The-need-to-curb-nigerias-over-reliance-dependence-on-foreign-entities-and-start-believing-more-in-ourselves-to-actualize-needed-development
September 7, 2020 | News
THE NEED TO CURB NIGERIA’S OVER-RELIANCE/DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN ENTITIES AND START BELIEVING MORE IN OURSELVES TO ACTUALIZE NEEDED DEVELOPMENT
For as long as we can remember, especially since the existence of the Nigerian State and up to date, the country’s reliance and dependence on foreign countries for its advancement, economic growth, and practically everything that attributes/contributes to the country’s continued existence and development, is beginning to become a source of concern. One would have expected that by now, Nigeria, which is almost close to six decades since it gained independence, should have drastically curbed/reduced/restrained its over-reliance and dependence on foreign entities before it can address some of its pressing societal needs and concerns. Sadly, that has not been the case. Rather, it is as if Nigeria cannot do without these foreign countries US, and those in UK, France (Europe), China, etc. And this situation has continued to create more problems in our hands as a nation, rather than it is intended to address in the first place.
Just recently, it was reported that a France-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Première Urgence Internationale, which was alleged to be working alongside Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, has been uncovered by Nigerian troops. With headquarters in Asnieres-sur-Seine on the suburbs of Paris, Première prides itself as an “international NGO which helps civilians who are marginalized or excluded as a result of natural disasters, war and economic collapse.” The self-acclaimed humanitarian group first gained access to Nigeria in 2016, setting up activities in various complementary domains in order to respond to the vulnerable populations’ needs in the north-east. However, a recent revelation by the Nigerian troops has suggested otherwise as the group has only succeeded in fueling insurgency in the region. Like many other foreign NGOs, instead of providing aid to the returning inhabitants following massive clear-out by the resilient troops on the frontline, Première acted as a rehab centre for the utterly wounded and defeated fighters. It was noted that A Boko Haram terrorist, Adam Idris Kubo, who supposedly works with the said French NGO as a Pharmacist, with an identification card belonging to Première, was also recently killed by the Nigerian troops in Gubio, Borno State. This development has somewhat vindicated the Nigerian Army’s decision to shut down two foreign groups some time ago – Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps, and also justified the call by some local civil society organizations to ban these international NGOs.
In another related report, according to Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, he also reiterated the fact that there is evidence that NGOs in the Bornu State are working with Boko Haram. In his words: “Another area that the Senate will look into is the allegation that the various NGOs in that area are conniving with the insurgents – providing them information, logistics and so many things. I have been critical about this and people have told me to be careful but it has come out now that one or two of the so-called NGOs operating there are actually aiding and abetting and supporting the insurgents. But we will do an investigation and we will hear if we have the evidence. So far, we have evidence. we just want to make it credible. The evidence is there and the common questions are even there. I have asked them before – when Chibok girls were released, we were very happy and jubilating… some people went and negotiated for their release…,” he said.
Mr Ndume’s claims come weeks after the Nigerian government launched a crackdown on some NGOs operating in the Northeast, accusing them of “aiding and abetting” Boko Haram terrorists. The Nigerian army had repeatedly accused some of the NGOs in the region of breaching security and sabotaging ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast. Even the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had also said it was tightening its regulation of the finances of organizations operating in the region. Last year, another Northern lawmaker, Gudaji Kazaure, also alleged that some of the NGOs operating in the Northeast aid the terrorists.
