The Vision and Action Agenda of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) for Nigeria

[sparrow]

Read below IBB declaration speech for 2011 presidential race. The speech is lengthy and will be posted in batches. Please follow my updates on it and share your comments...



"TOGETHER WE SHALL BUILD A GREAT AND PROSPEROUS NIGERIAN NATION".

Your Excellencies
Your Majesties and Highnesses
Gentlemen of the Press

My Dear and Fellow Compatriots.

I am very pleased to welcome you to this event and I am grateful to you all who have honoured my invitation. Looking around the Eagle Square Abuja today and seeing the large turn-out of fellow citizens from all works of life and various zones of our country and friends of Nigeria, I am truly humbled. More importantly, the turn-out today reaffirms my belief and faith in the unity of our country and the greatness that lies before all of us as Nigerians. This gathering today which cuts across the divides of ethnicity, creed, generation, gender and status is a reaffirmation of our faith and determination to build a great Nigerian nation, a nation dreamt of by our founding fathers, a nation that meets the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians, and a nation that is a leader in Africa and the world.

WHY I HAVE DECIDED TO CONTEST

Today Nigeria stands on the threshold of history. As we celebrate 50 years of our independence, our dear country Nigeria faces a pressing urgency for change. At 50 years of our existence as a nation, Nigeria and Nigerians must now rise to actualize the tremendous expectations which our enormous human and natural endowments evoke.

There are several challenges drawing the country back from realizing its tremendous potentials. Confronting and surmounting these challenges should be the reason why anyone should seek the office of President.

I believe firmly that Nigeria is one of the very few countries in Africa and the world where conditions exist for spectacular economic growth and human development. It is therefore distressing to me that we have not succeeded in harnessing our enormous human and natural resources to build national prosperity to the extent that we are now in grave danger of State failure. The near-complete insecurity; spiraling unemployment; worsening poverty; massive decay in our social and physical infrastructures; and the increasing loss of faith by the citizen in the Nigerian nation are danger signals that raise the risks of State failure.

To pull Nigeria back from the brink calls for experienced, visionary and tested leadership.

I am certain that these negative indicators are not our destiny. But I have always maintained that in the midst of depressing signals and crises there is always hope for a new beginning. Above all, I am convinced that Nigerians have the ability to rise to the demands of rapid development and positive change under a competent, visionary, purposeful and national leadership.

The challenge, which propels my decision to contest the 2011 presidential election is therefore the need for Nigeria to fulfill its destiny in the world as a united, strong and prosperous nation that is a pride to Nigerian citizens and a nation that fulfils its destiny in Africa. Given my public service experience, past involvement and track-record in our national life, my participation in the 2011 presidential elections becomes imperative.

My mission this time, whilst safeguarding and strengthening national unity, shall be to rapidly transform the economy of the Nigerian nation through massive development of the physical and social infrastructure, and couple this to a robust agricultural and industrial development agenda that will assure national prosperity and dignity for every citizen.



This will be continued...

[sparrow]

THE URGENCY OF CHANGE

As I have said, Nigeria faces a pressing urgency for change. Put differently, Nigeria needs a new and better story – things just cannot continue to go on like this! I believe that the time now is auspicious for Nigeria to overturn her present parlous state of development and poverty levels, and to lift the rest of Africa and the black race to a new renaissance in the comity of nations.
It is for this reason that the presidency of Nigeria in 2011 is critical for our long time survival as a people and as a nation.

My leadership objective shall be anchored on national not sectional leadership to be founded on equal citizenship; security freedom, and liberty of the citizen, and the promotion equal to access to all and guaranteeing of prosperity for all citizens. My leadership style shall be characterized by consensus–building and striving to draw us together as a people, as a nation, ensuring transparency and accountability, commitment to the public good, while charting and implementing in a robust manner a clear path for Nigeria's accelerated sustainable economic development and greatness.

I believe in Nigeria and Nigerians. It is we, the people of Nigeria who can and will change the course of our national development for the better. I believe that now is the time for that change. My vision is a Nigeria where ethnic, religious, sectional and other backgrounds will count less in accessing opportunities – a Nigeria that "works" for all, not for some of its citizens such that our people become more prosperous. My goal is for our unity and greatness as a nation to be better assured.

