At the First Diaspora Dialogue
Address by
HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO
At the First Diaspora Dialogue
I address you this morning not only with much pleasure and privilege,
but fully seized of a deep sense of history and a vibrant feeling of
confidence in the bright promise of a process that we are starting here
today. For here and now, Nigeria is taking the bold first step to
enable Nigerians living outside the country to participate fully in the
process of visioning, planning and pursuing the political well being,
the economic development and the sound governance of their country.
They are being brought back to the fold, not as a response to any
expediency, but as an overdue development, as it were, to bring all
hands on deck in the refitted and highly seaworthy Noah's Ark of
Nigeria.
Atlanta is, for many reasons, an appropriate venue for us in Nigeria to
hold the first Diaspora Dialogue. It was in this city four years ago,
1996, that Nigeria distinguished herself in the Olympic Games as the
champion of the world in football, the most popular game ever. This is
also the city of the late Martin Luther King, Jr., the acknowledged
leader and martyr for the advancement of Black people, particularly in
this great country. Besides, the City is richly endowed with other
illustrious sons and daughters who distinguished themselves in leading
the long struggle for human rights and civil rights; among them, my
friends former President Jimmy Carter and former Mayor, Ambassador
Andrew Young. For good measure, the Atlanta area is populated by a
large number of Nigerians of all ages and stations in life. It is a
rich ecological zone of the Nigerian Diaspora.
Atlanta apart, the United States is the logical place to commence and
focus our diasporic activities. For obvious reasons, when people from
many different nations all over the world refer to their Diaspora, they
are very likely first and foremost referring to their indigenes living
in America. Rich endowment in natural resources combined with the
democracy, freedom and free enterprise have made the United States of
America very attractive to all progressive people all over the world
who have something to offer to come and actualize their dreams. In
this gathering today, my fellow countrymen and women came from all
parts of the United States, because this country has one of the largest
Nigerian communities outside Nigeria. The recent visit to Nigeria by
President Clinton clearly demonstrates that this booming community of
our people has a meaning and purpose.
My political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, and my government,
indeed, all Nigerian governments have always expressed commitment to
giving full opportunity to all Nigerians to contribute to the
development of their country. That is consistent with our
Constitutional Directive Principles of State Policy. But, this
particular issue of a formalized participation of Nigerians in the
Diaspora in the affairs of their country has been an issue gnawing my
mind for a very long time. The more I thought of it, the more it
became imperative to do something about it as soon as Providence
afforded me the opportunity to do so. Those here who are old enough to
remember, will surely that our preoccupation with the political
programme and national security did not allow us to embark on long term
processes like this one during the period that some call Obasanjo One.
By the Grace of God, we have been favoured with the second chance to
act and will do so.
My Fellow Countrymen and Women, all of us are deeply concerned about
the prospects as well as the problems of our dear country and we have
surely agreed on the need to move forward to maximize our
opportunities, decisively solve both our political and economic
problems and to develop into a united. Great and benevolent nation to
bequeath to our children and to Africa and the world. In that
formidable task, we shall require all our will and all our wits. As
they say, we need to get our act together. In this task, we thank God
that we have the freedom to take our own decisions.
Then, we must mobilize our total resources. That has wide
connotations, including imaginative planning, cutting out waste and
inefficiency, exorcising corruption as completely as possible, keeping
more of our earnings instead of bleeding to the payment of unfair
debts, and gathering as much supplementation as possible from our
friends and well-wishers disposed to do so. We are doing all that,
with new resolve and firmness, and are determined to make a difference.
Manpower is the most vital component of resources. The mobilization
just referred to cannot take place in the absence of high quality
manpower. But, manpower has to be properly understood and applied as a
resource. Far too often, labour and capital are applied as inputs to
the development process without much tangible result, even if the
intentions are noble. So, what could be wrong?
It is now accepted that improvement in productivity is very much
dependent upon, as I said, the proper understanding of human capital,
in its very fine and profound aspects. The most important
distinguishing element of the human capital is knowledge. Knowledge
and the ability to diversify, expand and spread it, is an attribute
that divine Providence has showered on Man. Knowledge is spread
through education. Knowledge should thus be expanded through
investment in education, skills and research. Knowledge should be
understood as the intangible that reflects the power of God. You give
as much as you have and are still left with all that you have.
Understanding knowledge must be followed by properly applying it to the
economy. Job satisfaction, for example, is necessary for the optimal
use of acquired knowledge and skill. For all that, knowledge should be
used and not feared or shunned. Anti-intellectualism is a very poor
economic strategy. That knowledge, or human capital, as the keyword
in today's development economics is a World Bank concept that I fully
subscribe to. We all recollect that the United States Senate passed an
Act introducing Gifted Education in the United States as a shocked
response to the Soviet launching of the first Sputnik in 1957. This
was a sharp and timely resort to the development of human capital,
which no doubt contributed to some of the spectacular space
achievements of this our host country.
