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| NEW ERA OF PROGRESS FOR NIGERIA & AFRICA AS A WHOLE - AMB: Dr. N. N. Akanbi: |
10/15/2008 |
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On the 18th of June 2008, The Royal Kingdom of The Netherlands formally received the Nigerian Ambassador to the country. In this first interview, Her Excellency , Ambassador Dr. Nimota N. Akanbi bares her mind on a number of issues/subjects ranging from the policies of the Nigerian government to the Nigerian citizens in The Netherlands.
The Voice: Your Excellency, some Nigerians abroad have suffered untold abuses and unfair treatments/injustices in the hands of host countries’ authorities. How can the so-called “Citizens Diplomacy” be used to address and curb this recurring menace?
Amb: The way and manner Nigerians have been treated in the past in Foreign Countries informed the present Administration’s new Foreign Policy thrust termed “Citizen’s Diplomacy”. Citizen’s Diplomacy refers to the principle by which all Nigerians at home and abroad are expected to be treated with respect within and outside the Country. The Human rights and wellbeing of Nigerians are protected irrespective of where he/she is, as a world citizen in general and a Nigerian in particular. In the absence of this in Foreign Countries especially, Nigeria will rise to the occasion of protecting its citizens. Already as the Ambassador of Nigeria in the
Netherlands, I have started making efforts to interact more with the host Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands . Dialoguing with the Host Government would help us better in addressing whatever problems, treatment or injustice Nigerians are facing in the Netherlands . Nevertheless, Nigeria
is ready to accord citizens of any Country, the same treatment it accords Nigerians. Dialogue is usually the tool used to address salient issues when Dialogue fails then there is the “Principle of Reciprocity” which we are ready to take advantage of. However, Nigeria has always seen the Netherlands as a friendly Country and my hope is that the good relationship will continue to subsist.
The Voice: I have often overheard some Nigerians complaining that the saying that the Nigerian Embassy in The Hague should be a Home for all Nigerians is sheer rhetoric. What will be your Excellency’s plans to make the Embassy indeed a home for all Nigerians in The Netherlands? As a follow up, your Excellency, how can you ensure that (undue) bureaucracy does not run counter to your “Open Door” and 24/7 policy?
Amb: The Embassy of any Country should be open to citizens of that Country; the Nigerian Embassy is not an exception. One of my objectives as the Ambassador is to unite all Nigerians and make them feel at home in the Netherlands. “The Embassy is a home away from home”. Hence, there is the website for them to read about the developments in Nigeria through the newspaper links and we have the opinion box in the Embassy where they are free to express their opinions. My doors are open 24/7 for them to see me on anything/issue. On a larger scale, the Embassy is planning a National Day termed the “Nigerian Day” where all Nigerians in the Netherlands can come together and celebrate the Independence Day. The Embassy consists of very small number of Staff. There is no hard and fast rules in seeing me as my Staff are well aware of my 24/7 policy of open door. However,
everybody cannot come all at once to see me. Therefore, it is only appropriate that anybody wishing to see me should make an appointment through my Social Secretary as I run a tight schedule. What I will assure is that nobody will stop anyone from seeing me. I would like to emphasize at this point that we are all a team
and I am welcome to good ideas from the Nigerian Community here. We all are Ambassadors of our Country so we should rise to the occasion whenever and wherever we find ourselves.
The Voice: Your Excellency, previous administrations in Nigeria have coined one slogan or the other- Operation Feed the Nation/Green Revolution, War Against Indiscipline, etc. Can you throw some light on what the Administration’s Seven-Points Agenda stand 37conducive environment for investment to thrive. A nation without food security is viewed as a weak Nation unable to feed its teeming population and it exposes such a Nation to external manipulations from supposedly more prosperous Countries. It is for this reason that the proponents of international relations posit that food security is one of the ingredients of achieving one of Hans Morgenthau “Elements of Power”. That Agriculture as one of the focal points in the plan of this Administration cannot be overemphasized and the land reforms is geared towards the equitable distribution of land ownership
with a view towards adequate provision of housing and lands for appropriate use for agriculture.
