BlogIt-rrs: The Africa Post (TAP)

Nigeria: Business, Investment, and Development Opportunities Presented by Six Key Nigerian Governors Nigeria: Business, Investment, and Development O

2012-03-04T20:36:00.001+01:00

H.E. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi – Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Governor of Rivers State

H.E. Ibrahim Shehu Shema – Governor of Katsina State

H.E. Liyel Imoke – Governor of Cross River State

H.E. Gabriel Suswam – Governor of Benue State

H.E. Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha – Governor of Imo State

H.E. Ibikunle Amosun – Governor of Ogun State

Ambassador Herman J. Cohen – President of Cohen and Woods International, retired from the U.S. Department of State in 1993

Wale Adeosun – Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Kuramo Capital Management, LLC

Ambassador Robin Renée Sanders – Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, served in Nigeria beginning in December 2007

Steve McDonald – Program Director for the Africa and Leadership and State Capacity Building Programs of the Wilson Center

Although Nigeria is often thought of in terms of oil production and a legacy of military governance, recent democratic gains combined with anticorruption initiatives and a focus on development which are opening the country to investment in “non-oil” business and development ventures. In keeping with Africare's Policy Series and Constituency's For Africa's Ron H. Brown Series, the Wilson Center's Afrca Program hosted six Nigerian Governors who have been and continue to be instrumental in creating and advocating economic and human development in their respective states. Ambassador Robin Sanders introduced each of the governors and said that she had “had the wonderful opportunity to visit all of their states many times and by far to [her] they are the dynamic, key governors that are doing incredible things in their states.” Ambassador Herman Cohen moderated the first panel discussion and quipped that the occasion was special, “because during my long career in diplomacy … and [having] interacted with many high government officials from the top and all of them were not elected people. They were all people mostly from the military and it is a privilege to be in the presence of people who were elected and are accountable to their constituents.” Each Governor proudly presented the opportunities in their state and encouraged private and public investors to forge lasting partnerships with the Nigerian people in order to ensure a strong, stable, and internationally significant Nigeria.

Panel 1

H.E. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi

Despite a volatile past, the Nigeria of today is fertile ground for business and investment, and analysis of the current conditions will show not only the need for development within certain sectors, but also the eagerness of the local population to participate in these ventures. Nigeria’s population of 140 to 150 million people is composed of a variety of ethnic and religious groups, which interact freely and harmoniously to make a dynamic and efficient workforce. Though consideration of the needs of the local population is key in business decision-making, other factors must also be weighed including environmental protection and the reality on-the-ground. Oil is doubtless the main Nigerian export, leaving the national economy dependent on its production and distribution. One of the cardinal priorities of the current class of elected officials is to reduce oil dependence and diversify the Nigerian economy by developing the agricultural sector and creating jobs in manufacturing and tourism. This diversification would lead to job security and a more competitive and stable Nigeria, thereby increasing regional and international confidence in the country. Past spats of violence and tumult have shaken investor confidence and left valid questions in the minds of many risk-averse practitioners. But, peace in the delta is beginning to take hold and can be seen through the recent rise in oil production. Each Nigerian state is endowed with different assets that should be carefully considered by potential investors and business partners. Rivers State has a population of five million and is the largest oil and natural gas producer in the country. Governor Amaechi characterized this abundance of natural resources as a blessing and a curse for the state. Oil production in Rivers has stimulated economic growth and employment opportunities for the state, but it has also given rise to environmental degradation and pollution in certain areas. Additionally, there has been a gulf between the wealth generated by this industry and the actual income of the population, which must be resolved. The potential for development within the power and agricultural industries could address this issue and alleviate some of the economic disparities among the local population. Rivers State has made progress in the education and health care sectors, yet there is always room for improvement. A recent partnership with an Indian firm has led to the modernization of the school system, bringing it up to UNICEF standards. Availability of and access to healthcare has also been a priority, and medical tourism is an option under consideration by local officials.

H.E. Ibrahim Shehu Shema

The Governor of Katsina spoke about his state of six million people and described the possibilities that investors could explore within its borders. Katsina State is particularly rich in minerals including precious stones, including diamonds, yet the extraction and refinement industries within the state are underdeveloped. There are also vast opportunities for modernization and expansion within the agricultural sector. Farming is the principal source of livelihood in Katsina, and any advances made would have a direct, positive impact on the local population. Nationally, agriculture is one of the largest contributors to Nigeria’s GDP and, is, therefore, an area that, if properly developed, could provide sustainable and productive occupations for many Nigerians. Compared to other Nigerian states, Katsina lacks abundance in oil reserves, which has led to the diversification of the energy sector and investment in alternative power sources. Currently, a substantial wind power project is being realized to harness energy through more environmentally sound methods. This sector has ample room for growth. In conclusion, Governor Shema emphasized his commitment to providing commercial and industrial incentives to encourage business partnerships in his state. “We have the ambition to ensure that our people are productively employed,” he stated, “and that our resources are well-harnessed for the well-being of all in Nigeria.” “If we harness agricultural resources well, along with oil resources and minerals, I have no doubt that Nigeria’s quest for development by 2020 is achievable,” the Governor asserted.

H.E. Liyel Imoke

Cross River State is one of the most dynamic states of Nigeria and is heralded as one of the “cleanest and greenest” in the country. Moreover, Cross River’s economy is growing faster than the nation’s economy at 6.33% due to its plenitude of minerals and natural resources. It is also host to one of the largest tropical forest in Africa which offers an added level of biodiversity in the natural environment. Cross River State encompasses three different climate zones allowing for a range of agricultural variety that constitutes 42% of the state’s GDP. In addition to the agricultural offerings of the local environment, the prospect for tourism is optimal in the state that boasts of having “Africa’s warmest welcome.” As a result of significant foreign investment, this sector is slowly growing and shows promise for extensive job creation. In conjunction with the drive to boost tourism in the region, Governor Imoke highlighted the need for investment in education and professional training, notably in the service industry. Cross River is home to a sizable skilled and educated (over 1.8 million literate) workforce, and skill-specific training would increase their ability to shift towards a more service-driven economy.

Panel 2

Wale Adeosun, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Kuramo Capital Management, moderated the second panel of Governors and stated that “as an investor, this event is a testament to what is happening in the country. To invest in the country, the key issue that everybody worries about is political stability and political risk. As you have seen from the [governors]… the political transition in Nigeria is a strong testament to what the future holds for the country.”

H.E. Gabriel Suswam

The crop-rich state of Benue is often called the “breadbasket” of Nigeria. Eighty percent of the 4.7 million people who inhabit the state earn their livelihood from the land, rendering agriculture development the core focus of elected officials within the state. Farming education and training are provided to the local population by the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi and the Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture. Also, Benue has a wealth of coal, limestone, and salt deposits, and has a large beach corridor that is virtually undeveloped. Benue State is also extremely culturally vibrant, and in tandem with its picturesque beach properties have led the region’s leaders to prioritize tourism in development planning as an expanding industry that holds promise for the people and economy.

H.E. Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha

Imo State shares many of the characteristics of other Nigerian states i.e., agricultural wealth, gas resources, and abundant, inexpensive labor, yet Governor Okorocha took pains to discuss the features that set Imo State apart from the others. First and foremost, education is the key focus of this region, and elected officials consider investments in this sector to be vital. The manpower and framework are already in place, but they lack the financing necessary to build the desired educational system. Within this system, officials hope to establish a network of professional schools and special training programs to equip a new generation of Nigerians with a skill set that can build and sustain competitive, market-oriented industries. To achieve this goal, potential investors will be incentivized by free land, 15-year tax exemptions, and work visas. Moreover, with specialized training and skills, the manufacturing industry in Imo will be able to grow beyond its current state.

H.E. Ibikunle Amosun

The bustling region of Ogun is often referred to as the “gateway state” due to the large, busy highway that adjoins disparate parts of the state. Agriculture, commerce, and industry are the strengths of Ogun, and local products are distributed with ease throughout the country via the transnational highway. Governor Amosun highlighted the particular fertility of the land in Ogun state with proclamation that “everything grows here!” He articulated the integrality of agriculture to the Nigerian economy and spoke of his desire to have a more open trading environment to facilitate the distribution of Nigerian goods. Furthermore, his ambitious goal of five hundred new investors over the next few years was emphasized by promises of land donations, legal permits, and tax incentives. Ogun’s strategic location, infrastructure, and natural resources combined engender a vast economic potential and demonstrate the positive changes that are taking place in Nigeria.

Concluding Comments

The government of Nigeria is making a concerted and deliberate effort to diversify the economy in order to provide Nigerians with legitimate, sustainable career paths. Past media attention has focused on the corruption, violence, and illicit practices of the informal economy that has plagued the country, but the government now hopes that new developments will allow the media to show a new emerging face of Nigeria. By providing Nigerians with education, healthcare, and professional opportunities, the prominence of the shadow economy will shrink dramatically. Further, decisive steps to rid the government of corruption have been taken and, in effect, transformed the public sector into a more transparent, proactive entity, and raised the prevalence of elected officials that are accountable to the people of Nigeria. This is providing a new democratic environment that hopefully fosters solid and fruitful business relations. Although the advent of an entirely stable political and economic environment is far from complete, consequential progress has been made, and a welcoming and advantageous business climate for foreign investors is on the rise.

iCast News @ UN Press Center w/Ambassador Robin Sanders

2012-03-04T06:34:00.004+01:00

Ambassador Sanders moderates iCast news live show from UN Press Center, New York. Guests are Director of Woodrow Wilson Africa Program and President of Africare

http://icastnews.com/2011-mst-africa-ch.htm

“The Value, Role, & Impact of Public-Private Partnerships in Africa"

2012-03-04T05:46:00.011+01:00

FEEDS, FE3DS series

Remarks by Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders
International Affairs Advisor, AFRICARE
At
Robert H. Smith School of Business
Social Enterprise Symposium on Africa Public-Private Partnership Conference
University of Maryland
March 1, 2012

What is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP’s) and what value does this development paradigm have for Africa? Public-private partnerships (PPP’s) can take many forms, and can be projects and programs not just with the private sector. PPP's are one of the more innovative ways to address development, economic growth, unemployment and training (particularly for African youth, and women), and also can serve as a better mechanism to assist both African Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME’s), as well as a more propitious way to engage the dynamic African Diaspora. Traditionally, PPP’s in general are defined as an agreement (Memorandum or Contractual) for resources (financial and human, or a mix) between private and public sector entities. Organizations like the National Council on Public Private Partnerships (NCPPP) says a PPP exists through an “agreement [when] the skills and assets of each sector (public and private) are shared in delivering a service or facility for the use of the general public…including sharing the risks and rewards in the delivery of the service or facility.” (www.bit.ly/TNCPPP)

Although we are seeing a lot of improvements in the types of PPP’s, there remains a lot more room for improvement and creating non-traditional PPP's. For Africa, as long as donors have been in the development game there, many (not all) of the past development models have produced little-to-no sustainable success nor provided a lot of long-lasting results that fundamentally changed peoples’ lives and country challenges.

For Africa today, changing peoples' lives is so critical especially given the future demographics that are on horizon there. In using the year 2050 as a pivotal timeframe or value proposition year, let’s look at a few of the looming stats on Africa’s population and where the critical fault lines are, which will call for more and different types of development executed at a faster pace:

1. Africa will be the most populous Continent in the world, with a population of over 2.1 billion;

2. Youth workforce between the ages of 15-34 will be in excess of 1.1billion -- surpassing China and India’s workforce;

3. Between now and 2050, nearly 3 million new people become new entrants onto the Continent’s poverty matrix. (www.bit.ly/AFpop);

4. Africa will see its middle class continue to grow at a rate of 34.3% or more, possibly tripling its current 313 million middle classers. (www.bit.ly/Afmiddle);

Therefore What are the best development paradigms to assist the African public and private sectors, and its communities with these key demographic issues. PPP’s are a way to help, but we must get the right mix when creating them so they are not one-off wonders.

So let’s start with widening our PPP lens as to what a PPP is and be more creative about the players and the types.

Let’s Add Another P to the PPP Paradigm:

Innovation, Cutting-Edge Thinking, Adding New Players

Innovation – New partnerships need to be created, particularly with SMEs, MMEs (enterprises with less than 10 people), and the African Diaspora. A good example of this is the African Diaspora Market Place project, or ADM(www.bit.ly/AFdiaspora). ADM is a new partnership which includes NGOs, a U.S. private sector company and its foundation, and USAID focusing strictly on helping and providing grants to Diasporan SMEs.

Cutting-Edge Thinking – A number of creative programs are cropping up such as: the General Mills-USAID effort using PEPFAR-HIV/AIDS monies to increase capacity of African food companies(www.bit.ly/GenPep); International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) work with the Nigerian State of Cross River addressing hospital delivery services, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development’s (IFAD) work in Kenya on small farm holder horticulture projects (www.bit.ly/AF-IFAD).

Adding New Partners to the PPP Matrix - Stepping out of the traditional public-to-private sector framework, PPP’s today should and can look quite different. In fact we should be expanding the model more to include:

A.) Public Sector-to-Public Sector: Partnerships between in-country public sector entities or a public-to-public sector project where a cross-fertilization of budget resources among public sector entities can be used for a synergistic program. For example, Housing and Power Ministries could combine parts of their budgets to provide affordable, energy-efficient housing. In this case, the African public sector entities are both donor and stakeholder.

B.) Donor-to-African sub-sovereign: Donor partnerships that are directed to states/districts/parishes with in a country, or toward municipalities, or community governments – basically any governing body below Federal. Some donors are just beginning to look at this, particularly if there is good governance by local leadership.

C.) NGO-to-public sector: NGOs should begin to look more at working with any of the sub-sovereign public entities noted above, particularly in the area of community training – keeping in mind that partnerships also can include community in-kind contributions.

D.) NGOs-to-private sector: This is an area where Africare is leading the way as we have a number of private sector partnerships. Africare’s $1.5 million Coke Cola Company-funded South African HIV/AIDS clinic; our work with ExxonMobil to assist Chad women making shea butter; policy seminars with Chevron; and, a Benin water-sanitation project for schools with African vocalist Angelique Kojo, are just a few examples of innovative efforts, cutting-edge thinking, and adding new partners to the PPP paradigm.

What are the Positives of PPP and PPPP’s:

So maybe we need 4 P’s (PPPP) -- or a quadruple P -- instead of just three to describe these new kinds of partnerships, but what are the challenges to success? For success, the following elements are critical: the right mix of partners, risk-sharing, sufficient resources, agreed upon outcomes, leadership commitment, and above all stakeholder buy-in/contribution. What does this mean? Fundamentally, a positive outcome is unlikely if somewhere along the partnership link noted above there is (to use a common phrase differently) a value chain problem. For example my team in Nigeria and I moved some of our partnership efforts to the sub-sovereign level, meaning working with several of Nigeria’s states on specific sector development in both agriculture and education. In some cases we had great successes, and in others not because one or more of the links in the PPP value chain failed.

In the end, the partners have to believe in each other, know each other well, and be willing to make project adjustments as needed in order to move past the one-off wonders, and truly add more value and impact to the PPP development paradigm for Africa so that by 2050 sustainability can be achieved.

Black History Month 2012 Remarks by Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders

2012-02-17T17:16:00.006+01:00

@UNACA-Africare Event 4 Rep Barbara Lee&Rosa Whitaker CEO Whitaker Group

"African American Women in Global Affairs, Culture and History"

Thursday, February 16, 2012
6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Welcome to this joint United Nations Association of the Capital Area (UNA-NC) -Africare Event. On behalf of Africare’s President Darius Mans, myself – the international affairs advisor, and Dr. Cynthia Carter, Chief Development Officer it is a pleasure to have you at Africare House. Africare would like to thank the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area, its president, Karen Mulhauser, and all of its members who dedicate their time and effort in advocacy for and educating about the United Nations and for its leadership in bringing all of us together this evening for this wonderful 2012 Black History event.

Let me just say a few words about Africare, although most of you are friends and know our dedication and history, but it is especially noteworthy during this Month – Black History Month (BHM) – which highlights the history of a people and provides a national platform for all of us to showcase what African-Americans continue to contribute to this great land of America, and our national fabric. You know Martin Luther King, Jr. talked about the “mutuality of inclusivity” – meaning that we are all connected, interdependent, and to use a techno phrase of today link-in®, to each other as people, as nations, and as organizations.

The UNA-CA and Africare share these same elements in common. Africare has dedicated 41 years in support of the people of Africa through it various programs in agriculture, health, water and sanitation with a specific focus on women and women’s leadership, the later point – women’s leadership - brings us to the theme of our program today. This evening we will honor two-dynamic, dedicated, and demonstrative women leaders, who are also both advocates, and trailblazers – the Honorable Congresswoman Barbara Lee of the 9th District of California, and Ms. Rosa Whitaker, CEO and President of the Whitaker Group, who has been a dear friend of mine for many years.

In this 86th year of celebrating the contributions of African Americans -- as this seminal activity began in 1926 as Negro History Week, and was changed to Black History Month in 1976 -- it gives both the UNA-CA and Africare the great pleasure to recognize two incredible African-American women leaders who are both symbolic and illustrative of the sentiments of BHM month – which calls for us to “honor the accomplishments of Black Americans in every endeavor [of life] throughout our history,” and I would add in our present.

This evening’s program begins with a welcome by UNA-CA President Karen Mulhauser & Africare’s own Dr. Cynthia Carter. Their remarks will be followed by an MLK Tribute by Howard Professor Dr. Anita Nahal, then presentations to our honorees, a befitting musical tribute by Ms. Loide Jorge, and closing remarks and vote of thanks respectively by Recardo Gibson and Abioye Oyewole.

Ten Questions for Dr. Robin Renee Sanders BY VALENTINE J. BRKICH

2012-02-05T22:47:00.003+01:00

Article first appeared in RMU's Magazine

Graduate students earning master’s degrees and doctorates last month got an opportunity to broaden their global perspective, thanks to a commencement address from one of their own, ROBIN RENEE SANDERS D‘10.

The career diplomat and former ambassador to both Nigeria and the Republic of the Congo is currently on loan from the U.S. State Department, working as the international relations advisor and communication and outreach director for Africare, a nonprofit organization that focuses on the issues of food security, agriculture, health, education, and women’s empowerment on the continent.

We asked Sanders, a new member of the RMU Board of Trustees, to share some of her global perspective with readers.

WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING IN AFRICA?
I was proud to serve the American people in several African countries as a diplomat, as I believe that Africa is so important to the United States and to the American people.

WHAT DID YOU DO YOUR DOCTORAL THESIS ON AT RMU?
How various artifacts and cultural signs and symbols are used to communicate political and social issues about a particular culture.

HOW HAS YOUR RMU EDUCATION BENEFITTED YOU?
I came to Africare as its international relations advisor, but given my extensive academic experience in communications and information systems, they have asked me to also serve as their communication and outreach director. I could not have done that without the benefit of the doctorate from RMU.

I HEAR YOU SPEAK FRENCH, AS WELL AS SOME SPANISH, PORTUGUESE, AND ARABIC. HOW DID YOU COME TO BE MULTI-LINGUAL?
I studied these languages as part of my training as a diplomat.

LOOKING BACK ON YOUR CHILDHOOD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
Anything that I have become today or that I have done today is a reflection of the commitment to public service my parents taught me as a kid growing up in a military family. I learned to respect other people and their cultures as a part of living abroad with my family. The best part of anyone’s life is what they can contribute to society to help the next generation, and my time in the U.S. diplomatic corps has allowed me to do this, particularly in Africa.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO TODAY’S STUDENTS?
Live your passion and choose a career that will let you do that. I never saw my job as work, but rather as my passion.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?
I am avid about sports and I like to not only watch sporting events, but I also try to keep active myself (squash, golf, dance, etc.). In fact the U.S. Embassy Congo-Brazzaville soccer club is named after me; the team is called "Les Sanders."

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
That I love certain cartoons, particularly the old and new creative ones that have a message as part of the show. I really like “Kim Possible,” “The Wild Thornberries,” and “American Dragon,” and some of the olders ones like “Tom & Jerry.” I also love the arts and almost any cultural activity.

WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
Jazz mostly. One of my favorite artists today is Asha, a fantastic Nigerian singer. The other is a cultural artist, Chief Nike Okundaye. In all my travels and in my fascination with the arts, she is one of the most profound and talented artists I have ever met.

HAS ANYONE EVER HAD A POSITIVE, LIFE-CHANGING EFFECT ON YOU?
Lots of people…and I always thank them for coming into my life, including President Dell’Omo and Dr. Fred Kohun, who encouraged me to graduate and also get my doctorate at RMU. In general, though, I give all accolades to my parents, as they have always been my biggest fans and supporters along with my two sisters and my aunt.

For me, life is about concentric circles, instead of just one circle. And I have been fortunate enough to have many circles of really good friends that have all contributed to my life in some way, as I hope that I have done in theirs.

Africa’s Food Security:Why Durban Climate Change Conference is Important-The Continent’s Symbiotic Food Security-Climate Change Relationship

2011-12-05T21:43:00.008+01:00

A FEEEDS/FE3DS blogspot

The Durban Climate Change (CC) meeting of the Conference of Parties' 17th Session and 7th Conference of Paris (better known as COP 17 & CM7) is a follow on from Cancun (see 12/17/2010 The Africa Post , TAP) which did not move a lot of things forward on key environmental issues ranging from CO2 emissions (average CO2-eq per person is about 4tons per year), carbon sequestration (carbon credits), land and water resource management.*

The important fact that the Climate Change Conference is taking place on the African Continent for the first time should not just boil down to its mere presence in Durban, but just like key Sub Saharan African economies are emerging, Africa's emerging voice on climate change policy is vital to a number of future developmental areas, not least of which is food security – including all of its pillars from food production to improving the Continent’s ability to feed itself and using renewables to spur better agricultural energy use. However, do Africa’s agriculture, environment and energy ministers talk to each other? And, why aren’t more agricultural ministers included in the climate change discussion and vice versa? This needs to happen, but it is not – at least not regularly or in a comprehensive manner.

Most experts recognize that both food security and climate change are affecting the Continent more than any other region of the world. The food security-climate change linkage for Africa hopefully will be heavily on the table in Durban as these symbiotic impact indicators need to be addressed together. Food security specialists from development organizations and civil society (CSOs) to policy makers need to build climate change solutions into their programs. Africa climate change leaders and activists need not forget that the lack of progress on key environmental issues will continue to affect the Continent’s progress to resolve its food security challenges.

What are some of linkages and innovative ways to address these linkages? There are a number of positives noted below, which need to be more broadly implemented with country-specific adaptation on top of the need to create more new solutions. Some of the smart linkages that are being made connecting the symbiotic relationship between food security and climate change include:

-- Renewable options for water such as wind or solar-powered drip irrigation, including considering storage of power gained through battery innovative techniques like those being used by companies like AES in West Virginia;**

--Hybrid seeds that help crops withstand climate stresses such as drought, which can also lead to new usages for traditional crops such as protein-enhanced cassava ( I have visited donor-supported agribusinesses in Kano, Nigeria that adds cow peas to enhance protein in cassava flour);

--Localize agribusiness supply chain by using small farm holders or cooperative crops, reducing transport energy, and manufacturing costs; and,

-- Climate change-smart agricultural production, which helps reduce the impact on the environment such as bio-char (the process of burning plant-based remnants and making charcoal that is then used as renewable fertilizer in places like Congo, and Benin’s Songhai Integrative Farms). The Congo project also obtains carbon credits on CO2 emissions which also further helps overall energy challenges – not just in the country but over the long term for our global community.

