Fighting Corruption In Africa, The Role Of The Silent Media

Both foreign and local media condone corruption in Africa

By Honourable Saka

“Sadly, here in the 21^st century, all those romantic tales of the press fighting corruption and bringing criminal activity in government to book are all but ancient history”! -Patrick Henningsen

Corruption has been viewed by many observers as a global cancer. Across the world, it can be found in almost every major organization: religious groups, political institutions, educational institutions, financial institutions, the oil industry, within the media itself and many other places.

However, when it comes to corruption in government, Africa has consistently been the spotlight, especially on issues pertaining to bribery or the looting of public funds mostly by the politicians. This has been the major reason why many Africans consistently find politics as a lucrative business. Indeed, these are sad times.

There are however a few passionate individuals who may get into politics as the only viable means to fight corruption and to help improve the living conditions of the people. That notwithstanding, such desires are usually transient as many of such leaders later find themselves in the shadows of the very system they promised to tackle just a little while ago. Once such politicians get into the system and find out how much money they could raise for their families within a short period, the temptation becomes very strong and many of them end up becoming more corrupt than their predecessors. Corruption is a very serious problem that requires a strong political will and a sound moral background to tackle. But unfortunately, even the very people who have strong moral backgrounds are not interested in politics. This has given the corrupt-minded people a field’s day. Fighting corruption in Africa will therefore continue to be a tough battle.

For instance, before winning the elections in 2000, J.A Kuffuor, a former president of Ghana declared “zero tolerance for corruption” as one of his major campaign promises to the people of Ghana. However, after two successive terms in office, in his own confession he said: corruption is as old as Adam.

To many of us Africans, it was a clear indication that indeed the fight against corruption in Africa is a lost cause. Nevertheless, it is a fight that is worth the try.

Propaganda: A Tool of The Ruling Elites

Under normal circumstances, it is the media which ought to put the state institutions in check and help minimize corruption in society. Unfortunately, it is very frustrating that today’s media has rather become the megaphone of most corrupt governments across the Africa and the world. Instead of exposing corruption in government, the media continues to feed the people with propaganda and gross misinformation.

Propaganda has been defined by many experts as “a deliberate attempt to persuade people, by any available media, to think and then behave in a manner desired by the source. It is really the means to an end.” Propaganda is a process and in the present age the media have become very useful tools of propaganda.

For instance, Noam Chomsky and Edward S. Herman offered a ‘propaganda model’ of how the mainstream media work in the USA. They “trace the routes by which money and power are able to filter out the news fit to print, marginalise dissent, and allow the government and dominant private interest to get their messages across to the public.” In their research, they identified a set of news “filters” through which information must pass, which are:

·         ownership of the dominant mass media institutions

·         advertisement as their source of income

·         the fact that the media itself depends on government and business industries for information.

It is therefore not surprising that many of the news items in the state media today are mainly issues that attempt to white-wash government performance, while deliberately ignoring government failures.

Meanwhile corporate lobbyists and big businesses of today can also buy the independence of the press itself. As a result, they can even influence “independent research” and manipulate the results such that the outcome will always suit their business interests.

For instance, we must always ask ourselves: how genuine can any “independent research” be when such research projects are always financed and completely sponsored by the very corporations that seek to promote an agenda with the outcome of such research? Wouldn’t it be more useful to have a completely independent research body which has no link whatsoever to these corporate lobbyists to be tasked with the sole responsibility of conducting such research? How difficult will it be for some board of directors to finance a research project and will not be able to influence the results?

This is the major reason why I have always found the outcome of many of these so-called independent researches to be more questionable. Because, for me, it appears corporations merely pay off their researchers (who may not necessarily be independent), to fine-tuned some “findings” such that these results will suit a particular agenda. Propaganda has been the major problem we have in society today, since businesses will always find a way to meet their profitable interest even if it means twisting the facts. Sadly, the media is in bed with this system and have always remained silent even where there are more questions than answers.

How The Media Condones Corruption

Corruption has existed in Africa and has become a cancer because; the very institutions that bear the responsibility to help fight this problem do not realize this responsibility. Most unfortunately, some of the media are themselves becoming part of the problem as their continuous silence is creating conducive environment for corruption to flourish in Africa. The foreign press has all the details of the very institutions that facilitate corruption in Africa. Yet, they will never do anything about it. After all it is these moneys that keep their financial institutions and some of the media afloat.

