Recycling Leaders, Bane of Nigeria’s Politics’

‘Recycling Leaders, Bane of Nigeria’s Politics’ By Ndubuisi Ugah, 04.11.2010 Director of Trade and Investment in the United Kingdom High Commission, Mr. Peter Stephenson, has said the calibre of leaders, being saddled with the task of moving the nation forward, has been the clog that has been stalling Nigeria’s wheel of progress. Stephenson, while speaking at a networking reception held for Sterling Partnership, a commercial law firm to welcome its new partner in the oil and gas, Mr. Tunde Aribido, said: “I have always said the biggest problem here is more of repetition. We know there are difficulties in this country but it has got economic growth, we know it is not easy but I am quite pleased with the progress made by the Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, in announcing the ministers.” Stephenson said though efforts have been made in the past to salvage the nation, the recycling of “tired brains” remained the greatest undoing in its quest to attain greatness. On the political developments in the country, Stephenson said: “Well, it is not really for me as a British subject to make comments on the internal workings of the Nigerian constitution, but all I can say is that I am pleased things have leveled down here in terms of the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan and I wish President (Umaru Musa) Yar’Adua speedy recovery as well. I think there has been tensions in the country but I am pleased that this has come through.” Commending the Acting President for taking decisive steps to introduce “fresh bloods” into the Federal Executive Council of the Federation (EXCOF) Stephenson said though the decisions came a bit late, the effect would continue to linger as Nigerians were eager for a new lease of life. “I am pleased that decisions were eventually made but it took a very long time. I am pleased with the ministerial portfolios and lets hope this brings progress. Lets hope there would be some progress as you can see this is a great country because it is full of opportunities because of its people and its resources. “There is nothing this country cannot achieve and I think a stable political democracy would make a little more difference. We are pleased that the situation in Nigeria is gradually resolving. You know we have a lot of concerns here with so many companies settling down which is why over 20 per cent foreign direct investment comes from the United Kingdom (UK).”  “I hope there is an increase in trade because there is a whole lot of imbalance in trade in Britain’s favour. What we would like to do is buy more goods and services from Nigeria. What we have seen over the last couple of years is that we have seen more of Nigerian companies starting up in London, particularly the banks but we do envisage more products being sold from Nigeria particularly agricultural commodities or may be other commodities as well. We are not really seeing that at the moment. It’s quite a tough environment at the moment and it is quite competitive at the moment,” he said.    http://www.thisdayonline.com