IlekeHD:


lol I think many of you don't understand the process behind megawatt generation etc.

Many of this things will take time. I hope you weren't one those people who expected total "transformation" a month after Buhari's mega win?

I'm not supporting any political stooges here, but you need to understand that it take time for 1) the new government to get acquainted with the previous administration (i.e where it left off) 2) The cabinets/staffs 3) Plan/strategize 4) etc


I'd have been more nervous had Buhari used gragra to make changes immediately after winning. I thank Eledumare for patient/gentle men in this world. Everything no be gragra.

An election is not a magic wand.


[Wow....I need to adhere to my own principle too lol]

Buhari isn't being taken to task here; rather it's the governors, LG Chairmen, party leaders, etc.

Buhari just started, the others have been in power for over 4 years.

9jacrip:


The embolened again is one of the major reasons many worship him, they've lost sight of the actual problem the SWest is facing. Nobody is looking beyond that - APC have been in government for the past how many years in the SWest and everyone seems to be facing the same place - no one is asking questions and comparing PDP and APC periods to see if anything has changed in all the facets of the obligations of a government.

PDP has been kicked out yes, what has changed?

As for the comparison with Awo, I still do not see any basis for it. The essence of a politician is how far/well he has been able to affect lives of the common man positively not necessarily how many elections s/he has won/lost.

How many Naija politicians do benchmarking? What was the GDP between when I came and when I left? What was the GDP per income capita?
What was the exam pass rate? Mortality rate? infant mortality rate? unemployment rate? No answer

Instead, people are told how many elections are won? Who can win state, local or national elections? Who can eat amala with local people? who can punish civil servants who are late? Who can be outsmarted by others within the same party?

APC loyalists should please provide proper indices; the old scare mongering tactic will not work.

9jacrip:




The emboldened is solid.

It is only in Nigeria or say Africa that we celebrate politicians for doing what they do - win or lose elections and not for whatever policies or social benefits derived from them.

I wonder if anything has changed since ACN/APC go to the seat of power in the SWest. The roads, electricity, employment, debts are in no way similar to that of PDP.

As much as I admire Tinubu for being able to hold is own in the political arena, I do not think he deserves that much praise (or comparison to Baba Awo) going by the performances of his party members that have not put PDP in a distant memory.

Obama won the election, why didn't he just sit on his arse arguing that Bush wrecked the economy and increased the budget deficit?

As far as some folk are concerned, Tinubu should be worshipped because his party kicked out indolent thugs. And having said that, what did he really do? He outbid the other party; its not like people are loyal to Tinubu because of a magnificent ideology, the loyalty is out of 'who can pay more'. Yet some would make us believe it is something 'babara' (hope i got the spelling and usage right).

Not much has changed for the average person; his lot isn't better. He isn't going to better schools or accessing better healthcare. Cronies or politicians are getting richer. Yet the average person will be on the hook for these loans that are being accumulated by these governors.

What irks me even more is a comparison with Awo because Awo didn't become PM but Tinubu joined forces with Buhari to win an election against someone most Nigerians were tired of. Absolute balderdash.

Osomalo:


Big Katz, Egbon Dayo is right.

Crooks control our voting system. They arrange things for politicians which goes a long way in determining who emerges victorious.

Unfortunately, you need those crooks and money to win an election in Nigeria.

Poverty is what makes people to collect 2/3/5K from politicians before they cast their vote for them.

Poverty is another factor we need to consider, it's a nationwide problem.

I am not disputing the current situation; I am simply advocating for change so that there can be development. You can't carry on doing the same things and expect change. To change the situation, there must be a change in thinking and action. That's all I am saying.

raumdeuter:


I see it as we are making small progress by at least getting the likes of Fayemi and Fashola in power vs the ones we had before which is seeing it as Half full

We got to stomach infrastructure because people have been impoverished over 40yrs. where people depend on govt for everything due to the death of private sector, the death of all non-oil sector of the economy and the oil bred laziness and corruption

People are now relatively poorer than they were in the 60's. Where there is poverty Stomach infrastructure cant be avoided

If you make 300k a month no one can tempt you with 5k but where you arent guaranteed of the next meal then you would sell your soul to anyone for a plate of rice

So what should people do?

