INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN RIVERS STATE LESSONS GAINED AND OBSERVATIONS MADE. _Godspwer Igwe_ “If I am a sinner, the pagan, who is also a sinner, would wish that I continue in my acts of sin. This would enable me share in his fortune, eternal damnation. But, if I revert suddenly, a leap into act of faith and belief in God, my adversary, the sinner, will turn fiery, considering the good fortune towards which I leap” [My Meditations] CONTENTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE The Conference, which took place at Banquet Hall of Government House, Port Harcourt, had two Lectures delivered: 1. The Dynamics of Contention within the realities of State building: Debating their essence and limitation by His Excellency, John Bruton, former Prime Minister of Ireland. 2. Democracy, Nationhood and Citizenship Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities in the Global Order by His Excellency, Jack Straw, Former British Foreign Secretary. The two papers were moderated by an international civil servant from China, Professor Steve Chan, OBE, of the University of London. Panelists on the Discursion Board for the two debates were Femi Falana (SAN), Mamora Olorumibe (Senator), Professor Joyce Akaniwo, Professor Ben Nale, and Willy Okowa. The Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who provided venue and facilities, was there ordinarily as a participant like me, who represented the youths of Rivers State. Jack Straw was to present the first paper. 1. DEMOCRACY, NATIONHOOD AND CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS, FREEDOMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE GLOBAL ORDER BY HIS EXCELLENCY, JACK STRAW, FORMER BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY Mr. Jack Straw, who informed the house how he met colonialism right on his mother’s breast while sucking breast milk, drew in the above topic with a poser “how do we deliver democracy within the proper bounds of nationhood, citizenship rights, freedoms and responsibilities...”? The former British Foreign Secretary, whose regime saw to the killing of Sadam Husein of Iraq, reverted to Nigeria’s constitution as the solution to the challenge he threw before the house- Chapter 2 of the Constitution, he pointed. Jack Straw also reminded us that Nigeria, far back in the 1950s was richer and economically stronger than Indonesia. Greed and Corruption have put Nigeria behind this country, which though, have petroleum in commercial quantities, leads Nigeria via agricultural proceeds to the tune of five thousand dollar per human head. Nigeria’s wealth is concentrated in the hands of few elites and only a free electoral process will make citizens responsible for creating a balance of the status. To this he added, “let us hope that all apprehensions about 2015 General Elections in Nigeria is unfounded, and the elections conducted in improvement upon what happened in 2011. A truly independent electoral commission like what we have in India is what we need in Nigeria”. His view on opposition parties in Nigeria was unbiased, “a strong government is the one who listens to the opponent and a strong opposition is the one who keeps the government on its toes...” Jack Straw did not hesitate to tell the audience how British Lawmakers go to jail if convicted of fraud, even while in office. 2. THE DYNAMICS OF CONTENTION WITHIN THE REALITIES OF STATE BUILDING: DEBATING THEIR ESSENCE AND LIMITATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, JOHN BRUTON, FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF IRELAND “One of the most important ingredients of democracy is free speech..., free speech is alive in Rivers State”. This was how this first time visitor to African continent began his debate. Unlike Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, Retired Judge of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, who sees good governance as our destination as Nigerians, John Bruton would hold that, “good governance is not a destination; it is a process, which if not nurtured and protected, may still be truncated at a future point in time”. There cannot be democracy if we do not have the rule of law. There must be an independent judiciary. All these are catalysts to good governance. Oppositional and representative government engenders a closeness of leaders with the electorates, nay the people. This situation saved Ireland from a near intractable crisis during the global economic recession; while there were protests in the US, UK, Spain, etc., this was not the case with Ireland. Reasons being that elected representatives were always close to the grass-roots at every stage as the economic recession lasted. RESPONSES: THESE CAME FROM ALL PANELISTS AND PARTICIPANTS (THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR INCLUSIVE) Dr. Steve Itugbu- The truth today is that people are beginning to feel the content and definition of democracy in their variable perspectives, and not all Nigerians, as it is today, can give a true account of democracy owing to how one sees it at his/her own end. Professor Steve Chan- Nigeria has a whole role to play in the world today, the world is watching Nigeria and the way democracy is striving. Nigeria is not alone; she is part of the world. Senator Mamora Olurimibe- The voice of the opposition has been drowned, but for the coming of the APC. Professor Joyce Akaniwo- The problem found with democracy is not limited to Nigeria. If our anti-graft agencies really pursue to logical conclusion cases brought before them, corruption will be checked. The syndrome of winner takes it all does not help democracy; people from opposition must be carried along. Femi Falana- I thank Governr Amaechi for providing a forum for cross-fertilization of democratic ideals. I wish other Governors across Nigeria could do same. Those who are fighting Amaechi are fighting against good. The West must be blamed for the corruption in Nigeria, nay Africa; all the loots from Nigeria and Africa are ware-housed in Europe and America. Governor Amaechi- We must resort to citizenship action in order to fight corruption. If we can’t achieve resource control now, when would we have it- is it when the majority take power? Professor Ben Nale- We need our own Tahir square (like in Egypt) to be able to face the rots bedeviling us as a nation Professor Willy Okowa- We don’t have to prosecute corruption and corrupt people; every Nigerian who is rich should be assumed a thief until proven otherwise. Political activities in Nigeria are all geared towards appropriating oil benefits to the exclusion of the minority. LESSONS GAINED AND OBSERVATIONS MADE Temerity, audacity and readiness to prove one’s transparency all compose the lesson content here. The Governor, who himself sat back to listen to the presentations, was able and willing to swallow ego as some provocative statements issued from his visitors, especially, Professor Willi Okowa, who judged all rich people as thieves, except proven otherwise. To me, as a person, I see that as a rare quality; to be willing to accept bitter truths, than all encomiums. I was shocked at the time Jack Straw told the audience how five Members of Parliament were sent to jail at the same time in Britain for financial fraud. Can Nigeria be bold enough to do this to her own thieving senators and sundry political office holders?
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 12:20:20 +0000
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