Given my experience, my mission therefore shall be to provide the leadership that will bring forth that much desired change for a rapid social and economic transformation of our dear nation.


A NEW PHILOSOPHY OF GOVERNANCE

There is an urgent need to re-evaluate the philosophy of governance in such a way that will guarantee a vibrant national economy that promotes the individual prosperity of the citizen. It is clear from recent history that the wealth of a nation and the general prosperity of the people are best guaranteed in an atmosphere of free enterprise and limited regulation.

The argument has been in favour of reduction of "Government presence" in business and restricting it to regulatory roles. The expectation of this argument is that reduction of "Government presence" in NON-CORE ROLES shall release the energies of Government to pursue investment and implementation of social welfare programs with greater vigor.

In Nigeria, this has not happened. On the contrary, reduction of "Government presence" in business appears to have resulted in a progressive depletion in the capacity of State to guarantee basic security to the citizens, inefficiency in the renewal of basic infrastructure, and inability to intervene decisively to contain worsening unemployment and poverty.

The new philosophy of governance to be adopted by me shall be such that will greatly enhance the ability of government to fulfill its fundamental objectives to the people as we seek to entrench and fortify a private-sector led economy.



This will be continued...

[sparrow]

STRENGTHENING NIGERIA'S DEMOCRACY AND FEDERALISM

In a plural and diverse country such as Nigeria, Federalism and national integration must constantly be addressed. It becomes a matter of great concern when these central issues are constantly buffeted by pressures that threaten the very existence of the nation. Happily for me, inspite of the various pressures on our Federalism, no one has advocated its dissolution.
True democracy, federalism and sustainable economic development are only possible in a rule-based society. Consequently, one of the greatest challenges facing our democratic evolution is that of constant breaches of the rule of law. A democracy that operates in constant flagrant defiance of the RULE OF LAW cannot expect to command the confidence of the citizens.

We shall put an effective end to the era of executive lawlessness and impunity as we implement a new philosophy of governance that will ensure that democracy can thrive. And in our pursuit of meaningful and enhanced citizenship we will guarantee that every citizen shall be equal before the law.

Many efforts in the past have aimed at addressing the structure and functioning of our Federation. An underlying current is the need to reach a consensus on the fiscal relationship between the federating units and the quest for justice and equity in our Federal system.

As we address these matters we shall redefine federalism in Nigeria to allow each federating unit and each geopolitical zone to take maximum responsibility in raising the economic resources to promote prosperity and development in its sphere of influence. Fiscal federalism does not simply mean the freedom for each level of government to spend its allocation as it pleases, it implies the responsibility to create its own wealth and handle the developmental challenges in its own sphere.


COMBATING CORRUPTION

Corruption of society is the ultimate social cancer since it afflicts every process and every transaction. It defeats the personal goals of most citizens and distorts our values as a nation.

I am fully aware of the challenge and the battle shall be waged firmly, fairly and even handedly across society. The Nigerian society must re-establish the link between work and wealth.

While I acknowledge the achievements of the on-going efforts, our approach shall be to energize and fortify the anti-corruption agencies of Government and implement a systematic and protracted engagement with the values and institutional structures which promote corruption in Nigeria. Specifically my administration shall be more pro-active in the war against unexplained and unexplainable wealth.

[sparrow]

PRIORITY POLICY AREAS

i.        THE ECONOMY

Nigeria's poverty inspite of abundant human and natural resources in unacceptable to me and to Nigerian citizens. The worsening dependence of our national economy on petroleum oil is also another matter of great personal concern to me.

We shall therefore embark on a bold diversification of the national economy as we focus on revitalization of Agriculture, accelerated development of the solid minerals sector, and the promotion of small and medium-scale industries.

We also know that economic development requires transformation in the industrial capacity of a nation. My administration shall therefore pursue an ambitious and bold industrial development agenda, that will transform Nigeria from a petroleum-export dependent and raw-material economy to an innovative economy that can deliver high quality goods and services.