The politicians who can make changes aren't making the necessary changes because the status quo suits them. If people demand more accountability, they will get more. This feudal system of grassroot politics isn't good for anyone. Which is why those who don't rely on stomach infrastructure should do what they can to force some changes.

We shouldn't applaud Tinubu because he won elections; we should applaud him because the policies of his party are being felt by the average person. I am getting exasperated at the slow pace of change because the world is changing around us; resources are going to get scarcer in the next 20 years and Nigeria needs to be better prepared. And by resources, I mean water, meat, etc. Add to that the decreased revenue from Oil. We are already seeing the effects of mismanagement and corruption - state governments are borrowing more and still can't pay salaries. Soon Nigeria will be sold to the highest bidder and the country will be back will colonial masters - Chinese, Korea.

raumdeuter:


Ok Let me ask. if Tinubu dies today, Would a Fashola, Fayemi(both whom you and others have alluded failed), be able to win elections?

It was Tinubu who was MAGNANIMOUS enough to even dig up these type of people and back them to win elections

Without Tinubus backing Fashola would never win Surulere LGA nor win the ACN ticket. When Tinubu wasnt a factor we saw those who were ruling but you choose to call it scare mongering I am from Oyo State and I saw where Akala, Adedibu were ruling the state what you call bogeyman was actually a reality in the entire SWest

You know what the issue is - some see the glass half full while others see it half empty.

Your focus is on what obtains and which must be accepted while my focus is on what should obtain for there to be progress and development.

Why can't the people change their focus from 'stomach infrastructure'?

raumdeuter:


I know how all these work. All of us would be here saying things Idealistically. How it should work, How no one should be unemployed, How the roads should all be good etc blast whoever is in Power whereas in the real world, None of these can work because of the peculiarity of the politics

That is why in my post yesterday I stated that Solarin, Soyinka, Gani, Babatope, Fayemi, Fashola etc these are the best any society can wish for, They have all at some time been in public office or tried to

All of them either failed or got booted out by inferior people

There is a difference between idealism and realism

Watching the Republican debate some weeks ago I saw Governor John Kasich said. Its easy to come on these stage and promise heaven go in public and say anything but when you have to deal with the vagaries on ground the reality is different

Suggest realistic options that would cut salaries without an electoral backlash. Using examples of people that have done it in the past but we dont have that

Quick question: Assuming Tinubu dies today, Is it the likes of Solarin or Soyinka that would assume power in the SWest?

You paint a dark picture so as to scare monger.

Why should it be social critic who will take over from Tinubu? Why can't Fashola take over from Tinubu? Must the SW remain in the dark ages? Why can't the SW emulate places that practice 'real domocracy' like the Nordics?

[quote author=Aigbofa post=40125130]

Is this really katsumoto? Where have been? Long time.
Nice to see you here again. [/quote

Yes, it is I.

I got really busy in the last couple of years and it coincided with the infestation of this board by political jobbers. So I will drop by from time to time.

I hope you are keeping well brother. Good to see you too.

superstar1:

You should realise that the ideologies of the 2 men are different. Awo was a socialist, which is a typical yoruba structural orientation and ideology while Tinubu is a capitalist to the core.

The difference in ideology explains the achievements of both politically and in terms of visible development.

Will it have been possible for Awo to achieve some of his welfarist and socialist ideologies in modern times? I strongly doubt it.

Will Tinubu have gotten away with his imperialistic capitalist tendencies in the contemporary times of Awo? Capital N and O.

Why can't socialist ideologies survive today? I am a capitalist but I believe that ALL countries with free mineral resources should have socialist programs simply because free money will be stolen or mismanaged.

raumdeuter:


When I said there is a difference between idealism and reality this puts it clearly.

Reality is that Buruji, Daniels and Bode George are present and ready to pounce on power if Tinubu is off the stage. PDP, Buruju are no bogeymen they are the reality of our time. They exist. Oyo State was ruled by Akala, and Teslim Folarin, Lagos state was going to be ruled by Obanikoro, Kashamu rules Ogun, Fayose rules Ekiti

Fawehinmi actually went into politics, How did he fare there? Did he win a single LGA out of over 700 in Nigeria

Tai Solarin was given People's Bank to handle how did that experiment end?