Mass Transportation is another fantastic agenda this administration will pursue. In the present world, people should be able to move freely from place to place without difficulty as they go about their various businesses. With the Mass transit, the sufferings of the masses will be alleviated to a great extent through the utilization
of good network of railways, safe and effective air travel and an efficient road transportation system. In addition, with the cry of global warming caused by carbon emission, the indiscriminate use of vehicles on our roads should be discouraged to avoid pollution. In big cities like London, Paris, New York and even our present location, people prefer the mass transit to using their cars to work due to the comfortable and highly developed transportation system. Goods and services are delivered easily and in essence reduce cost when it trickles down to the poor masses. It is an integral part of this Administration’s objectives in creating a better Nigeria for posterity. The Niger -Delta issue is a thorny issue in the Nigerian polity that has to be resolved. It is to this end that the current Administration called for a stake holders meeting to dialogue on ways to finding a solution and moving forward on these issues. In achieving this, various Ad hoc Committees have been established to come with a development and security plan for the Niger-Delta region, an important region to Nigeria . At this juncture, I would like to call upon all of us including the Nigerians in the Diaspora to unite and find a solution to these problems.
The Voice: How realistic is the administration in the implementation of the Seven-Points Agenda to avoid the pitfalls of the past policies?
Amb: The Seven Point Agenda is President Yar’Adua’s vision to rescue Nigeria from the doldrums of ruins and under-development. In the world of today, there are various catalysts to development, the absence of one or several of these in a Country can undermine the development and position of that Country in the International
Arena. The 7 point agenda addresses the following issues; Energy/Power, Security, Agriculture, Wealth Creation, Education, Mass Transportation and the Niger Delta. The current Administration intends to solve the power and energy situation in Nigeria which has reached a point of emergency due to its highly epileptic nature. Suffice it to say that energy is a crucial element in sustainable development, without it there is no real prosperity in a Country. It is the oil that lubricates the wheels of progress so to speak. In view of this, power and energy
is number one on the agenda. The oil sector undoubtedly has been a blessing to the Country over the years though there are sections in the country who would think otherwise. Due to this Nigeria has run a monolithic economy which has led to the relegation of other economic sectors. Wealth creation as part of the 7 point agenda is to diversify and develop other economic sectors. Need I mention that Nigeria is blessed with abundant human and natural resources not just oil alone? These are the areas the current administration hopes to illuminate
and bring to the fore for foreign investors to take advantage of. Furthermore, diversified economies create job opportunities for the populace and are indicators for economic growth. The educational system has deteriorated so badly and as the saying goes, an illiterate Nations is a Nation in darkness taking into consideration the “Plato Cave” analogy. This administration intends to revamp the Educational system and place it on the very
high standard it used to occupy. Security is also an important element in economic growth and development. Investment cannot thrive in the midst of insecurity. The Yar’Adua Administration is positioned to ensure this in the Country in order to create a conducive environment for investment to thrive. A nation without food security is viewed as a weak Nation unable to feed its teeming population and it exposes such a Nation to external manipulations from supposedly more prosperous Countries. It is for this reason that the proponents of international relations posit that food security is one of the ingredients of achieving one of Hans Morgenthau “Elements of Power”. That Agriculture as one of the focal points in the plan of this Administration cannot be overemphasized and the land reforms is geared towards the equitable distribution of land ownership
with a view towards adequate provision of housing and lands for appropriate use for agriculture. Mass Transportation is another fantastic agenda this administration will pursue. In the present world, people should be able to move freely from place to place without difficulty as they go about their various businesses. With the Mass transit, the sufferings of the masses will be alleviated to a great extent through the utilization of good network of railways, safe and effective air travel and an efficient road transportation system. In addition, with the cry of global warming caused by carbon emission, the indiscriminate use of vehicles on our roads should be discouraged to avoid pollution. In big cities like London, Paris, New York and even our present location, people prefer the mass transit to using their cars to work due to the comfortable and highly developed transportation
system. Goods and services are delivered easily and in essence reduce cost when it trickles down to the poor masses. It is an integral part of this Administration’s objectives in creating a better Nigeria for posterity.