These are just a few examples of the things being done that demonstrate the importance of focusing more on Africa’s symbiotic food security-climate change relationship. These global impact indicators -- food security and climate change (see2/3/11 TAP blogspot) -- should be addressed together to better identify solution-driven processes, usages, and outcomes, like those noted above, that respond simultaneously to the challenges of both these issues for Africa’s future and that will assist the people of Africa have a better enabling environment for overall development. African women small farmers from 10 countries calling themselves "Rural Women Assembly," demonstrated in Durban December 3, 2011, on just this point -- linking the affects of climate change on their ability to feed their families.***

What to Do?

The UN General Assembly this year called for improvement in sustainable energy by making 2012 the “International Year of Sustainable Energy,” with the goal of providing access to modern forms of energy, particularly for emerging markets and the developing world by 2030. But, if we do not improve our current efforts not only will this "sustainability" goal not be meet for Africa, but the food security-climate change symbiotic link will continue to be exacerbated as Africa’s population is expected to reach 1.9 billion by 2030, and 2 billion by 2050.**** Modern forms of energy use (some already noted above) must be link to addressing food security solutions.

Thus, we need to be more Food Security-Climate Change Smart through innovation, Africa-focused research and development like what is being done at Ghana’s new bio tech facility, and by expanding the discussion circle so that both agriculture and environment policy makers, CSOs and development entities begin to come together and share in the same international, regional, community, and village fora to address these two global impact indicators.

* See carbon footprint details @ http://bit.ly/carfoot
**Energy Now 11/13/11
*** AFP 12/3/2011 - Joe, Hood
****2050 population estimates from “This is Africa,” Sept/Oct edition 2011.

The Advocacy Initiative called FEEEDS/FE3DS®

2011-11-20T08:19:00.013+01:00

There are several key global issues of our day that require constant advocacy and dialogue to ensure that we as a nation and as a global community are doing our utmost to make the world a better place for the next generations. I believe that some of these issues are: Food Security, Education, Environment-Energy, Economics, Democracy- Development, and Self Help, or FEEEDS.
What does FEEEDS/FE3DS® mean?
-- Food Security – meaning availability and access to not just food but nutritional food;
-- Education – representing the entire range of education from knowledge learning to knowledge management to knowledge usage, which also includes training, retraining , entrepreneurship (SMEs), and formal education;
-- Environment-Energy – enabling environments for communities to thrive, as well as a focus and realization of the importance of renewable energy and alternative energy resources;
-- Economics – enhancing living wages, and on the macro level, ensuring governments, and community leaderships manage budgets and tax payer dollars not only effectively, but efficiently in order to address social service needs;
-- Democracy-Development – linking these two symbiotic issues are key to improving life-quality, especially for people of color; and,
--Self-Help – realizing that identity for anyone provides self esteem, but for nations and people of color this also represents both power and empowerment.
In Pursuit of Change:
What and how do we proceed in communicating or educating our diverse world population (now@7 billion) on the challenges of these global human FEEEDS® issues? How do we overcome or shift the paradigms that have been pre-scripted for our families, our communities, and for some nations? There are things that are pre-destined, but the negatives on FEEEDS® are not; thus we can help change these negatives. Let’s begin with communicating and educating about the challenges:
Food Security Most of the world population, particularly of color, and especially women and children, fail to get enough nutritional food to eat every single day. Most of us have heard the adage that many things in life are about “quality not quantity;”thus, this adage also applies to food security. There is a lack of consumption of the key food groups not just daily, but at every meal for many global communities. What we seem to be missing is the focus on and access to good nutrition. The examples seen around the world in communities, particularly those of color are similar as regards to food security, with the seminal issue being: access to nutritional food.
The FEEEDS/FE3DS Enabling Platforms: What are they?
1.) Education: Although many global challenges are connected to FEEEDS/FE3DS®, the way forward on many issues is education, specifically training (also vocational), retraining, formal education, entrepreneurship (SMEs), knowledge sharing, usage and management, discussion, and creative and enterprising development and design solutions, particularly for youth and women. We need to think of education as our new Frontier Enterprise where dynamic development design strategies are created to respond to FEEEDS. Education is not static, and includes more than just basic and/or formal education.
2.) Environment-Energy: These two issues are linked, and we should focus on the need to improve both sectors. Simply put – they are symbiotic and affect quality of life. Here community is being used in the big “C” sense -- meaning at the family, local, state and sovereign levels. The environment is both where you live, and how you live in your community. Where one lives must provide an “enabling atmosphere” where one feels safe and confident to thrive as a person or a culture. We must also take the responsibility to treat the living nature around us with more respect. This includes using and advocating for renewable energy, particularly using alternative resources for daily living. Here knowledge sharing will be important even on the simple things like knowing which action is greener than another. Here is a simple test: Is plastic or glass recycling greener; is flying at night greener than day flying; and, is wearing organic cotton greener than wearing recycled bamboo? (answers appear at the end)
3.) Economics: Economics plays a key role in everything – personal, family, community, and government. If the economic sure-footing is not present then it detracts from progress, vision and future planning. Enhancing living wages, ensuring government leaderships manage budgets and tax payer monies effectively and efficiently to address social service needs – are part of the fundamentals. A reliable, stable economic environment is not only empowering, but powerful and is a pillar of both a strong government, and personal identity, where self-reliance and self-esteem are the order of the day.
4.) Development-Democracy: There is also a linkage of these two themes because democracy – as defined as transparent rules, regulations, stable institutions, and equal access to social services – are a “must-have” to develop communities and address global human values, and improve life-quality – all hallmarks of democracy.
5.) Self-Help: Self-help, a pillar of leadership, is the center-beam. Countries should not always want (or expect) outsiders to always provide, guide, direct, or frame (meaning explain and resolve through their world lens) what the responses to FEEEDS® are. These issues for many nations will need to be driven by country-specific self-help by way of innovative, creative, and sometimes culturally-specific means.

Green answers: Recycled glass over plastic requires less energy as recycled plastic continues to degrade in quality; flying during the day; organic cotton over bamboo (Source Washington D.C. NBC local news 9/25/2011).

Nigeria@51 - Birthdays Mark the Time between the Past & the Future

2011-10-01T06:11:00.009+01:00

FEEEDS/FE3DS Series

Last year, 2010, I had a wish list for Nigeria@50, a milestone in the life of your nation, which was published in Leadership, the Guardian and a number of other Nigerian newspapers. Leadership has asked me to review that summer 2010 list to see which wishes, in my personal opinion, have come true and which ones are still things to be realized or are in progress. Although I am no longer living in Nigeria at this time, I personally continue to wish the people of this great nation the very best @51 years as it weathers and seeks to manage some difficult security issues. That being said, one huge part of that July 2010 list, which I never wavered on, and that has come to fruition was - a free and democratic election, that Nigerians could be proud of – which by accounts of many international observers happened in April 2011.

Other things on that list -- rebuilding agriculture, enhancing transparency, fighting corruption still represent challenges but are being worked. In a July 2010 speech (http://tinyurl.com/2010-50List), I wrote that Nigeria was"@the point where the road to change should be paved with more action on food security, improved education (particularly for the country's nearly 70 million youth & 74 million women), the environment, energy needs, and development," what I have referred to as the FEEEDS® issues over the last year. I will say now, as I did then, that every generation should be a force for change, and every year a marker of progress. So in this 51st year, many Nigerians are working to change the paradigm on the FEEEDS® issues and on past perceptions of the nation by the public abroad. I will continue to do my part to help in these areas. This does not diminish the present serious security issues because they are a reality of the world today, and we all must work together to make the world, and Nigeria safer. I know there are a number of partners working with Nigeria to address these challenges. In the same July 2010 speech, I noted that I wanted to fast forward to summer 2011 when I had just finished reading my Nigerian newspapers which were full of articles about how proud many (did not say all) Nigerians were of their election. This was the case.

In the last two quarters of 2011, Nigeria's economic growth is being heralded by many financial experts, with some pundits citing BRICA countries (http://tinyurl.com/TAP-blogitrrs-BRICA), of which Nigeria is one, serving as examples to struggling Western economies. Nigeria’s agriculture has an uptick of 7-8%, but most recognize there is so much more potential in this area; energy still is one of the key challenging linchpins for Nigeria’s development; and most investors are beginning to appreciate the incredible market that Nigeria offers (although American investments lag behind that of China and India in the region). According to recent press reports, the President of the African Development Bank (ADB), Donald Kabaruka, said last week in Washington D.C., during the annual fall meetings of the World Bank Group, that many African nations have "been there and done that" to address some of the economic challenges they faced 2-3 years ago. Nigeria is a good example of this, particularly as regards to banking reform. Your present security challenges I know are at the top of the list of issues to address. I also send my condolences to the families of those who have lost loved ones in the recent security environment.

Today in your 51st year, I remain a supporter of your democratic destiny, your progress on the FEEEDS® issues, your push for investment, and development, and the positive paths you will decide to take as a nation in the future. Happy Birthday!

Africare strengthens its commitment to Nigeria and Africa

2011-08-12T07:05:00.003+01:00

Africare’s International Programs Director, Dianne Forte (second from the right), International Affairs Advisor, Dr. Robin Renee Sanders (fourth from the right), and Nigeria Country Director, Maisha Strozier (third from left), with Lagos Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Special Duties, Dr. Aderei Sesalu, (third from right), and Director of the Job Creation Center and members of NGO Generation Enterprise.

Africare’s International Program Director, Dianne Forte, and the International Affairs Advisor, Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders traveled to Nigeria from June 13-17, 2011 for a field visit to meet with potential Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) local partners. The visit also included Africare Country Director for Nigeria, Maisha Stoizer. The recent visit strengthens Africare’s commitment to the development of Nigeria and Africa in general and emphasized Africare's programs in health, economic development, women's empowerment, youth, and agriculture, with special focus on the Delta Region where Africare is one of the few American NGOs that works in that region.

The field trip included discussions with the Lagos State Government Job Creation Center that works with NGO local partners such as Generation Enterprise which provides vocational and entrepreneurial training for a range of skills from catering, machine and grill works, carpentry, fashion design, welding, and photography. Discussions were also held with Shell, the Ovie Brume Foundation, ExxonMobil, Bank of Industry and others which focused on establishing partnerships to advance the development objectives of Nigeria.

"The Heritage Within" - Ode to Nigeria Women

2011-06-30T19:07:00.006+01:00

On July 3, 2011, "The Heritage Within" event will be held in Lagos, Nigeria, at the city's prestigious Civic Center, honoring 50 Nigerian women who have helped and shaped Nigeria since its independence 50 years ago. The upcoming event is named after the poem (Ode) below and a painting by famed Nigerian artistic icon, Nike Davies Okundaye (an honoree at the event herself). "The Heritage Within" Ode is reprinted below in honor of the event on July 3, 2011, which will feature Essence Magazine's former Editor-in-Chief Susan Taylor, Bennett College President Dr. Julianne Malveaux, and former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Robin Renee Sanders in addition to the incredible and history-making 50 Nigerian women being honored at the event and in the book entitled "50 @ 50 -- The Journey So Far":

Ode to the Nigerian Woman

Written By Dr. Robin Renee Sanders

“The Heritage Within”

Walk with me today, together down the ancestral path to see who we are as women

There is a spirit we cannot touch but always know is there – It is the "Heritage Within"

Our role is the foundation of life; our role is the foundation of change

We see our strength in the eyes of our mothers as they too have journeyed down the same ancestral path

The journey is about traditions, like 3-legged wedding pots, Uli signs, adire and ashoke cloth, henna designs, life, and certainly about long talks into the night as deep as indigo blue.

But, just like us, their lives made a difference, their contributions made an impact; their dedication to their nation allows you to stand on their shoulders today

Thus as Women for Change you will continue your journey down the ancestral path to your future, to Nigeria’s future

Remember you have a responsibility to the next generation to make a difference, to leave a mark, to make a change …just as your mothers did before you …and your grandmothers before…

Life is a journey and you have come so far, let’s walk the rest of the way together, hand-in-hand, spirit-connected-to-spirit, so that the changes we all seek come from….

The Heritage Within!

original work by Dr. Robin Renee Sanders first published - August 25, 2010

SMEs Development Enterprise Role in Nation Building

2011-06-22T02:06:00.008+01:00

Recognizing the Valuable Role of SME’s in National Development

Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are talked about a lot in the framework of growing unemployment and high population rates as the region rushes past the billionth person population mark (most of which is under 30). There are a number of international forums, which have focused on developing the region’s SME sector focused mostly on two elements:

-- SMEs are vehicles to employment and job creation.
-- SMEs are key to the region's entrepreneurial environment needs.

But what else are they? What else needs to be further highlighted? What can those who seek to support their growth do better? We all agree that SMEs -- just like big businesses -- start with a vision, an idea, or fulfill a need in a community. But fundamentally, SMEs play a critical role in nation building, nation advancement, and a nation’s innovativeness. Development cannot happen without them; growth cannot happen without them; socio-economic paradigms shifts cannot happen without them; and poverty cannot be reduced without them. They are what produce a country’s middle class. This is their development enterprise role.

Whether one is in West, East, South or Central Africa, the sectors needing development or expansion are the same -- agriculture, infrastructure development (power and transportation), manufacturing, and information technology. But SMEs bring other innovativeness to the table especially for the heavily-populated African urban areas, where cities in the region are expected to grow by 4-5 percent over the next decades (http://tinyurl.com/SSAUrbanGrowth).

Meaning current growth rates in sectors like agriculture, currently about 3.5 percent, needs to grow by 6 percent; energy sectors must grow by 7 percent; and, economies must grow by 8 percent or more just to keep pace with the region’s population rate. These are no small tasks (www.songhai.org - Lagos, 6/16/11). There are already reports that the economic boom of 18 SSA countries may hit a snag for some later in 2011, dropping GDP growth rates to 3.7 percent as food prices and energy costs outpace growth (http://tinyurl.com/SSA-economicoutlook).

The point is SMEs have a special role to play over the next 10 years: capitalize now on the pivotal convergence of both economic growth and current investment interests in the region.

SME stands for Small and Medium Size Enterprises, but today let’s change that acronym to Strong and Maverick Enterprises -- reflecting the development enterprise space of SMEs and micro enterprises or MEs (employing 10 people or less). They are producing, designing, employing, and more importantly innovating. They are development entrepreneurs (http://tinyurl.com/TAPblogitrrs-LagosSMEspeech).

SMEs will be the foundation of the region’s middle class and that comes with certain responsibilities. Their strength can influence other social sector changes. They can demand transparency, and improved regulatory frameworks (such as access to credit, markets, and incentives, etc).

According to Global Finance, SSA has about 331 million people in the middle class today, even though, as noted above, there are GDP record growth rates of higher than 5 percent in about 18 SSA countries (http://tinyurl.com/TAP-blogitrrs-BRICA).

So, is there something wrong with this picture? Yes, a lot. These record growth rates are not changing the paradigm of people lives in all tiers of society. If the region has 30 million SMEs, then there is no reason with this kind of growth rate that SMEs should be struggling. There should be more than 331 million successful SMEs in the region.

The Strong and Maverick Enterprise Role that SMEs play also includes a transformative role. For SMEs, this means transforming from simply surviving to sustainability; this mean transforming from just producing to productivity, and finally this mean long term market trade capabilities domestically, regionally, and internationally. These transformative rules are the same for both urban and rural entrepreneurs.

Operation Hope (www.operationhope.org), a leading U.S. non-profit, stresses that those in urban areas need to create their own jobs; create their own futures; and create their own sustainability. The same applies to SSA’s rural entrepreneurs. But how you say? What does it take? What are the tools?

Let’s look at the tools SMEs will need to further advance that business idea, that vision:

-- Training, retraining, retooling, upgrading, or reinventing an SME business is essential. There’s no shame in having to do that. It is the street smart thing to do;

-- Sound business plan, and 2-4 year goals. (Although elementary principles, many SMEs struggle with this fundamental step);

-- Good accounting practices;

-- Network with institutions that can help conceptualize and transform skills to entrepreneurship; and,

-- Finance, and access to credit are challenges,(as they are for some big business ) so look for low cost loans, government-back programs, and supplement incomes by recyling. (For example, some countries pay small stipends if you take plastic bottles to recycling stations).

Getting these tools right is on the driver side of the SME business ledger, but there is also a leadership side of the ledger to truly be a development entrepreneur:

-- Respect for diversity of thought, and new ideas;

-- Assist in shaping regulations allowing for competition and in some cases comparative advantage;

-- Set business goals, but not in concrete. Some built in flexibility helps to take advantage of unexpected opportunities.

In sum, recognizing the development entrepreneur role of SMEs as part of the growth matrix is essential for Sub Saharan Africa’s progress and the growth of the region’s middle class.

The Value of Leadership and the Role of SME’s in Nation Building

2011-06-20T09:05:00.008+01:00

By Dr. Robin Renee Sanders

Good Afternoon

It is a pleasure to be here this morning for two reasons: first to be back in Nigeria at a time when you at a turning point for great advancement in your development, and secondly to have the opportunity to speak to all of you today about the role you play in the future of your country.
My task this morning from the Foundation for Skills Development is to set the framework for not only what leadership is, but also to talk to you about your role as SMEs in nation building, in nation advancement and in national development.

Your country has just had an election that has set the stage for the next few years to be growth and change years for Nigeria, based on developing key critical sectors – especially agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure development (e.g. power and transport sectors), and information technology.

You as SMEs, however, have a special role to play during this period -- to capitalize on this turning point and make things happen for your nation particularly for the next generation, and especially for women.

Today, Nigeria has some 68 million young people under the age of 30, and 74 million women – these figures will grown over the coming years with the potential of having nearly 72 million youth in country by 2025, and nearly 78 million women. So, SMEs like you will play a fundamental role in how the lives of both youth and women play out in the next decades.

I know that SME stands for Small and Medium Size Enterprises, but today let’s change that acronym to reflect the development enterprise space that your businesses represents, not only for you, but also for those you employ even if it is just you and 10 people or less.

The fact that you are producing, designing, employing, and innovating represents the leadership role that SMEs play in the development of any nation particularly in Nigeria given the creativity, ingenuity, and dynamism that exists in every part of society here.

You are or will be this country’s middle class, and with that comes certain responsibilities -- not only do you fill the development enterprise space in the world of the private sector, but more importantly as a country develops a strong middle class other social sector changes take place as well. You can demand better transparency, and improved regulatory frameworks (such as access to credit, market access, and incentives, etc).

According to Global Finance, Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) has about 331 million people in the middle class, and this is with record GDP growth rates of 5 percent or more, in about 18 SSA countries.

So, is there something wrong with this picture? Yes, a lot. This means these record growth rates are not changing the paradigm of people lives at all tiers of society. If Sub Saharan Africa has 30 million SMEs, then there is no reason with this kind of growth rate, and again Nigeria is reportedly at 8 per cent, that SMEs should be struggling. And, you alone as a country should have a larger SME percentage in the formal sector.

Thus, for me, I believe that you need to think about the S and the M in SME as representing the Strong, but the Maverick Role you play in society and in transforming not only key development sectors, but also changing other paradigms in Nigeria. This means transforming both agriculture and manufacturing; this mean transforming from simply surviving to sustainability; this mean transforming from just producing to productivity, and finally this mean moving from just training to long term market trade capabilities domestically, regionally, and internationally.

Whether you are an urban entrepreneur, or a rural entrepreneur your roles are the same for you in your communities. And, I am talking about communities with a big “C,” meaning not just having an impact on where you work, but also on where you live and on your nation.

One of the organizations that I am affiliated with in the U.S. is called Operation Hope. It was just a leading partner in a Summit on Urban Entrepreneurship (http://www.operationhope.org/) at Rutgers University in New Jersey. What this summit focused on was how those in urban areas find ways to create their own jobs; to create their own futures; and to create their own sustainability. But how you say? What does it take? What are the tools?

Remember, all of you are here today because you either started with an idea, you saw a need, and you had a vision.[We have wonderful examples of this kind of leadership here today such as my dear friend Father Nzamonjo of the Songhai Centers in Benin, and also here in Nigeria, such as FSD whom you all know, and my young friend Taiwo who will discuss the environmental responsibilities you have as SME leaders as you develop and expand your companies. I also saw great leadership yesterday as I visited a Lagos State Job Opportunities Center in Igando and their work with Generation Enterprise.

They all started because of an idea, a vision, and a leadership commitment to fulfill a need they saw in the communities around them.

According to Nigeria World (http://tinyurl.com/NigeriaWorld), in 2003, SMEs employed about 60 per cent of the informal and formal labor force in Nigeria. Taking into account current population growth rates this percentage now is probably closer to 70 percent. With your population reportedly today anywhere between 150-152 million, and in ten years could reach 170 million – if your growth rates remain the same . . . your role will not get smaller but larger, and more comprehensive as community change-agents. We too, in the U.S., are returning our efforts to focusing on the importance of SMEs, and their role in rebuilding America’s future. Your role in Nigeria is no different. Your challenges maybe different, but your role is no different.

So let’s look at the tools, the drivers you will need to further advance that business idea, that vision, that has made you an SME today. Certainly I would have on that checklist:

• Financing, and access to credit ( I am aware of the challenges here in getting access to credit, but also know that institutions like the Central Bank, Bank of Industry, some development partners and others are very much focusing on these issues for SMEs);

• Training and retraining – remember things change and you too may need to retool, upgrade, or reinvent yourself and your business. There is no shame in having to do that. It is the street smart thing to do so;

• Let your voice be heard regarding shaping the regulatory environment that allows you to be successful, competitive and in some cases have a comparative advantage;

• Have at least a sound business outline, or better yet a business plan with goals of where you want to be in 3-to-5 years;

• Have good accounting practices; and,

• Work with institutions like FSD that can help you turn and conceptualize your business from vocational training to entrepreneurship.

I know that you know all these things, but sometimes it is good just to hear them again. Getting these tools and drivers right is also part of the leadership end of the ledger along with your passion for what you do as SME leaders as a development entrepreneur.

I care about issues of food security, education (particularly in entrepreneurial training), environment-energy, economics, development-democracy, and self help (The FEEEDS® issues) as these are the issues that I am passionate about and that I have chosen are important to me at this stage of my life.

You have to have that same sort of passion for what you do (Yes, I know the financing, market issues, and profits are the real-politick of surviving), but having passion for your business is that intangible leadership tool that can help you survive, and your business to have longevity.

There are a few other leadership things I also want you to keep in mind:

• The importance of the respect for diversity of thought, and new ideas;

• Remember that as you change, markets change, and your product may need to change along with it;

• Pay attention to what is happening in your communities and in your nation so that you can always play a role in the advancement of your nation as an SME, as a Strong and Maverick Enterprise; and,

• Set goals for your companies, but not in concrete, have some flexibility built in so that if unexpected opportunities arise, you can take advantage of them.

I have intentionally used charged word-phrases like community change-agent when describing your leadership role as an SME because I want you to leave here embolden, energized, and emotive not only about your business, but also about your role in your country’s development as a development entrepreneur especially given the opportunities that lie ahead in this transformative era for Nigeria. You are Strong, You are Mavericks, and you are SME’s! And, you are Nigeria’s future!

Thank You!

Coining the Acronym BRICA – Adding Africa's Name to World Regions & Economies in Economic Boom!

2011-05-26T10:45:00.011+01:00

A FEEEDS® Series Blogspot (http://blogitrrs.blogspot.com/p/feeeds.html)

We have all heard it! We have all read about it! Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) is in an economic boom, so let’s recognize it as so! Thus, FEEEDS® is coining today, on May 25, 2011, Africa Liberation Day, the acronym BRICA. Hence, adding Africa's name to the abbreviation of world economies and regions where economic growth, and other impact indicators - investment, foreign direct investment (FDI), high GDP’s - are collectively outpacing other areas -- even some of those identified in the current BRICS. Although South Africa is included in BRICS, let’s recognize all 17 economies in SSA that have put the Continent on the front economic and investment burner. Many (certainly not all) of the 17 SSA economies contributing to the good news, also had good governance and political stability on top of good macroeconomic reports (i.e. Rwanda was recently named the best world reformer by the World Bank). So, what are the facts! Here is a good checklist underscoring why the “A” must be added to any acronym discussing booming economic growth regions. So move over BRICS, and Welcome BRICA!

