on first steps of action and industrialization
Dear Kenobi,
Yes, action is good, in fact all turenchi without action would make pako eleja a dead end. But I would suggest we avoid the approach of the tortoise who had been in deep shit for two months and when being pulled out screamed 'hurry, hurry, this place stinks'. I do not think whoever has not tired over the last two months would tire now. The discussions of the 56, the earlier, submissions, by the first triumvirate, Chinedum, TA, Eugene, me, and even what you have put together below and any input from any other member of the serve as well, I would propose be taken into consideration by the Working Paper drafting committee as it commences its deliberations over the weekend.
Personally, I would agree that the role of the NCNC in the struggle for our independence as a nation can not but be commended. The August 26, 1944 Glover Hall Conference summoned by the first organised generation of Great Nigerian students which gave birth to the NCNC (first then as the National Council), should actually be an inspiration for us all in this period of struggle for our second wave of independence so to speak. However, while I do have my own reservation about agriculture as 1, 2 & 3 of the 3-point agenda (I do not see how a nonindustrial country's agricultural development in the 21st century for example could make sense), I would say that while our programmatic objectives should indeed be clearly set, what should be topmost on our agenda really is the strategic. We have not been that devoid of the programmatic. Even some programmes which the state as it is now, claims it sets for itself, could be superficially considered commendable, but these are only 'ideological' wool-on-eyes-pulling.
How do we harness with LASCO (Eugene earlier pointed this out for example), the present people's struggle against deregulation and for living wages, etc? How do we work with other forces geared towards change (even Charly Boy is starting 'Project New Nigeria (Be the change) on May 29 and one his slogans is very instructive:"our waiting 4 change has kept us in chains"!)? How do we mobilize the mass of Nigerians and establish a new popular democratic culture?
Anywa, bottom line, DK, I would suggest we get a comprehensive working paper capturing the nuances of views and positions expressed and projected as the proposed way forward...things could then be taken up more systematically from there.
....but we sure can not afford another two months for that!
My regards,
Baba Aye
_____________________________________________________________________________
From: OBI KENOBI
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 8:52 PM
While we're at it, it may become necessary to declare the movement into existence
Because like kids apprehensive about getting on a rollercoaster, some may remain stuck and paralyzed by our internet analysis, while others may receive the ministration that "Because we have said it, we have achieved it".
It is pleasing to know that we have veterans who have walked this path before. I doff my hat and declare the birth of a new movement into existence. The openness and diversity of this effort will be its strength.
The name of the movement should rekindle nostalgia of a past now gone but memorable. My elders have told me of how they walked the Marina the night of September 30 1960 the eve of our independence bouncing and filled with hope and bright dreams for the future. We must start from where we teed off in the wrong direction. I thus move that we call it NCNC.
New Citizens New Country
National Convention for Nigerian Citizens
New Congress for Nigerian Citizens
New Congress New Country
Take your pick.
For manifesto, The British Labor Party has a usable document which could be studied, or used as a template and further developed to suit our immediate needs.
We should have a three point Agenda:
1. Agriculture
2. Agriculture
3. Agriculture
Our thinkers and strategists will make the case for how a return to the land will usher in a return to sanity and how a return to sanity will usher in a new Nigeria.
A return to sanity is critical, we all blame NEPA, the Police and government because their failure is glaring but we in our little patch of Nigeria are no better. Most are probably not as productive as they could be and pay little or no taxes. With a physical patch of land we could call our own, and with a system that would buy our produce, with electricity, peace in the country side, the urban drift will be reversed. Only those who need to be in the cities will be in the cities. Crime will reduce…. Sanity will return, and society can set for itself new goals as people engage in the pursuit of happiness.
The party constitution could be drawn up by our Lawyers. For Party anthem, I suggest the old national anthem….. There is a lot to do. The right time is now. For every right step we take, the spirit of justice will push us ten steps forward.
If I have made it look too easy, it is delibrate.
