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Bob Dewar
British High Commissoner, Abuja, AbujaAt my last reception before leaving I said I had witnessed some positive developments during the last three years and gave examples including the amnesty in the Niger Delta and electoral reform. President Jonathan as ECOWAS Chair was also standing up robustly for the democratic outcome in Ivory Coast.
I said Africa looked to Nigeria, its largest democracy, to bring about credible elections. All politicians should uphold international standards of democratic behaviour and put national interest before private interests.
I'm positive about Africa and positive about Nigeria. Much depends on the kind of Nigeria that Nigerians want for the future- and on the value system Nigerians want.
Bob Dewar
The full British team in Abuja planted 1000 trees the other day in the gardens in the heart of Abuja. Expert gardeners were on hand with the seedlings- and they'll water them and keep them going- but we provided the labour. It'll help change the micro climate over time. Nigeria's tree cover is disappearing and there is not enough 'ownership' of the problem by individuals. It's nice to use a team building event to make a wider contribution. I hope our initiative will get more citizens thinking about the greening of Abuja- and the greening of Nigeria.
Bob Dewar
Visited Benin City the capital of Edo state and once an important centre of forestry. Paid my respects to HRH the Oba. We discussed many issues including the importance of leaving the next generation a heritage whereby forests are sustainably managed, not cut down indiscriminately, and where we are working hard to prevent climate change through lower carbon economies. I said I had a personal interest- my father was a forester in that very same part of Nigeria 60 years ago.
Bob Dewar
Bob Dewar
Had a really encouraging day on Friday, facilitating a plenary session organised by President Jonathan and Vice President Sambo on the way forward on electricity power. There's nothing Nigerian citizens want more than reliable power. It's great that the government across the board are pushing this agenda forward. The amount of power supplied through the public network has increased by more than half when compared to a year ago as a result. It seems that Nigeria at long last wants to develop the sector in line with international best practice. Institutional reforms are under way. Much more needs to be done on fuel, finance, and fixing realistic tariffs, but I encouraged all concerned to press on urgently and take the necessary actions. At present, 60 million people in Nigeria have their own generators. And the amount of power produced is terribly low. Just providing reliable power and reducing its cost to business could help revolutionise the economy, encourage investment, and totally change the quality of life for ordinary people.
Bob Dewar
Sometimes we take things for granted. It is a simple truth that clean water and having a toilet and washing one’s hands help keep one alive.
But 65 million people in Nigeria do not have safe drinking water. That’s two out of every five people. And two out of three have no proper toilet. But even that is not the full story. Simply washing hands with soap can cut diarrhoea by over 40%. But diarrhoea persists in being Nigeria’s second biggest killer of children.
And those facts potentially undermine everything that is being done to reduce poverty in Nigeria, to promote education and to stop children and mothers dying in childbirth. Just having a toilet of the sort you and me take for granted in Britain is a luxury. It's extraordinary that half the people of the world don't have that. And what a difference it can make to health just to be able to wash one's hands properly.
Water has a huge bearing on life in Africa. Think of the girls who spend an hour a day fetching it for their family. Some miss their class as a result. And there's another reason why girls sometimes miss school- no toilet.
But there is some good news. Things are beginning to be done. Just one splendid example is that guinea worm is nearly eradicated in Nigeria after an intense programme of drilling boreholes by DFID and UNICEF- it’s a very painful disease caught from water contaminated with larvae.
So when you drink clean water, wherever you are, do savour it. And give thanks. Water is life after all.
Bob Dewar
Met some young leaders involved in a course organised by the British Council. This brought together an impressive collection of individuals, designed to catalyse their leadership qualities and help them break through into proactive influencing and networking. Good leadership at all levels is certainly an important issue for the future of Nigeria. It is excellent that new young leaders are being given this opportunity to think about collaborative approaches involving trust and aiming to lead to Nigerian solutions to Nigerian problems.
Bob Dewar
Nigeria is going through some difficult moments. But this is the time to look forward nevertheless.
The ceremony on 1 October in Abuja to mark 50 years Independence was sadly overshadowed by tragic loss of life from some car bombs. Our Government including William Hague have been clear in our condemnation, expressing our shock over such a contemptible crime and conveying condolences and sympathies to the families and relatives of those bereaved and injured.
But the Anniversary has been an important moment to reflect, to think about the past 50 years and to look to the future. The Duke Of Gloucester represented The Queen last week and that theme- the future- was symbolised by his meeting at the very end when he met youngsters from schools. These are school children and teachers involved in connecting Nigerian class rooms to British ones and in the outreach programme of the London 2012 Olympics. The confidence of the children as they spoke about their hopes for the future, what they wanted to do with their lives, was great! And they again show the close friendship between our two countries and peoples.
Ordinary Nigerians- like people everywhere- want simple things. They want electric power, health and education. They want a policy environment that brings jobs. They want to see an end to corruption. No ordinary Nigerian wants violence. So, while the government needs to do everything to ensure security and safety for everyone, bringing the perpetrators of the car bombs to justice, it will be important also that all politicians do focus constructively on the real priorities ahead for their citizens.
Bob Dewar
Gave the Akintola Williams Nigeria Britain Association annual lecture in Lagos. It's only a week to go before Nigeria's 50th anniversary of Independence and I spoke about the importance of our bilateral relationship and positive hopes for the future!