SSA’s Collective GDP & Other Growth Factors of Key Countries on the Move:

• McKinsey Global Institute noted that the collective GDP of SSA in 2010 was $1.6 trillion, with GDP’s in individual SSA countries up 4-5 per cent (http://tinyurl.com/SSA-GDP);

• Debt dropped Continent-wide from 82% to 59% of GDP over last 5 years;

• Inflation dropped Continent-wide from 22% to 8%;

• Growing SSA’s middle class is approximately 331 million today, translating into growing consumers with purchasing power (Financial Times http://tinyurl.com/FT-Africa-Rising);

• In 2025, SSA will have approximately 1.1 billion people of working age (**World Bank speech 5/25/11).

• Average projected collective growth rate for 2012 is @ 6-7 per cent; Financial Times 5/19/11 article forecasts 7 per cent growth over next 20 years http://tinyurl.com/FT-Africa-Rising);

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projected to rise from $41 billion in 2010 to 48.5 billion by year’s end, with FDI estimates for 2015 projected @ $150 billion (**World Bank speech, 5/25/2011);

• Single digit inflation for most of the 17 SSA growth countries;

• Diaspora remittances reportedly high over last 5 years adding to GDP, according to informal channels. NB: Data hard to confirm. SSA reportedly accounts for 73 per cent of world-wide remittances as of 2005 (http://tinyurl.com/Diaspora-Remittances);

• Improved infrastructure and market liberalization added to growth;

• Key areas of non-oil investment: Information, Communication, Technology or ICT, SSA has 500 million cell phone users, with Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana topping the list (http://tinyurl.com/MobileAfrica), Infrastructure Development, Housing Construction, Agriculture, and, Manufacturing;

• What 2 countries are investing the most FDI in SSA today?
1.) China (infrastructure)
2.) India (ICT & manufacturing & India is fourth largest SSA trading partner).

A Few of the Countries on the Move – What’s Their Current Reported GDP?

By percentage rates for 2010 GDP’s of 5% or above (From- http://tinyurl.com/GDP-Growth-Rates & Global Finance Country Reports - http://www.gfmag.com/)

Angola – 9 *
Botswana – 9 (maintained high growth rate for last 10-15 years)
Democratic Republic of Congo – 7.2*
Ethiopia – 8
Ghana – 7 *
Gambia - 5
Malawi – 6.6
Mozambique – 6.5
Niger – 7.5
Nigeria – 8*
Liberia – 5.1
Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) – 9*
Rwanda – 6.5
Seychelles – 6.2
Tanzania – 6.5
Uganda – 5.1
Zambia – 7.6
Zimbabwe – 5.9

In sum, SSA is not only growing faster than Asia, with 6 out of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies on the Continent, but investment, business, and 331 million new consumers have spurred the region forward. This does not mean that everything is fine. Good governance, transparency, development (particularly in agriculture), and anti-corruption still need to improve in many countries on (and off) the list. In addition a number of the same countries noted above, also lag behind on reaching the all-important 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) in the remaining 4 years, particularly in health, education, and gender empowerment.

Although, FEEEDS® is coining the more inclusive BRICA acronym, the positive economic growth factoids noted above do not exclude the importance and need to address the other pillars of democracy -- good governance, transparency, anti-corruption efforts, respect for human rights, and social sector reform. Not all the countries on the economic growth list have addressed (or begun to address) these other key democracy issues. However, they will need to in order to maintain the projected positive economic forecasts for the long term, but more fundamentally it is what the people of this great Continent deserve. In addition, friends of Africa hope that many more SSA countries turn the economic corner, along side of greatly improving their democratic landscape. On the flip side, however, businesses from countries (e.g. U.S.) other than Brazil, India, and China are certainly missing out on Africa’s Rising.

*NB: Oil prices add to higher GDP’s of oil producing countries. **World Bank VP for Africa Speech 5/25/11

Nigeria’s 2011 Elections: What’s on the Post-Election To-Do List? Improve Education & Health; Build Agriculture & Transform Energy Sector

2011-05-25T05:41:00.006+01:00

The majority of international and local civil society observers saw the results of Nigeria’s election series on April 9, April 16, and April 26, 2011, as credible. However, they, along with the opposition also noted irregularities such as underage voting, improperly used ballots, and mishandled/misplaced ballot boxes, coupled with the sad fact of election violence killing nearly 800 as noted by Human Rights Watch (HRW http://tinyurl.com/HRW-Election-Violence). Many of these same irregularities have been cited in past elections since military rule ended more than 30 years ago. However, in 2011, these improper actions were significantly reduced with much of the credit for this positive change going to the well-respected Chairman of Nigeria’s election Commission -- Professor Attahiru Jega.

With a credibility stamp on the overall 2011 election results, even with the irregularities and violence, the post-election landscape is going to be equally as important with the need to address some of the underlying development issues that could have contributed to election violence.

So how to reach out to all Nigerians, particularly the youth and especially the northern youth, so that they feel, as one nation, they can play a part in the country’s future? There are about 45 million youth in today’s Nigeria. And, from now to 2025 that 45 million is likely to reach 62 million if Nigeria’s population trajectory remains on track (http://tinyurl.com/The-Africa-Post-blogitrrs). The post-election landscape will have to focus on some of the FEEEDS® issues, especially food security, education, development, and addressing evolving democracy efforts (e.g. anti-corruption).

Social sector reform in education, health, and housing as well as transformative institution building in those same sectors is needed so that youth and women, in particular, can play key roles in the country’s future. Transparent investment and value chain development in sectors such as agriculture, energy, and infrastructure, including taking renewables and appropriate technology into account, will be fundamental to Nigeria’s advancement over the next 20 years -- or more simply put -- for the nation’s next two generations. Changes in these areas will ensure self-sufficient food security, but also maximize the export potential of key commodities from rice and cassava to maize and cowpeas, including increasing trade of unique national products such as shea butter, palm oil, and coco, to northern Fulani and Hausa crafts, and indigenous textiles like indigo-based adire or ashoke. Addressing all of these issues will create two things: an educated and trained citizenry, and entrepreneurs and/or jobs.

If one travels throughout Nigeria (and I have to all 36 states), particularly in the North where negative human index indicator numbers are much higher (infant mortality, out-of-school girls, malnutrition), there is a visible need to respond to these socio-economic issues to meet the aspirations of young people at the poverty level or in the middle class. The youth, as well as Nigeria’s 74 million women, will need to have employment opportunities (entrepreneurial, vocational, or formal private sector). The young will need to feel hopeful about opportunities -- or at least know there are transparent frameworks (institutions, processes, and regulatory environments) -- allowing them to outline a way forward for their future. People are hopeful when transparent frameworks are in place. Without them, without hope, then there are few alternatives, leading to frustration or in some cases violence that breaks down often along religious and ethnic lines.

Looking at the violence that mostly took place in the North, and the fact that the 12 core Northern States went to opposition presidential candidate, retired General Buhari, (see stark red & green map http://tinyurl.com/Election-Results-Map), underscores the outreach still needed in the region. Two predominately Muslim states in the East, Adamawa and Taraba, went to the President-elect.

It is okay to have political differences within a nation -- most democratic countries do -- as democracy also means respect for differences in views, culture and religion. But differences cannot also include hopelessness because social sectors needs are not met for parts of the population. So what should be on the Post-Election To-Do list?

• Foster transparent frameworks (institutions and societal structures) so that Nigerians, no matter where they live, or what their political, religious or ethnic backgrounds are, believe that they have a level playing field allowing for a better future;

• Rebuild and resource education, adding possibly a universal program similar to nations like Uganda, and certainly include vocational and entrepreneurial training (too few donors assist with these);

• Creative value chain development using models such as Benin’s Songhai, Backpack farms, and programs like MARKETS (see TAP@blogitrrs http://tinyurl.com/The-Africa-Post-Food-Security);

• Improve micro credit and finance mechanisms; Current programs do not meet the high demand, and requirements for lending are too tough for many, especially for small holder farmers, women and entrepreneurs;

• Establish a more reliable and affordable mortgage program so anyone at any point on the social economic scale can count on a framework that provides housing. A viable and affordable mortgage system, available to all, does not exist in today’s Nigeria; Housing is a big issue for many.

All in all, Nigeria’s post election environment represents an opportunity for the country’s leadership to change the key paradigms that will provide a new enabling environment for a new Nigeria. Despite the good macroeconomic news in Nigeria and some visionary Governors (e.g. Lagos, Katsina, Akom Ibom, Rivers, Gombe, etc.), there are real poverty issues for many. I have also seen this poverty firsthand. Also, few job options exist for the educated. If some of the frameworks noted above are transparently addressed, then hopefully, this election -- with its international stamp of credibility -- will be a turning point for many in this nation of 152 million people.

Sanders calls Nigeria's Lagos Governor Fashola an Extraorindary & Visionary Leader

2011-05-18T05:31:00.021+01:00

Fashola sees April 2011 election results as credible; Jonathan worked the hardest.

CFA Chairman Straughter, Dr. Robin Renee Sanders, Lagos Governor Fashola, Nigerian Ambassdor to the U.S. Adefuye

I had the honor of personally hosting a luncheon on May 16, 2011 for the newly re-elected Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) at the Army-Navy Club in Washington, D.C. in conjunction with the Constituency for Africa -- one of the leading U.S. advocacy organization focused on Africa. As I introduced the Governor, I underscored the extraordinary commitment, dedication, and vision of this extraordinary leader. The luncheon event was attended by 50 key civil society, academic, and private sector representatives interested in hearing the Governor's vision for one of Nigeria's most important states -- Lagos -- where the capital city of the same name (Lagos) heralds a population of 18 million.

Winning re-election with 82 per cent of the vote, Fashola told the assembled crowd that his vision for the next four years for his State focused on infrastructure development, particularly in mass transport (rail, bus, ferries), the housing and agricultural sectors, as well as on educational and training programs for youth. I have seen personally the transformation of Lagos from 2007-2010 during the time that I lived in Nigeria as a result of Fashola's leadership and I have no doubt that during the next four years he will continue to move the country's commercial capital forward.

Noting to the crowd "the importance of coming and seeing Nigeria first-hand," he told the U.S. group that they could not understand and invest in Nigeria unless they actually came to the country to appreciate the array of investment opportunities there.

In response to a question on the recent Nigerian elections where 22 million of Nigeria's 74 million registered voters participated in the April 2011 voting, Fashola acknowledged the irregularities in some polling places which he said needed to be addressed. He also stressed his concern about the violence that occured, but he added that the outcome of the election was credible and gave high points to President-elect Jonathan for "working the hardest" during the campaign and trying to reach out to Nigerians all across the country.(http://tinyurl.com/Leadership-News-on-Fashola).

In my view, the key now will be the next steps for the country, particularly efforts to address key social sector issues for Nigeria's nearly 64 million youth, and addressing the underlying causes of the violence (need for education, training, better health care, and job opportunities) in the country's north, where according to Human Rights Watch nearly 800 people reportedly lost their lives (http://tinyurl.com/HRW-Election-Violence).

Most Africa watchers recognize the enormous and limitless potential of Nigeria to expand its global and economic leadership, but more needs to be done to address social sector issues and the extraordinary vision, dedication, and commitment by extraordinary individuals such as the results-oriented Governor Fashola of Lagos gives us all hope.

Commencement Speech – Robert Morris University – Graduating Class of 2011

2011-05-07T09:43:00.007+01:00

Richness, Meaningful, and Unity of Purpose – RMU Making You a Change Agent in the 21st Century - By Dr. Robin Renee Sanders

Good afternoon graduates of Robert Morris University. I know this is a proud day for all of you, your families, and your friends. Today is not like any other day. [Because] it is days like today that call for a certain amount of reflection in both directions….where you have come from…and where you are going.

I had the pleasure last year to sit exactly where you are sitting now. I had the same two-directional challenge, two-directional reflection that you are experiencing right now – how you got to this moment in time, and where you are heading when you depart this great hall this afternoon. So given this reflective juxtaposition I wanted to share with you some of the things that were on mind that day, May 6, 2010, as they may be on yours this day, today, May 6, 2011. I also want to touch on some of the elements or sure footing that you have gained during your time at RMU.

What were the three word-phrases that came to mind, for me, when I thought of my time at RMU -- Richness in spirit, Meaningful in action, and Unity of Purpose. I remember writing this on the back of my program book last year as I sat where you are sitting today. I still have those notes, and whenever I think I am off track I go back to these word-phrases.

[You know] we are still in the first half of the 21st Century but so many world-changing events have taken place in not just the last 11 years, but in the last 12 months, … the last six months, event the last six days.

Probably unbeknownst to you … as you struggled to get those last papers and projects finished…and I do remember that well… you did not factor in your own role as a change-agent in the 21st Century…but you are. Your time at RMU –- is an incredible marker in your future as are the degrees you have just obtained – from masters in business, engineering, leadership and management, to doctorates in nursing, and information systems and communications [to name a few] – all are the leading disciplines needed today as our global and community needs are tremendous; our global and community challenges are tremendous; and our global and community worlds are changing at a nanosecond rate. But, what is also tremendous today, are the opportunities; they will be unlike anything that we have ever seen before.

[Let’s] reflect back on the unity of purpose that you have gained over the last 2-to-3 years at RMU and talk about taking that same effort with you as you move forward.

So what have you gained? You have gained cutting edge, specialized professional degrees that allow you to compete; that allow you to lead, direct, and [more importantly from my viewpoint] be innovative. We are in a society that is at a turning point as to where it wants to go for the remainder of this Century. This is the game point, right now, at this moment. This is meaningful.
But, when you step outside this afternoon, after this event, you will enter the realm of the second reflective direction that I mentioned earlier in my remarks -- Your Way Forward. So what are your impact indicators; meaning what will be the things that are important to you…to do…to change, to improve upon, and to give voice to? This second reflective direction should and must be transformative.

It will take a commitment from each and every one of you to be change-agents either in your communities or, if you chose, on the global stage. You can act and work locally but I encourage you, in doing so, to think globally. I know I am not the first to say this, but I believe in it so much. I know that many of you have heard the phrase social contract – generally meaning the responsibility that a government or institution has to its citizens or its members. However, you too, as new graduates also have a responsibility; let’s call this your social accord, your social compact. So what is going to be your social accord, your social compact to take the richness gained here and turn that into a unity of purpose for your communities, and this nation?

RMU made a social compact with you and this has been fulfilled today. Your next step will be the social compact you design for yourself…… think about what that is going to be. Then honor it, work toward it, make it real, and make it tangible, including reaching back and helping someone else. These are the building blocks of your impact indicators and can help you with your thoughts as you begin this next phase, this transformative phase of your life.

To underscore and illustrate this point, one of the most impactful books I read while I was at RMU was the Scientific Revolution by Thomas Kuhn. I remember initially thinking that it was about the changes in technology, about the nuts and bolts of the information age and where this new knowledge would take us. But the message was not about technology per se or a paradigm shift in what you do, but more so, about a shift in how you think, about how you see the world.

This is what you accomplished here -- a shift in thought, as you became more innovative, more imaginative, more creative, and certainly more curious. These are the impact indicators you have gained from your time at RMU, and that we count on you to use as you embark on this transformative phase.

I am currently working for one of the oldest non-governmental organizations in America, called Africare, which focuses on helping people in Africa build new lives, and giving voice to those less fortunate. Why? Because I care about the issues of food security, education, environment-energy, development, and respecting the principles of democracy, here in the United States and abroad – what I like to call the FEEEDS® issues, representing the first letter of all the things I have chosen that are important to me in this phase of my life. These are the impact indicators that are part of the design of my current social compact. When I lived in Portugal, many years ago, there was a wonderful idiomatic expression that I was thought was quite emotive – toca a pele –meaning when something is so fundamental to who you are, or where you are going, and what you want to do that it touches your skin. You must use these degrees and turn your RMU education into something that achieves this sense for you.

The professional and technical education you have received at RMU have given you the tools to contribute economically, philosophically, innovatively, and personally to our ever-changing world with theoretical, practical and applied knowledge.
It may be tough on occasions as you may be the only voice out there on a particularly issue, a new approach, a new medical breakthrough or paradigm of thought….but you need to know that this is ok too. Do not give that up.

There are wonderful examples of this today. I love social media and I admire Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook fame because he fundamentally created a paradigm shift in thought that has not only changed how we communicate with each other, but also how we communicate world-wide, and how we see the world, and what we want for and from our communities. It almost does not get any better than that in my view.

But I also know that many of you will show your communities that same kind of innovativeness, that same kind of creativity, that same paradigm shift in thought bringing new tools to the table in action, in models for business and engineering, in nursing, in technology, in education and for the environment in wherever your day after tomorrow takes you. Remember that I am talking about communities in the broad sense, with a big “C,” as communities are not only where you live but where you work, where you worship, and where you volunteer.

There is no script on what to do, or on how to do it -- but there are some parting suggestions that I want to share with you -- call it a “cuff list” if you wish that you can keep in mind as you take the unity of purpose gained here and transform it into the next phase of your life.
Just remember a few things:
-- The importance and respect for diversity and differences, both in culture and in thought;
-- Do not forget to check that sure footing [that you will be so fond of] from time-to-time because as you change, things are around you also change;
-- Be in touch with your communities, your families; and, certainly pay attention to what is happening in your state; in our country, and in the world. Be involved and not a by-stander -- moving ahead, and not standing still;
-- Set goals for yourself… but not in concrete. You will want the flexibility to grab on to new opportunities that arise, which may or may not, fit into the social compact you have designed for yourself. Be open to those opportunities;
And,
-- Last but certainly not least [and this is probably the most important thing I can leave with you this afternoon] do not forget to Live Life in the Process.

I have intentionally used charged word-phrases such as community or global change-agents, impact indicators, and the importance of having a personal social compact because I want you to leave here this afternoon emboldened, energized, emotive, but not nonplused, and maybe even with a certain verve because your transformative phase awaits you.

So as I end my remarks, as one RMU graduate to another, I want to wish you well today and always. I feel honored to be here this afternoon, not only because I am immensely proud of all of you, but also because I am proud to be part of the RMU family. Take your richness of spirit, be meaningful in action, and use the unity of purpose that you have gained here, and go out and do great things. Thank you

Africare-Atlantic Council-Carnegie Mellon April 19, 2011 Forum on Nigeria’s Legislative & Presidential Elections

2011-05-05T06:36:00.006+01:00

Panelists and special speakers at Africare-Atlantic Council-Carnegie Mellon Nigeria Election Forum, from left-to-right: Dr. Gwendolyn Mikell, Mr. Reno Omokri, Mr. Oronto Douglas, Mr. El Rufai, Dr. Robin R. Sanders (former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria), Ambassador Adefuye (Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S.), Dr. Jendayi Frazer, and Dr. J. Peter Pham.

WASHINGTON, DC, Wednesday, April 20, 2011 – On April 19, Africare, in partnership with the Atlantic Council and Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for International Policy and Innovation (CIPI), organized a forum that focused on the “ Initial Assessment of Nigeria’s 2011 Election.” Most of the panelists were in Nigeria during the recent elections and gave firsthand accounts of what they saw on the ground. Many of the Forum’s presenters were in agreement that these latest elections – both parliamentary and presidential, held April 9th and April 16th respectively – were the most credible and well-organized national elections Nigeria has ever seen since the onset of its democratic experience (the country was ruled by military dictators for 30 years and made moves to establish democratic principles 11 years ago). Most panelists were optimistic about the future of Nigerian elections and noted that the problems identified during the elections could be worked on and did not affect the outcome of the elections.
On the other hand, Mr. Nasir El-Rufai, a prominent Nigerian political figure and former Nigerian Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, cautioned attendees about the dangers of too much self-congratulatory statements, given that there was not only a geographic split in the country in support for the two candidates (most of the North voted for opposition candidate General Buhari), but also that many in the country’s northern region felt that their votes were not reflected in the outcomes of the vote count. El-Rufai did add that the 2011 elections were much improved from the 2007, or 2003 votes, but that more work still needs to be done before they could be considered completely free and fair. El-Rufai continued by calling for even more electoral reforms, specifically electronic balloting and a centralized vote tally location, which would eliminate much of the human element of vote counting and transportation -- thus protecting every Nigerian’s vote.
Other key speakers included Ambassador Jendayi Frazer of Carnegie Mellon and former Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, who gave introductory remarks; Dr. Gwendolyn Mikell, Professor of Anthropology and Foreign Service at Georgetown University and Dr. J. Peter Pham of the Atlantic Council, both who served as official observers of the Nigerian elections; and, Mr. Reno Omokri, Founder, Build Up Nigeria Project, a non-governmental organization focused on youth. The event was moderated by Ambassador Robin R. Sanders, International Affairs Advisor and Communication Outreach Director for Africare, representing Africare’s President Dr. Darius Mans.

Other key speakers included H.E. Adefuye, Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States, and Mr. Oronto Douglas, Senior Special Assistant to President-elect Jonathan whose contributions were also both informative and lively. Overall, panelists agreed that the recent political violence and bloodshed that has taken place since the elections is of grave concern and that all parties should seek peace and address any concerns through legal processes. Key take away points included the importance women played in the voting process as noted by Professor Mikell and the large number of youth who participated in the elections, as mentioned by Mr. Omokri. In addition, the panelists highlighted the importance of the upcoming April 26, 2011, gubernatorial elections and the need for those to not only be peaceful, but also further address some of the challenges that were seen in the April 9th and April 16th elections in order to make them even more transparent. Everyone agreed that Nigerian President-elect Goodluck Jonathan will need to work after the election season to ensure that all disparate groups in Nigeria feel that they have a role to play in nation-building in order to create an environment where the country can grow and prosper politically, socially, and economically.

Video Clip

On Eve of Nigeria’s First Election Round: It is Time to get it Right

2011-04-08T06:18:00.007+01:00

After significant logistical missteps that sent serious concerns throughout the Nigerian electorate hoping for the first credible polls since the 1990s, the country and many of its friends around the world are hoping that the rescheduled first round elections on April 9th, 2011, get off on the right foot.

Nigeria has incredible potential. This phrase as been uttered many, many times before; it is not new. What is this potential? To be a strong democratic, economic, stable, prosperous powerhouse from which its people benefit, serving as an example for both the sub-region, and the rest of the Continent. This is the “bumper sticker” that many Nigerians want to see become the order of the day. No one doubts the importance of Nigeria and no one doubts that whatever happens in Nigeria matters to the rest of the Continent, and to its friends in the global community.

However, the cloud over the potential of this great nation has been an election culture for more than a decade, on top of the years of military rule, which has inhibited the nation’s ability to hold transparent elections. It really is time to get this right so that the Nigerian people can believe in the elected officials of their nation. It really is time to overcome the cloud of confusion, fraud, and rigging that has plagued every election since the 1990s. It really is time for Nigerians to no longer feel disenfranchised, desponded, discouraged, and disappointed because a free, fair, credible and transparent election cannot be held in the country. It is time to get it right. It is time for those involved in the election process at all levels (political parties, candidates, election workers and party agents) to do their utmost to support the efforts of the well-respected Chairman of the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) who (like many Nigerians) wants to turn the page on Nigeria’s elections of the past, and make it a new day for the country -- finally putting the naysayers and critics out of business. It is time to get it right.
This is the eve of the rescheduled round for the legislative election that should have been held on April 2, 2011, but now will hold on April 9. On the eve of this critical election, however, there are some uneasy signs and some unsettling reports adding to the overall concern about how April 9, 2011, and the rest of the series of elections will unfold, such as:

-- Will there be enough ballot papers, since ballots are being printed as Election Day approaches to cover the likely deficit since some papers were already used on April 2?

-- Will the logistical challenges regarding the distribution of election material be overcome this time? (Some unconfirmed reports imply the serious logistical snafus were a nefarious intent by some involved and/or working on the election to cast doubt on the process. There is no way to know if this is true or not, but the point is to move forward).