To quote Lao Tzu: All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small
Don Kenobi
Yes, action is good, in fact all turenchi without action would make pako eleja a dead end. But I would suggest we avoid the approach of the tortoise who had been in deep shit for two months and when being pulled out screamed 'hurry, hurry, this place stinks'. I do not think whoever has not tired over the last two months would tire now. The discussions of the 56, the earlier, submissions, by the first triumvirate, Chinedum, TA, Eugene, me, and even what you have put together below and any input from any other member of the serve as well, I would propose be taken into consideration by the Working Paper drafting committee as it commences its deliberations over the weekend.
Personally, I would agree that the role of the NCNC in the struggle for our independence as a nation can not but be commended. The August 26, 1944 Glover Hall Conference summoned by the first organised generation of Great Nigerian students which gave birth to the NCNC (first then as the National Council), should actually be an inspiration for us all in this period of struggle for our second wave of independence so to speak. However, while I do have my own reservation about agriculture as 1, 2 & 3 of the 3-point agenda (I do not see how a nonindustrial country's agricultural development in the 21st century for example could make sense), I would say that while our programmatic objectives should indeed be clearly set, what should be topmost on our agenda really is the strategic. We have not been that devoid of the programmatic. Even some programmes which the state as it is now, claims it sets for itself, could be superficially considered commendable, but these are only 'ideological' wool-on-eyes-pulling.
How do we harness with LASCO (Eugene earlier pointed this out for example), the present people's struggle against deregulation and for living wages, etc? How do we work with other forces geared towards change (even Charly Boy is starting 'Project New Nigeria (Be the change) on May 29 and one his slogans is very instructive:"our waiting 4 change has kept us in chains"!)? How do we mobilize the mass of Nigerians and establish a new popular democratic culture?
Anywa, bottom line, DK, I would suggest we get a comprehensive working paper capturing the nuances of views and positions expressed and projected as the proposed way forward...things could then be taken up more systematically from there.
....but we sure can not afford another two months for that!
My regards,
Baba Aye
_____________________________________________________________________________
From: OBI KENOBI
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 8:52 PM
While we're at it, it may become necessary to declare the movement into existence
Because like kids apprehensive about getting on a rollercoaster, some may remain stuck and paralyzed by our internet analysis, while others may receive the ministration that "Because we have said it, we have achieved it".
It is pleasing to know that we have veterans who have walked this path before. I doff my hat and declare the birth of a new movement into existence. The openness and diversity of this effort will be its strength.
The name of the movement should rekindle nostalgia of a past now gone but memorable. My elders have told me of how they walked the Marina the night of September 30 1960 the eve of our independence bouncing and filled with hope and bright dreams for the future. We must start from where we teed off in the wrong direction. I thus move that we call it NCNC.
New Citizens New Country
National Convention for Nigerian Citizens
New Congress for Nigerian Citizens
New Congress New Country
Take your pick.
For manifesto, The British Labor Party has a usable document which could be studied, or used as a template and further developed to suit our immediate needs.
We should have a three point Agenda:
1. Agriculture
2. Agriculture
3. Agriculture
Our thinkers and strategists will make the case for how a return to the land will usher in a return to sanity and how a return to sanity will usher in a new Nigeria.
A return to sanity is critical, we all blame NEPA, the Police and government because their failure is glaring but we in our little patch of Nigeria are no better. Most are probably not as productive as they could be and pay little or no taxes. With a physical patch of land we could call our own, and with a system that would buy our produce, with electricity, peace in the country side, the urban drift will be reversed. Only those who need to be in the cities will be in the cities. Crime will reduce…. Sanity will return, and society can set for itself new goals as people engage in the pursuit of happiness.
The party constitution could be drawn up by our Lawyers. For Party anthem, I suggest the old national anthem….. There is a lot to do. The right time is now. For every right step we take, the spirit of justice will push us ten steps forward.
If I have made it look too easy, it is delibrate.
To quote Lao Tzu: All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small
Don Kenobi
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