To be able to finance our extensive development programmes, my administration shall establish two new Development Banks that shall charge single-digit interest rates vizUrban Development Bank and Bank for Construction and Housing; and we shall re-energize Banks for Industry and Bank of Agriculture for greater effectiveness.


ii.       MASSIVE JOBS CREATION

Unemployment is the greatest contributory factor to the general insecurity in our nation. Therefore our objective shall simply be that Nigerians who seek employment shall find one. In other words employment generation shall be a core commitment of my leadership.

Consequently, as we aggressively pursue high economic growth we will make certain that this growth comes with job creation, and opportunities for self-employment. As much as possible we shall ensure that public expenditure is targeted at sectors that create jobs, and we shall operate business-support policies with a system of incentives directed at jobs creation.

Indeed to jump-start the economy and generate jobs, my administration shall make substantial expenditure commitment in areas such as Rapid and Sustained development of the Niger Delta; Improved electric power supply; Construction and Reconstruction of National Highways and Railways System; Improved Educational and Health Facilities etc.


iii.      RAPID AND SUSTAINED DEVELOPMENT OF THE NIGER-DELTA

Nigerians, friends of Nigeria, and even those hostile to Nigeria agree on one thing, namely, that our natural and human resources entitle all our people to a higher level of happiness than what currently obtains. However, for as long as the prosperity of the nation results in pockets of marginalization and environmental degradation in vital zones of our land, happiness for all Nigerians shall become an illusion.

I have in mind the Niger Delta where in recent times, the anguish of our neglected compatriots has aroused the conscience of our nation and focused world attention on this geopolitical region of strategic importance to Nigeria.

Nigerians must thank the Almighty God that peace has returned to the Region and be grateful to late President Yar'Adua for offering, and the people of the Region for accepting the amnesty programme. It is now time to work hard at the development of the Region.

In the past I had advocated the equivalent of a Marshal plan to decisively address the problems of the region, and indeed created OMPADEC. Yet our best intentions and boldest efforts in the Niger Delta have not significantly redressed decades of neglect of this region. Therefore a more comprehensive and very rapid approach is urgently required to address the multi-dimensional nature of the problem.

What the situation demands is a comprehensive masterplan for the physical transformation, economic empowerment and environmental restoration for the region. Fortunately, such a master-plan exists in the Ledum Mittee Technical Report for the Region. My administration shall implement the recommendations of this report to the satisfaction of Niger Delta and Nigeria.


iv.      GUARANTEED ELECTRICITY/POWER SUPPLY TO NIGERIANS.

Today Nigerian cannot generate, transmit and distribute enough electricity for industrial and domestic uses. This situation has to change because there is a very close correlation between a country's level of development and electric power supply capability. Indeed dramatic economic growth in Nigeria depends to a large measure on guaranteed electric power supply to our urban and rural areas.

The current low-capacity electric power supply has affected and continues to affect businesses very badly. To change the situation my administration shall sustain and rapidly complete on-going efforts in the electric power sector and strive to further increase our installed generating capacity by an annual rate of at least 4,000 megawatts to meet our total power needs which are expected to grow significantly.

Our efforts shall focus on the development of an appropriate "mix" of power plants that will utilize our abundant coal deposits and hydro potentials, so as to avoid overdependence on natural gas. In particular we shall encourage private sector participation in the sector, spread power generation stations throughout various regions of the country and overhauling the nations electricity transmission and distribution system.


v.       CONSOLIDATION OF THE OIL AND GAS SECTOR

The oil and gas sector shall continue to remain the leading and driving sector of the national economy until the impact of our aggressive economic diversification programmes begin to be felt. For this reason, the oil and gas sector shall continue to command the attention of my administration.

Our objectives shall be to increase Nigeria's crude oil reserves, raise daily production, improve and consolidate our refining capacity so as achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum products, and rapidly end gas flaring.

In addition, Government shall establish a nationwide infrastructure for "gas gathering", develop an effective gas transmission and distribution system, and expand domestic gas utilization.

vi.      HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT: QUALITY EDUCATION AND HEALTH-CARE

I believe that for effective development of our vast human resources, the release of the creative and productive energies of our youths is imperative. In other words the total commitment of the youth in national development holds the key to national prosperity.