-- Will the ballots already used on April 2, 2011, in some states be handled properly so that they do not cast doubt on the outcome of the elections? (Reports are 6-9 of Nigeria’s 36 states did not have election materials last time).

And,

-- Will the process be peaceful, so that Nigerians can vote in the right enabling environment? Nigerians want the right to vote; they shouldn’t have to face any violence in getting to the polls.

These are challenges. However, that being said, the popular sentiment of many Nigerians is that they want a good election; they know that it is time to get right. The back story is that April 2, 2011, has come and gone and we can all hash over what went wrong and why. But now, it is time to focus on tomorrow, it is time to get it right this time, and it is time to turn the page on the bad elections of the past. Friends of Nigeria are hoping that despite the missteps to date (and there have been many), that in the end, this country of 150 million people with incredible potential can get past the past; hold a reasonable series of election processes on April 9th, 16th, and 23rd (the current proposed election schedule); and, have election outcomes that its nationals believe in, see as transparent, and most importantly regard as credible.

The odds are not great right now. But on this election eve, all the friends of Nigeria are supporting those Nigerians who want to make this process different; who want to end the culture of voting fraud, political indiscipline, and lack of respect for the election process; and, who want the nation’s future to be different – living up to the potential that we all know is there.

Africa-China: An Economic Relationship with Staying Power

2011-02-16T06:58:00.013+01:00

A FEEEDS™ series blogspot

A Look at the Economic, Business, and Investment Relationship

The Power Relationship: Why it Exists, Where it’s Going?

Why is a country like China, now eclipsing Japan as the second largest world economy with a 2010 growth rate of 10.3 percent, and sub-Saharan Africa, identified as the next emerging market frontier with growth rates in the region projected to reach 5.5 to 5.75 per cent in 2011 and 2012 (http://tinyurl.com/IMF-World-Update) developing an economic and business relationship that has everyone talking? Because they need each other and the linkages are not only unmistakable, but profound.

For both China and sub Saharan Africa, there are some fundamental facts that underscore not only the potential strength of the nascent relationship, but what some would call the symbiotic nature of the relationship’s future progression and impact on the world’s economy. At a February 2011 Washington, D.C. Woodrow Wilson Center event, World Bank Managing Director Okonjo-Iweala made this point clear when she said that “the debate is no longer about whether China should be in Africa; it is there. The debate today is about what the nature of the relationship should be. China has a long term strategy for Africa; Africa does not have one for its relationship with China” (http://tinyurl.com/Woodrow-Wilson-Center). Her point is that Africa needs to have a short, medium and long-term plan, as well as strategic direction about the Africa-China relationship.

We are hearing more and more about the Africa-China economic, business, and investment relationship. So what are the symbiotic linkages – there are three:

--For China – the need for resources, and commodities to support its large population;

--For Africa – having resources for commodities, its own domestic demand for commodities and a large population.

Thus, there is no coincidence in the nexuses listed above – resources, commodities, and population. Population for both China and Africa are one of the biggest elements in their symbiotic relationship. China falls on the need side of the equation as it population needs both resources and commodities. Africa’s population is on track to be home to 1.9 million people by 2050, with half being under 25 years of age (http://tinyurl.com/RRSanders-Blog). Its population should be responsible for taking the lead in not only developing the natural resources but Africa’s leadership will need to ensure transparency in both the extraction of its resources and the financial gains. Approximately 40 percent of both Africa’s and China’s populations live in cities – meaning growing urban consumers demanding commodities (http://tinyurl.com/McKinsey-Lions-of-Africa). On Africa’s side of the population equation, the Continent needs investment, training, education, and development – all elements China can bring to the table to help Africa reach its Millennium Development Goals.

What is the focus of the Relationship?

Right now the offerings from China are primarily in two areas: business and investment, with a number of key countries in its sights. Nations such as South Africa, Nigeria, Angola, Zambia, Mauritius, Kenya (pending port deals), Mauritius, Ethiopia (electric power), and Tanzania (recent $3 million in coal/iron sectors) are targeted countries for China’s interest. However, the main focused of China’s activities are in extractive areas (coal, copper, iron, oil, etc); agriculture (142 projects by end of 2009), infrastructure (construction), and forestry. (http://tinyurl.com/Foreign-Affairs-Africa-China). There are also reportedly 100 million Chinese living and working in Africa from businesspersons to sellers in African markets (http://tinyurl.com/Guardian-Invasion-of-Africa) -- establishing and building both investment relationships and family ties for the long term. According to China’s official white paper report on Africa issued at the end of 2010, China invested approximately $9.33 billion on the Continent writ large (figure includes Egypt) and also has goals to develop economic zones in Zambia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, and Ethiopia with some monies from China’s new $5 billion China-Africa Development Equity Fund and the China Export-Import Bank. Two-way Africa-China trade, which is growing at roughly 44 per cent per year, is over $114 billion and a new $1 billion SME fund for Africa was also established according to the 2010 report(http://tinyurl.com/China-White-Paper) .

With democratic and transparent African leadership on the direction and nature of the business relationship, sub Saharan Africa stands to gain for both its growth and development. Over the last 12 months several sub-Saharan Africa countries have signed financing agreements with China’s Export-Import Bank. Here is a very short checklist:

-- Ghana: $10.4 billion concessionary-loan agreement for various infrastructure projects, payable over 20 years;

-- Nigeria: $900 million loan agreement ($500-million for construction of railway linking Abuja-Kaduna, $400-million public security communications project);

-- Zambia: $243 million for Zesco Limited and Sino Hydro of China to increase capacity at the Kariba North Bank power station by 360MW;

-- Ethiopia: $293.5 million for building of 9 vessels for Ethiopian Shipping Lines (ESL), the largest order the Ethiopian national company has made in its 46 years;and,

-- Angola: $1.5 billion to cover projects in agricultural sector, particularly to boost cereals (rice, maize, soya);

-- Mozambique: $214 million to help improve communication infrastructure.

The bank’s overall investment at end of 2010 was reportedly over $200 billion (http://tinyurl.com/Dengruo-Africa-Finance). As African commercial banks are cautious about investments, China has stepped in as a financier of key major projects. We can expect more along these same lines in the future. Let’s not forget that China is also financing the renovation of the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa for approximately $100 million (http://tinyurl.com/Ethiopian-Review), and collateral oil deals with countries like the Republic of Congo.

Africa’s Economic Outlook- A New Emerging Market Frontier?

The Economist noted that from 2000-2010, six of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies were in sub Saharan Africa and that in five years African economy will outpace Asia (http://tinyurl.com/Economist-Blog). This will increase as more African countries become middle income countries as Senegal did in 2010, and Ghana is expected to do in 2011, and as profits from Chinese investments begin help African capital markets. McKinsey reports that the rate of return on foreign investment in Africa is higher than for any other developing region, and that by 2020, Africa’s combined agriculture-resources-infrastructure sectors could generate nearly $2.6 trillion in revenue, $1 trillion more than today(http://tinyurl.com/McKinsey-Lions-of-Africa). The Continent’s potential is base on improved political and macroeconomic reforms in many countries. However, we cannot forget despite this good news, more needs to be done on the democracy, anti-corruption, and transparency fronts. This means also using these tools to keep an eye on its varied economic relationships with China to ensure the following checklist:

-- Investments create jobs for Africa;
-- Business deals are transparent and fair;
-- Trade balance improves in favor of Africa;
-- African labor force is trained and used in Chinese-financed projects;
-- Environmental impact assessments are done for extractive projects;
-- Value-chain development is part of investment projects;
-- Renewable energy is used; and,
-- Technology is transfered to Africa’s next generation.

If these steps are followed by Africa then the Africa-China economic relationship, which is certainly here to stay, can serve both well. How Africa manages its relationship with China, by making it more strategic, with long-term planning can lead to the type of growth and development that those of us who are Africa activists want to see for the Continent.

Sub Saharan Africa: Raising Its Profile on Global Food Security Issues – Part One

2011-02-03T05:18:00.008+01:00

Part of the FEEEDS™ series

Can sub Saharan Africa be the next bread basket for the world, helping to address global food security issues? The answer is yes; the challenge is how. Sub Saharan Africa and the rest of the developing world have a key role to play in leading, designing, deciding, and shaping food security policy for the coming decades. Why? Because of several key indicators that should not be either underestimated or overlooked. For sub Saharan Africa the indicators that are the most important to focus on are: its population size and youth bulge; its ability to manage its water resources; and, its available arable and cultivated land. Looking at the indicators of population, economic growth, water and land use – what I like to call key impact indicators on food availability – sub Saharan Africa has an opportunity to do things differently earlier on its development and modernization life, something that few other world regions have today outside of Latin America.* Africa should be one of the leading regions in shaping global food security policies and feeding the future instead of others shaping it for Africa. Developing practical, integrative and more small scale solutions for agricultural inputs and outputs, farming, and for managing both land and water resources -- will help Africa provide for future generations on the Continent and elsewhere (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jan/13/world-hunger-small-scale-agriculture).

A closer look at the key impact indicator of population and practical, innovative and integrative solutions below will demonstrate why Africa should raise its profile and be a leading voice and how global food security policy unfolds (the impact indicators of water and land will be addressed in a separate blogspot):

Sub Saharan Africa’s Young Population – Future Farmers

Who are the next generations of farmers and where are they going to come from?

Sub Saharan Africa’s population is young, with more than half of the people living on the Continent under the age of 25. With current continent-wide population growth rates averaging 2.45 and estimated to remain on that level up through 2050 (www.data.un.org/data), Africa is on track to be home to 1.9 million people by 2050. In addition, although Africa is the third largest continent, it is reportedly the fastest growing with reportedly the billionth person born there in 2010 (www.overpopulation.org/Africa.html). With half its population being under 25 now and if the trajectory remains the same, Africa would be host to 29 per cent of the people in the world of that age group. What does this mean for the foundations of food security (adequate, nutritional, and available food)? It means that Africa must encourage its youth to see its food security issues as vital to its development in the first instance and be a exporting Continent of key staples in the second instance. Most African countries remain major importers of key staples such as rice, maize and wheat, and are not self-sufficient in cassava, cow peas and other commodities. In addition innovation and integration needs to enter the picture more as both exports increase and crop self-sufficiency issues are addressed. Alternative crop uses must also be sought. For example, Nigeria is host to a cooperative based cassava-to-glucose agribusiness (a non-traditional use of cassava) which supplies glucose not only in Nigeria but to other countries in the West African sub-region.

With this large population, and the sheer size of the continent, the affects of poor development in food security policy going forward will likely hit Africa harder than any other region. But solutions need to be thoughtful and forward leaning. So what to do?

a.) Focus on training this cadre of youth to see farming in a new and different way, along with a different approach – organized small scale farmers (cooperatives or groups of cooperatives) that produce quality and improved yields in environmentally sustainable ways (i.e. waste management, using solar and wind energy, etc.).

b.) Work with these new farmers and current farmers (particularly women) to develop more innovative technology to improved crop rotation, hybrid seeds, water harvesting and climate change sensitive irrigation techniques (drip, solar driven, etc) to assist with aquaculture and ;

c.) Seek integrative solutions connecting food security to other quality of life issues such as health (food storage and safety) and education. Some of the best small scale projects in sub Saharan Africa are examples in Republic of Congo, Benin, Tanzania, and Nigeria and several other places where health issues of cooperative farmers are addressed along with food safety and storage or when small gardens are developed for schools, ensuring a healthy school time meal for students, teachers, and mothers who bring their children to school. Benin’s Songhai Integrative Projects uses appropriate technology, bio-gas and environmentally-sound approach to cooperative farming and small scale agro-industries (http://www.songhai.org/english/).

The outcome: Reduced hunger, along with poverty reduction can occur as increased, quality yields are sold at market (or exported regionally) for income that can be used to address other quality of life issues (i.e. paying for school fees, housing and health services).

With proper planning, the right democratic leadership, and transparent resource management, forward leaning innovative food security policy, and integrative agriculture inputs and outputs, Africa’s young population over the next decades can contribution enormously to addressing both continent-wide and global food security issues as many of the world’s future farmers are right now today on the Continent.

*I define and use the term impact indicators as those issues that directly affect positively or negatively food security such as population, water, land, and economic growth/development.

**N.B. Use of the term Africa and all stats refer to sub Saharan Africa.

Africa’s Voice on Global Environment Issues: Why It’s Important

2010-12-17T06:35:00.054+01:00

A FEEEDS™ blogspot

As Cancun ends with environmental issues and policies still on the table that will affect not only how future generations live, but how the planet copes with the enormous carbon foot print (greenhouse gases produced by humans measured in units of carbon dioxide, CO2 equivalent or CO2-eq), the voice of sub Saharan Africa needs to be front and center in the global debate. The world’s current per person CO2-eq is about 4 tons per person and the average North American generates about 20 tons of CO2-eq each year ( http://www.eoearth.org/article/Carbon_footprint).

Sub Saharan Africa and the rest of the developing world have a key role to play in leading, designing, deciding, and shaping environmental policy for the coming decades. Why? Because of several key factors that should not be underestimated or overlooked. Global environmental policy is the macro picture and sets the stage for how we will live together in the future. It will be important for Africa to keep the macro elements of population, economic growth, water and land use, food availability, pollution and last, but certainly not least, managing energy resources in a more efficient and effective manner. Africa needs to be one of the leading regions in the world shaping these policy issues -- developing practical, innovative solution that will help the Continent better provide for future generations. Here are some key factors as to why Africa should be one of the primary voices on how global environmental policy unfolds:

Sub Saharan Africa’s Population
Sub Saharan Africa’s population is young, with more than half of it under the age of 25. With current continent-wide population growth rates averaging 2.45 per cent, and the trajectory estimated to remain the same over the next 40 years (www.data.un.org/data), Africa is on track to be home to 1.9 billion people by 2050. In addition, although Africa is the third largest continent, it is reportedly the fastest growing with the billionth person born there this year (https:// www.overpopulation.org/Africa.html).

With half its population being under 25 now and if the trajectory remains the same, Africa would be host to 29 per cent of the people in the world of that age group. This means they will need to not only be adequately and nutritionally feed, but have access to education (particularly vocational), training, housing and resources to have a good quality of life. Thus, the affects of climate change and resources management will be vital for the Continent. Now is the time for sub Saharan Africa to be out front on global environmental issues. With this large population, the affects of climate change will likely hit Africa harder than any other region. To sustain this population several things must change from how energy resources, and water and land use are managed. The affects of climate change such as drought, famine-related diseases, and poverty cannot be underestimated.

In addition, oil-producing countries should not see alternative energy usages such as solar and wind as a threat to economic development. There will be enough need for all environmentally-friendly forms of energy well into the future. With proper planning, the right democratic leadership, and transparent resource management, economic growth for many African countries can be realized. The future does not have to be bleak for the Continent, but the time is now for Africa to be seen as one of the leaders in the global debate on how large populations cope and plan the use of their resources.

Water Management and Land Use
These are the next two issues that must move to the top of the agenda for sub Saharan Africa. Not only is the management of these resources key to supporting the population, but water and land use also affects economic growth and development. Although these two resources are often discussed in Africa, they need to be addressed in terms of continent-wide environmental policy, and regional cooperation. Leading activists, academics, and experts such as Hernando de Soto (http://www.ild.org.pe/), Dr. Zuberi of the University of Pennsylvania, and the World Bank’s Deininger during a 2010 Tanzanian water and land use conference, noted that most of the world’s water resources and arable and agricultural land are in the developing world. For example, according to de Soto, about 1.7 billion hectares today produces most of the world’s food, and with a bump from technology this could rise to 2.4 billion hectares. These hectares are mostly in Latin America and Africa.

Furthermore according to GRID-Arendal, a collaborating center of the United Nations Development Program (UNEP), Africa has the potential now to raise its current 160 million hectares of arable and agricultural land up to 300 million hectares (http://www.grida.no).

The importance of improving the management of both these resources is evident. For water, better management will provide more access to potable water and avert water scarcity and water stress (water scarcity and stress generally refers to environmental problems caused by unmet water needs). For land, better management will improve usage of arable and agricultural areas to improve food production.

This means that current and future use of these two precious resources must be done with realistic planning. If not, the likelihood increases for food insecurity, and of course, conflict over these two vital resources. About 70 per cent of people living in sub Saharan Africa depend on agriculture (http://www.eoearth.org/), and according to Water System Analysis Group, 64% rely on limited water http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16042282?dopt=Abstract).

When talking about land, it is important also to keep in mind FAO’s definition of both arable and cultivate land. Arable land includes land defined by FAO as areas under temporary cultivation; cultivated land is that which is under permanent crops for long periods of time such as cocoa, coffee, and rubber. For sub Saharan Africa this means about 8.3 per cent of the land (http://www.tradingeconomics.com/sub-saharan-africa).

There are numerous examples in the world were ethnic and religious differences or tensions arise because of pressures on either land use or water rights -- or lack of access to either. If you add these challenges to the ever-expanding desertification in the Sahel, the importance of managing these resources in an environmentally sound manner is even more evident. Sub Saharan African leaders will need to continue to actively and effectively participate in the climate change debate and help develop global policies to address its unique position as the fastest growing Continent. At the 2010 Tanzanian Conference, it was sited that Sudan, Zambia and Mozambique reportedly have the largest amounts of land available for food production. Desertification is affecting countries like Nigeria, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad to name a few and blogitrrs has already reported on current food security issues in the West Africa region (http://www.blogitrrs.blogspot.com/2010/08/2010-food-security-challenges-in-west.html). Again, water and land use affects economic growth and development, jobs and the future.

All of these issues are pillars in the environment and climate change discussion. We all want a way forward that makes sense, and that will ensure that we have: a resource-rich future that pushes all of us to be environmentalists, energy conservationists, and users of alternative energy resources in the execution of our daily lives. It is important to remember that future economic growth and development will be impacted by how we handle climate change today.

Indeed, for sub Saharan Africa the important things on the radar screen to keep in mind are:

-- That a good percentage of the world’s water resources are on the African Continent, thus having enough potable water for the both current and future generations is vital;

-- That most of the arable and agricultural land today is in the developing world, (both arable and cultivated land). These must be used wisely for food security (both adequate and nutrition-rich foods), and with environmental considerations in mind. This includes using innovative technology to improved food storage and crop rotation, hybrid seeds, water harvesting, and more drip irrigation to name a few solutions;

--That land tenure and land uses are part of the climate change debate for Africa because laws and regulations in many countries will need to be address at the same time with a view to incorporating environmental sound policies. Land tenure issues are a big piece of the environmental picture given that whoever owns land determines how, particularly for agriculture. This includes bringing more women into the discussion, particularly on title and land transfer issues. Noting that 90 per cent of land in sub Saharan Africa is not titled, de Soto refers to land titles as “passports” as it allows one to have a voice in how land is used.; and,

--That energy usage (fossil fuel and combustion) is one of the largest markers of the world’s carbon foot print. Alternative energy usage (wind, solar, hydro) must come into play alongside improved environmental-sound use of hydrocarbons (i.e. advance efforts to capture gas from flaring so it can be used as an additional energy resource). A sufficient and efficient energy platform sustains manufacturing, industry and entrepreneurial activity leading to economic growth, development, and jobs.

All of these issues underscore the importance of the Continent’s leadership role in the global climate change/environmental debate in order for sub Saharan Africa to provide a good quality of life for its 1.9 billion population at mid-Century and beyond.

*N.B. Primary carbon footprint is emissions of greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels combustion for energy consumption and transportation. Secondary footprint is the indirect emissions during the lifecycle of products (i.e. greenhouse gases emitted making plastic bottles). (http://www.eoearth.org/article/Carbon_footprint). All stats and Africa references refer to sub Saharan Africa.

Nigeria's Role In Africa Over the Next 50 Years

2010-11-24T21:19:00.023+01:00

2010 World Summit of Mayors, Nigeria, December 2010

What is Nigeria's Role in Africa Over the Next 50 Years?

Nigeria – a nation of plenty, a nation of potential, and nation of prospects. These are the key pillars that the next 50 years should bring to fruition for this great country. As an African-American who sees Nigeria as one of the most important global nations in the world today, it is important for Nigeria, with the support and encouragement from its friends, to enter the next half century with the goal of improving the daily lives of each Nigerian citizen. This includes having a safe enabling environment not only for economic growth and development, but also to further ensure its rightful place as a leader in the sub region on peace and security issues. Nigerians, and their friends, see the struggles that this great nation faces today with instability being renewed in the Delta, ethnic tensions in parts of the North, corruption issues, and concerns about a successful, and transparent election looming large for April 2011.

None of these issues should be taken lightly, they are real, cause uncertainty, and are challenges that must be addressed in a transparent manner to set the stage not only for Nigeria in the next 50 years, but also for the African Continent writ large. The nation of Nigeria and the people I have had the pleasure of working with and knowing have always made me proud to be connected to a country with such great potential and prospects. Nigeria is a symbol for many African-Americans in so many positive ways – the creativeness, the talent, and the strong love of country - to name a few of the core values that I experienced living in Nigeria. This viewpoint does not mean that we are not rooting for Nigeria to be even more than it is today and that it must continue to work to ensure that the challenges of today mentioned above are addressed and are not markers of the future. I was asked about the role of Nigeria in the future of Africa over the next 50 years given that Nigeria and 17 other nations celebrated their jubilee anniversary in
2010. There are several very important points to make in this regard:

Leadership by far is Nigeria’s first role on the Continent as it is a key political, security, and trading partner in the sub-region and with other world nations. However, with this, it has to continue to find ways to better address its own internal security and corruption issues as part of this leadership and make transparent elections and good governance the order of the day;

Nigeria’s Development role is next, particularly, as Nigeria and the rest of Africa should be the next emerging frontiers for economic growth, markets, and trade. The recent positive news in some quarters of Nigeria’s macro-economic and capital market reforms efforts spurred by the leadership at Nigeria’s Central Bank and at its Security and Exchange Commission are symbolic of the solid foundations that countries in Africa need to be moving toward over the next 50 years. The issues of most concern to me are what I have called the FEEEDS™ issues (with the acronym meaning Food Security, Education, Environment, Energy, Development/Democracy and Self-Help). The FEEEDS™ issues will need to be better handled over the next 50 years by all nations on the Continent;

Nigeria’s Youth and Women need to be included and play a key role in the direction of the country. Given that more than half of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 35 coupled with having nearly 74 million women, both youth and women need to be provided with not only ample but more adequate educational opportunities (including vocational and entrepreneurship training) as they are vital to a viable future for any nation. No nation can develop by excluding more than half its population from a strong and visible role in political development, and social sector reform; and,

Transparency in Resource Management which is not only cross sectoral but also a synergistic way of better addressing how all resources -- energy resources, land and water resources, human resources, and financial resources - - in a country are governed.

None of us has a crystal ball, and none of us can predict the future. What we can do is our utmost to put in place the things that we know can help make the future a better place. Nigeria, as the most populated nation on the Continent and because of the core values I know are part of the Nigerian mosaic, can and should help set the stage for the future of the Africa Region and the global community, but addressing the four points above are key parts of achieving these goals. Many of us as African-Americans are counting on that. I know I am.

