Making Of An African Giant

The performance of Nigeria has recently been vehemently criticized as not commensurate with her human and material potentialities. The hope that Nigeria is, by destiny, the African Giant appears to be fading. Some analysts, seeing this, have blamed it on the character defects of the leadership in Nigeria. They argue that because the leaders are predatory and corrupt, they have preoccupied themselves with their interests, which are primitive accumulation and luxurious lifestyles. Meanwhile, the rest of the citizens are suffering. This book argues that such character defects may indeed exist in some of Nigerian leaders. However, these are not the main reasons for their dismal performance regarding the welfare of the citizens. The main problem is that Nigerian leaders seem to have largely lost control over the state and its policies, which appear to have been captured by the dominant classes and groupslocal and international. Nigerias main problem is, therefore, a structural one. Nonetheless, the book concludesas the security, economic, political, and social crises intensifyNigerian leaders, even if it is simply for self-preservation, will be forced by the objective conditions to move against the interests of these dominant classes and groups. It is only then that Nigeria can realistically be restored to the possibility of becoming an African Giant.

The performance of Nigeria has recently been vehemently criticized as not commensurate with her human and material potentialities. The hope that Nigeria is, by destiny, the African Giant appears to be fading. Some analysts, seeing this, have blamed it on the character defects of the leadership in Nigeria. They argue that because the leaders are “predatory and corrupt,” they have preoccupied themselves with their interests, which are “primitive accumulation and luxurious lifestyles.” Meanwhile, the rest of the citizens are suffering. This book argues that such character defects may indeed exist in some of Nigerian leaders. However, these are not the main reasons for their dismal performance regarding the welfare of the citizens. The main problem is that Nigerian leaders seem to have largely lost control over the state and its policies, which appear to have been captured by the dominant classes and groups—local and international. Nigeria’s main problem is, therefore, a structural one. Nonetheless, the book concludes—as the security, economic, political, and social crises intensify—Nigerian leaders, even if it is simply for self-preservation, will be forced by the objective conditions to move against the interests of these dominant classes and groups. It is only then that Nigeria can realistically be restored to the possibility of becoming an African Giant.

Africans are like the elephant in the zoo. The elephant in the zoo has the power to knock down the walled fence and be free from its bondage. But from childhood, its trainer uses progressively smaller metal chains around its neck or legs to condition it to be helpless. Long after these are removed, the big, powerful elephant still believes it is chained. Its METAL chains are now replaced by its MENTAL chains. Such, too, is the condition of the African mindset. Somehow we have come to believe that we're incapable of doing anything for ourselves. Past failures and present inadequacies convince us that we're incapable. This kind of elephant-in-the-zoo thinking leads us to doubt our God-given potential, waste opportunities and resources, and fail to see setbacks as stepping-stones. It is these mental chains that need to be broken. Among the African elephants, Nigeria is a giant. In fact, it is the African giant. But like most African nations, this African elephant is in danger, and therefore, very dangerous. As argued in this book,"Africa is in trouble because Nigeria is in trouble. But if Nigeria gets it right, then Africa will be on track to its rightful place." --Author's PrefaceThis small volume, THE AFRICAN GIANT, is directed at the larger issues of Pan Africanism and the African Renaissance and the role of African youths and young professionals in the continent's transformation. The book will challenge all Africans and friends of Africa to work towards the liberation of the mental chains that have replaced the metal chains of the African Elephant."The African giant is at risk, and therefore risky. The time to mitigate or remove that risk is now. Those to mitigate that risk include you. And how to do so begins by reading this book, and making a decision to be the change that you want to see, beginning in your own sphere of influence."

This book demonstrates that national security and good governance are opposite sides of the same coin. As good governance improves, national security also improves, in that challenges to national security become lesser and lesser in such a society. It concludes that for most of Africa, this is not happening fast enough. Thus, creating fertile grounds for their citizens, especially the youths, to resort to self-help measures, some of which include violence and militancy. These have further complicated the issues of national security, good governance and democracy in Africa. Praise for the Book This book is a must read. Dr. Dan Mou, a world-class trained political scientist, who has served at various ministries and parastatals in Nigeria before retirement, has made stunning revelations. Lead Times Africa Magazine. Dr. Dan Mou, a varsity don and seasoned civil servant, (who) spent over two decades working in Nigerias Presidency, provides deep insights in this book, into the intractable security situation in Nigeria and Africa. He also x-rays economic policies, among other issues. Daily Trust. Having successfully designed and masterminded many workable national schemes in the past in Nigeria, like the memoranda that led to the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Amnesty Programme for the Niger Delta Region, to mention just a few, Dr. Dan Mou, in this book, has (proposed) permanent solutions it is no fallacy to say that no one else could have done it better. Dr. O. W. Bashorun, Provost, College of Education, Lagos, Nigeria.