Wole Soyinka was put in charge of FRSC, How did that end?

And about the Saraki swipe, I dont think that takes anything away from Tinubu. Awolowo had people who didnt buy into his ideology and actually sent Awo to jail without being able to achieve his goal

Dayo

Reality is what you make it to be. People deserve better than those you mentioned.

Gani went into politics because there was a vacuum of credible leaders. Soyinka and Solarin had posts; not quite the same thing.

Losing out to Saraki exposed Tinubu greatly. It showed that Tinubu is no more than a local champion. It was embarrassing to be schooled in that manner.

I don't want to get into Awo with you for obvious reasons. You are an Akintola. We both know where we stand; so I will leave that alone.

Gbawe:


Katsumoto, your argument is by far the more simple and populists, for the sake of it alone, because you don't seem to understand the rudiments of SW politics and simply postulate that its current crop of leaders are "failures". For example you claimed earlier that Amosun, Ambode et al are failures. How can Ambode who has been a governor for around 6 months be deemed a failure by any reasonable person? How is Amosun a failure for anyone who is truly conversant with the many achievement that has seen him praised universally? You then claim I use George, burji Kashamu as a benchmark. This is highly dishonest and I resent it. in fact this is why I avoided your posts earlier even when I saw the huge flaw in thinking and interpretation behind them. For the avoidance of doubt, and for those who read my posta nd understand it, it is 100% I stated that but for Tinubu, it is George, kashamu et al who will hold sway because everyone truly conversant with SW politics know that grassroot issues heavily favour the emergence of those sort as Yoruba leaders.




katsumoto, this is more shameless dishonesty and another entirely false interpretation that is simply incongruous with what I wrote. It is crystal clear to everyone I never insulted Soyinka, Fawenhinmi et al. Imerely sought to show that even as these men of integrity never hid they simply did not have the political or grassroot skills/connection that would have propelled them into influential political positions. My posts are still here and I really don't know why, how and for what reasons you have come to these grossly erroneous conclusions. I can only assume gbawe is the bad guy on this threas and opposing/twisting anything he says pays dividends with the likes of Shymmex.

forumers help me judge and speak up for what is right and fair. Where and how did I sully the name of Soyinka, fawenhinmi below? i really don't like this brand of open dishonesty and playing to the gallery. It should not be coming from you Katsumoto.

First, I never stated that you insulted the said men of honour; I stated that you sully their names. And I posit that you do so because you want to elevate or defend Tinubu. On this thread alone, you have mentioned their names severally. Why is that? Like I stated earlier, Fawehinmi, Soyinka, Solarin PROVIDED a social conscience for the nation at great risks to their lives, health, well being, finances. To reduce them to failed politicians to make a point is what I refer to as 'sully'. See below for one of several posts you made mentioning their names.

Gbawe:


@OP

Can you eschew idealism and give us an honest answer to these questions? What became of the political careers of Tai Solarin, Gani Fawehinmi, Wole Soyinka et al? I.e men of unimpeachable characters that the people would still not follow politically? Is political clout in Nigeria about being a saint? Can you form a new Party and get Yorubas to follow you because of your angelic profile alone? Trying to state things politely here, albeit opposite to the view of others, should not routinely be met by Fayose-style intolerance and lack of decorum. Why? Are you not the OP who should neutrally insist on tolerance and the cessation of talk from some that makes them feel they are more Yoruba than others and are somehow more entitled than others to speak on this your thread? Is that what we Yorubas are about?

Second, you do use Kashamu and other PDP rogues as a benchmark because you continue to remind us that without Tinubu, these would be the men in power. And like I stated earlier, it would be better to use other better indices which show the improvement in the lives of the people as benchmarks. When Obama supporters want to defend Obama's record, they point to GDP today as against when he came to power, they point to inflation, price of gas, teenage pregnancy, unemployment stats, etc. They don't tell us that if Obama didn't win, McCain would be president. It is better to use positives for benchmarking. Why focus on the bad?

