Last week I wrote about Light Up Nigeria, a group using peaceful protest and other democratic practices to draw attention to their insufficient energy supply. And, wow, did I get a response – check out the thoughtful comments! Within days, this entry has become the most viewed on By The People.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in Nigeria this week and talked about many of the issues we discuss here on this blog, for example good governance, transparency, corruption.
“We strongly support and encourage the government of Nigeria’s efforts to increase transparency, reduce corruption, provide support for democratic processes in preparation for the 2011 elections,” Clinton said after meetings in Abuja.
She also said something else I thought was really interesting: “It is critical for the people of Nigeria, first and foremost, but indeed for the United States that Nigeria succeeds in fulfilling its promise.”
I have a few questions about this. What is Nigeria’s promise? Will the Nigerian people fulfill it? And what should be the American people’s role in this, if any? I hope my Nigerian readers (and others!) will share their thoughts.
nice artilce…………..
the major problem with Nigeria is that we have received so many fake promises from intended political officer seekers but at the end of the day they would fulfill the promises of looting the nations wealth. Leadership is our greatest problem, the leaders are too corrupt for its citizens to enjoy the dividends of democracy. when you ask people of the rural area they would say that democracy in Nigeria has been a nightmare.
what the American people should do is develop our mental ability to understand what democracy is, reduce corruption especially with the multinational companies, invest in education among others.http://skyparadize.blogspot.com/2009/07/tears-for-africa-1.html
The Nigerian government have made so many promises that its a little hard to determine which one of them Clinton is referring to. I know that Maduekwe said “there is a national consensus for enhanced democracy, a deep commitment to the rule of law and electoral reforms.” I see this statement as yet another set of empty promises because it is vague and evasive. What steps will be made towards enhanced democracy when the country is being ruled by recycled hands? The so called rule of law being followed by the Yaradua administration so far gives me the feeling that I have an indecisive government. And electoral reforms I pray do not include actions such as those being proposed by the new Inspector General of Police where policemen will be licenced to shoot “violent” people at polling stations during the electoral process.
I love being Nigerian and I believe my country has so much good to offer its populace and the world, but we need to be patriotic enough to realise that Nigeria needs a change.
True talk… but let it be at the back of our minds that this is the reason for the movement, ensuring that we are heard and well advocated for.
of course it would seem the corruption in the system may yet prove to be a formidable thorn, we know… we also know that to ensure delivery we’ve got to keep the fire burning!… not relenting in our efforts will ensure that those responsible for the projects deliver, because there won’t be any room for pranks… “follow through” is the word. we will keep at it… and God so help us.
Light Up Nigeria.
Hi,you are doing a good job. here in Nigeria our Government are not transparent all they know is corruption and a ”do or die polytics”according OLUSEGUN OBASANJO we are affraid of 2011 election may be its also a do or die election.
The so called Power Holding Company Of Nigeria are really holding the light they are distributing it at all.
Pls what is the promise btw USA and Nigeria.
I think it’s not only Nigeria that has to live up to it’s promises,But it’s all of us[Africa]. Politicains have a tendancy of making fake pomises, blive me am from zambia the real africa.
Maybe those promises can be fulfilled if hillary clinton can move from America and start staying in Lagos Nigeria.I know she is back in America and so are the promises,I feel sorry for my innocent africa.
Nigeria will live up to its promise when the West condemn in words and ACTION our stick fingered leaders.
How about boycotting Nigerias oil until our leaders can provide 3 square meals a day and accomodation for all unemployed Nigerians.
How about exposing the Names and details of all living Nigerian leaders (past and present) who have looted money stashed in Western banks.
How about giving ALL Nigerias current leaders the Mugabe treatment including denying them visas.
Mere leaving the fight for the common Nigerian is an exercise in futility because the downtrodden Nigerian has a brain that is working overtime just to figure out a way to feed twice a day without any government assistance whatsoever.
Such battle weary Nigerians do not have enough energy to withstand the brutal might of the Nigerian army tank that is rolled out to kill, maim and crush any voice of dissent.
The Nigerian corrupt rulers will crush and kill any voice of dissent without batting an eyelid.
We in Nigeria need help from our more humane Western countries to get rid of our wicked, evil, corrupt and inhuman leaders once and for all failing which our only hope is in God.
If only you knew the full scale of the common mans suffering in Nigeria!!!
It’s great to hear directly from Africans – thanks for sharing your thoughts!
ANY COUNTRY THAT WANTS TO GROW BEYOND THEIR PRESENT STAGE MUST HAVE CHALLENGES AHEAD AND MUST BE READY TO BE CRITICIZED, AND I THINK NIGERIA MUST BE READY TO ACCEPT OUR PRESENT STAGE AND LOOK FORWARD TO A BETTER TOMORROW.
NIGERIA WILL CHANGE
there changes in Nigeria.
nigerians have a way of making beautiful promises, but the major problem is implementation policy. to fulfill their promises is like why at my time, no one is allowed to be a hero because of syconphancy syndrome. the role of the Americas is constant dialogue and counselling.
We ( Nigerians & Africans in general ) have a greater role to play towards developing our respective countries/ change the way our collective wealth is presently being managed or distributed.
Its very easy to blame one Abacha, Babaginda, Charles Taylor, Obasanjo, Mobutu, Mugabe, Moseveni etc. for the poverty/problem in our continent, despite the abundance of human and mineral resources in Africa.
while ignoring the fact that we ( the so called ordinary citizens of Africa) are the government of Africa in our respective nations.
That the US, UK, EU, CHINA, RUSSIA, UN, IMF, WORLD BANK etc will always look after their economic interest. AU nko? dat will be matter 4 another day .
Corrupt leadrship, leadership with vision deficiency will not allow for the fulfillment of those promise.
Nigeria has leaders with the like mind of an Obama, for them to get hold of leadership is a major challenge, due to the electoral system.
I believe that consistent dialogue & other impactful strategies by U.S can help this great but struggling “Giant of Africa”