Finally, understanding knowledge is to know that it can be accessed and
used without necessarily amassing manpower for the purpose. This is
because of the great advances in communication technology like the
e-mail, Internet, satellite broadcast, etc. In other words, we can tap
the knowledge and skills of many of our fellow Nigerians, wherever they
are, provided they are willing to oblige. Time was when a professional
had to be physically at home before one can use his or her skills. It
is no longer necessary, in many instances, although we would still
prefer to have them home.
We can now summarize the foregoing outlining the scenario. Nigeria is
a country in dire need of economic development and the improvement of
the standard of living of the people. The country has invested much in
education. Access was expanded at all levels, particularly since the
Civil War. Oil was converted to knowledge. The quality of the
education received was high. That is why many of the nationals were
able to leave the country and find greener pastures elsewhere. Many of
them did and achieved positions of eminence in the adopted countries of
residence. For long, for various un-edifying reasons, not much was
done to try to tap the knowledge and skills of these Nigerians outside.
Part of the reasons arose from the limited understanding of the
concept of human capital as just manpower, and it was assumed that
there was sufficient manpower available since there was a considerable
amount of unemployment at home.
With advances in science and technology of communications, and with a
new approach to economics as being necessarily knowledge-based, drawing
on intellect and skill both near and far, it became not only morally
right but expedient to seek for and utilize the knowledge and skills of
Nigerians wherever they are. That is precisely what we are setting out
to do, starting from here. Fellow compatriots, that is the movement we
are asking you to patriotically enroll in and work with us to the Glory
of God and our Fatherland.
I know that some refer to me these days as a preacher. While I do not
deny doing that in my spare time, I dislike preaching to the converted.
I shall, therefore, not spend any time giving you here, and all those
anywhere in the wide world, who are not here, reasons why you should
participate in this Project, more than to say for the Glory of God and
our Fatherland, because I know that we are on the same side of the
divide on this issue.
I assure you that I do take encouragement that you are already part of
it. Your presence here and your hard work since yesterday bear
eloquent testimony to your affirmative response to our call. I thank
you very much, but posterity will thank you more. I, therefore,
propose to devote the rest of this address to the mechanics of the
process: how to get the best results in the shortest time in an
affordable and sustainable way. We have no doubt that you may also
have been thinking of how to proceed. What we suggest here should be
used to guide or supplement whatever you may have elaborated in your
discussions.
Let me start by expressing to you what this movement is not, in order
to avoid misunderstanding. First of all, we are not embarking on a
massive recruitment drive or scholarship sponsorship exercise. We are
expanding the job market at home by the totality of what we are doing,
and these new jobs will be accessed in the normal fashion
notwithstanding the fact that we shall from time to time be conducting
"head hunts", seeking for particular individuals to fit into
appropriate super-skilled jobs. We would not like to convey the
impression that we are out to promote a homeward exodus.
Secondly, this is not a new public relations exercise, like a number of
failed past national mobilization initiatives each characterized by the
structural defects of the binge element, by the defect of undue
publicity with heightened personality cults and expectations of instant
political dividend, and by the defect of being the opportunity to
expend or siphon away public funds. We have hopefully left for good
that blighted phase of our life as a people. This is a serious
movement that we hope will elicit the best of patriotic motives, one
that will develop its own momentum and become a regular part of our
system, sine qua non.
Finally, this is not another manifestation of the mentality of big
government, wanting to do everything for everybody in an unrealistic
Santa Claus fashion in order to increase its grip on society. We are
very much believers in the political and economic reforms that seek to
transfer much power and function to the civil society, in this case,
precisely to the private sector. It does not in anyway mean abdicating
responsibility. We shall be there to give every help that may be
required of Government. But, the activities will be initiated and
promoted by the private sector which we are grooming to be weaned off
and even become the dominant partner to Government.
It is important to accept and use the reigning concept that Civil
Society has, within the past decade, become the stakeholder in
development. In traditional capitalism, the company or firm is the
investor. But in the human capital theory, individuals are regarded as
investors, and demonstrate investment faculties throughout their lives
in the choices they make in their education, choice of place of abode,
choice of partners, choice of occupations. All these are regarded as
investments aimed at maximizing returns in the form of livelihood.
That is why, in this initiative, Civil Society is a more appropriate
agent than Government.
It is envisaged that a Foundation shall be established as a
Non-Government Organization (NGO) to promote the attainment of the
goals of the movement. The NGO will establish structures and networks
that will promote the use of special skills of Nigerians in Diaspora.
This can be reimbursable service with the promise of a handsome return.
Being a professional practice, the NGO will establish data banks of
expertise using the latest tools of technology.