The Niger -Delta issue is a thorny issue in the Nigerian polity that has to be resolved. It is to this end that the current Administration called for a stake holders meeting to dialogue on ways to finding a solution and moving forward on these issues. In achieving this, various Ad hoc Committees have been established to come with
a development and security plan for the Niger-Delta region, an important region to Nigeria . At this juncture, I would like to call upon all of us including the Nigerians in the Diaspora to unite and find a solution to these problems. The realization of the seven point agenda is very realistic. All it takes is determination, perseverance, hope and unity of all of us as Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, as well as transparency and the political will, which this Government has in abundance for the 7 point agenda to succeed. The President is a man of dogged determination and he has the wellbeing of the Country at heart. Nigeria over the years has lacked good leadership but in President Yarâ’Adua, I see a new dawn for Nigeria, a new beginning to take her rightful position in the comity of Nations. All he needs is the cooperation of the Nigerian people and the international community to give him time to make right the damage that has been done overtime which need I say, will
not take too long. Moreover, corruption, abuse of office, lack of continuity and transparency has been the bane of failures in past policies. Current trends in Nigeria indicate that there are no “sacred cows” and mechanism are being put in place to ensure continuity and stability of good policies for sustainable development.
The Voice: The Shell conglomerate is a major player in the Nigerian Oil Industry. How has the recent happenings in the Niger/Delta affected the operations and relations of Shell and Nigeria oil exploration and production?
Amb: Shell Petroleum is a stakeholder in the Niger-Delta as a major player in the oil sector as you rightly pointed out and Nigeria has lost a lot economically due to the crisis. Operations in the Niger-Delta have been adversely affected by the happenings there. Nevertheless Shell as a profit making conglomerate, should also exhibit the desire to give back to the people whose land has blessed them. I should suppose that they are disturbed by the situation there and are cooperating with the Nigerian Government to bring a lasting solution to the region. They should also be willing to accommodate and pursue any ideas that will bring about sustainable development to the people and the region. There is no doubt that Shell as a company has fallen short of expectation and has made some mistakes in the past but to jettison dialogue for anarchy will not resolve the problem. For this reason, the Federal Government has continued to call all to the round table to re-negotiate
terms, find the way forward and impact positive development, in collaboration with companies like Shell and other Stakeholders which includes the restless youths of the region.
The Voice: The Netherlands boasts of high profile Nigerians in National and International Organizations. What will be your policy to harness these resources/potentials for the benefit of other Nigerians here and back home?
Amb: The Diaspora population of Nigeria is very crucial and I hope not for long, a missing link in the on-going development processes in the Country. Current trends in migrant population in the World indicate that these people though outside, still remember to contribute meaningfully to their home Countries e.g the Polish, Chinese, and Indians etc. Nigerians in the Diaspora should not be an exception. As the famous saying of late John F. Kennedy, ex-President of the United States goes, “ask not what your Country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”. To this end, it is my express desire to mobilize the Diaspora community of Nigeria whether
in Shell, International Organizations or private enterprise, to come together and return home to contribute their quota to the on-going developmental processes in Nigeria . Secondly, I intend to challenge them to embark on meaningful and relevant projects or initiatives like a Nigerian International School just like the British and
Americans have here, Vocational Schools for emerging youths, summer camps for Nigerian Children where our culture and tradition will be taught them and many more ideas as we achieve progress. I also intend to encourage the Nigerians in the Diaspora in the Netherlands to aspire for greater heights reaching for the best in the
Netherlands and projecting the Nigerian Image positively. I would like to reiterate our position as Ambassadors of our beloved Country Nigeria, noting that if we don’t build our Country nobody will. As the saying goes we have to beat our drums and blow our trumpets because nobody will do it for us.
The Voice: How do you think your experience in Management/administration would equip you in your diplomatic task?
Amb: Administration is all about managing people and resources. As an educational administrator who rose up to the pinnacle of the teaching profession, management and planning has been an integral part of me. Diplomacy is all about management of relations, conflicts, alliance, wars and peace between and among Nations, through employing tact, negotiations and effective communication skills. As a political Ambassador, I intend to marry
both professions in actualizing the mandate given to me by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by God’s grace.
