Culled from Leadership: Thursday column. The North And Its Challenges Abba Mahmood — July 3, 2014 It is a little over a century since the British conquered the sultanate, emirates, kingdoms and chiefdoms of what became the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria which later became the Northern Region of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which in Hausa Language is called Arewa. In terms of land mass, the area is 72 per cent of Nigeria. In terms of population, it is second only to Egypt in the whole of Africa. It is now 19 states and 414 local government areas based on the current political units of Nigeria. It is one of the most endowed parts of the world in terms of both natural and human resources. But Arewa is losing its self-confidence and self-esteem, especially in the last two decades. That Arewa that was known for honesty, integrity, foresight and political sagacity is fast becoming history. It is now a politically divided, economically devastated and socially degenerated region that is a caricature of its former self. But there is hope for a better future, the region having come from a good past to a traumatic present. Hope, after all, keeps the living alive. Confronting the challenges facing Arewa will require strength, creativity, and moral leadership in order to solve problems before they occur, rather than scrambling to deal with crises after they have erupted. Arewa must be pro-active, creative and adaptive. In other words, there must be strategic thinking so that a vision of what the region wants to be in the next 10, 20, 50 years and how to get these things will be in place. Because the north is not exporting petroleum now, it is being accused of “parasiting” on the oil-rich parts of the country. Sooner or later, dependence on oil will be over, whether we like it or not. But Arewa has oil and gas, even though successive governments have not given it priority. This is a region endowed with many strategic minerals, but since Abacha created the Ministry of Solid Minerals little has been done to bring it to the front burner. By far, due to land mass and rich arable land as well as water resources, Arewa has comparative advantage in agriculture. Food is gradually becoming the new oil of the future. Very soon, the population of the world will reach 9 billion people – all requiring food. And to reduce America’s dependence on Middle East oil, former US president George Bush challenged American farmers to produce 35bn gallons of non-fossil transport fuel by 2017. The American farmers have eagerly accepted the challenge, now cultivating maize for ethanol instead of selling to millers and bakers. Brazil, China, India and Japan are all committed to producing alternative transport fuels. At the prices food now fetches, the new oil could well be food. But the region’s agricultural sector is mostly subsistent. Except for a few areas, it is mostly rain-fed and not irrigated. Medieval technology and human labour as well as infrastructural support remain inadequate. A more aggressive reform is required in this important sector if it must satisfy domestic demands and be competitive in the export market. Apart from agriculture and solid minerals, Arewa must invest massively in education. The population of Arewa will remain a burden if millions are left uneducated and thus unproductive. There is a direct correlation between literacy and productivity. No people or area can compete effectively in this era of globalization without requisite skills for efficiency. Accordingly, experts are required in such critical areas like information technology, energy technology, bio-technology and other service sectors like medicine, law, management, accounting and other social sciences. Even the vast land of Arewa is not being put to proper use. Dubai does not have such good land and, during summer, their temperature is over 50 degrees centigrade. But they have built real estates and beautified their environment attracting huge revenue in tourism and rents. Real estate and tourism have greater potential than oil. Arewa land is lying idle and thus having no real value. The beautiful environment, lakes, parks, game reserves, the rich cultures and excellent foods of Arewa are not known to even the rest of the nation much less the rest of the world. The culture of begging must be discouraged. The culture of idleness must be discouraged. Indeed, in the US, they arrest you if you are found sitting idly because they don’t know how you earn your living. Almajirai and other destitute must be rehabilitated and taught skills and literacy. In short, no human asset should be allowed to waste. Whether in the formal or informal sector, everyone must be gainfully employed and productive. Indeed, unemployment and poverty are some of the main causes of the current terrorism challenge facing the nation. Arewa is lagging behind in the banking sector. Arewa does not have effective presence in the non-banking financial institutions like insurance. Out of over 250 stockbroking firms, Arewa controls only about five. Arewa has very little shares in critical modern sectors like telecommunications, energy and petroleum. And it must be clearly stated that having political power without economic clout is like building without foundation. In politics, the style and substance of the Arewa approach to national issues must change due to changes in the political context, changes in the global environment and an acceptance of the reality on the ground, nationally and internationally. And Arewa must always anticipate and prepare adequately instead of waiting and reacting to situations. For instance, amendment of the existing 1999 Constitution is being initiated. What is the agenda of Arewa and how is this going to be achieved? What is Arewa anticipating from other regions and what is the region going to defend, bargain with or discard? There are enough examples in the north’s past and recent histories to work with towards regenerating and reengineering this great region for its deserved place in the 21st century. We must confront these new challenges in this new century. But there is need for mentoring, so that a younger generation can come up. There is need for the old to guide the young to take over the mantle of leadership when they are still alive. There is need for effective leadership and counter strategy for all that is happening now. Inordinate ambition, uncontrolled greed and elite personality clashes most be contained. Above all, there is need for peace to reign and for every component to be duly recognized and respected mutually. History is on the side of the oppressed.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 09:55:15 +0000
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