Third, that some political pigs want the entire political field to be a pigsty doesn't mean the rest of society has to accept it. This is where I disagree with you. I don't care for George, Kashamu, Daniel, OBJ and other PDP goons because they should never be the standards for governance. I may not be on the ground in Nigeria but I know what good governance is and know the drivers for good governance.

Fourth, grass root politics is no more than 'stomach infrastructure' politics. It is a dirty way of controlling politics. It is a feudal type system. The peasants report to an area father who in turn pledges loyalty to godfather. People can't make their own decisions because they have to be subservient and obedient to someone higher in the hierarchy. Is this what learned and reasonable people should be promoting and defending? Shouldn't we be discussing ways to dismantle this archaic, unjust, corrupt, and unproductive system?

Lastly, I am sorry but I have zero energy for negativity. I prefer to focus on what can be achieved and not what is real because our realities in this world is what we choose it to be. In addition, let us do away with name calling just because we have disagreements. I have disagreed many times with Dayo, Shymexx, etc but it is always respectful.

Please ignore any typos.

Gbawe

Your argument is simple - you have made PDP in the SW a benchmark. You aren't providing any widely accepted indices as benchmark; instead your benchmark is Buruji, Bode George, Gbenga Daniel and other persons of low stock. Has the Yoruba stock fallen so bad that these persons are now the benchmark. Your strategy is similar to that used by parents in scaring kids with the bogeyman; in this case OBJ & George are the bogeymen.

To mark matters worse, you sully the name of great men - Soyinka, Fawehinmi, Solarin, etc to make a point. Are those men politicians? They simply provide a social conscience for the nation. Why don't Indians compare their politicians to Gandhi?

Yoruba are capable of much more and these scaremongering tactics are for the middle ages and not this age. Most of the posters here are well educated and intelligent folk. We know why Obama is better than bush visavis employment, GDP, Inflation, education, etc stats. To espouse the qualities of Tinubu, that is where you should start from. Leave pigs and thugs out of benchmarks.

What really is the political ideology of Tinubu and the APC? Don't make him into a demagogue

veraponpo:


You are getting it wrong bro. You should understand our views and don't just pick one's analysis out of context

If they have meeting points or areas of similitude, we can compare them. For example:

1. They are (were) both politicians

2. Of Yoruba race/nation

3. In the South West

4. Aiming at the government at the centre.

5. Awolowo and Tinubu cannot be president of Nigeria because they are both seen as a Yoruba leader.

Differences:

1. Awolowo was more of a saint than Tinubu

2. Awolowo had a distinct philosophy that looks better than that of Tinubu

3. Awolowo was a better leader- he was selfless and with a broad vision for the Yoruba race;

4. Tinubu is a better politician- he got more results than Awolowo. Tinubu seems to have received all that he desired politically unlike Awolowo.

Please educate us on how Tinubu got more results than Awolowo. The same Tinubu who went to sleep and was outsmarted by Saraki.

You chaps should stop this asinine comparison of Awo and Tinubu. They are not in the same league.

Shymexx

I will be back to answer your question on Tinubu. Well done on your positions so far.

raumdeuter:


Not to forget Eastern Europe had more god-like dictators than most places who the people revered for decades like Tito, Stalin and Ceausescu

Some of them were brutally corrupt too and ruled with an iron fists while the populace couldn't even whimper

I am drawing obvious parallels here

Communist dictators with Nigerian Military dictators - I don't expect much from the people.

My comment is more about democracy; Eastern Europeans demand accountability from their politicians and have gone as far as attacking them. Even in Georgia, the people stormed the presidential palace and the president escaped through the window.

modath:


We can spend every night & day postulating hypothesis on the way out but until a short term poverty alleviation scheme is put in place, our people are not likely to have a mental shift from scrounging for crumbs of politicos tables....

When the few of us here gather to fashion a way out of the quagmire & we don't have cups of rice & 2k to share to people, what happens??

I agree - people will find a way to survive in the short term even if its through praise and worship of politicians.

Its just that this is a chicken and egg scenario - which comes first

Why can't Nigerians be more like Eastern Europeans who will lynch their politicians?