In his article: “Hiding Africa’s Looted Funds, Silence of Western Media”, the author expresses his worry about media blackout on the very system that sustains corruption in Africa:

“Even though it is a common knowledge that western banks are acting as safe havens for looted funds from Africa, very little attention is received from the western media to expose them. The media tend to focus their energies on the corrupt African leaders, with little or no mention at all, as to where the monies they have stolen are being kept”.

Of course the Western press have no interest in exposing how their financial institutions have been facilitating corruption in Africa. But the questions we must ask ourselves are these: where are the local African media? What are they also doing to ensure that such a cancer that threatens Africa’s survival is completely eliminated from the system? Are the local media expecting the western press to take over their responsibilities of fighting corruption in Africa? For how long must corruption in Africa continue before the media does something about it?

The silence of the local media has contributed to the woes of our people. For instance, the oil industries have over the years been causing serious problems in the local communities where this black gold is exploited. Water bodies are usually polluted, with little or no regard whatsoever for the health of people within the community. In the mining sector, health and safety officials have been collaborating with illegal miners as they continue to the waters.  Environmental health officials continue to ignore the danger that is being caused the irresponsible disposal of waste across Africa by these foreign companies. In Somalia for instance, millions are dying every day of cancer because of irresponsible waste disposal by the foreign companies who continue to make billions of corporate profits at the expense of the ordinary Somalis.

In spite of these challenges, the media continues to ignore the need to scrutinize the status quo and help bring those responsible to book. Instead, everyday’ discussion has been politics. From morning shows, the newspaper reviews to the late night discussion on TV and radio, everything is always politics. It is as if politics is all that matters in Africa.

Anytime the media focuses attention on a politician, the scenario is always those in opposition, as if corruption in government doesn’t count. Therefore by the time the ruling party goes into opposition, many corrupt politicians would have had a field day, looting the nation for as long as they can afford.

All these are indication that the current political framework must be modified to meet the real needs of the people. It cannot be assumed that opposition figures are the only ones that are guilty of corruption. In fact the real corrupt practices are being perpetrated by the ruling elites which often go unchecked. This is the reason why the local African media need to sit up. The government of the day may not investigate itself. The media must therefore take up the responsibility to help expose corrupt practices that threaten the very foundation of our future. The silence of the local media is really worrying. Until then, it must be accepted that the local African media has lost one of its major focus in society. I am therefore challenging the local African media to show some seriousness in the fight against corruption in Africa by focusing on the state institutions and ensuring that all major corrupt practices are exposed to the general public, instead of waiting for these officials to go into opposition before being held accountable.

Honourable Saka

The writer is a Pan-African analyst and the founder of the Project Pan-Africa (PPA), an organization that was established to unlock the minds of the African youth to take Africa’s destiny into their hands. The PPA is highly determined to provide the biggest platform that will give exposure to all hidden but exceptional talents in Africa. Please visit us at: www.projectpanafrica.org and support the project. PPA is grateful to ITech Plus and all media partners that support the vision.

Comedy: Nigeria’s Economy To Overtake South Africa By 2020

By Honourable Saka

At a time when Boko Haram, some foreign-backed rebels and other sophisticated terrorist gangs are terribly destabilizing the peace and security in Nigeria, it is very interesting to hear various economists, consistently making countless predictions about Nigeria’s future economic prospects while the problem of security remains unresolved.

From the front pages of the dinosaur media to the editorial contents of the alternative media, the minds of poor Nigerians are being shaped for an impending “economic boom”, despite the existential threat posed by Boko Haram and other terrorist gangs spreading across the country.

But one may ask: how many countries have been able to develop economically, amid terrorism, conflicts or civil war?

Recently, many economic forecasts have predicted that Nigeria, (despite all the corruption and the bomb explosions) is on the path to overtake South Africa by the year 2020.

Nonetheless, it appears as if all those forecasts failed to look at the other side of the coin. The forecasts are all good. They create a sense of hope for the ordinary Nigerian. However, these forecasters seemed to have overlooked some key variables: peace and security in Nigeria.

During a recent African Summit organised in Lagos under the theme, “Africa in the Super-Cycle”, Mrs Razia Khan, head of Research Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, was highly optimistic:

“Assuming normal GDP growth rates in line with post crisis trend; our simulation suggests Nigeria overtakes South Africa’s GDP size by 2018. Our own analysis suggests that Nigeria will overtake South Africa to become Africa’s largest economy.” –the report explained.

Khan repeated this prediction at the Nigeria Development and Finance Forum (NDFF) conference held in in London.