Essentially therefore, our human development drive shall target the youths in order to equip them with the skills, and competences that they need in order to succeed in today's modern world. The world has become divided into the dumb, the smart and the smartest nations. Government shall therefore create a highly literate and highly skilled society. We cannot afford to allow Nigeria to be left behind in the global race for excellence. To ensure this, Government shall award numerous scholarships to young Nigerians to acquire the necessary skills required for our rapid development from wherever these are available.

We shall also embark on a robust programme to expand and massively refurbish our educational infrastructures along with the training and retraining of teachers at all levels. Government shall recommit the nation to a research, science and technology agenda that will sustain the new drive to modernity.

In particular we shall undertake a comprehensive and emphatic improvement of Nigeria's unity schools with special attention being paid to the teaching of mathematics, science and communication skills. Our objective shall be to restore these schools not only as centers of excellence but as nation-building institutions.

On health-care, our focus shall be to strengthen and make very effective, the Primary Health Care System which was introduced by my Government in 1987 as a means of reducing Nigeria's scandalous maternal and infant mortality rates and increasing the life expectancy of Nigerians.

My administration shall also ensure that the modernization of our Teaching Hospitals shall be total, and six special hospitals (one per zone) along with the National Hospital Abuja shall be designated as Centers of Excellence. The facilities and staff of these Centers of Excellence shall be among the very best in the world. The programme of sending young Nigerian medical doctors to be exposed to the very best training programmes outside Nigeria shall be restored within the first year of my administration.

The culmination of these policy thrusts in the health sector shall be that in collaboration with States, my administration shall develop and operate a health-care delivery system that shall avail the citizen easier access to quality health-care. Also in collaboration with states there shall be free health for children under six years, free Ante-Natal care and delivery services.

vii.     TRANSPORTATION: ROADS AND RAILWAYS.

A feature of present-day Nigeria is the inadequacy of basic transportation infrastructures which are essential for economic and social transactions, and effective rural development. This situation aggravates poverty and underdevelopment and weakens the nations business competitiveness.

Transportation infrastructure development shall therefore be accorded very high priority. My administration shall encourage private sector participation (PPP) in this sector.

To open up the entire country for long-distance movement of people and goods, Government shall make substantial and sustained investment directed towards the rapid completion of the new, standard-gauge railway system; federal inter-state highways, improved aviation infrastructure/airports modernization and inland waterways.

My administration shall also modernize and expand the Lagos and Port Harcourt Ports as well as the ports in Onne, Warri, Calabar and Sapele so as to relieve congestion on the Lagos Port and activate other freight corridors.

viii.    AN AGGRESSIVE AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIALIZATION PROGRAMME

Most Nigerians are engaged in rural agriculture. Consequently improvements in agriculture will have a direct impact on the welfare and well-being of Nigerians and on poverty reduction. My administration shall refocus the nation in a vigorous drive that shall be targeted towards increasing agricultural production, processing and preservation of farm-produce.

We shall also encourage the establishment of agro-allied industries to reduce post-harvest losses by farmers.

On industrialization, Government shall pursue a policy that will assure extensive industrial development that will leverage Nigeria's comparative advantage for the production of internationally accepted goods and services.

In principle we should be able to produce what we eat and make the clothes and shoes that we wear.

ix.      HOUSING, URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

My administration shall embark on a massive national housing programme of not less than half a million affordable houses annually. This will ensure that families especially young families can own their homes, liberating them from the extreme pressure of unaffordable rents and homelessness. The housing propgramme shall also include modern hostels and halls of residence in our institutions of higher learning.

The issue of "Climate Change" has become a clear and present danger today's world. We shall therefore accord priority to the protection of the Nigerian environment and my administration shall produce and implement a NATIONAL MASTER-PLAN for environmental renewal and sustenance.

The objective shall be to arrest desertification, soil (gully) and coastal erosion, flooding, ocean surges, as well as the elimination of gas flaring, and environmental degradation arising from intense petroleum exploitation.

x.       FOREIGN POLICY

Nigeria's leadership role in Africa and the world is generally accepted. This stems from roles which we played in the past where we projected our limited power to troubled parts of the continent to end unnecessary conflicts and senseless blood-letting, and our several international peace-keeping contributions. In particular we have become the major instrument of stability in the ECOWAS sub-region, especially in terms of our military and diplomatic roles in mediating regional disputes.