Government will assume two roles. The first is that of a facilitator
to enable the process to take off. We think that this will justify the
limited use of public funds. Secondly, Government will be an end user
of the service of the NGO, on a reimbursable basis. In other words,
Government, like any other user, will assign the NGO to undertake
activities, each for a given fee. But, Government does not have to be
the sole user or even the principal user. Government will facilitate
the work of the NGO by its direction of public policy and establishing
the proper economic framework, both as part of its constitutional
responsibility and its implementation of the programmes in its
political manifesto. Besides, the availability of such a service can,
for example, stimulate Government to embark on the human capital audit
of its programmes and projects in order to take good stock of the
availability of such a resource. This widens legitimate and beneficial
assignment opportunities for the NGO.
The activities of the NGO should prove very attractive to foreign
companies, as well as multilateral agencies and other Governments. The
current problems of staffing technical cooperation agreements with
expensive expatriate staff, and the continuation of such projects after
the expiry of the cooperation protocol...All those will be addressed by
the NGO on a win-win basis.
The possibilities are limitless. A large and accessible pool of high
skilled Nigerians driven by patriotism, and encouraged by just
remuneration for their skilled services, is potentially an efficient
engine for accelerated development of a sound, reliable and affordable
basis.
Naturally, much consultation and planning are required. We need the
seed of core investors to set the ball rolling. We also need to
sensitize our fellow Nigerians all over the world to this idea. Of
course, we need to convince the potential end users: Governments, at
all tiers and levels in Nigeria, the multilateral agencies like the
World Bank, IMF, WHO, UNDP, USAID, European Union and others, as well
as all cooperating foreign Governments in particular programmes, like
those of ECOWAS.
One thing is certain. The Federal Government we are privileged to head
will leave no stone unturned to help in the capacity we have here
outlined.
It is my hope that our First Diaspora Dialogue will elucidate the
scheme and the mechanism further, highlighting areas of emphasis and
drawing attention to potential difficulties that need to be
preemptively addressed.
Later this week, I hope to hold another Diaspora meeting in London,
England. It is our intention to hold as many of such meetings as
possible, in the next year or two, to cover all areas of concentration
of Nigerian skills. For example, it is our hope to hold more of such
meetings here in America in other cities, as time goes. But, it is my
feeling that this movement will gain sufficient momentum for the
necessary structures to be set up without the necessity of huge
preliminary meetings, certainly without the necessity of the President
being in attendance.
There is a Standing Committee at home, made up of Ministers of the
appropriate ministries and, for now, headed by the Minister of
Education. We are also receiving advice from different expert sources,
among them our very good friends here in the USA. Besides, I assure
you that during this formative period, all reports of preparatory
meetings and other activities will end up on my desk to receive my
personal attention. My interest is not a flash-in-the-pan fleeting
fancy. It has been long standing and consuming, and will not flag
until our noble objectives in the Diaspora Movement are achieved.
Before I conclude, my fellow countrymen and women, let me try to clear
in advance any charge of over-simplification. I am quite aware that I
have been talking to Nigerians in the Diaspora who have acquired high
level marketable skills. Clearly, it cannot be so for everyone. There
are different classes of expatriate Nigerians, for example here in the
USA. Some were students who came on their own, or on scholarship and
then defaulted. There are also professionals who may still have a bond
or contract on them at home, while many may be free. There are family
entourage migrants and some were transported in the first few months of
their fetal lives to be born here as American citizens. I am also
aware of the self-made refugees. Some were justifiably political
refugees, although we can no longer see any justification for such a
status now. Others are economic refugees or fugitives from justice.
Finally, there are entrepreneurs in politics and in economics, both
types to varying degrees of success. I note with pride that a
Nigerian, Mr. Emmanuel W. Onunwor, is the Mayor of East Cleveland and
there are many holding positions of eminence, trust and responsibility
in the American Federal and State Governments, in large companies,
multilateral agencies and even in the Silicon Valley.
All of you can contribute to the development of your country. I know
that some of you are already doing much privately, particularly with
their families. I urge you to continue with all the good things you
are doing. Just build on that the goals of our new Diaspora Movement,
and work with others.
Some of you can contribute better by remaining here to take advantage
of the vast opportunities in the USA. Others will contribute better by
going home. All those with scholarship bonds and contracts should go
home. All those who are here to spoil the good name of the country
through trafficking in drugs, 419 fraud or other crimes should also go
home. There is nothing on earth to justify your ruining the good name
and image of your country for your illegal personal gain. To those who
think that they have done so well here, that they have forgotten
Nigeria, I say, East or West, Home is the Best. But to those who are
prepared to give a chance, by jumping in and participating positively,
to the ideas discussed here, I say, WELCOME BROTHER, WELCOME SISTER.
I thank you for your kind attention. Let me now declare this meeting
formally open, and thereby launching, at the same time, our Nigerian
Diaspora Movement. God bless you all.
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Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Saturday 9th September, 2000