Again, Renaissance Capital (RenCap), a global investment and research firm in its report, also suggested that Nigeria’s economy will surpass that of South Africa sooner than previously expected, placing the actual date in 2014.

Similarly, a senior British official, Lord Mayor Alderman Michael Bear, also waded into this debate when he suggested last year that Nigeria's economy may surpass that of South Africa within the next 10 years.

In a related report, Morgan Stanley, an economic think tank, confirmed in its research projections that Nigeria's economy may reach about $400 billion by the end of the decade and could overtake South Africa by 2025.

“High oil prices, the ‘decisive’ election of President Goodluck Jonathan and ‘buoyant consumer spending’ will all push Nigeria’s economy into the front in the next 15 years”, - the report claimed.

It appears these economic forecasters, haven’t learnt lessons from Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, the Congo, the “New Libya” and many other countries where terrorism, civil war and ‘democracy’ have destroyed similar economic prospects, despite having plenty of oil and gas and other strategic mineral resources.

Of course oil and gas have remained key elements in Nigeria’s economy despite its low oil revenue. In a country where oil remains about 80% of  GDP, there are strong indications which add up to the conclusion that Nigeria continues to sell its oil at $9 per barrel, at a time when many oil producing countries sell  oil for a whopping $100 and beyond. How does this happen? The answer is not far-fetched.

In his article: “The Looting of Nigeria: BIG OIL's $140 Billion A Year and Counting”,

Thomas C. Mounting made the following analysis:

 “…As western oil companies loot some $140 Billion a year of Nigeria's black gold, two thirds of the country's population live on less than $2 a day. “Official” oil production figures show about 3 million barrels a day being pumped from oil fields into western tankers. However, informed observers have estimated up to one-third of all Nigerian oil is actually ‘stolen’, secretly loaded onto oil tankers after bribes are paid to corrupt government officials. If 4 million barrels of oil are being shipped out of Nigeria daily at $100 a barrel, times 30 days a month times 12 months (4x100x30x12) you arrive at almost $150 Billion a year in potential oil revenues for Nigeria, he explained.The problems is not just theft of the oil but the fact that the western oil companies are literally looting Nigeria's oil, paying as little as a 9% royalty. Do the math: 9% of $150 Billion (is about $15billion) minus the one third oil that is stolen (5billion) thus, the Nigerian government only receives about $10 billion a year of this amount. Simply put, at $100 a barrel the western oil companies get $91 and Nigeria only gets $9. Or more shockingly, Big Oil makes $140 billion a year vs. Nigeria's $10 Billion”, he concluded.

With the above calculation, it is clear that the oil is becoming a curse to the ordinary Nigerian rather than a blessing. The foreign companies are looting Nigeria’s oil on a mass scale while economic forecasters continue to give the people a false sense of hope based on oil reserves.

In order for the Nigerian people and the Federal Government to be able to fulfil this dream of overtaking South Africa economically; there are certain key issues that must urgently be addressed. Until then, one could reflect on those economic forecasts for a sense of humour.

1.      Security

Having plenty of oil and gas and other strategic mineral resources in itself is not a guarantee to becoming economic giant. Iraq, Afghanistan, Congo, Sudan, New Libya and many other countries are clear examples. For Nigeria to overtake South Africa economically, she will need a very peaceful political atmosphere where economic growth can thrive.

This is the area where the threat of Boko Haram and all the other militant groups in Nigeria come in. The government must resort to negotiations and dialogue rather than issuing mere empty threats that provoke these rebels to strike. The Federal Government must find a more convenient way to address the concerns of these militants, if indeed they’re not foreign-backed rebels but true Nigerians who have issues with the government.

There are many of us today who have reasons to believe that the current Boko Haram in the news, are not Nigerians but a covert operation of certain foreign countries that seek to create the atmosphere to pave the way for NATO or AFRICOM to be invited to the region under the guise of humanitarian mission. Many analysts foresee the splitting of Nigeria as the only means to loot the country’s resources on a larger scale.

If the members of Hoko Haram are truly Nigerians, then the government should invite them for negotiations and do everything possible to find a peaceful settlement for them, so that the Nigerian people can leave in peace. Together, they can work to ensure the development of the country. Without security, Nigeria may soon become the “New Sudan” which could split into smaller and weaker states, making her economic aspirations impossible.

2.      Corruption

Photo: a son of a prominent Bauchi state Politician displaying
the wealth his father must have drawn from public funds.
Yet pupils in some part of Bauchi state are still studying under the tree.