Sad News: Bombing in Nigeria, A Worrying Sign, What Next for Nigeria

2010-10-01T19:32:00.024+01:00

On what should have been a day of reflection and recognition of its 50th anniversary on October 1, the capital of Nigeria, Abuja, was rocked on October 1 by two car bombs, killing at least 12 people. First sympathies go out to the nation, and to the families of all those who lost their lives and were injured in this terrible bomb blast. Current reports are that elements of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, better known as MEND (a loose umbrella organization of militants and militant groups) perpetrated this act to underscore the issues in the oil-rich Niger Delta Region. Peaceful political and civil society groups have highlighted over many, many years the need to end corruption of oil wealth and to increase development in all sectors (education, health, agriculture) in the Niger Delta as well as the right of the Niger Deltans to have more say and influence in how resources and profits from the oil wealth are used to help improve the lives of those living in the Region. These are very legitimate issues, which need to be addressed. There are five key Nigerian states that make up the main oil states in the Niger Delta Region (Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akom Ibom, Cross River), and acts of sabotage, kidnapping, and disruption of oil infrastructure had been the tactic of choice of not only MEND but other militant groups in the Region.
This is the second time in nearly 8 months that elements of MEND have used the car bombing tactic. I was in Nigeria the first time MEND used this tactic earlier in 2010 in Warri, a city in Nigeria's Delta State in the Niger Delta Region, and also another militant group attacked a facility in the commercial capital, Lagos during the same period. In addition, over the last 2 years, elements of MEND have threatened, through letters sent and written to the press, such attacks in Abuja, but this is the first time that they have followed through on that threat and this is a very worrying sign and trend as the country grapples with trying to get its election process right so key social sector issues can be better addressed everywhere in Nigeria and particularly in the Niger Delta.
There is a lot to be done to move Nigeria further forward than it is now, and changing the paradigms in the area of education, health, agriculture, fighting corruption, and better utilization of its oil wealth to benefit the Nigerian people are all things that need to be addressed, but peacefully. All of these sectors need more assistance and more improvement so Nigeria cannot only become the Giant that we all want it to be, but because it is necessary for the next generation of Nigerians to have a better life.
MEND is not known to have been a totally cohesive group in the past, with a singular leader, but more of a loose affiliation of different militant interests. It is unclear now with this attack, which certainly would have required detailed planning and strategies, whether the affiliation has or is morphing into something different from the loose associations of the past of various militant interests. In addition since the amnesty for militants in 2009 and despite all the many problems with truly implementing the amnesty rehabilitation program with more consistent progress on training opportunities for militants, militant-related violence had diminished somewhat in the Region. This car bomb attack in the capital presents a new and worrying trend for Nigeria that we all need to pay attention to and work to bring those who perpetrated the act to justice. No one doubts the legitimate issues in the region, but we all must assist the nation in addressing and correcting these issues in the Niger Delta Region by supporting both political and civil society groups who want to make changes in the Region and improve its development and use of resources but through peaceful means.
(BlogSpot views on blogitrrs are personal and do not represent views of the U.S. Government, or any other institution.)

Happy Birthday Nigeria @50: Celebrate Oct 1; Back to Business Oct 2

2010-10-01T05:34:00.010+01:00

Happy Birthday Nigeria! October 1, 2010, is certainly a day to celebrate for all Nigerians as the nation reaches the mature age of 50. Congratulations and Best Wishes. Celebrate and reveal in the importance of this day, but Oct 2 -- after the celebrations are over -- the business at hand is still the elections and doing this one right is a "must-do" in order to once and for all put the naysayers to rest. Giving INEC more time to put all the election processes in place is a step in the right direction as a lot remains to be done (a transparent voter registry of the nearly 74 million potential voters is a good example of one of the key must-do tasks). It is a positive sign that some in the nation are considering the need to move the election date to April 2011 as the INEC Chairman has requested to allow INEC to have more time to put the right processes in place.
Clean and credible elections do make a difference -- not only for this generation, but for the next -- as they set the stage to address and improve the remaining challenges that the country faces, particularly in the areas of improving the use and transparency of national financial resources for development in sectors ranging from education to agriculture (meaning ending corruption). With leaders elected through a credible, non-rigged, transparent process, who themselves are credible, and have the best interest of the nation at hand, then all else is possible --from curbing corruption to improving infrastructural development. It is always important to recognize milestone events in the life of a nation, and October 1, 2010, is such a day, such an event for Nigeria. However, October 2, should be back to the business, as a lot remains to be done between now and Election Day. As noted in an earlier Africa Post entry, Nigerian Resilience and Resolve (the 2 R's) - the country's two most fundamental national character traits -- must come into play in the run up to the 2011 elections. Your friends are counting on you to use those two traits to ensure that after the October 1, 2010, celebrations, that the focus continues on election processes, and all the other Election Checklist issues raised on The Africa Post @ blogitrrs (http://blogitrrs.blogspot.com/2010/09/nigerias-elections-keeping-2-rs-in-mind.html) which includes, but are not limited to the importance of the role of civil society at every step and in every way in the election processes as they are an important watchdog over the process and the election itself. The pressure was on before Nigeria's 50th anniversary to get the election right, and October 2, 2010, the pressure will be even more as reflection takes over from celebration. At a September 29, 2010, symposium in Washington, D.C. on Nigeria @ 50, there were some Nigerians who wondered what the nation had to celebrate. Once can go back throughout history and look at several countries, including the U.S., to see where they were as nations just after 50 years of development. But I would argue what counts now is not dwelling on the past, but focusing on the future so that it is bright, and so that the nation can move forward in its 51st year, and its 52nd year and so on. This can only start with a clean and credible election being the order of the day for the 2011 elections.
(Views expressed on blogitrrs are personal and do represent the views of the U.S. Government.)

Nigeria’s 2011 Elections – Keeping the 2 R’s in Mind: Resilience and Resolve

2010-09-26T03:57:00.016+01:00

Road to Nigeria's Elections blogspot series

Do Not Underestimate Nigerian Resilience and Resolve

As Nigeria continues on the path to its critical elections which appears to be slated for April 2011, there are two key things to keep in mind which I call the two R’s: Nigeria’s Resilience and Nigeria’s Resolve. Do not underestimate either. Having just finished up my 3 year tenure there as the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria (2007-2010), I have always marveled at these two elements which are fundamental to Nigeria's national character. These two elements will also pay a role in the conduct of how Nigeria’s 2011 elections will unfold. Yes, things are heating up in Nigeria’s election landscape and yes there is still a long way to go in ensuring voter registration, political party transparency, and a secure enabling environment for a credible election. But make no mistake – today more than ever Nigerians want a fraud-free election conducted in a secure environment. No one (and this includes Nigerians) underestimates the challenges ahead to get everything done on time, and keeping everything on track. But, what I would argue is important from this point forward until the proposed April 2011 election is working WITH Nigeria and Nigerians to makes this election as successful as possible, not criticizing it this far out from the sidelines – every friend and every partner of Nigeria should be working in lockstep in that direction.
Let’s keep in mind this phrase (one I have always thought about over the last couple of months in Nigeria before the end of my tenure) -- “What a Difference a Year Makes.” With a quick trip down memory lane, last year this time (the Sept-Dec 2009 time period) when many outside of Nigeria were worried about destabilization of the country, many Nigerians in-country (not necessarily all) were confident that the days of military intervention were over. This resolve was inspite of things being very politically murky as worries about the late President Yar’Adua’s illness overtook the nation. There was a sense not only that the country would get through this difficult time (and it did!), but also a strong desire not to repeat history, but continued efforts to try to build a better electoral process. Resilience and Resolve prevailed during this period and we need to continue to call on Nigeria to depend on these two elements of its national character as it moves toward its 2011 election. There is not a Nigerian that does not understand getting this election process right will not only be tough as there is a lot to do in a short amount of time (see The Africa Post August 2010 @blogitrrs). But this is where friends are supposed to come in and do their utmost to support the right actions.
Friends of Nigeria from this point forward should be helping Nigeria get to credible elections. There is a way of doing things in Nigeria that is not always clear from the outside, and no doubt there will be ups and downs until the 2011 election is executed. Things will look uncertain from time to time, and be of concern, but every single step or misstep does not mean a doomsday scenario is unfolding. We need to continue to encourage Nigeria to:
• Support and involve civil society at every turn in the election process;
• Support an active and free press;
• Support parallel vote tabulation or swift vote count by civil society;
• Support all efforts which will promote a violent-free election;
• Support election monitoring by both civil society and international observers; and,
• Support efforts to encourage political parties to have true internal democratization.
Consider the above My “Checklist for Nigeria’s 2011 Election.” I was a Nigeria optimist when I was there as U.S. Ambassador and I will remain one. This does not mean that I will not encourage Nigeria – as a friend and daughter of the Continent – to do things that I hope will continue to build its democracy or state when there are things of concern. This is what friends do, but they do it fairly, forthrightly and with a long term positive goal in mind, but always with mutual respect to this nation of 150 million people. I have a democracy wish list for Nigeria @50 as it reaches its jubilee independence anniversary on October 1, 2010 and outlined clearly the challenges ahead in several speeches (see the Africa Post @ http://blogitrrs.blogspot.com/2010/08/remarks-on-july-291-2010-my-wish-for.html, & http://blogitrrs.blogspot.com/2010/06/dr-robin-r-sanders-remarks-at-vice.html), and my “Checklist for Nigeria’s 2011 Election” above is nothing new. It is what the Chairman of the Nigerian Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Jega, Nigerian civil society, and the Nigerian people, who want a clean election, have on their radar screens to try not only to turn the tide of how INEC is viewed, but rebuild the confidence of so many Nigerians in their electoral process. Let’s all work toward supporting Nigeria in achieving these things.
(views on blog from Sept 26, 2010 onward are personal and do not represent the positions of U.S. Government or Africare.)

Ambassador Robin Sanders on Channels TV

2010-09-08T10:07:00.001+01:00

Channels TV yesterday aired the interview with Ambassador Robin Sanders on U.S. – Nigeria bilateral relations. Please follow this link http://www.channelstv.com/global/videos.php?vid_shows=xcli_1 to listen to the interview.

This email is UNCLASSIFIED.

Freedom Radio Interviews Dr. Robin Sanders

2010-09-01T16:08:00.003+01:00

Ambassador Robin Sanders being interviewed by Freedom Radio correspondent Umar Saed Tudun Wada. (Abuja: August 26, 2010)

Listen to the interview here (mp3)

The Strength of the Nigerian Women: 50 Nigerian Women Celebrated as The Nation Turn’s 50

2010-08-26T03:49:00.008+01:00

Under the Women for Change Initiative, The 50@50 Project was launched in grand style in Abuja, Nigeria August 25, 2010. The goal: As the nation turn’s 50, The Project celebrated 50 incredible Nigerian women who have had an impact on this dynamic nation of 150 million strong. The First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, is the Grand Patron of the Project, and I served as the Goodwill Ambassador bringing a global touch to a wonderful event. The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Iyom Josephine Anenih oversees the First Lady's Women for Change Initiative. Nigerian women past and present – trailblazers in finance, the private sector, government, the arts, agriculture, education, and development - were all honored for their indelible mark on the nation that plays host today to nearly 75 million women – half of the country’s population, the 9th largest female population in the world (see population figures at http://www.wolframalpha.com). All 50 women have left their mark on Nigeria and the women in Nigeria today stand on their shoulders as they continue to push for equality in all sectors of Nigerian life, particularly in government. The 50@50 Project will begin a global tour to 4 continents showcasing the Nigerian woman through a documentary, coffee table book, exhibition, Green Ribbon Youth Movement -- all with the 50@50 logo unveiled August 25 by Nigeria's First Lady. The global tour will end where it began in Abuja just before the eve of the country's 50 birthday,which is October 1. It was such a powerful event attended by not just Nigerian women, but women from all over the globe. The import of this event was clear and I dedicate the following Ode to the incredible talent, integrity, commitment, and love of country which are the hallmarks of the Nigerian woman:

Ode to the Nigerian Woman
Written By Dr. Robin Renee Sanders - U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria

“The Heritage Within”
Walk with me today, together down the ancestral path to see who we are as women

There is a spirit we cannot touch but always know is there – It is the "Heritage Within"

Our role is the foundation of life; our role is the foundation of change

We see our strength in the eyes of our mothers as they too have journeyed down the same ancestral path

The journey is about traditions, like 3-legged wedding pots, Uli signs, adire and ashoke cloth, henna designs, life, and certainly about long talks into the night as deep as indigo blue.

But, just like us, their lives made a difference, their contributions made an impact; their dedication to their nation allows you to stand on their shoulders today

Thus as Women for Change you will continue your journey down the ancestral path to your future, to Nigeria’s future

Remember you have a responsibility to the next generation to make a difference, to leave a mark, to make a change …just as your mothers did before you …and your grandmothers before…

Life is a journey and you have come so far, let’s walk the rest of the way together, hand-in-hand, spirit-connected-to-spirit, so that the changes we all seek come from….
The Heritage Within!

First published August 25, 2010

Another Tribute to Dr. Sanders (The Nation)

2010-08-24T10:57:00.002+01:00

Tick, Tick…The Clock is Running On Nigeria’s 2011 Elections

2010-08-24T01:10:00.011+01:00

This blogspot is part of the series “The Road to Nigeria’s 2011 Elections”

Tick, Tick… What is that sound? Nigeria’s election clock ticking toward a January 2011 election, but much work still needs to be done so that everyone, particularly friends of Nigeria, can begin to exhale that things are on the right track, and moving in the right direction. There has been a mixture of news that shows some progress, but the loudest sound coming from the election clock is the need for a date certain to be set for the election itself by the country’s Independent National Election Commission – more commonly known as INEC. From that point - from that election date - everything else will be determined: how long voter registration can go on, and when the voter registry must be finished.

The last week has had a lot of interesting aspects that are worth noting. First, INEC got most of the money that it requested to conduct the elections, nearly $480 million, which will be used for direct capture machines of voter information in the registration process, voter education, setting up the nearly 120,000-140,000 or more polling places, and deploying both people and resources. Reportedly 360,000 staff are needed to conduct the elections.

Secondly, President Jonathan signed the new 2010 Nigerian Electoral Act on August 20, 2010, ending a fair amount of uncertainty on whether the election will be in January 2011 or April 2011, and finally setting the stage for INEC to decide when in the next 150 days there will be a turning point election for Nigeria. I have been calling this a "Must-Do" election because of the rallying cry of the nation to hold credible and transparent polls. If you are counting both fingers and toes that means the election date should be set before the end of August – only a few days away. There is still a debate out there (and a few legal suits) as to whether President Jonathan has to assent to the constitutional amendment (see blog-itrrs: The Africa Post on constitutional debate) passed in late July 2010, before they are enforce. Despite these suits things appear to be progressing in the direction that the amendments are in force, which call for an election to be held no later than 150 days from Nigeria Democracy Day – May 29, 2011. So this mean, January 2011. INEC’s new Chairman, who all agree is a committed and dedicated Nigerian with integrity and skills, has a lot on his plate, most notably the eyes of the nation and the international community.

However, we must not forget the politics of the day as political parties decide on their next moves. The ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) seems to have figured out how it is going to handle it north-south zoning issues; there is the new Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) - a merger of two parties; and, other political groups are holding meetings to build coalitions.

We all look forward to an election date being announced in the coming days and we continue to encourage the new INEC Chairman as he puts in motion people, resources, manages the politics, and determines the next election steps for this dynamic country of 150 million people as the clock looks like it is ticking toward a January 2011 election. The U.S.-Nigerian Binational Commission will meet this week to have informational meetings on the U.S. Government-UK funded election technical assistance.

2010 Food Security Challenges in West Africa: Let’s Pay Attention!

2010-08-23T22:28:00.009+01:00

A FEEEDS™blogspot

There have been few reports noting the growing food security issue that has arisen over the last few months in the West Africa Region. We all need to pay more attention to this so that it doesn’t turn into a regional crisis. Affected countries in West Africa are doing their best to manage the ever-growing food security issues related to staple commodities, particularly grains. U.S. Agency for International Development has called this the “Hunger Gap,” as many of the regions poor have already exhausted not only available food stores but also having access to affordable and adequate food (nutritional food), (see the FEEEDS™ blog-itrrs page, defining the elements of food security) . The next harvest is still months away. For many countries in the West Africa Region that is October. The affected countries in West Africa that are potential affected by this “Hunger Gap,” are Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and parts of Chad. Although for many of the Sahel countries food security is always a challenge, the rains have come late and not in abundance (or too erratic) in many places, exacerbating the already difficult food situation for many of the regions’ populations. The erratic nature of the rains have produced drought in some areas, negatively impacted planting seasons, and delaying the replenishment of water sources.

In Nigeria, the drought and food shortages are affecting the northern area of the country in states that are on the front lines of the Sahel such as Sokoto, Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa and Kano. The Government of Nigeria has not only responded to the needs of its people with releasing key stables from its National Strategic Food Reserve (NSFR) of some 80,000 metric tons of assorted food survival grains (sorghum, maize, millet, cow peas, etc.) to help its people, but it is also assisting neighboring states such as Chad and Niger Republic. All commodities from the NSFR are to be sold at 30 per cent subsidy – but these subsidized commodities still may not reach those most in need, particularly already malnourished children. Thus the potential effect of this “Hunger Gap” in Nigeria could be close to 15 million people. In recent weeks planting has been accomplished in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi states, but other states are still challenged by the erratic rainfall affecting both planting and harvest seasons. The U.S. Government is very much focused on food security world-wide, but particularly in Africa through its $48 million “Feed the Future Initiative” for the Region. “Feed the Future Initiative,” also includes non-Africa countries such as Haiti, Bangladesh, and Cambodia. It is projected that Nigeria will get approximately $51 million to address the fundamentals of food security including developing markets and hybrid sees. I have seen first-hand the success of the USG-funded MARKETS program (http://www.nigeriamarkets.org) in these areas, but the international donor community needs to keep the food security situation of the affected West Africa countries front and center on its radar screen over the next few months so that all vulnerable people (particularly children) have in their reach the fundamentals of food security: accessibility, availability, affordability, and adequate (nutritional) commodities in order to avoid a crisis later in 2010.

Outlook: Let’s Pay Attention! Current early warning assessments note that things have improved somewhat for replenishing some water sources and the physical condition of some livestock. Watch the food security situation in northern Nigeria and the other affected West African States. The next couple of months will give us a better idea of the food security challenges for the remainder of 2010.

Tributes for Dr. Sanders (Daily Compass Newspaper)

2010-08-21T15:53:00.001+01:00

Gallery of tributes for so ‘arty’ Sanders
Friday, 20 August 2010 00:08
Emmanuel Agozino

LAST days of the active, dreadlocked, Robin Sanders, the United States of America (USA) Ambassador in Nigeria is proving very eventful, even more than her usual busy schedule.

Recently, the showing of a documentary film, Welcome to Shelbyville, in the Cyprian Ekwensi Cultural Centre, Area 10, Garki, Abuja offered a big audience an ample chance to fete her with remarkable valedictory tributes. But penultimate Sunday in Lagos, the ever-warm art community made her have an unforgetable taste of Nigeria’s hospitality.

It was at the Nike Art Gallery, Lekki Phase II, Lagos. The event was an evening of performances in her honour. And the gathering of artists, art enthusiasts, friends and well wishers flushed her with thrill and encomium.

The send-off event was aptly tagged, You Are Part of Us. It was put together by the artist, Mrs. Nike Okundaye in collaboration with a collective of artists. Held in Chief Okundaye’s lavish two-floor art gallery, on the guests’ rollcall was an array of high caliber personalities including celebrities, art patrons, top-ranking members of the diplomatic corps. It was a special date for Ambassador Sanders, whom many artists at the event called “the culture-loving Ambassador.” And it was served as an art cornucopia.

Among the major beats of the occasion were, art exhibition and unveiling of winners of a painting competition for young and up-and-coming artists and a dance performance. In one of the performances, a group of male dancers regaled the audience with random drum sessions that culminated into a rhythm and energetic dancing. The dancers reenacted memories of the acrobatic Atilogwu dance regime of Igbo land. It was a spectacular display and visitors applauded as flashes popped from several cameras.

Another group, served memorials of the Lagos’ Eyo masquerade culture in a remarkable dance drama performance which explored the rich cultural heritage of former capital city of Nigeria. The performance served, replete with original masquarading chants in very indigenous language, held the attention of the audience as the campere interpreted what every display and words meant. Rhytmic float of movements was created on air by the choreographic waves of the multiple-symbol-inscribed long sticks held atop the bowler hats dorned by each of the dancing masquerades. On ground, the long overflowing white costumes of the masquerades made waves of draped cloth on the floor. Oluwasheyi Awoyomi, one of Okundaye’s daughters further spiced up the night with her contemporary dance performance.

For the pictures, apart from the painting competition, the host gallery threw open its permanent exhibition and the diplomat and her guests went through large display in all the floors. President of Art Gallery Association of Nigeria (AGAN) Chief Frank Okonta, sculptor Olu Amoda, Lagos based painter, Rom Isichie, Chairman of African Artists Foundation (AAF) Azubuike Nwagbogu, painters Chike Onuorah, Joreal Okwum, Emmanuel Inua, Emenike Ogwo, photographer Kelechi Amadi Obi, Oyebola Madarika, Dr.Lamidi Akinwumi Salami and members of Osogbo group of artists, were among the artists and groups that were part of the event. Also among the collaborators were, Kalejaiye Seun, Sokenu Abayomi, Dagold Michael, Badejo Abiodun, Adeleke Akeem, Agbazim Dele George, Fabunmi Nina, Banjo Oluwami, Chinonye Gloria, Famakinwa Afolake, Omolara Adenike and Adeyemi Uthman.

In his speech titled A Friend in Need, Mr. Ruben Okundaye, on behalf of Nike Art Gallery expressed the is need for envoys to emulate Sanders. Okundaye who described the day as a sweet moment not only for himself and the gallery described the African American diplomat’s coming to Nigeria as a mission that has touched all Nigerians and won the affection of the arts community. In the ten-minute speech Okundaye noted that he was emotionally overwhelmed to say a farewell to a lady who has become a friend and inspirational figure to artists in Nigeria. He therefore submitted that the day’s event “may be a farewell, but not a goodbye,” because Nigeria will never leave Sanders, adding that though her tenure has come to an end, she still has much of her cultural roots attached to the country.

Excerpt from Okundaye’s presentation: “Please allow me to celebrate a wonderful woman, a lady with a dignity, whose fateful path to reach Nigeria was told to me by the King of Ogidi Ijumu, ever before she became Ambassador to Nigeria. He told me that she was coming back ‘in a big way’ before I learned she was coming as the first female African American Ambassador of the United States of America to Nigeria. But how could we not become friends. Beyond being a lover of arts, she is in fact an artist of her own right. She already understood the poetic nature of arts. How sad it is that she is temporarily departing at a time we need her most.”

Though emphasising the lanky diplomat’s passion for arts, Okundaye remarked that Sanders did not let her interest hinder her impact in other sectors. She helped to initiate various US grants which were given for the development of many Nigerian communities. This grants and opportunities, according to Okundaye included the Uli Craft Training centre in Enugu, Nigerian National Union of the Blind Jalingo, Ugo Development Group, Anambra State, Ohoroho Community Intiative, Akwa Ibom, Rural Women’s Farmers Association (Umuohoma Community, Anambra State, Comfort for Women and Orphan Initiative, (Kurmin, Kaduna State), Fabur East Women and Youth Development, Jos, a cultural development project at Agbhara community, Agbhara-Otor, Ugheli Delta State, among others.

But even as she even did more in the other frontiers of her mission her characteristic spirit kept radiating the artistic touch which made Nigeria atists accept her wholy.

“She is an example to everyone. I can tell you that Dr. Robin Sanders is a person to honour and emulate for her legacy. Therefore, it is with a certain tinge of pain that I say farewell to our dear friend, the Queen Mother of Ogidi Ijumu land. We know you were coming before you came, and we know that in your leaving Nigeria, you carry our hearts with you. So never a goodbye but until we meet again “ Okundaye enthused.