This book shows that the security, economic, political, and social problems challenging national security, democracy, and good governance currently in Nigeria would get better or worse, depending on what happens to the seventy-one percent (71%) of Nigeria’s population still living below poverty line. This is in spite of the billions of petrodollars that Nigeria garnered as revenue over the past few decades. It reveals that one does not need to be a “political prophet” to predict that if these challenges are not successfully addressed through good governance and inclusive growth, this country will witness the worst civil disobedience, violence, revolts, militancy, breakdown of law and order, more kidnappings, and more of the citizens trying to “check out” of the country to other parts of the world in future. It concludes, however, that under such intense pressures, the Government of Nigeria, even if it is simply for its self-preservation, will be forced by the objective conditions to move against the interests of the dominant groups and classes in Nigeria. These are the ones who have, for long, captured and hijacked state power and the resources of the country for their exclusive use.

This book shows that the security, economic, political, and social problems challenging national security, democracy, and good governance currently in Nigeria would get better or worse, depending on what happens to the 71 percent of Nigerias population still living below the poverty line. This is in spite of the billions of petrodollars that Nigeria garnered as revenue over the past few decades. It reveals that one does not need to be a political prophet to predict that if these challenges are not successfully addressed through good governance and inclusive growth, this country will witness worse civil disobedience, violence, revolts, militancy, breakdown of law and order, more kidnappings, and more of the citizens trying to check out of the country to other parts of the world in the future. It concludes, however, that under such intense pressures, the Government of Nigeria, even if it is simply for its self-preservation, will be forced by the objective conditions to move against the interests of the dominant groups and classes in Nigeria. These are the ones who have, for long, captured and hijacked state power and the resources of the country for their exclusive use. There is this perception that Nigerians dont write and read. This perception is deep-seated, even among intellectuals who see our authors as shallow researchers. But Dr. Dan Mou has debunked that myth and shown that Nigerians can write well-researched and detailed books. It is quite prophetic in its assessment of the Nigerian State (Agbo Agbo, deputy editor, The Nation). Dr. Dan Mou has proven himself a world-class scholar and an intellectual colossus. His reputation as an internationally renowned public policy expert has continued to soar. I congratulate him for these remarkable achievements (Professor Justice Abdul Fatai Kuti, first justice of Abuja High Court and former dean, faculty of law, University of Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State of Nigeria). Dr. Mou is certainly one of the best scholars we have on the African continent. As an educationist myself, before I became a traditional ruler, I agree totally with his analysis and conclusions. I share the optimism Dr. Mou has expressed . . . that once the recommendations therein are adopted and meticulously implemented, with proper monitoring and evaluation of such resultant policies and programmes, Nigeria and indeed Africa would be able to solve most of these challenges (HRH Alh. Dr. Sheban Audu, Nizazo III, Etsu Kwali, Etsu Kwalis Palace, Abuja, Nigeria).

The development of an effective state, a reliable infrastructure, and a dynamic private sector has long been hampered by political economy obstacles in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Resilience of an African Giant identifies these obstacles, which prevent the country from realizing its economic potential as the second-largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa, and outlines how they can be—and in some cases have been—overcome. Four instruments that have been used to boost economic development in the past and that can contribute to more development in the future are explored in the book: coordination among those who control or influence policy, application of new technologies, leveraging of external anchors, and development of social accountability networks. This book pulls together an impressive body of research on the exemplary transition of a country from a state of conflict to a post-conflict situation, and from there toward becoming a country with legitimate institutions created by free, democratic, and transparent elections.… I therefore wholeheartedly recommend it to all who are interested in development, particularly to policy makers in my country, as well as its partners.