Shymm3x:


However, there has to be a way to at least make things work a little bit in the current quagmire.

At the end of the day, what makes a man is how best he can make use of his survival instinct regardless of the situation he finds himself in.

I honestly don't think Nigeria is stopping folks from being selfless.

You are on the money.

When people get to a state of hopelessness, they believe the solution lies in the unattainable. We have heard some blame the current malaise on power. And some believe that secession is the answer.

Secession isn't going to happen and efficient power distribution can be obtained if SW sinators (my spelling) and reps agitate for looser federal govt controls.

In the interim, people must demand better accountability from their administrators and exercise their power during elections.

IlekeHD:


I'm Ekiti and I'm not stubborn.

I guess the Pope isnt Catholic then.

Shymm3x:


Sir, I think the problem with these politicians is that: a lot of them don't actually go there to solve anything. More time they see politics as a business to maximise profits - and not a service to the people.

Once you have folks with a skewed mentality like that, and followers who don't really understand anything apart from praise-singing once loose change swings to their way - nothing is going to change. The whole country - leaders and followers - need a change of mentality/drive.

Thats what I am trying to tell Dayo. These chaps have no ideas; all they are interested in is lining their pockets and the praise worship from sycophants.

superstar1:


Yeah today's most valuable resource all over the world is the human capacity of any nation. That is the strength of Germany Korea, Switzerland, Israel and even India now.

As a Yoruba Nation we can never be found wanting in this arena. People on this thread have posted profiles of yorubas with incredible and rich profiles, both at home and in diaspora.

Before this can be tapped and harnessed effectively, a system of governance that makes us to be in control of our destiny must be in place first. How many of those YID (Yorubas In Diaspora) would like to come back and serve Nigeria in this messed up state.They might be more than willing to serve a Yoruba Nation/Region because that is their root, even if they will not be paid.

I agree partially with this. I continue to maintain that in a yoruba only nation, old feuds and rivalries will resurface. We are talking about a yoruba nation where osun and oyo had to be given separate states, where Ijebu agitates for its own state. The same Yoruba that the most it came to being unified was during Awo's time which ironically was also a combustible era.

I am for regionalism/conferedation. The most progress the Yoruba made was in the 12 years it was a separate region.

superstar1:


We have untapped resources and even our human capacity is a resource on it's own. There is therefore a cause for optimism, rather than being gloomy and downcast.

We have Gas, Gold, Bitumen, Limestone etc, the baba of them all -- good and fertile land with huge untapped potential in tourism.

If Israel could have 1/5th of those, they would have turned that desert into heaven,

Nigeria wont go far if the backup to oil are other mineral resources. The thinking should be more along creativity lines visavis Germany, Switzerland, korea etc

superstar1:


Necessity is the mother of invention. Dried up free funds will lead to deep thinking that will blow away mind to produce superlative ideas. failure to do so, is an invitation to annihilation of our nation or servitude to only God knows whom.

We are at that stage now.

Japan had to think out of the box, after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Germany had to after world war 2.

As at 1950, China and the Asian Tigers were commonwealth nations of nobodies.

We need a leadership that can make us get our act together, galvanise us to make the necessary sacrifices for posterity sake and drive us to do the unthinkable and achieve the unbelievable.

I don't share your optimism re dried up recenue. Just remember all those African states such as Mali, Burkina, Senegal that have no rich mineral resources. Also remember a perpetually poor man can handle poverty better than a man who was rich once.

In addition, nigerians dont have the work ethos of Asians. Just visit china, vietnam, korea, etc then you will understand how they were able to leapfrog Nigeria.

IyaIode:
I am happy everyone now see the urgent need to cut the civil service down, on 80% i stand. Heaven will not fall

Its not like its a productive civil service anyway.

Most states have more ministeries than England but in Nigeria its only a few ministeries such as lands, works, education that even put up mediocre service. The remaining miniteries are filled with ghost workers.

superstar1:


Something is certain. There has to be a paradigm shift. The model we are running it's obviously not sustainable. It can only lead to one thing and which is calamity that can result into all of us being ship away into slavery, if care is not taken.