This is what happens when Nigeria has refused to focus inwardly and squarely on itself and its people in addressing some of its problems, rather than depending and relying on foreign entities to do it for them. The above reported case, which is aiding the Boko Haram sect, is just the one that is seen. What about the ones that are not known/seen? Apparently, there is too much emphasis on, and dependence on foreigners to do things right for us. And these foreigners often have interests that are not in the interest/benefit of Nigeria. The truth is, some of the world powers may obviously be aiding and instigating the crises/insecurity situation in the country, as well as other African countries, so as to enable them sell their guns, war planes, arms and other military wares, to the developing countries in Africa, which includes Nigeria. And who do we blame, if the Nigerian Government play into their hands. They have failed to realize that no foreigner will develop our country for us because if they do so, it means we will no longer patronize their made-in-foreign goods and military wares, as it is now. So, they would prefer/want us to remain underdeveloped. This fact, needs to be repeated so that Nigerians and its political leaders would heed to it: The developed countries does not really want us to develop as we should, so that Nigeria will continue to be economically and financially-tied to them, and also keep patronizing their exports. If Nigeria is developed, the Nigerian youths with their talents and special skills will no longer troop to Europe and America to help them run and develop their foreign countries. Nigeriens with talents and special skills are drifting to these foreign countries to help develop their economies, and that is how they are also making a lot of money from Nigeria via their Visa application fees, which they remit back home to their foreign countries.
With the situation reported above, it is therefore imperative that the activities of foreign NGOs/organizations be carefully watched. Most of their grants are traps that are yet to explode. It is believed that some of these foreign NGOs/Organizations are sponsored by Nigerian corrupt politicians who might want to use them to create confusion and crises in different parts of the country. they can even finance them abroad, and bring them into Nigeria to come and create havoc. We also have reasons to believe that some of these foreign NGOs/Organizations are being used by corrupt Nigerian politicians to launder public funds from abroad into the country, without drawing the attention of anti-graft agencies. However, we are glad that the EFCC is beginning to wake up to realize the possibility of this situation happening, and have started focusing their searchlights in this area.
It is appalling to see Nigerians/political leaders easily getting excited when they hear the term “oyibo NGOs,” and our local NGOs usually go about begging for grants from these foreign NGOs/donors, which they may give with wrong intentions. A pastor once said that Satan will never give you something for free without causing harm in another way/angle. Some of these foreign NGOs and their habit of donating grants, are like time bombs, which have been sealed to explode. Our Nigerian political leaders are still depending on foreign nations to help them get their acts together and do what is expected of them. But they forget that these foreign countries also have their internal problems, and they are ready to do anything to satisfy their interests first, even to the detriment of other developing nations like Nigeria. It is also sad to see how our leaders always rush to attend all these summits and what have you, often organized by these foreign countries. The question is, why can't our Nigerian political leaders direct Nigerian Ambassadors and High Commissioners to represent them in all these frivolous summits. I believe that is essence of us having Embassies and Permanent Representatives in the UN, Commonwealth, etc.
While some have linked Africa’s underdevelopment to the exploitation suffered in the hands of capitalist Europe and North America, which is still very much alive today but in a different dimension of imperialism and neo-colonialism, others like us however, are of the view that the destiny and future of any nation, is solely in the hands of its people, this includes both the political leaders and the masses. Regardless of a nation’s past/unfortunate bad experiences, what matters is how the people of that nation are able to rise above such bad experiences to become what they ought to amongst the league of nations.
The bottom line is that Nigeria’s dependence on foreign countries to address our problems is too much, and needs to be curbed drastically. Nigeria has tremendous manpower and human resourcefulness, that are mostly untapped, under-utilized, and underdeveloped, and are just there waiting to be tapped to uplift the country in all sectors. We should learn to believe in ourselves, and start focusing more on addressing our problems ourselves, and realize that these foreign entities do not mean well for us. In the world that we currently live, it is either you eat or be eaten.
Like we have repeatedly mentioned in several write ups: no foreign country will genuinely help Nigeria to develop as it ought to. No foreign country will honestly help Nigeria to holistically fight corruption with sincerity of purpose. Nigeria must be developed by Nigerians, period! Every country wants to achieve greatness. The Americans would say: “America First”. Perhaps, it is time we start saying: “Nigeria First.” We should adopt this slogan and start practicing it. This is a competitive world and it is only the strongest that survives or achieves greatness. We have to make Nigeria great by becoming more patriotic. And stop our young and vibrant youths from trooping out of the country to help contribute towards the development of other foreign countries.