However the parameters which informed our foreign policy in the last three decades are now due for urgent review. The international environment has changed. And our economic fortunes have also changed.

Consequently the influence and power that we shall seek to project abroad must be based on the values that we uphold at home. In this regard, our democracy must be viable and credible while our economy must be prosperous to carry the weight of influence projection in order to avoid exporting our weakness.

In other words our foreign policy shall be rooted on a credible democracy, a transformed and prosperous economy and clear objectives that are informed by our national interests and shall be on the basis of reciprocity. Howbeit our ability to project influence in the ECOWAS sub-region and the Africa region shall be unmistakable.

[sparrow]

CONCLUSION

Before I conclude, let me briefly address three key areas which shall engage serious attention of my administration.

These are:
1.   National Security and Cohesion
2.   The deep involvement of youths and women in national development; and
3.   The development of a new social charter

NATIONAL SECURITY AND COHESION

The general insecurity to lives and property in Nigeria is of concern to me personally, because it remains the greatest enemy of democracy, freedom and economic prosperity. The burden of insecurity falls equally on the poor and the rich, on citizens and foreigners alike.

To worsen the already bad state of affairs, a situation in which those enlisted to protect the State are subjected to dire material conditions is an open invitation to anarchy.

Consequently, my administration shall accord very high priority to protection, of lives and property, effective crime detection and prevention, especially violent crimes that threaten our socio-economic and political stability.

THE ARMED FORCES

I shall use my vast experience to ensure that the men and women who wear our uniforms must be worthy of our national banner. The improved military must comprise of some of our very best and brightest, be in tune with modern technological developments in the profession, and they shall be sufficiently motivated to undertake the most demanding engagements on behalf of the nation with pride and dignity.

YOUTH AND WOMEN AS A MOST POTENT FORCE OF NATIONALISM AND DEVELOPMENT

The Youth constitute about two fifths of our population and represent the most active, productive, sensitive and restive segment of the population. They are the future of society. Consequently, my administration shall be "Youths-friendly". We shall initiate youth training programmes geared towards nationalism, citizenship responsibilities, and production of good leadership cadres.

In addition Sports Institutions and Academies with comprehensive programmes shall be set up to challenge talented youths, train and nurture them to achieve excellence.

Nigerian women are the bulwark and mothers of society. Gender equality is therefore essential for sustainable development and societal prosperity. Gender-friendly policies shall therefore occupy a central place in our developmental agenda. My administration shall be committed to creating a Nigeria that places equal value on men, women, girls and boys.

Finally,

A NEW SOCIAL CHARTER

As my administration pursues the goal of accelerated economic development, and promotion of market-oriented economy, we shall always be conscious of our responsibilities and obligations to the citizen. We shall develop a bold new social charter which puts the welfare and well-being of the citizen at the center of the processes of governance. As an example, my administration shall ensure that in executing the programmes outlined above not less than two million jobs shall be created in our first two years. This would reduce drastically the current scandalous unemployment rate among our youths.

Nigeria needs a new and better story. My administration shall give Nigeria a good story as it changes governance for the better. I believe that every child, every Nigerian can learn and it shall be the duty of my administration to provide the opportunities and the environment for all Nigerians to self-actualize. My administration shall specifically focus its efforts to ensure that youths have a better future to look up to.

I am convinced that these programmes which we shall carry-through shall not only improve the conditions of life of the citizen, but they shall tear down the walls of disunity among our constituent peoples, and position our country effectively towards the attainment of our goal of economic prosperity, national transformation and true nationhood. I am certain that a bright future awaits us and Nigeria.

I thank you for your presence here today, and for your attention.

God bless Nigeria
God bless Nigerians

IBRAHIM B. BABANGIDA GCFR
Abuja
15th September, 2010

"THE VISION AND ACTION AGENDA OF IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA" - Released by http://www.voteibb.org and Ibrahim Babangida | Facebook