Our leaders need to take the hard decisions for us to have a better tomorrow for ourselves and a greater future for our kids. The masses cum followers should also realise these are desperate times that calls for unusual and desperate acts.

Those desperate acts include cutting the civil service to reduce the over head cost, having a leaner, efficient and mor productive workforce, stoppage of stomach infrastructure, wasting of public funds on pilgrimage, construction of 1km of road for 1billion like in my state (Osun), nepotism. etc

We only need one God fearing, selfless and sincere creative brain to turn things around. Just 1. We need a ruthless and passionate leadership that will be fair and justice to all and also have the balls to do the unthinkable for us to achieve the unbelievable.

Exactly

Things are bad now with free money from the center. What happens when free money disappears??

Yoruba ronu

raumdeuter:


People human all have ambitions and most people are ready to do anything to get to that ambition. It happens all over the world

When interviewing for a job, How many people tell the whole truth about their background? When going for visa interviews, how many people tell the whole truth?

You have to tell people what they want to hear before they vote you into office

In the US right now, The bastion of modern democracy. there are 16 republicans and 3 democrats. All of them are saying juicy things that electorates want to hear

Democrats: I would increase minimun wage(Low income people), I would grant amnesty and path to citizenship for illegals(Hispanics), I would review our criminal justice (Blacks)

Republicans : I would reduce our debts to zero. I would create jobs, I would make the whole world fear us

One of them would be president, I can guarantee that in 8yrs time the campaign promises would be the same

If you are waiting for a Politician who would tell the absolute truth then you would wait forever

Do you honestly think any Politician would win if he says I would retire 50% of workforce and use the money to develop infrstructure?

I was in Osun State during Akande's regime. He made a compelling argument. Many thinkers agreed with him but he still lost the election because he retired workers to build infrastructure

Whereas if another candidate comes and say I would employ all job seekers in govt minitries.

I can guarantee you that the second politician would win

So your position is that these governors should continue to borrow billions to pay salaries??

You continue to overlook my points.

1. Politicians in the US actually deliver which is unlike naija policians
2. The current situation isn't sustainable. We already have several states that can't pay salaries
3. There is wastage, mismanagement and corruption. Eliminating these would free up funds

raumdeuter:

Elections in Nigeria is different. I really wish some of you are on ground and in touch
How do you think in Oyo State an Akala was able to rule? How do you think in Lagos State an Obanikoro was close to ruling(If not for Tinubu), How do you think in Nigeria Jonathan was able to win an election
So what stats are you reviewing that shows Fayemi for example did nothing in terms of infrastructures in Ekiti?
I know from people on ground that Aregbesola did a lot of road projects in osun, I have heard same about Amosun too whether they are inflated is what I cant say but knowing Africa, It was definitely inflated like 98% of all projects in this continent

Nigeria can not progress if things don't change. You can't expect things to improve while expecting the status quo to remain. It is that simple. There is no need to re-invent the wheel. Nigeria need only look at what obtains in developed nations. I don't buy all these 'Nigerian factor' excuses.

Otherwise lets just wait until things get really bad.

modath:


It's in jest, who doesn't like a quick buck?

Wish they were more SME friendly though!!

Nigerian banks can't be SME friendly because
1. They are/were making so much money from the government
2. The environment is conducive for it with high inflation and excess liquidity in circulation.

raumdeuter:


I havent lived in EKiti nor been there in over a decade. I can only go by what I see in the news and what I hear in the news is that Fayemi spent a lot on road and instructures



http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/ekiti-the-kayode-fayemi-administration-in-perspective-october-16-2010-october-2013-/161435/

This is from thisday a PDP sympathetic paper

I am sorry but I don't trust write-ups in Nigerian dailies because Nigerian journalists have been corrupted. I prefer to review stats that are provided for all states. The feedback from Ekiti is that Fayemi did mess all. And that would explain why he lost to a man with the worst ideas.

raumdeuter:
Katsumoto the reality is different if you have a civil service state. These states were created without any realistic means of survival on their own

I know several people in these states whose rationale for voting the next governor is "He was paying salaries". Fayose has spent almost a yr I havent heard of any project but as long as he pays salaries and doles out stomach infrastructure he would be voted in again

In those places you mentioned there were other places people can get a job, In states like Osun its basically salaries

From yesterday I saw when someone said Jonathan unilaterally increased minimum wage from 10k to 18K without consulting those who would pay. The SW states initally rejected but they were put on the blast by the populace that is "Bauchi not paying, Is Akwai-Ibom not paying Is Kogi not paying".