Fighting corruption in Nigeria is another important milestone towards becoming Africa’s economic giant. Politicians and the banking industry are looting millions of taxpayer’s money whiles the ordinary citizen lives on less than $2 a day. Africa’s educational institutions and the media especially those in Nigeria must work hard to expose corruption in the oil and gas sector and the banking sector. Investigations must be conducted into all the money that is flowing from Nigeria into foreign banks. Investigative/undercover journalists must conduct secrete investigations and expose crimes such as bribery and corruption in government and in the oil and gas sector. This could help bring corruption to the barest minimum.

3.      Industrialization

Any African country that seeks to become economic giant cannot succeed by merely supplying raw materials to the outside world. Nigeria must therefore focus on building more industries that will create more jobs to put the youth to work. This will help reduce the crime rate in the country that is getting out of control as a result of huge unemployment among the youth. Also, Nigeria must have its own refineries in the country, to refine its crude for both domestic use and export. This will bring down the high refinery cost and also create more jobs in Nigeria.

Conclusion

With the current challenges posed by Boko Haram and other rebels in the country, there is no doubt that Nigerian politicians may squander the oil wealth on corruption or mismanagement and turn the blame on terrorists for their inability to meet the targets predicted by these economists. This is the reason why every effort must be made to address the problem of insecurity in the country to lay the grounds for the projected economic prospects.

I urge all Nigerians: northerners, southerners, Christians, Muslims, etc to unite and work hard for the development of their country. To the youth, I say never allow any politicians to use you in any way to achieve their own selfish ambitions. Think about your country and your people. If Nigeria were to succeed and become peaceful, it will be for your own good.

Long live Nigeria!

Long live Africa!!

Honourable Saka

The writer is a political analyst on African affairs, and a well-known social commentator in Africa. As a strong Pan-Africanist, he is currently seeking to establish the "Project Pan-Africa" (PPA) to create a mental revolution across Africa for the freedom of Africa. He is the editor of “The Doctor’s Report”, your most reliable source of critical analysis on African issues. Please visit his blog at: http://www.honourablesaka.blogspot.co.uk and Email him at:honourablesaka@yahoo.co.uk. Also visit PPA at: www.projectpanafrica.org

Perfect Scenario: More African Women Set To Go Natural

Natural hair campaign goes viral both in Africa and abroad

By Honourable Saka

For those of us who are passionate about Africa, perhaps the most refreshing news to break out currently, is the fact that African women are gradually becoming confident in their natural beauty, and are finally rejecting “artificial beauty” altogether. Many African ladies are saying bye-bye to foreign wigs, hair relaxers and the bleaching cosmetics, which are perceived to be dangerous to the skin.

In February 1994, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Cancer Society released an epidemiologic study involving 573,000 women. The researchers found that black women who had never used permanent hair relaxers showed decreased risk of all fatal cancers combined and urinary system cancers.

There is also a recent shocking revelation which warned that “many of the hair care products on the market affect black women’s ability of to have children. Consequently, women who regularly use these chemical/cosmetics, stand a triple risk of getting fibroids”.

Perhaps this explains the reason why cancer, infertility and fibroids are becoming rampant in the lives of many  African women both home and abroad.

Therefore it is refreshing news that black women throughout the world are gradually becoming aware of the above risks. This is an obvious reason why many campaigns are seeking to encourage black women to keep their natural hair and to “go natural” so that they can spare themselves the risks of cancer and many more terrible consequences.

In love with Africa: a proud African woman shows off her black beauty

It is now confirmed that, the “Black is Beautiful” and the “No More Chemicals” campaign that were recently launched on the various social networks, have all gone viral.

From Facebook to Twitter, YouTube, through Google, many African women are increasingly embracing the idea to go natural; a development that has been hailed as a step in the right direction.

By choosing to go natural, African women are now sending a strong message to the world that they have finally had enough with all those chemicals/cosmetics that have unleashed untold consequences of cancer and reproductive-related problems on the women. It is also an indication that at last the days of “inferiority complex” among black women could soon be over.

As the ‘black is beautiful’ and the ‘no more chemicals’ campaigns become bigger and bigger by the day, it will be perceived that any African lady who might still be caught dancing to the tune of “artificial beauty”, is probably one of  those who still needs help to overcome her “inferiority complex”.