Zik Gbemre.
October 19, 2019
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
For as long as we can remember, especially since the existence of the Nigerian State and up to date, the country’s reliance and dependence on foreign countries for its advancement, economic growth, and practically everything that attributes/contributes to the country’s continued existence and development, is beginning to become a source of concern. One would have expected that by now, Nigeria, which is almost close to six decades since it gained independence, should have drastically curbed/reduced/restrained its over-reliance and dependence on foreign entities before it can address some of its pressing societal needs and concerns. Sadly, that has not been the case. Rather, it is as if Nigeria cannot do without these foreign countries US, and those in UK, France (Europe), China, etc. And this situation has continued to create more problems in our hands as a nation, rather than it is intended to address in the first place.
Just recently, it was reported that a France-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Première Urgence Internationale, which was alleged to be working alongside Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, has been uncovered by Nigerian troops. With headquarters in Asnieres-sur-Seine on the suburbs of Paris, Première prides itself as an “international NGO which helps civilians who are marginalized or excluded as a result of natural disasters, war and economic collapse.” The self-acclaimed humanitarian group first gained access to Nigeria in 2016, setting up activities in various complementary domains in order to respond to the vulnerable populations’ needs in the north-east. However, a recent revelation by the Nigerian troops has suggested otherwise as the group has only succeeded in fueling insurgency in the region. Like many other foreign NGOs, instead of providing aid to the returning inhabitants following massive clear-out by the resilient troops on the frontline, Première acted as a rehab centre for the utterly wounded and defeated fighters. It was noted that A Boko Haram terrorist, Adam Idris Kubo, who supposedly works with the said French NGO as a Pharmacist, with an identification card belonging to Première, was also recently killed by the Nigerian troops in Gubio, Borno State. This development has somewhat vindicated the Nigerian Army’s decision to shut down two foreign groups some time ago – Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps, and also justified the call by some local civil society organizations to ban these international NGOs.
In another related report, according to Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, he also reiterated the fact that there is evidence that NGOs in the Bornu State are working with Boko Haram. In his words: “Another area that the Senate will look into is the allegation that the various NGOs in that area are conniving with the insurgents – providing them information, logistics and so many things. I have been critical about this and people have told me to be careful but it has come out now that one or two of the so-called NGOs operating there are actually aiding and abetting and supporting the insurgents. But we will do an investigation and we will hear if we have the evidence. So far, we have evidence. we just want to make it credible. The evidence is there and the common questions are even there. I have asked them before – when Chibok girls were released, we were very happy and jubilating… some people went and negotiated for their release…,” he said.
Mr Ndume’s claims come weeks after the Nigerian government launched a crackdown on some NGOs operating in the Northeast, accusing them of “aiding and abetting” Boko Haram terrorists. The Nigerian army had repeatedly accused some of the NGOs in the region of breaching security and sabotaging ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast. Even the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had also said it was tightening its regulation of the finances of organizations operating in the region. Last year, another Northern lawmaker, Gudaji Kazaure, also alleged that some of the NGOs operating in the Northeast aid the terrorists.