SOmeone retorted that is SW the only state where it was increased but you have forgotten that SW has more native and imprted civil servant than any region

You cant compare a state with 1M civil servants to a state with 50,000 civil servants in terms of impact of the minimum wage

Why then do governors use the civil service for political gain? Aren't civil servants mandated to attend political rallies?

Why then do these guys aspire to office if they knew off the issues before hand? Why not kill your personal ambition and work with others towards finding a lasting solution? Nigerian citizens are too used to excuses. Administrators are always making excuses.

If you don't know the issues bedevilling your state, don't aspire for office.
If you know the issues but don't have any solutions, don't aspire for office.
But seeking and gaining office, you are simply wasting precious time.
Governors can't do anything with free Oil money; how the hell will Nigeria survive once Oil dries up or once these clever Japanese or germans develop a battery that is light and longlasting? Precious time is being wasted.

That is my position.

modath:



Like Shymm3x opined, i do not blame them , I blame the badly regulated corporate thieves called banks...

That sector too is another major bane , if ladies aren't gently nudged into low key hooking, they are helping govt officials fix poor workers' salary....

How can you blame a bank? The bank is looking for a quick buck and don't forget that banks are taking risks by giving out these loans. You can't blame me if you come to me for a loan and I inform you that my APR is 46%. You have the choice of walking away.

raumdeuter:


Katz. What are the realistic ways of reducing the unproductive workforce without a political backlash

I know of two AD/ACN governors (Akande and Fayemi) who have tried it and subsequently lost the next election. Others are now scared to face the big elephant in the room which is a giant workforce that takes almost 80% of income

What is the first step to be taken when there is a situation that requires change? According to most management books, you must create a sense of urgency by informing stakeholders of the dark consequences of inaction. The reason why there is usually political backlash is because these governors aren't sincere or competent enough. When you have fired civil servants, what have the savings being spent on? Fayemi was going about like an intellectual without actually doing anything and that's why he lost to a thug who promised 'stomach infrastructure'. Lets assume that Fayemi lost the election because he attempted to reduce the civil service, what else did Fayemi provide in Ekiti that could have helped him win the election? Serious politicians know when to make difficult choices. Thatcher is hated till today in the North of England because she closed mines that were no longer profitable and sustainable. The mines were draining the resources of the country that had taken IMF loans. Look at the turnaround in California by Jerry Brown; California was on the verge of bankruptcy before Brown saved the state with hard choices.

Before you lay workers, you must have a plan with regards to what you will do with the savings which will concomitantly improve the standard of living of people in your state. No politician is going to be liked by everyone but the key is to be liked and accepted by a majority of your stakeholders. If you have no plan for savings from retrenchment exercises and you lay people off, or if you misuse or embezzle the savings then you will lose the election. Governors don't connect with their stakeholders, they are so distant. What happened to sensitizing the populace through a series of town hall meetings to spell out the choices to stakeholders? The only time citizens see their governors or reps is at election time.

Lets assume your yearly expenditure on the civil service is N500BN. Over 4 years, that is N2T. If you lay 50% off and provide redundancy payments, it is possible to save as much as N1T even after making redundancy payments. You can spend the savings on policies that are geared towards economic activity such as good infrastructure, soft loans, cooperatives, IPP, etc Fayemi signed a contract with Samsung for the training of Ekiti youth but didn't provide a location for the said training. Instead Fayose came in and didn't honour the agreement with Samsung. What a bunch of dullards.

Naija governors don't know their strengths and weaknesses. They can't appoint competent assistants. Nepotism and cronyism remain huge barriers to development in Naija.

What exactly are these visionless, incompetent, and corrupt governors taking loans for?? Infrastructure remains decadent and quality of life remains poor.

May I suggest we don't make any incendiary or inflammatory comments that will inevitably draw posters and responses capable of derailing the thread.