In his own appraisal, Okonta, who was upbeat throughout the event said that Nigeria will continue to remember the ambassador’s tenure as a good one. “She was an inspiration to the art community. She will not be forgotten easily because we need people like her,” Okonta said. In her response, Sanders used the occasion to explain her admiration for Nigeria’s rich artistic heritage, adding that what attracts her intrest most about the country’s artists is the energy and passion they exude. She also noted an abundance of individual talents. She listed her yearly Ambassador’s Special Self Help Program as one of the projects she has desgined to assist Nigerians. While revealing that she will never forget the country and the artists. the Ambassador who said that her stay in the country began in 2007, added that Nigeria will ever remain a home for her. She described the country as a great bastion of the arts. According to her, beyond an interest in Nigerian contemporary artists, she loves the country’s sculptures as well as her traditional arts.

Sanders said: “The art community in Nigeria is very vibrant. One of the memories that I will never forget about the artists here is the energy of the people. There is so much energy and innovativeness towards creativity. It is very interesting to see all these level of creativity all these years.”

She praised the event’s host, Mrs. Okundaye, for setting a pace with her arts. “Nike has demonstrated incredible spirit. She, by far, is one of the most talented artists.”

Sanders, a career member of the United State’s Senior Foreign Service, arrived in Nigeria in December 2007. Before coming, she had served as international adviser and deputy commandant at the industrial college of Armed forces in Washington, D.C. Prior to that position, she had equally served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Congo and as the director of public diplomacy for Africa for the State Department. She served, on two occasions, as the Director for Africa at the US’ National Security Council (NSC) at the White House, and was the special assistant for Latin America, Africa and International crime for the Undersecretetary for political affairs at the State Department.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/2abb2dl

Nigeria’s Youth Discuss Country's 2011 Elections & Development

2010-08-16T05:34:00.019+01:00

This blogspot is part of the series: The Road to Nigeria's 2011 Elections

Nigerian Youth 18 and older must believe in the future of their country, and believe in the nation’s elections process. This was the message on World Youth Day August 12, 2010, in Abuja, as youth gathered in different venues around the country to take stock of their role in the future of Nigeria. On the heels of returning from President Obama's African Young Leaders Forum (AYLF), the three Nigerian participants - Taiwo, Ruth and Bako - joined me on World Youth Day to discuss the Nigerian 2011 elections to encourage young Nigerians to take part in the development of their country on the FEEEDS™ pillars (Food Security, Education, Environment-Energy, Economics, Democracy, and Self-Help - http://blogitrrs.blogspot.com/p/feeeds.html) which starts first with participation in and belief in the election process.

Many of the 70 young people 18-35 years, who gathered for the discussion, noted their concern about fraud and vote rigging and wanting their votes and their voices to make a difference and count. Many recounted their past experience as voters in Nigeria’s 2007 election when they believed their votes did not count, and wanted to know what would be different in 2011. Nigeria today has nearly 45 million young people with estimates that by 2025 that number will reach 62 million (http://www.prb.org/).

The three Obama AYLF participants, in discussing the importance of the FEEEDS™ pillars, stressed that the 2011 election is where young Nigerians must start to change the path of the nation by voting for leaders who put the nation first over self interest. The Food security, Education, Democracy and Self-help aspects of FEEEDs™ where highlighted as the first steps in building a Nigeria that provides access to basic education for all (primary schools have a deficit of girls 10-14 years) and adequate and available food. In addition, the sheer size of Nigeria’s population (152 million, with a current growth rate of 2.5 %) makes the emphasis on entrepreneurial discovery the route that many Nigerian youth must take not only to secure their futures, but also because entrepreneurship can provide a vehicle to give something back to the nation on FEEEDS™.

Obama AYLF participants Taiwo, Bako, and Ruth outlined their backgrounds and how each used their entrepreneurial skills to address one of the FEEED™ pillars. Ruth focuses on education (particularly for girls), Taiwo on the environment (with his waste management company), and Bako’s Foundation also emphasizes education and poverty alleviation. The outcome of the Youth Leadership Discussion on the 2011 election was that Nigerian Youth must begin to believe that their votes will not only count, but be counted freely and fairly. The deliverable from the roundtable held at the Abuja Ken Namani Leadership Center was a message for the Government of Nigeria and the Independent National Election Commission (INEC): Make the 2011 election a time to show Nigeria’s Youth that their forthright desire to be heard and have a credible and issue-oriented election will become the order of the day.

The Deliverable: The Youth Discussion Group decided to deliver a white paper to the Government on the importance of the role of Youth in the 2011 election.

Media Reports on Dr. Sanders and Nigerian Aviation

2010-08-13T16:07:00.001+01:00

US ambassador expresses faith in Nigerian aviation
By Okechukwu Nnodim
NEXT
August 12, 2010 12:31AM

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Renee Sanders, on Thursday, commended the efforts of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) towards ensuring air safety in the country.

Speaking to journalists in a joint conference in Lagos, Mrs Sanders lauded the federal government on the successfulcompletion of the United States Federal Aviation Authority assistance program in readiness for International Aviation Safety Assessment audit which is also a step necessary for acquiring the coveted Category One Status. The ambassador said that though there is still more to be done by way of improving certain elements of the aviation sector, it is important to celebrate the tremendous progress and success the government has made with making Nigerian air travel the safest it has ever been. “Although Nigeria has not obtained Category I Status yet, the progress to date continues to put Nigeria on the right path,” she said.

Progress made

Mrs Sanders congratulated the nation’s civil aviation regulatory agency for its inaugural issuance of an Air Operator Certification (AOC) to Arik Air, the country’s largest commercial carrier, adding that the United States was pleased by the progress so far achieved.

Explaining that additional air carrier options would expand the breath of Nigeria’s aviation market, Mrs. Sanders disclosed that the development would offer prices and services not offered currently. “This competition will create incentives for both the carriers and the consumers,” she said.

Harold Demuren, director general of NCAA, said that he was grateful for the support given by the Mrs Sanders-led team to the aviation industry and to Nigerians. He, however, said that the government is working towards eradicating any form of terrorism in Nigeria, an called for continued support from the United States. “We mean business on this,” he said. “The federal government has ordered for ten body scanners, our people have been trained. We have put in additional measures which makes secondary screening mandatory for our airlines. We are able to sign MOU for the Air Marshals and we can look at your (Mrs. Sanders) tenure in Nigeria as a major success and a big plus for Nigeria’s aviation.”

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US commends Nigeria for commitment to air safety
Written by Laolu Afolabi
Nigerian Tribune
Thursday, 12 August 2010

THE United States (US) government has commended the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the successful completion of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assistance programme in preparation for the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) audit.
Giving the commendation on Wednesday, was the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Robin Sanders, while addressing a joint press conference in Lagos with the Director-General of the NCAA, Dr Harold Demuren.

Sanders said although there was still more to be done, by way of improving certain elements of the aviation sector, it was important to celebrate the progress and success, the Nigerian government had made in making air travel the safest it had ever been.

Africa's Future Rest With Next Generation: Addressing the FEEEDS™ Issues

2010-08-09T01:17:00.032+01:00

This week President Obama hosted a landmark event to celebrate the future of Africa -- a Continent that will have a population of over 1.5 billion in the next several years. He met with Africa's next generation of leaders in a unique forum -- Africa Young Leaders' Forum -- that brought together 115 young African men and women, from 40 countries, embarking on making a difference in their communities...in their nations... by focusing on the importance of transparent election, good leadership, creating new businesses, and developing initiatives to address Food security, Education, the Environment, Economics, Democracy and Self-help, or what I like to call the FEEEDS™ issues, an acronym representing these key global issues. The FEEEDS™ issues are ones that all developing countries should address in order to move their nation forward. In Africa particularly, there is a current downward trajectory on the FEEEDS™ issues in many countries; this needs to change and new paradigms need to be developed. The Obama Administration is doing this with signatures initiatives on food secuirty and the environment.

In 2010, 17 African nations will celebrate 50 years of independence -- a half century -- and it is time to take stock of what the next 50's years will look like. Who better than the Obama Administration than to have that discussion with the next generation of leaders? This is what the Obama Administration was bold enough and wise enough to do! So to those who saw the Forum differently -- you missed the point! Yes there's a need to put down markers with current leaders not doing right by their people, but the larger point is to build bridges with Africa's next generation. (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/06/world/africa/06forum.html?emc=eta1)

Recently, the U.S. has been engaged in Africa in an unprecedented manner with signature initiatives that focus on the FEEEDS™ issues with the President working with African leaders to help move their nations forward. Why discuss Africa's future with future leaders? Because more than half the Continent is home to people under the age of 25 right now! Because the future for change on the FEEED™S issues rest with them! And, because Africa's future strength can make America stronger as we forge partnerships and strategic relationships on global issues from development, human rights, and nuclear cooperation.

Democratic change in Africa is important. Look at the positive outcome of the Kenya referendum this week when violence marred the previous election. We cannot afford not to engage, and certainly we cannot ignore the generation in Africa that will be America's partners in the future. Our behavior during the immediate post-Cold War years should have taught us all that! As an example, for Nigeria's future, the USG has established a Bi-National Commission (BNC) focused on many of the FEEEDS™ issues addressed at the Obama Africa Forum. We are focusing on Nigeria's democracy and providing technical support for their Must-do Right critical elections in 2011. The BNC's Governance, Transparency, and Integrity group has met twice with the next session August 24-25 in Abuja, Nigeria, on Nigeria's elections. The BNC Energy and Investment group met in August. Next up: The three young Nigerians who participated in President Obama's Forum will discuss their views on the FEEEDS™ issues in an U.S.-Embassy supported roundtable in Abuja, Nigeria on August 12. We will be looking to hear from them on how they plan to engage the Nigerian Government.

Nigeria Election: Constitutional Amendment Debate

2010-08-05T01:00:00.004+01:00

The road to Nigeria having credible elections in 2011 is an important one for the country and for the African Continent. The country will embark on a herculean task of creating a new voter registry that could represent some 65-70 million voters -- many of them new voters given that nearly half of the nation's 150 million people are under the age of 30. Transparent and credible elections have been a challenge for Nigeria in the past. There are a series of next step issues that remain pending. One key debate is on the status of the new constitutional amendments that will govern the conduct of the elections. Tied up in which way the debate prevails is when in 2011 the election will be held. The Debate: The polity and Nigerian legal scholars are in the throes of deciding if the new constitutional amendments to the country's electoral process requires an assent by the current Nigerian President to become law, or if by virtue of the passage by the country's National Assembly, they come into force.

Meanwhile the clock is ticking: toward an early 2011 election with no fixed election date; the need to create a new voter registry for nearly 65-70 million potential voters and begin voter education; and, fine tune strategic logistic election planning to cover a country of nearly 98K square kilometers. A number of African countries will hold elections from mid-summer 2010 through 2011But, 2010is the year that many African nations turn 50 - representing 50 years of independence - a seminal fact that President Obama is highlighting right now in Washington with a 3-day African Young Leaders Forum to look at the next 50 years for Africa Download file

The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria chose three young Nigerians to attend the Forum. I will do a follow-on event with them in Abuja on August 12, looking at what the election and the next 50 years means for Nigeria. Kenya's election is only a day away and all on the African Continent are closely watching what happens. The Global community cannot take these elections lightly. They are important as a marker for the next 50 years. The Constitutional Amendment debate or whether or not Nigerian President Jonathan has to assent to the amendments for them to become law or not needs to be decided soonest, so a date certain can be determined for the election, and the other hard tasks can begin in earnest like creating a new voter registry.

New constitutional amendments Factoids: key timetables: when voter registration has to end; when the voter registry has to be completed, and a range of days -- 150-120 days -- before May 29, 2011 in which the election has to take place.

This is one in series of several blog post focusing on the "Roadmap to Nigeria's 2011 Election," highlighting the progress and challenges along the way. (Related speeches: CODER; NIM Nigeria's Elections)

Media Clips on Dr. Sanders

2010-08-04T09:28:00.008+01:00

"From all indications, time constraints and lack of funds are among the major problems Jega has identified as the problems threatening the conduct of the 2011 elections. The international community is equally worried by the dark cloud which now hangs over the January date of the 2011 elections. It is against this background that Robin Sanders, the United States ambassador to Nigeria last week appealed to President Jonathan to release enough funds for the commission to carry out its functions. She said the president should do so, “even if it means taking money from the excess crude accounts and the huge external reserves.”

The American envoy insisted that “it is critically important that Nigeria holds a credible, free and fair elections in 2011” and INEC should be adequately funded to do a good job. “This is your election. It must be funded not by development partners, but by yourselves. You have enormous resources. We urge the Nigerian government to properly and adequately fund INEC. You are the major or only stakeholders in the process,” Sanders said."

Road Blocks to 2011 Polls Written by Chris Ajaero, Newswatch (Wednesday, 28 July 2010) (pdf Print)

"The outgoing envoy, Sanders, in her farewell address, said her country was unwavering in its encouragement for Nigeria’s upliftment of democratic ideals especially between November 2009, and March 2010.

She however pointed out that FG’s promise of credible elections should be transformed to reality so that Nigeria can enjoy true democracy.

“I have had the opportunity to interact with the new Chairman of INEC, and I wish him all the best. He has a tough task ahead of him but he really has a good vision for where he wants to go and what he wants to do. He is new and we have to support him because the election future rests on his ability to execute and we all have to be 100% behind him.

“Remember democracies are messy as they are about a clash of ideas, they are not about violence, they are not about corruption, but they are about transparent and credible elections.”"

FG Seeks Continued US Support, Condoles Pakistan: US envoy expresses confidence in Jega from Damilola Oyedele, ThisDay in Abuja, 07.30.2010

"Abuja — Outgoing United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Robin Renee Sanders was at the weekend showered with praises as she prepares to depart Nigeria at the end of August after a meritorious service that spanned about three years as the US envoy.

Nigeria's president, Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Henry Odein Ajumogobia, said during a colourful ceremony in honour of Sanders at her residence, that Dr. Sanders had distinguished herself with candour, knowledge and intellect in the dispensation of her career demands.

He stressed that Sanders epitomized the warm diplomatic relations between US and Nigeria, which had flourished over the years and carved a niche for herself in propagating the great image of America just as her predecessors did.Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, also added his voice to the glowing tributes, saying that Sanders embodied mutual respect and passion for industrial and commercial initiatives, which had immensely contributed to the development of Nigeria.

In her remarks, Dr. Sanders recounted her memorable experience serving in Nigeria and the incredible support she got from Team Nigeria. She thanked the Nigerian government for the warm treatment she received during her service as an ancestral sister of the soil and a friend.

She declared US support for Nigeria in her quest for transparent elections as she advocated total rehabilitation of the Niger Delta militants. She admonished the country in her "My at 50 list for Nigeria" message to give sincere priority to credible elections, food security and education.

Her words: " you are at a point where speaking out for credible elections must turn into reality- and thoughtful consideration as to how you get there, what choices you make, what path you take to have a transparent election so that the conduct of your polls can secure your democratic destiny. And I know that the new INEC is trying to do these things"."

Nigeria: Tributes as Sanders Bids Farewell By Innocent Odoh of Leadership (Abuja) 1 August 2010

Tributes to Dr. Sanders (Leadership Newspaper)

2010-08-02T10:39:00.004+01:00

Nigeria: Tributes as Sanders Bids Farewell
Innocent Odoh
Leadership (Abuja)
1 August 2010

Abuja — Outgoing United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Robin Renee Sanders was at the weekend showered with praises as she prepares to depart Nigeria at the end of August after a meritorious service that spanned about three years as the US envoy.

Nigeria's president, Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Henry Odein Ajumogobia, said during a colourful ceremony in honour of Sanders at her residence, that Dr. Sanders had distinguished herself with candour, knowledge and intellect in the dispensation of her career demands.

He stressed that Sanders epitomized the warm diplomatic relations between US and Nigeria, which had flourished over the years and carved a niche for herself in propagating the great image of America just as her predecessors did.Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, also added his voice to the glowing tributes, saying that Sanders embodied mutual respect and passion for industrial and commercial initiatives, which had immensely contributed to the development of Nigeria.

He acknowledged her ceaseless efforts in enlisting the US support in the sanitization of the banking sector in Nigeria and her unflinching support for women empowerment. In her remarks, Dr. Sanders recounted her memorable experience serving in Nigeria and the incredible support she got from Team Nigeria. She thanked the Nigerian government for the warm treatment she received during her service as an ancestral sister of the soil and a friend.

She declared US support for Nigeria in her quest for transparent elections as she advocated total rehabilitation of the Niger Delta militants. She admonished the country in her "My at 50 list for Nigeria" message to give sincere priority to credible elections, food security and education.

Her words: " you are at a point where speaking out for credible elections must turn into reality- and thoughtful consideration as to how you get there, what choices you make, what path you take to have a transparent election so that the conduct of your polls can secure your democratic destiny. And I know that the new INEC is trying to do these things".

July 18 Election Speech at Nigerian Institute of Management

2010-07-30T11:04:00.003+01:00

I am out on the stump with some tough love messages on election reform, the election timetable, and the need to make a decision soonest on when an election will be held in Nigeria in 2011. I was asked to speak (click here for remarks) at the Nigerian Institute of Management which is a distinguished organization of management specialist in a number of fields. My remarks focus on the time table need to hold credible elections between now and early 2011. I have some illustrative example stating that every month from now Nigeria needs register or validate the registration of 13 million new voters. The election date is not set, but everyone believes it will either be January 2011, or April 2011. I have met with the new Chairman of INEC and he is committed to trying to do his utmost to ensure a credible election. I wish him well with his efforts to ensure a transparent election.

Amb. Sanders July 29, 2010 Remarks: My Wish for Nigeria @ 50

2010-07-30T05:00:00.001+01:00

My Remarks to a Great Friend: @ 50, a Credible Election is in Your Hands!
(My @ 50 list for Nigeria)
By Dr. Robin Renee Sanders
Ambassador of the United States of America to Nigeria

Now this brings me to the tough part of this short program this evening where I begin my goodbyes to a country and a nation that has welcomed me -- almost as if I was a family member of this great nation --- the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
And as a family member, I have been with you through some challenging times . . . sad times . . . and some good times . . . over the last years, particularly the period between November 2009 and March 2010, but will say that I have never once waivered in encouraging support for Nigeria because I also never once waivered in my belief that everything would also turned out alright during that period and it did. You know there is a Nigerian way of doing things that must be appreciated and understood. My Team and I understood those things. We got it -- even when there was skepticism elsewhere -- we were confident that your young democracy would still steadfastly move forward and it has. I have had the opportunity to interact with the many strong and beautiful voices that blend together to make Nigeria the mosaic nation it is today.
As I thought about what I would say tonight a month out before my departure as I wanted to reflect and take a small journey with you this evening about the things I wish for my dear friend and what I wish for...the nation of Nigeria @ 50 years of age. So here is “My @ 50 list for Nigeria” as an ancestral sister of the soil, a family member, and a friend. You all know the things the U.S. Government is doing here to support Nigeria in so many ways, (in the health sector under PEPFAR and food security under feeding the future program and education, to name a few) so I won’t review everything here this evening.
You know life for me is always interesting and always incredibly amazing, it can be about moments that take your breath away and moments that change the paradigm of the future, but the goal should never be different. It is about: making a difference as a person, making a difference as a country, and making a difference as a nation. And, there is a difference between being a country and a nation and it is the latter that I wish for you as you build your democracy. So @ 50 this is what I hear Nigerians say Nigeria needs today as I have traveled to each of your 36 states. You are:
-- @ the point of making a difference not only in your future, but also on your past;
-- [You are] @ the point of embarking on the next century of your independence with a fundamental opportunity to change the social contract in your democracy
-- [You are] @ the point where social change is an imperative with your 2011 elections, the fight against corruption, and responsibility at all levels of government
-- [You are] @ the point where your road to change is paved with action to improve food security, education, the environment, your energy needs and development and self-help – these important sectoral elements I have cobbled together with friends to call the FEEEDS or change-pillars of your nation;
-- [You are] @ the point where speaking out for credible elections must turn into reality – and thoughtful consideration as to how you get there; what choices you make; what path you take to have a transparent elections so that that the conduct of your polls can secure your democratic destiny. And I know the new INEC is trying to do these things.
Tonight is about my personal message to a country on being an advocate for you at every turn, as a supporter of your democratic destiny and as a friend who wants you to do not only well, but very well. Every generation is a force of energy and the generations in Nigeria today must be a force for these changes.
You know I am going to fast forward and pretend like today . . . this evening . . . is actually July 29, 2011, and I have just laid down my Nigerian newspaper (not going to say which one I would be reading) and the headline reads: This is the Nation that Nigeria Built! But what follows behind this phrase will be the most important thing: Voter turnout High; Confidence in INEC restored; Voter Registry (not perfect but credible); Elections Free and Fair; the FEEEDS issues are being addressed. These are the things I wish for you. Remember democracies are messy as they are about a clash of ideas, they are not about violence, they are not about corruption, but they are about transparent and credible elections.
So this evening . . . these are the things I wish for my friend, the nation of Nigeria. I believe in you and your future and I will be watching as you move forward. You could have no stronger advocate in your corner. I am departing at the end of August, but I will always be here in spirit. As I take my leave I want to wish you well @ 50. So as one friend to another I want to say thank or:
“Nagode”
“Me Yatti” to those who know me as GimbiyanMuri
“Ndalo” for my friends from Nri Kingdom who know me as “AdaNri”
“EseunModupe” to my friends who call me Yeye Oba of Ogidi
“Palang” to my Horom friends
“Imela” to those who greet me as NneOma, and;
“Ndewo” to those who welcomed me as AdaMazi
I close by saying to all Nigerians . . . .
Wishing You Well @ 50 and a Credible Election in 2011!

Nigeria's Independence @ 50 Years: My Wish List for You @50

2010-07-30T04:04:00.001+01:00

Nigeria will celebrate 50 years of independence on October 1, 2010. This both a landmark and a hallmark birthday for this nation of 150 million people as it reaches the half centruy mark. So I have put together a wish list for the nation of Nigeria @ 50 years of age. So here is “My @ 50 Wish List for Nigeria” as an ancestral sister of the soil, a family member, and a friend in addition to the things the U.S. Government is doing here to support Nigeria in so many ways in the health sector under PEPFAR, in food security under the feed the future program, and in education, under the African Education Initiative, or AEI).

There is a difference between being a country and a nation and it is the latter that I wish for you as you build your democracy. So @ 50 years this is what I hear Nigerians say they want for Nigeria as I have traveled to each of your 36 states. They say You Are:
-- @ the point of making a difference not only in your future, but also on your past;
-- @ the point of embarking on the next century of your independence with a fundamental opportunity to change the social contract in your democracy
-- @ the point where social change is an imperative with your 2011 elections, the fight against corruption, and responsibility at all levels of government
-- @ the point where your road to change is paved with action to improve food security, education, the environment, your economic & energy needs, democracy and build self-help.
-- @ the point where speaking out for credible elections must turn into reality – and thoughtful consideration as to how you get there; what choices you make; what path you take to have a transparent elections so that that the conduct of your polls can secure your democratic destiny. And I know the new INEC is trying to do these things.

These important sectoral elements I have cobbled together with friends to call the FEEEDS or change-pillars of your nation;

Every generation is a force of energy and the generations in Nigeria today must be a force for these changes. I am going to fast forward and pretend like today . . . this evening . . . is actually July 29, 2011, and I have just laid down my Nigerian newspaper (not going to say which one I would be reading) and the headline reads: This is the Nation that Nigeria Built! But what follows behind this phrase will be the most important thing: Voter turnout High; Confidence in INEC restored; Voter Registry (not perfect but credible); Elections Free and Fair; the FEEEDS issues are being addressed. These are the things I wish for you. Remember democracies are messy as they are about a clash of ideas, they are not about violence, they are not about corruption, but they are about transparent and credible elections.

