter to ensure establishments of UN military personnel, directly under DPKO, or Security Council. “If the Security Council at present time does reflect in a crude way the global military structure, it is intended that there should be an element of geographical representation from all regions” A.J.R. Groom,2007

Whenever there is success, there may be failure. There are some questions need to be asked. Why UN failed in Somalia, Daffur, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda? And why UN succeeded in Kosovo, Cyprus, and Lebanon? Can UN succeed in S/Sudan and Ethiopia? 

                               

In Labor Party Conference in October 2001, former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s address on “Ethical Foreign Policy” speech, he pledge international action against the Taliban, he went further, proclaiming a moral duty to intervene across the World, wherever necessary- in Kosovo or even in Central Africa. “If Rwanda happened again today, as it did in 1993, he said where a million people were slaughtered in cold blood, we would have a moral duty to act there also” he declared. 

In this respect, one may ask; whether foreign policy matter is really about morality or interest? One time Foreign Secretary of Britain Lord Palmerrston, once said “we have no eternal allies and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interest is perpetual and eternal and those interests it’s our duty to follow”. And again, the issue of Rwanda is now history, what of S/Sudan, Ethiopia and Daffur today? What of Somalia?  

Further more; the UK’s Government approach to the meaning of globalization is no country can afford to ignore famine, war or human right abuses in anywhere in the World. Tony Blair once said that when Milosevic embarked on the ethnic cleansing of Muslim in Kosovo we acted. The skeptics said it was pointless, we had make matters worst, we had make Milosevic stronger, and look what happened. We now won, the refugees went home, the policies of ethnic cleansing, were reversed and one of the great dictators of the last century will see the justice in this century.        

The UN Charter, Chapter 1. Article 1. 2.  3 and 4 are clear on the purposes of United Nations. Article 2. 1 and 3 on sovereign equality of all member nations. Also Chapter V11 “the responsibility to protect”. The leaders of UN must always ensure equality, fairness and justice among member Nations. 

The issue of security for Human kind does not stop at using military or police alone, also guaranteeing the security and safety of all Citizens of the World from infectious diseases. According to distinguish Scholar ( Professor A. J. R Groom of Kent University) there is need for “Security from infectious diseases” (April 2007). Truth must be told that diseases are killing people especially in less developed nations of Africa, Latin America and Asia. This is very alarming. Diseases such as Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, (Aids) Malaria, tuberculosis (T. B) Polio mellitus, Measles, Whooping cough, Tetanus, Covid19 pandamic and many more. These diseases are killing people more than the war and conflicts do.

The summit of 24 October 2005 made Resolution for establishing “Peace Building Commission and Human Right Council” if this could be done; will be more- major developments in UN activities. The UN Security Council has to address this issues for the benefit of “You the Peoples”. The civil war in S/Sudan and Tigray must be resolved politically. Not by sending UN peacekeeping personal.

Conclusively, what happened  and what is happening in those countries is a lesson for Nigerians that the only way to nation development and economic prosperity is unity, stability and good governance.

“Topic 6

THE MEANING OF POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC INTER-PLAY BETWEEN NATIONS AT A TIME OF GLOBALISM—-

In international political and economic inter-play, no nation will wish to be isolated because the global citizens are living in “global village” based on an agenda of democratization, global economic integration and multi-culturalism. That is global order! In the case of NIGERIA’s Constitutional Amendment economy is important to look into and must get ready to ensure fair distribution of Nigeria’s wealth especially the issue of population and land mass.

The world has been integrated via communication, transportation and US’s Dollar as a leading money currency that measuring the economic strength of every nation based on any nation’s Growth Domestic Products (GDP) that export to the other nations of the world. 

For example the US with 4% global population and produces 1/4 of global trades and services. This means that 26% of global economic interplay takes place in America. The “2007 global GDP were $54trillion and out of that figure, USA owned $14trillion” worth. But Nigeria with 2% and 1/2 of global population; what are the accurate figures of contributions to the global economy by our dear nation? 

