Was there a time in this Country when the people lived happily ever after? I believe if we all search individually we might find such a time. But it is not about that time, it is about how old the state has existed and what has it achieved so far. It is about transitioning from old to youth as we plan for the future. If ever there was such a time when things were rosy, it should be important to note that, it was a time before the government went to bed with big businesses as rent seekers. As government has become unconscionable to what the masses need there is need for somber reflection. Today there is greater proof that government are in pocket of big business without whom they cannot perform. The youths can hardly boast of seeing old age haven been abandoned, leadership is more expensive, none caring and distant. Government ran as though not of, by and for the people. A captured entity, no longer in control or hands of those whom were voted to run it. The State of affairs are beyond what anyone hopes for and the resultant effect are despondency and desperation. How did we get here?
When the State was captured.
The State of Nigeria is similar to the parable of the sower. The seed ends up in barren state of affairs given these prevailing circumstances which includes: leaderless attributes, loathing of state resources, ineptitude and unaccountability to name a few, implications of which are severe. Irrespective of all effort to get things working, the country continues to witness an increasingly high level of ills. This is not because the youths to whom the future are to be entrusted are clueless, loves crime, with the tendency to destroy such future but simply for their hands off, not engaged approach-so many vested interests that lock them out, resulting to current despondency. Take a short right to the center of Nigerian mono economic heartthrob and you would be forced to ask, what is wrong with Nigeria and the leaders? Basic infrastructure are barely in existence and where they are, is below standard not to even talk of moderate. This then can explain the restive nature of the life of a typical citizen of oil producing States or northeast where Boko Haram operates. Accountability is a missing word.
Let’s look at what is meant when one says a state is captured: according to Hellman & Kaufman 2001:1; Dassah 2018) ‘efforts of firms to shape the laws, policies, and regulations of the state to their own advantage by providing illicit private gains to public officials.’ Simply put, it is a situation in which leaders act not in the interest of citizens whose taxes pay their salaries but rather serve the interests of big business in whose pocket they found themselves knowingly or unknowingly. Let’s take a practical consequential outlook for an oil company operating in Niger Delta in an event this same company is situated in USA and is alleged to be environmental polluter. The congress would summon the company to come and testify. The relevant environmental agencies would conduct assessment and issue public report. The court would get involved in the interest of the society. In an event they are found culpable, series of options are utilized which includes: fine, withdrawals of license or other punishments deemed fit or even imprisonment. So how many of such instances can we relate to. why is this not so in Nigeria, and if so where and what consequences have these companies been made to face given the current state of affair in the country? Environmental protection is not a western thing but a global responsibility, should be of vital importance, violations should bear consequences.
In the absence of no report, one could only conclude: it is either the branches of government knows nothing about governance or like the concept of state capture suggest are outside of state control. Either way, it calls to question the type of leadership we have, whom in the face of abnormalities look the other way. We have reached a point where, truth be told not behind veils.
The kind of MNC we have so far attracted are lead by corporate greed and danger to the future. Accountability should be an everyday catch word. Whilst the people whose land are destroyed cries, their resources whittled away, government which is meant to secure the interest of the state/people looks away because FDI dictates-profit before life.
Nigeria is so blessed that if the resources are well managed, many countries would be courting the citizens like they do with the Chinese whose wealth are of high demand. We have an industrious population, less demanding compared to many countries where governments are saddled with much bigger responsibility-an industrial potential. The population and the ingenuity of the Nigerian citizens should be the starting point for the nations developmental needs rather than looks elsewhere. Whilst the government run around seeking for potential investors, the potential of the citizens gets wasted because the basic needs for such to take root are virtually missing. No matter how FDI driven need we become, countries depends on the strength of their citizens to develop. FDI are profit driven, speculative and not in it for a long haul and can fizzle out when burdened with social corporate responsibility for which in Nigeria is too much to handle.
Where do you start? Government has abandoned it social contract. Government should work towards investing on the people by building basic infrastructure that enables development to thrive like roads and steady electricity. For starters and for crying out loud, let’s ask ourselves simple question, Why aren’t big companies coming this way? The ones that are here aren’t willing to put down real investment because of high instability. If we still import common dairy milk what does it say of long existing company that has been occupying the space? Combine our potential as a nation now and into the future bearing in mind that, Nigerian youth population is projected to grow further by 2055 by U.N. report.
To return to a state of stability, government should employ and apply researches that can help project the strength of the country. As we seek FDI, we should focus more on inward strength of the the youths. Wane the nation of dependency on big business that has underdeveloped the state because of vested interests that runs parallel against accountability. The biggest investment for Nigeria are the people because, they are self conscious, capable and ready to help government fulfill the developmental needs of the state.
Celestine Chidi hold BA in International Relation and BA. Hons in International Politics
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