For full remarks on Wish List for Nigeria see (http://blogitrrs.blogspot.com/2010/08/remarks-on-july-291-2010-my-wish-for.html)

Credible Elections! Credible Elections! Credible Elections - A Must-Do for Nigeria in 2011

2010-07-29T12:11:00.006+01:00

Ambassador Sanders with other dignitaries at the high table when I spoke at the Nigerian Institute of Management on "Managing the 2011 Election Process," (July 1, 2010)

I have spent the last few weeks in Nigeria stressing the importance of credible elections with a number of speeches in both Abuja and Lagos on the issue. I refer you to my speeches. I refer you to my speeches at the Nigerian Institute of Management and my recent remarks at the civil society gathering of CODER - both events focused on the road map for election reform and the future of the credibility of the Independent Election Commission, more commonly known here as INEC. INEC is the government body that oversees elections in Nigeria. In 2007, Nigeria and seriously flawed elections and there were rampant negative reports about the role of INEC during that time. There is now a reconstituted INEC with a new chairman who has stated his committment to transparent elections. There is not a single Nigerian who does not believe that the country's 2011 election are a marker for Nigeria's next 50 years. Yes, this is Nigeria's 50th independence celebration, but it is also more than that. Nigerians tell me it is a time for change, a time to move forward, and a time to have leadership that will be by the people and for the people. It does get any better than that when you talk about true democracy. Government must govern by the consent of the people. And, the people of Nigeria want credibility and transparency in their election processes. The U.S. Government is doing its part with help in certain areas of election assistance as are other donors. We have a unique partnership with the UK and are jointly coordinating and pooling our expertise and assistance and other donors are also doing their part. We are primarily focusing on parallel vote tabulation (or what is called SWIFT Vote Count here in Nigeria), which will seek to provide a secondary validation of polling results; training civil society monitors and observers; training INEC staff, encouraging more democratization in political party processes; and assisting with developing time lines for certain actions given what appears to be a short time line between now and when the elections may happen in early 2011 (right now it is unclear whether elections will be held in January or April 2011). This is the most important time in this wonderful nation of 150 million peole and a reported 65 million people eligible to vote. We hope that it will be handled in a way that all Nigerians are clamoring for - with credibility, with transparency, with a commitment at all levels (particularly as regards to political will to end fraud and vote rigging at the polls) of the elections process to make this an election -- the 2011 election -- one that all Nigerians can be proud of as it will certainly be a marker for the future of this great country.

Newspaper Clips on My Remarks at CODER

2010-07-27T10:39:00.002+01:00

"The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanders, challenged INEC, last week, to ensure that the 2011 poll produces the best leaders that would rule Nigeria. Speaking at a workshop organised by the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER), the envoy expressed her opinion in a paper entitled “Agenda for a Credible Election: Road Map for New INEC.”

She charged INEC to stand up to the occasion, saying “the other challenge is time and time is not on your side; you have to register about 30 million eligible voters and if election is to take place between January and February next year, it means that you have to register at least 15,000 voters every hour, and it is expected that about 25,000 polling units must be provided before the election.”

She said further: “I have faith in Nigerian people that they will do everything possible to ensure a credible election. You must be on the driver’s seat on this roadmap for a credible election so that you can take your place in the comity of nations. United States has always assisted Nigeria in the area of technical assistance which was what your government asked. Technical assistance also includes capacity building not only to INEC but also to the civil society. If you are not adequately funded, you can’t have a credible election. By the records, it is estimated that Nigeria earns about $3.2 billion from excess crude oil. Also, the country has about $37 billion in foreign reserves; I believe that this is enough to fund the election, while the international community assists with technical support. Civil society organisations play a critical role in monitoring and observation during election period. They can be the voice of the voiceless and also the critical observer.”

According to her, the US government was supporting INEC so that it could achieve its goals within the shortest possible time, adding that the elections must be financed not just by the donors but by Nigerians because Nigerians are the biggest stakeholders in the poll. “This election can’t be more important to United States more than it is to you; this is your election. You are the major stakeholder; in fact, I won’t be wrong if I say that you are the only stakeholder in this election,” she remarked. "

INEC’s Struggle Over 2011 By Daniel Kanu Austin Oboh, Daily Independent Lagos

Media Clips on Dr. Sanders' Recent Activities in Nigeria

2010-07-26T18:30:00.002+01:00

"THE United States of America has pledged to work in concert with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to ensure the success of the energy sector reform as espoused in the Petroleum Industry Bill currently before the National Assembly.

The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Robin Sanders, made this commitment on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Engr. Austen Oniwon at the NNPC Towers.

Sanders who said the US considers itself as a friend and stakeholder in the Nigerian nation, stated that America would continue to support and remain committed to Nigeria through its international oil companies (IOCs) and would love to see the energy reform sail through.

She said the US has been playing very constructive role in the Nigerian energy sector which has culminated in the signing of five grants for the construction of Independent Power Projects (IPPs) in the country.

The Ambassador explained that her country”s interest in Nigeria was not just because of the strategic position it occupies in Africa and the international community, but because of the potential it has for the future, adding: ““We want to be partners in the journey to that future.””

Sanders who said the US looks forward to the consolidation of the amnesty program in order for Nigeria to realize its full production potential in both liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, also expressed her appreciation to the Nigerian government for its willingness to accept input into the PIB."

NNPC, US synergize on PIB By Yemie Adeoye of Vanguard July 26, 2010

"Meanwhile, United States of America (USA) on Thursday called on President Goodluck Jonathan to deploy adequate funds from the excess crude account and the foreign reserves to enable the INEC to come up with a credible voters register, begin voters education as a way of demonstrating seriousness of purpose and dedication to democracy.

The US observed that since the nation’s reserves in the two accounts stood at US$3.2 billion and US$37 billion respectively, the country did not have an option but to use the enormous resources to fully fund the electoral process.

US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Robin Sanders, who made the remarks at a colloquium on electoral reform organised by Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform (CODER), said the biggest challenge on the roadmap to 2011 elections was time, which she said was already running out if the polls must be held in January or February next year.

She said INEC would need to register nearly 13 million voters every month, which translate into 500,000 daily or 50,000 voters every hour, adding that the body would also need to ensure that nearly 25,000 polling booths were ready every month.

According to her, “The Nigerian voter wants a 2011 election that is fair, free, credible and most importantly, transparent. Voters with the right attitude are also necessary for a successful election. Your vote must reflect your desire to have leadership that can help Nigeria move forward on things like improving the education, health and agricultural sectors and addressing other challenges such as ending the culture of impunity against corruption or corrupt officials."

INEC needs N72bn for voters’ register –Jega: US charges Jonathan on adequate fund for electoral proces: Senate passes electoral bill, proposes order of election Written by Soji-Eze Fagbemi and Christian Okeke, Abuja Friday, 23 July 2010

Women for Change Initiative, Nigerian Women on the Move

2010-07-19T22:59:00.004+01:00

2000 Nigerian Women Strong said "Yes We Can" for Change at the July 16, 2010, launching of Nigeria's Women For Change Initiative opened by the First Lady of Nigeria Dame Patience Jonathan. I was asked to be the keynote speaker at the event to highlight the achievements of both Nigerian and African-American women -- both past and present. I mentioned pioneering Nigerian women like Kuti and Alele Williams and African-American standard bearers like Mary McLeod Bethune. I also called for women to be involved in Nigeria's cornerstone and transformative 2011 election as it is a "must-do" for Nigeria to get it right as regards to both election credibility and transparency. The event organized by the Minister of Women Affairs, Josephine Anenih underscored the commitment of First Lady Dame Patience to work with this NGO to stop violence against women as well as work to improve the overall lives of Nigerian women in the areas from health care to education. She also called for an increased in job opportunities -- particularly in government -- for women at all levels. It was wonderful to hear more than 2000 women shout "Yes We Can!" on all these points in the Abuja Women's Center. It was great and I am with them all the way (as I was deemed one of the Ambassadors For Change in addition to giving the keynote). It is time for a change and the Women For Change Initiative (WFCI) is a step in the right direction!! WFCI NGO will focus on economic development, health, education and self-help for women. WFCI is open to all Nigerian women and other elements of WFCI will be highlighted during Nigeria's 50 independence celebrations!

see link for full remarks http://http//blogitrrs.blogspot.com/search/label/Speeches
Labels: Education, Elections, Speeches, Women

Dr. Sanders Remarks: 50@50 Speech

2010-07-16T17:42:00.004+01:00

Women For Change Initiative (WPCI)
Women’s Center
Abuja, Nigeria
July 16th 2010

Written as Delivered

I am honored to be here among such distinguished women. Let’s all applaud her Excellency First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan for asking all of us to come together to celebrate change… To celebrate the lives of women past and present that have made an impact on history… on the world and to celebrate 50 years of Nigerian Independence. So today because we are strong we always say YES WE CAN!

In fact, today what I am going to ask you to say with from time to time. Is Yes We Can! So as we women can we make a change in the world? Can we make a change for Nigeria?

Yes We Can!

Why can we be “Women For Change”? Because, we are giving like Ogun Leye, who once gave her month salary to a women’s rural empowerment group; we are organized, like Funmilayo Kuti, who brought together 20 thousand women that led to equal tax rights for women; and we are educators like African American Mary McLeod Bethune who founded the National Council of Negro Women and served on the cabinet under the U.S. President Roosevelt. [And Grace Alele Williams who was the first Nigerian women to earn a PhD and the first female vice chancellor of a Nigerian University]

In Nigeria today there are 75 million women; that’s the 9th highest female population in the world. Here today we are going to come together to take stock of the way forward as Nigeria turns 50 this year.

Can I hear a Yes We Can! Yes we can, yes we can, be “Women for Change” and take stock of where women are in: finance, education, and health today.

We know we can change the development in Nigeria. Because, every women or young girl believes that they are the change. You are half of Nigeria. Because, every woman or young girl anywhere in the world can become and do whatever they want to do to make better lives for themselves. You are half the population of Nigeria. Therefore, you are the force for change in Nigeria. You are the movement for change.

Women must be the force behind economic growth. You know in the United States one of the first black millionaires was a woman. Her name was Madame C.J. Walker. She promoted herself into business by building her own factory from the ground up. So we must strive together we must support female ingenuity... We must support female creativity we must support female leadership. Can we do this! Yes We Can!

We must support the education and development of women! Can we do this! Yes we can! We must support the health and businesses of women. Can we do this? Yes We Can!

On education, we must take educating our daughters more seriously. Right now 21% percent of young girls in Nigeria from 10-16 year old are not in School. Education is directly related to income of women...

And we all know that economic independence is power for development… power for elections. And we all know you as women have an important and critical election coming up in 2011, and I hope you all go out and vote... So that you have more representation at all levels of government. If Nigeria is to progress and move forward we need change for women Can We Do this? Yes We Can!

You are about to celebrate 50 years of independence. This will be a tremendous marker of your future. And all Nigerian women must play a bigger role in the next 50 years. Can you do this? Yes We Can!

You know I have been welcomed here as a member of the family. Therefore, as a family member I want to do my part, this is what fuels my desire to help…. To care… and to want the best for Nigerian women everywhere. You are my friends, I am too a woman for change. I am with you every step of the way (see link for full remarks). http://http//blogitrrs.blogspot.com/search/label/Speeches

My Interview with THISDAY Newspaper

2010-07-09T12:11:00.007+01:00

On Thursday, July 8, 2010, I was interviewed by THISDAY Editors when I was received at the Ikoyi residence of THISDAY Chairman Nduka Obaigbena. The story was titled: Sanders: 2011 is transformative for Nigeria with a rider Govt free to pursue legal case in NLNG bribery scam. The highlight of the interview was featured on the July 9th edition of the newspaper.

According the newspaper, "United States ambassador to Nigeria Ms Robin Renèe Sanders has urged the Nigerian government and Nigerians to muster enough political will to make democracy work by ensuring free and fair elections next year. She also said the Federal Government is free to initiate a legal case against companies such as Halliburton who have been heavily fined by the US for giving bribes to Nigerian public officials in order to secure contracts..."

Furthermore, I encouraged "the voters and politicians in Nigeria should do the right thing by choosing their candidates and show they are committed to democracy." I was quoted as saying that my "country's offer of technical assistance as no sufficient guarantee for free and fair elections, stressing the need for adequate political will from all participants in the process which 'must have to be enforced by someone down the line'.”

I told them ... “It is your election. It is your voice and your choice and all about voting for a change that would make Nigeria strong and vibrant... We provided technical assistance in 2007 and we’re providing a lot of technical assistance now…2011 is a transformative time for Nigeria. You’ve got to have the political will to get to a point where a lot of things would happen in a sustainable manner.”

On the visa revocation of the former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, I was quoted by the paper that “Yes, we revoked the visa and that’s how it was, the rest is a privacy issue. I won’t go into the details of why there was a visa revocation."

On whether Nigeria should receive part of the $338 million fine which a US court ordered Technip to pay, in respect of the $180 million bribe allegedly paid to unnamed senior government officials by Halliburton, I said “The department of justice has executed the case and they were fined after criminal charges…Nigeria's attorney-general is at liberty to pursue his own case against the companies"

On the blacklisting of Nigeria by the US after the attempted downing of a Detroit-bound Delta Airliner by Umaru Farouk Abdulmutallab last December, I said that “the type of policy we had that time was not a nationality designated one. I and my staff had to go through the same security check as well. It was not a nationality designation and unfortunately that is how it is viewed here. It is a worldwide policy and we had a number of meetings with Nigerian aviation authorities to enforce safety regulations.”

On whether US President Barrack Obama may likely visit Nigeria in the near future, I noted that that President Obama and President Goodluck Jonathan met in April and held fruitful discussions.

The following is quoted directly from the paper:

"She recalled the speech of the US president where he stated the importance of Nigeria on the world scene including the leadership role the country has to play on the African continent.
'They talked about credible election, development and moving forward. We have respect for the leadership role of Nigeria on the continent and you’re now a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. We want the best for Nigeria because you are one of our best friends,' Sanders said. On Nigeria’s quest to become a permanent member of the UN, she said that the US currently supports article 23 of the world body which outlines the steps to becoming a permanent member."

"The ambassador also spoke on the US-Nigeria Bi-National Commission, explaining that the working group on the Niger Delta would meet soon. On food security and agriculture, she stated that the 'US is doing a lot towards food security and Nigeria is one of the recipients of the largest food security programmes that we have and this year, $25 million will be worked out as the year goes forward,' she said."

Visit to the New ICT Hub for Nigeria: Main One

2010-07-08T16:03:00.005+01:00

Ambassador Sanders at the site

Main One was a fabulous eye opener for me, and showcases the new ICT outlook for Nigeria, the West Africa Region, and the Continent. I was given a tour of the facilities on July 8, 2010. What is Main One then? It is the central hub of where the fiber optic submarine cable landed in Nigeria which will provide not only more Internet capacity and bandwidth to this country of 150 million people, but also leads the way for new IT platforms and applications from mobile banking, forex exchanges, education technologies and the like. Mostly importantly, it will reduce the cost to customers bringing the average cost down to $500 per mega bite month versus $2k for satellite use. The U.S. private sector contribution was in the submarine cable constructed by Tyco Electronics for $250 million. On ground as part of Main One there are 5 institutional investors. It is a fantastic new infrastructure and ICT development for Nigeria.

It is Your 2011 Election - Manage It Well!

2010-07-08T15:35:00.010+01:00

I was honored to be invited by the Nigerian Institute of Management to speak on "Managing the 2011 Election Process," on July 1, 2010, to a crowd of management experts of nearly 250 guests, along with other lecturers. My remarks (the full text of my speech found here) focused on the importance of where Nigerians want Nigeria to be after the 2011 election. I began by celebrating the achievements of Nigeria as it approaches its 50 independence celebration and reflections of the achievements of this great nation. These are key milestones for this dynamic country. I noted challenges for Nigerians in their 51st year of independence in 2011 and what outcomes they want in leadership to better address and respond to the needs in social sector development from agriculture, education, health, and fighting corruption. I highlighted USG assistance in these areas as well as the election assistance we are providing to INEC, civil society and political parties to encourage more democratization in the electoral process. As of today -- possibly 6 months out from the elections -- in order for Nigeria to be ready logistically, every month from now until election 13 million voters would need to be registered or verified every month ... meaning everyday 500,000 voters would need to be registered or verified or 50,000 voters every hour. This is just an example of the tasks that lie ahead. The United States is behind Nigeria and we will do as much as possible to support credible elections, but in the end the political by all Nigerians in the political process must be there first and foremost.

It is Your Election – Manage It Well! - Remarks By Dr. Sanders at NIM

2010-07-01T13:04:00.001+01:00

It is Your Election – Manage It Well!

Address to
The Nigerian Institute of Management

By
Dr. Robin Renée Sanders, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria
On the Occasion of the Annual Distinguished Management Lecture, July 1, 2010 – Lagos

All other protocols duly observed

Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen and Members of the Press.

Thank you for inviting me to speak on the topic of “Management of the Electoral Process: An Imperative for Democratic Governance of the Nigerian State.” I want to congratulate the Nigerian Management Institute and its role in promoting multi-disciplinary discussion of the best ways to manage the challenges and opportunities that Nigeria will face, particularly as regards to elections. Certainly the topic I was asked to speak on is really the topic of discussion in the polity of this country today given that Nigeria has several key milestones approaching: The celebration of 50 years of independence as well as a pivotal point in your democratic experience as you seek to hold not only a free and fair election, but a credible one. Let’s take the first milestone first. Fifty years, that is big step for a mature nation. It is a time for both celebration and reflection. So let’s celebrate first. Let’s celebrate that . . . you are a dynamic country in both energy and force of resources and that your nation will shape the future of the region and of the continent.

Let’s celebrate that you as Nigerians embrace democracy . . . … and the principles of democracy and have had two peaceful transitions of power from one head of state to another.

And, let’s celebrate your respect and presence on the world stage as your nation assumes its rightful place as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. These are things to marvel at . . . These are things to celebrate!

So now let’s talk about the things you may want to reflect on as you reach 50 years of the life of a nation . . . looking back on where you have come from . . . where you are going . . . and what challenges lay ahead. I have been here a long time now . . . and truly feel that I am at home and . . . a family member . . . and as a member of the family these are the things I wonder about as Nigeria moves forward and begins its 51st year in 2011. I want to start with the challenges that I have heard Nigerians talk about in the agriculture, health, and education sectors, and the need to fight corruption. So let’s talk about these issues a bit before we move on to the next milestone – elections -- because for me all of these things are legs of the same democracy stool. Strong democracies are not just about election but a number of things – particularly in development.

I just wanted to share some information with you as food for thought today…food for reflection as you collectively think about where you want your nation to be, your home to be given that you are management specialists and taking stock of your nation at this pivotal time. So I just want to provide you with some statistics to consider as regards to these three key sectors.

Let’s begin with agriculture. Nigeria hosts the largest population in Sub-Saharan Africa of 150 million people . . . with a growth rate of 2.2 per cent . . . Feeding this many people can prove to be a daunting task... The agricultural sector contributes 42% to this nation's GDP . . . and accounts for 80% of the jobs in Nigeria. But currently you import . . . 1.4 million tons of rice a year more than any . . .other . . . country in the world and you are one of the largest importers of wheat in the world as well. Why? You have the talent, and both the human and natural resources to be self-sufficient in any stable crop you choose, particularly these two. The United States Government has pledge 37 million dollars to help Nigeria become more food secure… working to make subsistence farmers more commercial; developing drought-resistance crops; and, aiding farmers in developing markets.

In education, teachers are critical to quality education. At present only 59% of the 600,000 primary school teachers have the minimum required qualification, the National Certificate in Education, as stated in your Ministry of Education’s Statistics of Education in Nigeria (1999-2005). We do applaud the Ministry's current approach to reforms of teacher education. However, according to the Nigeria EdData Survey 2004, conducted by Nigeria’s National Population Commission, over 72% of Nigeria's children aged 4 to 12 lack basic functional numeracy and literacy skills. Girl child education lags behind that of boys, with some reports having 51 per cent of girls not attending primary school. The United States Government provides technical assistance in the development of the revised National Teacher Education Policy . . . and the Ambassadors Girls Scholarship Program provides text books, uniforms and shoes, and scholarships to over 9,000 girls and boys attending schools in 13 states throughout Nigeria. . . . a literate and numerate citizenry is the foundation of any democratic society.

Nigerians also tell me they want a strong health care system that can provide basic health care. The United States Government and the American people worked hand-in-hand with Nigeria's health care professionals to care and treat – and more importantly prevent – some of the major diseases many Nigerians face: polio . . . malaria . . . tuberculosis . . . and HIV/AIDS. The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (better known as PEPFAR) alone has committed nearly $400 million a year for Nigeria. On malaria we will be increasing resources in this area under President Obama’s Malaria Initiative in the tune of $51 million dollars, including a campaign to provide bed-nets to every household in Nigeria. As management leaders I just want to highlight one statistic that I think you will find interesting. Nigerian Government expenditures towards HIV/AIDS programs in 2008 according to a recent report by your own National AIDS Coordination Agency or NACA and UNAIDS stated that only 4.5 billion naira is spent on preventing and fighting HIV/AIDS yearly, so it is interesting to read in the press the proposed budget of somewhere between 10-62 billion naira on Nigeria’s 50th anniversary celebrations ... remember we are in the reflection stage of our discussion this morning. A more realistic beginning figure for Nigeria to truly start combating HIV/AIDs is at least 27 billion or 15% of the funding noted by the goals set in your 2010 National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework.

Then there is Power. Development depends on adequate, reliable supplies of power ... to run factories, light offices and homes, process foods, power computers in schools and run diagnostic equipment in clinics… But we no longer notice the steady noise from standby generators . . . the fact that we no longer notice is not a good thing. Nigeria struggles with the power it needs to grow and it doesn't have the transmission capacity to move the power it has to where it needs to be. Our countries agree that reform of the energy sector is crucial to attracting investment and promoting development. The United States provides technical assistance through USAID . . . USTDA, and the Department of Energy… to help in the power sector, especially on independent power projects. I have signed at least five of these grants since I have been here. On corruption, you must make stemming corruption the order of the day as it will under cut development at every turn, including affecting your electoral process. Our assistance supports the development of hydro-electric power, regulatory frameworks, and renewable energy.

So with this backdrop of where you are, where do you want to go with your next election in 2011? You hold the power to ensure that your 2011 elections . . . are elections all Nigerians can be proud of . . . can respect and that can . . . move the country forward.

Your friends like America want that too, and we are committed to working with you. So what are we doing? We are supporting civil society organizations, providing technical assistance to INEC to encourage a more transparent voter registry, and training political parties so they can play a more transparent and effective role in the 2011 electoral process. We also are helping INEC review its overall operational planning for the upcoming elections; providing training to 7,000 domestic and 100 international observers, and training 8,000 civil society members to conduct quick vote counts in key states to validate voting at the polls and advocate against election fraud and violence.

We see the appointment of the new INEC leadership .… as a positive step toward the management of credible elections. There appears right now to be insufficient time to create a new voter registration list; however, INEC must do all it can in the time remaining to ensure that the current list is as accurate as possible…. The National Assembly has appropriated funding for INEC … but reports are that funds are yet to be disbursed into INEC election account in order for it to truly begin the hard work of operationalizing its plan, updating the registry, and addressing logistics, and distribution of materials.

Constitutional amendments put forth by the national assembly are pending with the thirty-six state legislatures. Among the issues addressed, these amendments will determine the date of the election, a decision that must be made soon.

Remember . . . democracy is about government by the consent of the governed…. Elections matter because it is through elections that you as Nigerians will choose the people who will lead you, represent your interests, and address the issues that we already noted in the reflection of your 50 years of independence. Again, as management leaders I want to leave you with some stark statistics to think about because time is running out on getting many things done . . . and done in time. Consider this example. If your elections are in early 2011, say in January or February, every month from now until then you would need to either register or verify the registry of nearly 13 million voters…meaning everyday (every day) you would need to register or verify the registry of 500,000 voters, or 50,000 voters every hour in order to be ready on election day. For polling places, we understand that your need is approximately 120 thousand polling sites with 20-40,000 satellite locations. What this may mean is every month you need to establish 25,000 polling sites, 1000 per day, 100 per hour. This is a daunting task, but I have faith in you. I was asked to speak today about the management of the election processes . . . and these are the tasks that are before you . . . these are the management issues before you . . . to get you to . . . at process . . . that is transparent . . . and a credible election.

