Celebrating
40 Years of Nigerian Independence
Remarks by
the Honorable David Kilgour, Secretary of
State (Latin America & Africa)
Banquet of the Nigerian Community
September 30, 2000
Lebanese Druze Centre Hall, Edmonton
Excellency,
distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Nigeria marks
40 years of existence as an independent
country. Those years have witnessed great
peaks and deep valleys in the country’s
political, economic and social life. Only
a few short years after independence in
1960, an apparently stable parliamentary
system gave way, through assassinations,
to military dictatorships. In 1967 a terrible
civil war erupted. The petroleum boom of
the 1970s and 1980s, with its prospects
for a better material life for all Nigerians,
resulted in corruption and profound environmental
damage.
But once
again, under an elected civilian government
committed to transparency and honesty, there
is reason to anticipate that Nigeria will
find its way to an honoured place in the
family of nations.
It is a source
of profound satisfaction for me that the
government of which I am a member, strongly
supported those Nigerians who sought to
return their country from military dictatorship
to elected, civilian rule – and to
the rule of law.
It is now
sixteen months since President Obasanjo
assumed responsibility for leading his country.
This is a short period in the life of a
nation but he and his government colleagues
have accomplished much. No longer do those
who criticize government policies have to
fear imprisonment, or worse, and the government
is even prepared to negotiate with its critics.
The judiciary and the media, which displayed
courage under the dictatorships, are no
longer subject to the harassment so often
seen during those unhappy years. Civil society
organizations can work freely, within the
law.
On the economic
front, business-like budgets have been passed,
after tough negotiations between Presidency
and Parliament. In consequence, and in spite
of some reservations, the International
Monetary Fund has shown renewed confidence
in Nigeria’s economic management. Legislation
to establish the Niger Delta Development
Commission has been passed. A bill to deal
with one of Nigeria’s most debilitating
problems – corruption -- has also been
passed. Above all, President Obasanjo’s
government has begun to restore a sense
of confidence and hope to the country. Their
efforts have meant that the barrier of mistrust
between Nigeria and its friends and neighbours
is slowly breaking down.
Nigeria is
indeed trying to be a good neighbour: the
President, his ministers and envoys have
been active in trying to defuse situations
of conflict between and within neighbouring
countries. The sacrifices that Nigeria and
Nigerians have made in Sierra Leone are
well known to you.
Sadly though,
and in spite of efforts by the Nigerian
government, corruption remains a serious
problem. The latest "Corruption Perceptions
Index" produced [this month] by Transparency
International places Nigeria at the bottom
of the corruption league – down from
second-to-last in 1999. But, in presenting
this year’s index, Transparency’s
Chairman, Dr. Peter Eigen, noted that, I
quote, "...the process of change initiated
by the new President is barely 12 months
old and so it is not surprising that Nigeria’s
CPI score is barely unchanged". The
Chairman went on to praise President Obasanjo
for his "courageous anti-corruption
drive".
This, and
other indicators of Nigeria’s corruption
problems give grounds for serious reflection
and they call for determined action. Nevertheless,
they should not be grounds for discouragement.
To place this issue in its proper context
I would note that corruption is found, in
greater or lesser degree, everywhere. Thus
Nigeria is in good, or if you wish, bad
company and it is not alone in struggling
with this pervasive problem.
President
Obasanjo and his government colleagues,
however determined and courageous they may
be, cannot turn Nigeria around and bring
it to its rightful place in the family of
nations by themselves. They need a broad
consensus in support of their efforts. Political
leaders at state and local levels must work
cooperatively with one another and with
the federal authorities. Associations of
lawyers, members of the media, clergy, academics
and citizens at large have contributed to
rebuilding Nigeria – and must continue
to do so. The present controversies over
the introduction of Sharia law call for
renewed efforts at understanding and cooperation
at all levels of society. Business people,
so essential to Nigeria’s economic
life, must resist the temptation to get
involved in corrupt practices and look to
ways of helping in the great enterprise
of national reconstruction.
But how can
those of you living here contribute to this
enterprise? To answer that I would recall
the State Visit this past May of President
Obasanjo. The President, accompanied by
ministers of his government, by representatives
of the parastatals and by private sector
people, placed tremendous emphasis on Nigeria’s
need for investment. These influential Nigerians
drew attention to the reforms which are
making the country attractive to investors
and traders. I recall a breakfast I had
the honour to host at which the President
met a group of senior Canadian executives
and made a cogent presentation to them.
You, who live here but carry on business
regularly with Nigeria, can contribute to
the country’s reconstruction effort
by "talking up" the advantages
of investing in and doing business there.
Your encouragement to Canadian business
associates with whom you would like to cooperate
in Nigeria, could be of great value in overcoming
hesitations they might have about investing
or working there. Your advice on what to
do and what not to do, could help them to
avoid pitfalls and achieve success. As success
stories build and become common knowledge
in the Canadian business community, the
investment which Nigeria so badly wants
and needs will follow.
This brings
me to the subject of activities by Canadian
and other foreign business people in Nigeria.
Leaders of developing countries, including
those of Nigeria, sometimes complain, and
quite rightly so, that their people are
regarded as solely responsible for the corruption
which bedevils their countries. They note
that bribes are not only received, they
are also offered – and the hand that
offers is, more often than not, one from
a developed and industrialized country.
Why then, they ask, should we be perceived
as solely responsible for corruption?
Fortunately
the recognition has grown among the industrialized
countries that this is a reasonable question
to ask. Fortunately too, action has been
taken to address it. As you may well be
aware, in December 1997 Canada, along with
other OECD countries, signed the "Convention
on Combatting Bribery of Foreign Public
Officials in International Business Transactions",
more commonly known as the OECD Anti-Bribery
Convention. The Convention provides for
criminal sanctions, including fines and
imprisonment for those who offer bribes
to foreign public officials in order to
obtain or retain business or to gain improper
advantage. Canadian legislation to implement
the terms of the Convention was passed in
1998 and came into force on February 14th,
1999. It now remains to be seen how, in
practice, the Convention’s terms can
be effectively enforced and how much political
will exists throughout the industrialized
world to do this.
Broad acceptance,
by the industrialized countries, of such
a Convention is, however, a major step forward.
It manifests a recognition that, in the
longer term, corruption is bad for everyone:
governments, businesses and for ordinary
citizens who ultimately pay its price. It
also demonstrates a willingness on the part
of industrialized countries to heed the
concerns of developing countries and to
attempt to do something about them.
Thus Nigeria
has set out upon the road of political,
economic and social reconstruction. As you
will know better than I, that road will
be long and difficult. Canada, as it has
in the past, will accompany you on it. The
visit last November of our Prime Minister,
Mr. Chrétien, to Nigeria and the
welcome we accorded to President Obasanjo
in May were visible symbols of our will
to do so. We were there as the transition
to elected government went forward, with
assistance to the electoral process. We
have made contributions to health programs,
notably against malaria, which are priorities
of Nigeria’s present government. The
Canadian International Development Agency
is also working toward renewed implementation
of a bilateral program in Nigeria.
The celebration
of Nigeria’s 40 years of independence
takes place in promising conditions. I expect
that, for you, this a cause for delight
and for hope and I assure you that I share
those sentiments. I wish all Nigerians a
happy day of celebration with renewed hopes.
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