Bob Dewar, Minister of State for Education, and mebers of Council Nigeria-Britain Association
We do want Nigeria to succeed, looking forward. I referred to the importance of bringing about credible elections- and the need for politicians to put national interests first. With good leadership and policies and governance this can be Nigeria's century- and Africa's century- given its tremendous resources and people. Yes there are challenges, including creating opportunities for the young, but where there's the will there's the way! And Britain wants to forge even deeper ties, providing the quality goods and knowledge and investment and international standards that Nigeria needs and which can underpin our vibrant modern patnership.
Bob Dewar
At the same time thoughts should go to the less fortunate, including those who have suffered in the recent extremes of weather including floods in the North.
Bob Dewar
'Youth not oil will be the country's most valuable resource'!
A powerful statement made in the Next Generation Report produced by an independent task force supported by the British Council. This was launched yesterday in Abuja in the presence of the British Council Chairman Vernon Ellis. It outlined the opportunity to make full use of the potential of Nigeria's youngsters- what is called the demographic dividend- and the risks if the right policies are not adopted.
40% of Nigeria's 150 million people are under 15.
Many of them feel their voice is not heard. They need better provision of health, education and infrastructure services and crucially, decent jobs. They often complain of nepotism and corruption. Young people believe they can bring positive change through their vitality, energy and enthusiasm. However, the right conditions need to be in place for them to make a difference.
As I said in my short remarks I hope Nigerian decision makers will read this stimulating and important Report and take positive action. Young people themselves need to respond constructively as well.
Bob Dewar
Gave a talk at the Securities and Exchange Commission who regulate the Nigerian capital market. It plays a key role in rebuilding confidence following the stress which the Nigerian capital market and banking sector has come under, partly because of local issues (eg some insider dealings, share price manipulation, excessive risk taking, connected lending) and partly because of the impact of the global financial crisis. I wanted to commend the new Director General and her staff on their work in recent months.
I stressed the need for good corporate governance and risk management on the one hand and good behaviour by the private sector (fight corruption, walk the talk) on the other. I also highlighted the benefit of a joined up approach across the different policy and regulatory institutions in banking and finance- and the importance of the Central Bank being independent. And I summarised our own response in the UK to the global financial situation.
This stimulated some interesting questions and comments. One member of the audience said that the SEC and other regulators actually understood what to do but the problem was political interference! I made clear how important it was to have good national leadership and political will. Such leadership should allow the regulators to do their job without interference. And regulators everywhere need to apply international standards with the support of a good legal system which applies the rule of law.
Bob Dewar
"In my recent visit to Kaduna I again met an impressive range of influential leaders from all parts of civil society who are trying to encourage different ethnic and religious groups to focus on dialogue and mutual understanding and respect between members of society. That is the best way to behave and to resolve differences.
It is all about providing inclusive governance, being the leader for all the diverse communities in a State. Dialogue and understanding and being fair and just to all are the principles needed to move forward harmoniously in society and governance, not violence or discrimination. Peace and tolerance are all important as Nigeria charts its next 50 years.
It may be that there will be a risk of political tensions increasing in some areas prior to elections. This is a challenge to all leaders - who should commit themselves to do everything possible to avoid and prevent violence, corruption, rigging and hate speech."
Bob Dewar
I again stressed the urgency of getting on with practical arrangements to produce a credible voters' register, to enable every vote to count. This will need to be part of a comprehensive plan. Not only must the register be properly updated - and without fraud - but there needs to be security for candidates and voters, the primaries need to be democratic, politicians need to abide by the code of conduct - promising to avoid violence, rigging, hate speeches etc - and civil society needs to be fully involved. This will make people want to vote. Apathy needs to change into active participation. What about debates? It would be good if citizens could decide their vote on the basis of policy and performance not just personality.
Professor Jega made clear that he and his team were determined to do as well as possible to get it right. He had already been talking to political parties and civil society and this would continue. One main challenge however was to get everything done properly in the time available.
This will be an important election for Africa and the Commonwealth. The UK are trying to be helpful in partnership, provided the political will and performance is there. Professor Jega and his team are faced with a real challenge over the coming months and the behaviour of politicians will be crucial. Bringing about peaceful and credible elections will be very important for Nigeria's international standing and timely to do so just after 50 years of independence.'
Bob Dewar
Not only must results be published at the polling stations but no local or State authorities should be allowed to defraud the results on the way up the ladder. So this means that eligible voters should be able to vote. Their votes should be counted honestly. The final result must be the true one and come from the bottom up not the top down.
As always a lot depends on behaviour of politicians at local, State and national level, ie walking the talk. Both ruling party and Opposition. Party primaries should be democratic, transparent and credible. And everyone should commit themselves publicly to avoid violence, intimidation, fraud and hate speech.
The 2011 elections are such a good opportunity to rebuild trust between citizens and the state. And Nigeria can show the way in Africa and the Commonwealth by carrying out free, fair and credible elections. The opportunity must not be squandered. Voter apathy can be reversed if the process is serious and politicians really show they want credible elections. If that's the case it can't be 'business as usual'.
Bob Dewar
This is a blog about the work of British High Commissioner in Abuja.
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