“There is nothing as beautiful as the natural African woman (without chemicals). African women must shun their inferiority complex and keep their natural hair, their natural skin colour and of course their natural African fashion. These are the best ways to keep our pride as Africans”, a comment on twitter suggested.

Recently, in a report titled: “No More Chemicals: More Black Women Choosing to Go Natural”, the writer made some wonderful revelations as to why many black women have finally decided to go natural. They have found out about the danger that comes with the use of these chemicals to maintain their hair and their skin.

“I was pregnant and I knew anything I put on my body goes to the baby.” says Jimmere, a 29 year old woman who is now awake.

“Women are sharing information on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, everywhere. It’s endless,” says Espy Thomas, 31, of Detroit, who with her sister Jennifer, 29, hosts periodic natural hair meet-ups that attract hundreds of women, -the report explained.

The most important part of the report suggested the following:

“More and more Black women are opting to wear their natural hair and discontinuing the use of relaxers.”

This revelation was originally contained in a 2011 Mintel report which suggested that between 2006 and 2011, the sales of hair relaxer kits, have dropped drastically by 17%, an amount that translates into several millions of US dollars. The trend is “expected to continue,” the report concluded.

In an interview with some students at the University of Abuja, (Nigeria) Ufuoma, a lady in her early 20s made the following comment:

More African women now find pride in African beauty

“I feel very ashamed whenever I see my fellow Nigerian sisters/women trying to look like they’re from Asia or America, especially with those fake wigs here on campus. In my opinion, such African women merely suffer from inferiority complex. They don’t seem to appreciate that the African woman is much more beautiful in her natural form and even more respected by the real men out there. For this reason, I and a couple of friends have set out for ourselves the challenge to lead this campaign here in Abuja”.

Another woman in her 30s who identified herself as Uche, made the following comment:

“To be honest, even though I do not like the idea that some African women use hair relaxers and wigs to depict their confidence, I believe this trend is as a result of the impressions they get from watching TVs, movies and all these foreign fashion shows where such products are presented to them as ‘modern’ fashion/beauty. We seriously need some institutions that will put pressure on the media to educate our people because we are Africans and ‘they’ are not.  I think it will be a good idea to show our natural African beauty to the rest of the world too. Maybe if we do, they could also want to dress like us”.

When reached for his comment, Emeka- a fashion designer and a movie star in Nigeria explained further:

“Being a fashion designer in Africa used to be a very big challenge because the problem was not just about women. In fact many of our men especially the politicians never liked to dress the ‘African way’. It is very surprising to see men always in ‘suits and tie’ with heavy coats despite the hot African weather. However, I must admit that though this scenario is common in other African countries, here in Nigeria, our politicians dress the Nigerian way. I have never seen a Nigerian president wearing suit; rather they wear the Nigerian outfit even when they go on foreign trips. Our mothers also like to dress like African women. The major problem however has to do with the youth. Perhaps many of them were copying blindly from foreign fashion: a clear indication that the movie industry must sit up”.

Shifting the revolution into full gear, the role of the politicians

President Ellen Johnson of Liberia

The good news to us the African people is that this revolution has come at the most appropriate time. Fortunately, the African Union has recently declared a decade for women empowerment. At the same time, the AU itself is currently lead by Dr Dlamini-Zuma, a proud African woman whose African pride is reflected in her love for the traditional African fashion.

There are also many respectable women leaders in the likes of Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the president of Liberia. It is my appeal to these noble women of Africa to directly get involved and lead the revolution, so that we can together liberate the minds of every African woman especially the youth, to be proud of their natural beauty, and to portray the African fashion that reflects African norms and values.

Now is the right time for African women to free themselves and start their journey to healthy natural hair. This will enable us create a positive image about African identity to the outside world, to visit Africa, experience our values and appreciate our beautiful continent.

We at Project Pan-Africa (PPA) will be willing to cooperate with all the stakeholders, in this regard.

Long live the natural African woman!

Long live the Pan-African Revolution!

Long live mother Africa!!

Honourable Saka

The writer is a political analyst on African affairs, and a well-known social commentator in Africa. As a strong Pan-Africanist, he is currently seeking to establish the "Project Pan-Africa" (PPA) to create a mental revolution across Africa for the freedom of Africa. He is the editor of “The Doctor’s Report”, your most reliable source of critical analysis on African issues. Please visit his blog at: http://www.honourablesaka.blogspot.co.uk and Email him at: honourablesaka@yahoo.co.uk. Also visit PPA at: www.projectpanafrica.org