The Voice: Your Excellency, as a woman occupying this enviable plenipotentiary portfolio, can you then say that gender empowerment in Nigeria/Africa has become a reality?
Amb: Africa in general and Nigeria in particular, is a male dominated society. Nevertheless, in the past, we have had influential women leaders who ruled their society or had great influence on kings like Queen Nefertiti of Egypt, Queen Idia of the Ancient Benin Kingdom, Queen Amina of Zaria, Nandi Queen of Zululand and mother of the great Shaka Zulu. In our contemporary society, we have women like the President of Liberia, Ellen Sirleaf,
Prof Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director of the World Bank, Dr. Obi Ezekwesili of the IMF both Nigerians, Wangari Maathaii Kenya’s Political activist/Nobel prize winner of 2005 and the various women in the ranks of the Nigerian Government as Ministers and Ambassadors, the list is endless. In view of this and the fact that Nigeria male leaders have come to realize the important role and the enviable managerial skills of the Nigerian woman, I think gender empowerment in Africa and Nigeria is becoming a reality. We are not there yet but then a journey begins with a single step so to speak.
The Voice: The Netherlands ranks topmost in water sanitation, treatment and management as well as other areas as food production and processing, etc. Is there any possibility of sourcing such expertise for the Nigeria economy?
Amb: The Netherlands has a lot to offer Nigeria and vice-versa. As Ambassador of Nigeria to the Netherlands and in view of the great responsibility that goes with my office, I intend to create a synergic relationship between the two Countries, with both reaping benefits from it. As you have rightly observed, the Dutch possesses some skills in the areas you mentioned but what fascinates me most is the way they have managed to keep the sea at bay. This brings to mind the problem Lagos State is facing concerning the Bar Beach, sanitation and supply of clean drinkable water. Recently, I and members of my staff escorted a group of Netherlands business men to Nigeria, to see the possibilities and opportunities that abound for foreign investors. More details will be given to you in due course. I have many plans and ideas which by God’s grace, I intend to achieve before my term as Ambassador is over.
The Voice: The issue of the Identity Card Project for Nigerians in The Netherlands is now a reality. Can you use this medium to inform our readers what this project is about and the likely benefits?
Amb: The Identity card project is an initiative started by my predecessor which I intend to implement fully. The Nigerian community in the Netherlands is huge and still growing. For development to take place, a country, community or family must know their numbers for efficient management and planning as well as equitable distribution of economic benefits or opportunities as the case may be. The Nigerian Embassy in the Netherlands
came up with this ID card project in order to know the number of Nigerians living in the Netherlands for effective management and efficient service delivery.
The Voice: You were a guest to Her Majesty-Queen Beatrix during the presentation of your Letters of Credence. What is your view about the role of the Monarchy in a democratic dispensation/setting?
Amb: There have been great monarchies in Europe and Africa of ancient times that have managed great Nations. Post revolutionary Europe and post-colonial Africa saw the emergence of Republican Governments that took over the reins of power relegating the monarchs to the background. Nevertheless, the enduring legacies of the
Monarchy make them still relevant to their people and Governments especially in Nigeria , though their position is advisory. In my opinion, the role of the Monarchy in a democratic dispensation should also involve that of crisis management and other responsibilities that may bring the government close to the people.
The Voice: Your Excellency, I know you have just assumed office. Permit me to ask what you would like to be remembered for in your assignment in the Netherlands?
Amb: I would like to be remembered that I came and did my best in improving the bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Netherlands, contributing to the importation of foreign direct investments into Nigeria, uniting the Nigerian Community and succeeded in changing the negative perception the International community have of Nigeria.
The Voice: Finally, your Excellency, what message do you have for Nigerians and their friends in The Netherlands on the forthcoming 48th Independence Anniversary?
Amb: I would like to encourage the Nigeria community to sit back and reflect on how best to move the nation forward in their own capacity, as Nigeria turns 48. We should stop the complaints, pessimism and negativity. Rome was not built in a day or in 48years. It took the United States over 200 years to be where they are today and they are still trying. Let us unite together Nigerians both home and abroad to place our Country on the enviable position it once held among the Comity of Nations.
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