Then of course there is political will. That is always the variable. All of the technical assistance in the world cannot overcome a lack of commitment by every single player in the political process to do right by the voter – from the ruling party to the polling site manager. That has always been the challenge. And, we hope that in your 50th year . . . as a maturing democracy that this is no longer the case.

As your friend, we want you to succeed. But we can't want it more than every single Nigeria does -- from the elite to the farmer. This is your country. . . These are your choices. As you approach the 2011 elections, choose your leaders wisely. Expect more of them. Hold them accountable. Remember, the essence of democracy is the power of the people . . . and each and every voter.

I remember being taken to register to vote as soon as I turned 18 years of age. My parents – who grew up in a segregated South of the United States, whose parents and grandparents, faced challenges to their right to vote . . . instilled in me the importance and the power of the vote. Since that time . . . I have never missed voting for the President of my nation because I knew that my single vote can and did make a difference. I have heard that desire from every single Nigerian I meet. I wish you well in 2011! But time is of the essence. Be wise and know that the people of the United States stand with you, as one of your best friends, and we want the very best for our best friend – credible, transparent elections in 2011. Thank you.

Dr. Robin R. Sanders' Remarks at The Vice President’s Election Event

2010-06-22T18:11:00.000+01:00

The Road Map to Nigeria’s 2011 Elections:
What are the Stops on the Road, Who are the Players

Remarks by Dr. Robin R. Sanders

Vice President’s Election Event Organized by CODER, Yar’Adua Center
July 22, 2010

Good Morning. I was pleased to be invited here today to talk about the road map for YOUR 2011 elections -- going forward from this point in time until your election date. It is critically important that Nigeria holds free and fair elections in 2011 that meet international standards and are acceptable to the Nigerian people. It is your choice alone as a nation regarding how to organize your electoral system but there are a lot of players and stops along the 2011 election road. So let’s look at Your 2011 election road map as to who are the players and what are the stops.

On the players’ side, there is the current leadership of your electoral system such as INEC, the National Assembly, State Governors, and the executive branch. There are also the political parties that must become more transparent, respect internal democracy, and also be willing to allow other voice to be heard. Political parties must show true internal democracy to move forward so that the best leaders rise to the top to represent the people.

But the most significant player on the road to elections is the voter. It is the voter that holds the power to ensure that YOUR 2011 elections are elections that all Nigerians can be proud of so that the changes that need to take place in your country to advance development can happen.

The messages that we are hearing are clear: The Nigerian voter wants a 2011 election that is fair, free, credible and most importantly transparent. Voters with the right attitude are also necessary for a successful election. Your vote must reflect your desire to have leadership that can help Nigeria move forward on things like improving the education, health, and agricultural sectors and addressing other challenges such as ending the culture of impunity against corruption or corrupt officials. If you simply vote for whoever has offered you a jug of cooking oil, cash or whatever, then you are not helping democracy advance in your great nation.

Democracy is about government by the consent of the governed. Elections matter because it is through the vote that Nigerians can choose the people who will lead them in the years to come. It is through the vote that you place YOUR trust in leaders to represent your interest. It is through the vote that Nigerian election officials make a promise to the nation to deliver on addressing the key issues facing the country today in education, health, agriculture, and ending the corruption. The Nigerian Government has committed to this through the U.S.-Binational Commission and we heard it, as you do, every day that the Leadership of your Nation has promised to deliver a clean election.

The U.S. Government support for your elections is in the form of technical assistance, which we have been asked by YOUR government. We are doing that and have been since early this year. Our technical assistance is in the form of capacity building in a number of areas not only within INEC, but also with civil society and political party transparency. Let me say a few words about civil society since we are being hosted by a CSO today. CSOs do have a critical role to play in YOUR 2011 elections as monitors, the voice of the voiceless, and observers. They can also play a role in SWIFT Vote Counting where they monitor the results in a parallel manner to ensure that are not tampered with our changed from the polling unit to the satellites and collection centers.

We also are supporting the work of INEC, its new chairman Professor Jega and the newly-appointed commissioners to develop a workable plan for a successful poll early next year. All players in your 2011 election roadmap are critical to the success of YOUR elections from the INEC Chairman down to the poll workers and civil society observers in each LGA.

The other element or step on this road map we are outlining today is funding. This is YOUR ELECTION and it must be Funded properly by – guess who – you as a nation. You are the biggest stakeholder in your own election. It cannot be more important to anyone else than you. It cannot be more important to the donors or the international community than it is to each and everyone one of you. Given the enormous resources at your disposal, we urge the Government of Nigeria to fully fund the election effort, including expedited efforts to develop a credible voter register, begin voter education and to demonstrate the seriousness of purpose and dedication to YOUR democracy, YOUR future. Nigeria is a wealthy country with abundant resources at its disposal.

Nigeria’s Excess Crude Account currently holds US $3.2 billion and your foreign reserves stand at US $37 billion. You have the resources to fund the material and logistical needs of YOUR OWN ELECTION. Donor nations and the international community can provide technical assistance and encouragement, but the primary responsibility for funding a credible electoral exercise rests squarely with the YOUR Government.

I have already outlined what we as the USG are doing in conjunction with other donors like the UK. INEC must work to provide confidence in the voters, to encourage the Nigerian public's participation in national elections in 2011 and educate voters on the election process.
I think we all know what the immediate needs are for YOUR 2011 elections: a transparent voter, educated voters and a transparency process. The last biggest challenge on this road map we are talking about today is TIME. TIME is not on your side, particularly if you end up having an election in January 2011 or February 2011.

· Consider this illustrative example, remember this is just an example:

If your elections are in January or February 2011 – from now until then you would need to register or verify the registry of nearly 13 million voters every month;
Meaning every day, every day you would need to register or verify the registry of 500,000 voters or 50,000 voters every hour to be ready.
We understand that you have 120,000 polling sites and nearly 20-40,000 satellite locations.
Meaning every month you may need to organize and make sure nearly 25,000 polling sites are ready

But I have faith in the will of the Nigerian people, the will of the Nigeria voter to want this done so credible elections can be held. As a friend I want you to succeed. These are the stops on the roadmap to get there. We are with you every step of the way in a supporting role. But you must be in the lead. I have outlined the road map I see for you today. You must be in the driver’s seat on this road to Nigeria’s 2011 elections. Make them credible, Make them transparent, Fund them properly so you can take your rightful place in the community of nations that are not only proud of all of the wonderful things that make Nigeria what it is today, but most important because you…150 strong…desire and deserve a credible and transparent election.

Let your election be your voice. Let your election be choice for credible leadership. Let your election be the time to vote for changing the future of Nigeria. We are with you every step of the way if the things we talk about today or done. We are your friends and we want you to succeed.

My Visit to Nigeria’s Cradle of Aro Culture & Civilization

2010-06-12T12:56:00.005+01:00

On June 10, I visited the historic town of Arochukwu which is regarded as the center of the ancient and historic Aro civilization and society. Reports are that the Aro date back to the early civilization in Nigeria, and that many current south eastern groups hail from Aro roots such as the Igbo -- the third largest ethnic group in Nigeria. Arochukwu is located in eastern Nigeria at the extreme end of Abia State and bordering Cross River and Akwa-Ibom states. The Aros have rich cultural heritage. They have made their mark in commerce, academia, sports, and politics. Arochukwu is home to many prominent Nigerians: the late Alvan Ikoku, a frontline nationalist whose portrait is on the Nigerian ten naira note; Professor Humphrey Nwosu, a renowned professor of political science who conducted the 1993 presidential elections which were adjudged as the freest in the history of Nigeria; and Kanu Nwankwo, two-time African soccer player of the year.

Apart from paying a courtesy call on Eze Aro, His Royal Majesty Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoro, the traditional ruler of the Aro community, I met with the “Okpnakpon” (the highest decision making council of Aro Kingdom), women’s groups and ordinary citizens. I was given the title Ada Mazi (daughter-leader of Arochukwu) while there. In my speech at the Eze Aro’s Palace, I pointed out that my visit to Aro land underscores the US government’s respect for other cultures and traditions. I told the audience that my mission was to learn more about the people and traditions of the Aro community as part of USG outreach to different Nigerian communities to build mutual understanding. I highlighted my respect for their culture and the history of the kingdom.

While at the Palace, I met with Daa Mgbafor and Mgbokwo Okereke, 80-year twins who were lucky to be saved by Mary Slessor (1849-1915), a Scottish missionary who preached against the cult/witchcraft killings of twins which was then a prevailing practice in Arochukwu. Ms. Slessor came to Arochukwu for evangelical activities after first stopping in Calabar, the capital Cross River State.

I also visited the House of Okoroji and the Oracle of the Long Juju which are both considered the major hallmarks of Aro society. These sacred sites were used to adjudicate cases among the Aro citizens. While the House of Okoroji served as the court of first appeal, the oracle of the Long Juju is the final judicial authority. The House of Okoroji is over 200 years old and has over 35 artifacts such as the rare original Nsibidi writings on the walls denoting the Aro secret society (Ekpe or Leopard) of the region, swords, gates and other interesting historical items which show the contact Aro people had in the past with other peoples, especially Portuguese slave merchants. I was received by Mazi Orji and Ohabiro Okoroji, direct descendants of Mazi Okoroji, the founder of the House of Okoroji prior to British colonial rule in Nigeria.

The visit to the Oracle or Long Juju of Arochukwu about an 8 minute drive away was difficult and physically challenging. It felt like embarking on a hike but I was glad to the site of the Oracle make it. A visitor who makes the journey to the Oracle does not have to visit the gym after the exercise. The Oracle is found in caves with a constantly streaming waterfall inside sandwiched by thick forest. The road leading to the Oracle is not only narrow and slippery but visitors must pass through creeks, dark alleys and a stream where contending parties take turns to pass through to determine their innocence. Historically, a person would win after a trace of blood is released by the gods a few minutes after passing through the stream. Guilty ones were taken to the Oracle where they “disappeared” or began a long journey into slavery. The tunnel where the guilty ones parties were transported to coastal areas to be sold as slaves still exists today. This is one of the reasons the Oracle is called the Long Juju of Arochukwu.

Seeing these sights brought home to me the rich history and longstanding traditions of one of Nigeria’s oldest societies. It is wonderful to know that the people of this area are preserving their heritage, it was a privilege to be allowed a glimpse into this fascinating civilization that has been maintained throughout so many years, and it was an honored to be deemed Ada Mazi.

On June 11, I made my fourth visit to Cross River State’s capital, Calabar. This time I had an opportunity to see the wonderful historic museum that chronicles the pre-colonial and colonial times of the greater Cross River area (which historically encompassed present-day states of Abia and Akom Ibom, bordering on Igboland). First of all the museum of Calabar itself is in one of the historic and famous two-tiered colonial pre-fab houses brought over by the British. The Museum is well maintained in terms of care, but it will be important to find additional ways to preserve the wonderful artifacts in it from the elements. I was fascinated by the iron, bronze, and cowries that were used as currency in pre-colonial and colonial times until the British eventually replaced these cultural items with coins and paper currency. For example, 10 iron cords were required to buy one female slaves. The other pre-colonial item of interest to me was the famous manila (aka manilla) I had read about, which were large iron horseshoe-shaped items considered one of the highest currency denomination. I have seen the manila in several traditional of items with both the rare and disappearing Nsibidi script and Uli motifs (aka ideograms).

On the Road in Northern Nigeria in Support of USG Advocacy for Inter-religious Dialogue, Health Sector Improvement, and Cultural Preservation – One Year After President Obama’s Cairo Speech.

2010-06-10T17:25:00.006+01:00

On June 7-9, 2010, I travelled to the northern part of Nigeria to visit Katsina, Sokoto, and Borno States to further build U.S.-Nigeria relations. I had the opportunity to dialogue with traditional rulers, community and civil society leaders.

The first stop was Katsina on June 7. I used the opportunity, while in Katsina, to pay a condolence call on behalf of the U.S. Government, on Hajia Dada, the mother of the late Nigerian President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. I also visited the 100 year old Gobarau Minaret (originally built 500 years ago). This historic monument was originally a mosque, and then became a center for learning and a lookout point to spot invading armies. The US Government is providing a grant to rebuild the minaret and protect its proud heritage through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation. I also called on the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, in which he strongly emphasized that continuous interaction between Christian and Muslim communities was vital to foster peaceful co-existence amongst the two religious groups.

In Sokoto, on June 8, I paid a visit to His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’adu Abubakar, and commended him for his tremendous leadership role he has played in the Polio Eradication Initiative in northern Nigeria. We also discussed ways to involve traditional leaders in efforts to address other health-related problems such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, in order to improve the health conditions and lives of people in northern Nigeria.

In Borno, the focus was on mutual understanding as I met with the Shehus of Borno and Dikwa and students at the University of Maiduguri to restate the importance of President Obama’s Cairo Speech on New Beginning for America’s engagement with the world -- across nations, peoples, religions and perspectives. She also toured the historic Rabeh’s Fort at Dikwa, North East Nigeria, to learn more about Borno’s rich cultural and religious traditions. The Fort which is now a National Monument was built in 1894 by Rabeh Ibn Fade-Allah, as his headquarters after successful invasion of the Borno Empire. The story of Rabeh’s exploits and death is of great historic importance in the remaking of the present Borno.

Similar to my first visit to the Shehu of Borno’s palace in Maiduguri, about a year ago, I was given a warm traditional welcome by traditional drummers and trumpeters on the evening of June 8, 2010 when the Shehu of Borno, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi received me. Similar courtesies were accorded on June 9 when the Shehu of Dikwa, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammad Ibn Masta II received me in his temporary palace in Dikwa and also presented me with the royal ci-ma-yi dress underscoring his appreciation for the first visit to the palace by U.S. Government Official since his coronation in March 2010. The conversation with the two traditional leaders focused on efforts by the U.S. Government to support the Borno community in health, education and agriculture and to reach out to diverse communities to build mutual understanding, interfaith dialog so that we can all live “as part of human kind in -- harmony, in peace, and in prosperity.”

Also while in Borno, I made my second trip to the University of Maiduguri to have a roundtable with a diverse group of Muslim and Christian students to talk about their views and feelings about the U.S. It was an interesting hour and half where students made both positive comments and raised areas of concern, particularly regarding Nigeria’s upcoming 2011 elections. We talked through the issues and I noted how important it was to appreciate that mutual understanding did not mean we had to agree on everything, but what it did mean was that we respected each others’ views and perspectives. I also stated that “through our partnership we have continued to support all Nigerians to strengthen democracy, encourage free, fair and transparent elections in 2011, fight corruption, encourage good governance, respect for human rights, invest in the people of this great country through our health, education and youth leadership and economic empowerment programs, promote women’s rights and girls education, respect for the diversity of religion, diversity of political views and the diversity of perspectives on the world.”

I told the students that as the youth and future leaders of Nigeria, they must show commitment to building a better future for their country and think deeply about what positive legacies they want to pass on to their children fifty years from now. We ended the session with me noting that Nigeria was one of the U.S. Government’s best friends and thus we wanted the best for Nigeria, especially for the 2011 elections.

THE INAUGURATION OF US-NIGERIA BI-NATIONAL COMMISSION LAUNCHED IN ABUJA May 26-27, 2010

2010-06-03T18:04:00.008+01:00

The U.S- Nigeria Binational Commission (BNC) held its first Working Group meeting on Good Governance, Transparency and Integrity (GTI) in Abuja over the course of two days May 26-27, with pre-meetings May 25 with the private sector and civil society. I participated alongside of the U.S Undersecretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Maria Otero , Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, William Fitzgerald and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Dr Daniel Baer to move USG and Nigerian Government efforts forward on transparent elections in 2011. This forum provided an opportunity for members of the Nigerian delegation made up of federal legislators, state governors, private sector, civil society and other stake holders to share insights into best practices for Good Governance and credible elections in support of democratic principles. The U.S delegation also met with Nigerian President Jonathan in which he reiterated his commitment to ensuring credible elections in Nigeria. During the GTI-BNC working group, the USG underscore its commitment to support Nigeria's efforts to fight corruption, achieve credible elections, improve governance and support institutional capacity building. The next BNC working will meet in Washington D.C from June 10- 11 2010 to launch the BNC Energy and Investment Working Group.

Ambassador Sanders (right) with Undersecretary Maria Otero (middle) and Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina State

From left - Governor Fashola (Lagos), Ambassador Sanders, Undersecretary Otero and Governor Shema (Katsina)

Ambassador Robin Sanders (Middle) introduces Governor Fashola of Lagos State (left) to Undersecretary Maria Otero (right).

Ambassador Robin Sanders with Governor Fashola.

POTICO - Agricultural Event, June 1-2, 2010

2010-06-03T14:45:00.004+01:00

On June 1-2 in Lagos, we celebrated the 3rd annual POTICO event, or POTICO III, to again focus on the need to development Nigeria's agricultural sector. POTICO means the Partnership on Trade, Industry, and Commerce and it is a tripartite effort among the Bank of Industry (BOI), the U.S. Mission to Nigeria, and First Bank (one of the leading banks in Nigeria). This year's POTICO stressed the importance of agricultural infrastructure development. Four U.S. Government agencies participated in POTICO this year, along with such Nigerian headline leaders such as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Group Managing Director (GMD) and CEO of First Bank. Innovative private sector companies such as MARKETS, the NGO CDC Development Solutions, and a leading Nigerian entrepreneur who was featured in Time Magazine for his efforts in agricultural, also made presentations. The goal from this POTICO is to have deliverables such as better web-based and mobile access to information, and expand BOI representation through Nigeria. The 2009 deliverable for POTICO was the establishment of the U.S.-BOI AGOA Resource Center on Lagos Island.

My Interview with VOA on U.S.-Nigeria Bilateral Relationship

2010-05-20T15:12:00.004+01:00

Please click to listern to clips from the interview

This is the article written by Douglas Mpuga (May 19, 2010) titled US-Nigerian Relations Good, Says Envoy

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday named Kaduna State governor Namadi Sambo as the country’s new vice president.

He replaces Goodluck Jonathan, who became president following the death of President Umaru Yar'Adua earlier this month.

With the naming of the vice president, Nigeria appears to have reached an end to six months of uncertainty about the country’s top leadership. Jonathan had been serving as acting president for Yar’Adua, who had been ill for several months.

The transition so far seems to have had little effect on Nigeria’s relations with the international community.

“U.S.-Nigeria relations are at a good place,” said Robin Renee Sanders, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria. She cited the bi-national commission signed in April that is about to be launched.

“I think it is a reflection of not only the strategic dialogue we want to have with Nigeria but the importance of Nigeria to the US government,” she said.

She said electoral reform has been a key topic of discussions between the two countries over the past few years.

“Of late, we have focused a lot ,” she said, “….on encouraging transparency in the voter registry and having strong and new leadership within the independent electoral commission, and that seems to be happening.”

General elections in Nigeria take place next year. Shortly after his inauguration, Jonathan renewed his pledge to carry out electoral reforms and to help achieve a free and fair vote.

Last Friday, three former Nigerian heads of state urged President Goodluck Jonathan to "do the right thing" and ensure that credible elections take place in Africa's most populous nation.

The ambassador also expressed optimism that the amnesty for Niger Delta rebels initiated by the Yar’Adua administration will succeed.

“We believe the amnesty is the right thing to do,” she said. “We are looking forward to seeing what the current [president Goodluck] Jonathan administration is going to do to further enhance and solidify the amnesty.”

She said the US is also working with Muslim communities in northern Nigeria especially in areas of development like education and health. It’s part of a broader effort by the US government to show support and friendship with the Islamic world.

Find this article at:
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/africa/USNigerianRelationsGoodEnvoy-94257714.html

Ambassador Sanders addresses the Council on Foreign Relations

2010-05-15T18:34:00.000+01:00

On my last trip to Washington, I was pleased to be able to meet with members of the Council on Foreign Relations to discuss the current political situation in Nigeria and the country’s prospects for the future. On May 14, I engaged in a lively discussion on the reality of the situation in Nigeria and the promise of improved living conditions for its people as it continues to follow the path of democracy and implement the will of the people.

Nigeria has just undergone an extended period of uncertainty with the illness and passing of the former President, Musa Yar’Adua. In a country of such wealth, the new Jonathan administration has a unique opportunity to put those resources to use for the benefit of all. As friends and partners of Nigeria, we stand by to support them in their quest for a transparent and credible election. I was pleased to have the opportunity to address the Council’s questions on the future of Nigeria and to provide a snapshot of the current situation on the ground, even as it continues to unfold.

Corporate Council on Africa Hosts Roundtable with Ambassador Sanders

2010-05-14T18:32:00.000+01:00

On May 14, I participated in a Roundtable discussion with members of the Corporate Council on Africa in Washington, DC. These are business people working in Africa who are always very interested in keeping abreast of political and economic developments in the region. As Ambassador, I have had an ongoing dialogue with them, as they provide me with invaluable information about the current business climate in Nigeria and I can offer them insights into the thinking of top political leaders and policy makers whose decisions will impact their businesses.

On Friday, our discussion focused on two primary areas — the current political and economic situation in the country. Participants asked about the upcoming 2011 elections, aspects of the recently signed Binational Commission and what it would mean for U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relations, and about the new President’s pick for Vice President and what that would mean for stability and unity in the country. On the economic side, we discussed the potential economic impacts of the recently passed Local Content Bill for foreign investors.

As always, these exchanges provide an invaluable opportunity for representatives from government and the private sector to work together to understand the realities of the situation on the ground and I am honored to be able to bridge that gap and provide information to US companies doing business in Nigeria.

American Business Council Host Roundtable meeting with Ambassador Sanders

2010-04-28T12:13:00.002+01:00

I had a business roundtable meeting on April 21 with the American Business Council (ABC), whose members are U.S. companies operating in Nigeria. This forum provided me the opportunity to discuss key economic and political developments in Nigeria and to address other topics of interest to American companies operating here.

In meeting with the ABC group, I was able to share information on recent developments with the members and they were also able to bring me up to date with their issues and concerns.

Discussion topics included the recently signed Binational Commission (BNC) and its areas of focus; the just-concluded visit of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to the United States; the advancement of U.S. investment and business opportunities in Nigeria; the current business investment climate; and an exchange on industry operational challenges.

Hopefully, these types of meetings will be ongoing as they are helpful for all participants. Exchanges like this assist in advancing the strategic economic partnerships between Nigeria and the United States and promote a level playing field for U.S. interests in Nigeria.

Ambassador Robin Sanders' Recent Visit to Jos

2010-04-21T16:24:00.005+01:00

I am here discussing with the students

Every trip in any part of Nigeria, gives me a great opportunity to engage with a cross section of Nigerians at all levels. My recent visit to Jos on April 20, 2010 was insightful as I had the opportunity to meet with stakeholders in the Jos Community. I held meetings with the Catholic Archbishop of Jos, His Grace Most Reverend (Dr.) Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, Civil Society, Regional Peace Councils and also visited the Laranto Government Secondary School and the Hillcrest American Missionary School.

My interaction with the students of Government School Laranto, who were within the ages of 14-18 years was very fascinating and lasted for an hour and a half. My Interactive session with the students focused on topics ranging from peace and reconciliation, and we also talked about what they believed caused the violence in Jos and as well as their aspiration for the future. The main thrust of my visit was to emphasize USG efforts and assistance in promoting dialogue, reconciliation and peace, and providing humanitarian assistance ito affected areas in Jos.

The USG will continue to partner with the Government of Nigeria, traditional rulers, Ccmmunity leaders and all stakeholders with the goal of addressing th underlying issues that spark the reoccuring violence in the greater Jos area.