Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - 2015: Time to debate policy issues

Dear Bode:

All Nigerians, including especially those who are in positions of authority, whether in the private or public sphere, are expected to use those positions to advance the social, political, and economic transformation of the country. Granted, people must make a living and provide for their families. However, those who are fortunate enough to rise to the top of their professions and occupy important positions in society should invest some of their capital (intellectual, financial, etc.) in the development of the country. This includes helping the country acquire the institutional structures that enhance peaceful coexistence, wealth creation, and human development. This is the right thing to do, even if one looks at the situation selfishly. After all, who has more to lose if Nigeria disintegrates or descends into chaos and becomes ungovernable--the poor, homeless, and hopeless periphery dweller (with no wealth to protect or bequeath to his children) or the millionaire/billionaire industrialist who has real estate in several of the country's metropolitan centers?

On Sat, Jan 10, 2015 at 4:12 PM, akandeoj via USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> wrote:

I wholly and completely agree with Prof Afolayan on this score and I hope this can be facilitated. I am sure there are folks on this list serve who can make this happen. We can even have this USA Dialogue Series play some roles and/or co sponsor such an event like a debate.

Prof Falola and co can even moderate a debate and we can ask The Guardian and Channel TV to also co sponsor such events.

This is the kind of engagement that takes us off the armchair to the realms of real public policy at a time like this. It is never too late. CANAN will gladly co sponsor as well.

Laolu Akande

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.

From: 'Adeshina Afolayan' via USA Africa Dialogue Series Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2015 8:49 AM To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com Reply To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - 2015: Time to debate policy issues

Prof., 

I just finished reading your article, and I have just two points to add.

First, you are spot on about the dearth of great policy ideas in the minds of the politicians, but shouldn't we blame the intellectuals? I don't think the issue is that of politicians not surrounding themselves with intellectuals, but rather that of the intellectuals denigrating their intellect within the confines of power. I have Abati and the rest of them in mind.

Second, if we wait for politicians who are intellectually bereft of ideas to initiate debates around policy issues, we will really be waiting for Godot. Again, the responsibility rests squarely in the court of the intellectuals, like you sir, not only to outline what is at stake but to also find some means of forcing the politicians to engage these issues. I will, for instance, be happy to see your next column piece dedicated to a summation of the key issues around which Nigeria can be transformed. I will like to see Lead City University inviting GEJ or GMB to sime kind of forum around this issues. I will be happy to see some kind of collaborative effort invikving you, Utomi and other at this time to force these politicians at the federal, state and local levels to some forums. We will be shocked at what will unfold. 

The task of transforming Nigeria is too important to be left to the politicians alone. Or even to intellectuals who are afraid to speak to the issues squarely.

I salute you sir!

Adeshina Afolayan

Sent from Samsung Mobile

-------- Original message --------
From: ayo_olukotun via USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Date:
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - 2015: Time to debate policy issues



http://www.punchng.com/opinion/viewpoint/2015-time-to-debate-policy-issues/

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.

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JOHN MUKUM MBAKU, ESQ.
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