In the past 35 years when President Buhari was the military Head of State in Nigeria, the globalization policy was not an active policy/agenda or global order in Nigeria and many other Africa nations and Latin America or generally called Southern part of the globe. And then the most active global economic policy was the so called “Trade by Bata” ( for example give our country oil and tell us what your country want—–cars, rice, refined oil, sugar flour ans so on) was the means of an economic inter-play between nations of the world. But today the global economic policy has changed as a result of the global economic integration as one of the three key principles of globalism. 

If the reader understand the above analysis; it’s absolutely imperative for the current President Muhammadu Buhari to change and dance to the tune of how the global economy is played by the world nations but it must be based on negotiations and give and take. Nigeria will not wish to be in isolation. 

Therefore, this writing view that the essence behind the constant trip to other nations by President Buhari is to convince the global leaders and investors around the world that Nigeria and Nigerians has changed and voted for change democratically and the advantage of exploiting the global economic integration and multiculturalism policy by other citizens from all parts of the world has the right to come and invest in Nigeria. My studies was in European universities and as an African; my professors faced enormous challenges from me as I viewed globalism as one medicine for all illnesses or one size fits all policy. But the reply mostly was “go and make your research and come with tentative solution that will replace globalism era”.

The Nigerian nation is one of the  huge global markets for investors; being among the top 10 populous nation in the world and among the top 10 oil producing nation. 

The reader should understand that the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is the back bone of global economy as well as cornerstone of employment and backbone of family economic freedom in any nation in the world and in most emerging economic nations only candidates with PhD qualification can get employed. So, the trip to as many countries as about 60 by PMB may yield positive result and benefit in the future. Sincerely speaking the operation of capitalism in developing nations is not easy. Because knowledgeable, competent and people with ability and political will must come into the system. Otherwise, our nation will be in tatters.

The second largest global economy; China (unfortunately the world has been within the period of coronavirus plague that global economic interplay is in Peri) will invest $60B in Nigeria and this writing understand that thousands of Nigerians may get employed and the nation’s economy will be boosted as a result of this tremendous investments by Chinese. 

Also, in the last 24 months, as many as over 100 investors/companies came to Nigeria with a view to invest for the benefit of both sides. Nigerians must understand that President Buhari is doing his best (despite internal and external political and economic colouration on security) to ensure that Nigeria will be great again. The trips to  Qatar and S/Arabia, China, France, USA and many more by PMB may result to huge investment from the Middle East and other nations to Nigeria and Nigeria will be the most beneficial, economically. Although things are not easy at the moment but Nigerians must look at the other nations such as Saudi Arabia, S/Africa, Brazil, Mexico and many economic emerging nations that are facing the same medicine with different sickness or same size dress that must fits all. Should the world get another idea like “Beijing Consensus of 2004 or “BRICS” nations decision on global economy?

The image, glory and respect for Nigeria has been revived and redeemed by PMB administration. PMB is on the way to make Nigeria among the top 20 emerging economies in the world. But Nigerians must exercise patience, tolerance and give maximum cooperation to President Buhari and give more time– for PMB’s trip result to manifest. Leading emerging nation like Nigeria, Brazil, China, India, Mexico and many more are not easy to govern. Even last year the architect of “modern Malaysia” Muhattar Muhammad resigned as Prime Minister at age 95 and due to pressure of the job. So, leadership at this time of globalism era especially in emerging democracies is not easy. People must be patient for sometime for the  results to manifest in the near future.

Abbati Bako,psc,bsis,Kent,UK

2021

References

Albena Azmanova, UK,UK, 2010

• Brown Chris , Understanding International Relations, (New York, Palgrave Macmillan 2005) 

• Drezner Daniel W. , All Politics in Globe ( New Jersey, Princeton University Press) 

• Friedman George , The Next 100 Years ( London, Allison &Busby Limited 2009 

• ModelskiGeorge Documenting Global Leadership,( London, Macmillan Press Limited, 1988) 

• Belis John , Globalization of World Politics, ( New York, Oxford University Press Inc. 2008) 

• Gilpin Robert , Global Political Economy ( New Jersey, Princeton University Press, 2001) 

• Paterson G.Thomas, American Foreign Relations, (New York, Palgrve Macmillan, 2005)

Tatah Mentan, USA, 2007

Fareed Zakria

Professor Hans—Expert in Political Communication, USA

Georgia Friedman, USA, 2009

Collier Paul, Oxford University, 2009