EU ambassador worries over absence of ‘godmothers’ in Nigeria’s politics

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and leader of to ECOWAS, Michael Arrion, who is leaving Nigeria after four years, does not go with fears of a possible breakup of the country. He rather wants to see the emergence of godmothers in politics and public life instead of godfathers always.

Arrion spoke exclusively with BDSUNDAY in Port Harcourt last week when he came to bid the oil city goodbye after working with the Port Harcourt business community for some years.

Asked if he foresaw Nigeria breaking up as he leaves the country, the diplomat said such question always dogged him these days most places he went to. He retorted: “No, no, no. I really believe in the unity of Nigeria despite the fact that you cannot discuss with a Nigerian without him expressing difference to other Nigerians.”

He even thinks Nigeria were very passionate about one Nigeria, contrary to what most persons think. “I think Nigerians are patriotic. I witnessed the centenary celebrations of amalgamation of the two protectorates and that is where I understood that in a sense, you are two different countries, north and south. Despite that, you have one national anthem, one football team, and you people are pro-Nigeria. I do not believe in the collapse of Nigeria because of the people, not because of institutions.”

Arrions said business people in Nigeria were the biggest asset the nation has. “You know that institutionally, one could say some institutions in Nigeria should be strengthened. You remember the declaration of Barrack Obama who said Africa does not need strong men but strong institutions. Nigeria needs this, but your population, the people, the society is vibrant. You people are strong. Within the society, your business people are just holding the country together.”

He made a strong case for strong women to emerge in the public sector. “I would like to insist on women being more visible. I really believe that women are treated in an unfair manner in Nigeria and in the institutions. Tell me how many female governors you have? Zero! How many members of the National Assembly (NASS) are women? It is not the fault of the government but it is the society that elects women. It is the way your system functions. I have heard of godfathers but not many godmothers. We need godmothers, strong women. We have strong women in the markets but you need stronger women in the government, in the public sector. You need to empower women and the youth. Look at the average age of people in Nigeria, two third of the population is below 30 and the youth are not represented enough. I believe that in the NASS, this should be the case. See President Macron of France is 39; see the former prime minister of Italy 40; you have the one in Belgium, 42; Tradeu in Canada is below 45. You need the young generation in governance.”

He made it clear that the fault is not from the government but from the voters. “It is the civil society, the political parties, the media that should take this up as a challenge to empower women and the youth,” he said.

He was decorated with a chieftaincy title and he spoke immediately after. “I am full of appreciation and I said so to them. I must state clearly that informal contacts are very important; and engaging with traditional rulers in Nigeria is key and we have been working closely. They have played significant roles in Nigeria’s development. The business community is very important. They represent the future of Nigeria.”

Speaking further on businesses in Nigeria, he said: “We in the EU see Nigeria as a partner, not as a market. We can through partnership improve the economy and create jobs for the youths; we (EU) are ready to invest, but competitiveness is the key. The EU is looking at the world; we can invest anywhere in the world including Nigeria. So, you have to demonstrate that you are better than other nations. You have to create the conducive environment to convince European investors. Let’s use car manufacture as an example; there are 47 nations bringing the parts that make a car; Boeing is made from 42 countries; why not Nigeria become the 43rd? Tiles are made in Liberia; why not in Nigeria? This is how to reason to compete.

“Nigeria, please create enabling environment for industries; you have comparative advantage in cotton, palm oil, leather, garments, etc. As for those who put together this evening, REIF, I say, you are welcome to Brussels.”

His greatest highpoint in Nigeria is the 2015 election, he said. “We accomplished what we consider a credible election and credible results. We believe that the result was the true expression of Nigerians, relatively transparent, and well done by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). We supported INEC a lot and passed a lot of messages of peaceful elections and made sure that local observers were everywhere in the polling stations. We reinforced the capacities of INEC. It was not only the EU but we led the process with the democratic institute as well as the republican institute of the US. We together helped Nigeria to have a smooth democratic transition. I would say this is my modest achievement in four years.”

 

Ignatius Chukwu