This is what happens when Nigeria has refused to focus inwardly and squarely on itself and its people in addressing some of its problems, rather than depending and relying on foreign entities to do it for them. The above reported case, which is aiding the Boko Haram sect, is just the one that is seen. What about the ones that are not known/seen? Apparently, there is too much emphasis on, and dependence on foreigners to do things right for us. And these foreigners often have interests that are not in the interest/benefit of Nigeria. The truth is, some of the world powers may obviously be aiding and instigating the crises/insecurity situation in the country, as well as other African countries, so as to enable them sell their guns, war planes, arms and other military wares, to the developing countries in Africa, which includes Nigeria. And who do we blame, if the Nigerian Government play into their hands. They have failed to realize that no foreigner will develop our country for us because if they do so, it means we will no longer patronize their made-in-foreign goods and military wares, as it is now. So, they would prefer/want us to remain underdeveloped. This fact, needs to be repeated so that Nigerians and its political leaders would heed to it: The developed countries does not really want us to develop as we should, so that Nigeria will continue to be economically and financially-tied to them, and also keep patronizing their exports. If Nigeria is developed, the Nigerian youths with their talents and special skills will no longer troop to Europe and America to help them run and develop their foreign countries. Nigeriens with talents and special skills are drifting to these foreign countries to help develop their economies, and that is how they are also making a lot of money from Nigeria via their Visa application fees, which they remit back home to their foreign countries.
With the situation reported above, it is therefore imperative that the activities of foreign NGOs/organizations be carefully watched. Most of their grants are traps that are yet to explode. It is believed that some of these foreign NGOs/Organizations are sponsored by Nigerian corrupt politicians who might want to use them to create confusion and crises in different parts of the country. they can even finance them abroad, and bring them into Nigeria to come and create havoc. We also have reasons to believe that some of these foreign NGOs/Organizations are being used by corrupt Nigerian politicians to launder public funds from abroad into the country, without drawing the attention of anti-graft agencies. However, we are glad that the EFCC is beginning to wake up to realize the possibility of this situation happening, and have started focusing their searchlights in this area.
It is appalling to see Nigerians/political leaders easily getting excited when they hear the term “oyibo NGOs,” and our local NGOs usually go about begging for grants from these foreign NGOs/donors, which they may give with wrong intentions. A pastor once said that Satan will never give you something for free without causing harm in another way/angle. Some of these foreign NGOs and their habit of donating grants, are like time bombs, which have been sealed to explode. Our Nigerian political leaders are still depending on foreign nations to help them get their acts together and do what is expected of them. But they forget that these foreign countries also have their internal problems, and they are ready to do anything to satisfy their interests first, even to the detriment of other developing nations like Nigeria. It is also sad to see how our leaders always rush to attend all these summits and what have you, often organized by these foreign countries. The question is, why can't our Nigerian political leaders direct Nigerian Ambassadors and High Commissioners to represent them in all these frivolous summits. I believe that is essence of us having Embassies and Permanent Representatives in the UN, Commonwealth, etc.
While some have linked Africa’s underdevelopment to the exploitation suffered in the hands of capitalist Europe and North America, which is still very much alive today but in a different dimension of imperialism and neo-colonialism, others like us however, are of the view that the destiny and future of any nation, is solely in the hands of its people, this includes both the political leaders and the masses. Regardless of a nation’s past/unfortunate bad experiences, what matters is how the people of that nation are able to rise above such bad experiences to become what they ought to amongst the league of nations.
The bottom line is that Nigeria’s dependence on foreign countries to address our problems is too much, and needs to be curbed drastically. Nigeria has tremendous manpower and human resourcefulness, that are mostly untapped, under-utilized, and underdeveloped, and are just there waiting to be tapped to uplift the country in all sectors. We should learn to believe in ourselves, and start focusing more on addressing our problems ourselves, and realize that these foreign entities do not mean well for us. In the world that we currently live, it is either you eat or be eaten.
Like we have repeatedly mentioned in several write ups: no foreign country will genuinely help Nigeria to develop as it ought to. No foreign country will honestly help Nigeria to holistically fight corruption with sincerity of purpose. Nigeria must be developed by Nigerians, period! Every country wants to achieve greatness. The Americans would say: “America First”. Perhaps, it is time we start saying: “Nigeria First.” We should adopt this slogan and start practicing it. This is a competitive world and it is only the strongest that survives or achieves greatness. We have to make Nigeria great by becoming more patriotic. And stop our young and vibrant youths from trooping out of the country to help contribute towards the development of other foreign countries.
Zik Gbemre.
October 19, 2019
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes