Jerry Gana was a ?minister of information during President Obasanjo’s regime. He also headed the National Orientation Agency (NOA). In this interview with CHIKA OKEKE, he spoke on the insecurity in the country and other sundry issues. Excerpts:
Having served in many successive governments, how has it been?
Well, I’m still very delighted in the sense that out of success, it will have good success. I still feel that this administration having enjoyed the huge mandate of the people of Nigeria is likely to perform effectively in the various sectors. So I feel good because we have an administration that I can support. I cannot say that I am a member of the administration but I am a good friend and a solid supporter of the administration. I appreciate their very clear priority so I want to emphasize that they should really press on with these priorities because that is what Nigerians will really like to see especially in the areas of power supply because it is extremely important. I like the administrations strategies and everything they want to do but they should stop talking and just do it. The important thing now is to act.
Secondly, infrastructure which comprises of the railways, highways, motorways, waterways and airways. Every economy needs direction over which people and ideas move because that’s very important. So infrastructure is very basic including pipelines and power. The third thing is to groom the economy because this poverty and unemployment is too much. It is getting to a level where they may be a revolt by the young people. We need to really groom the economy to ensure agricultural extension, industrial extension, transformation of the oil and gas sector so that we can create wealth, generate employment and make people feel good about their country. These are the kind of things that are expected from the government and I hope that we shall be able to be the key security environment for them to be able to implement these programmes. So I feel good as a former minister and seeing most of my friends and colleague as either the President or the minister coming up, I wish them well.
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What do you think are better ways of cushioning the effect of poverty in the country?
I believe the better ways that I envisaged and I hope they will really implement is to create wealth. The real answer to poverty is to create wealth and to distribute the wealth created fairly. There are two elements; you create the wealth because you don’t want to re-distribute poverty also you create the wealth and you don’t allow the wealth created to be frustrated in the process, so there must be fair distribution. These are very important and the best way to ensure this distribution is that people get good employment and earn good income, look after their family so that when the wealth is created, the remuneration for the workers and others will be good. With that, life will be taken to a low level because this poverty will create crisis. We must solve it.
President Jonathan has promised to transform Nigeria beyond reasonable doubt. With the newest crisis, do you think that he can meet up with his transformational agenda?
He has to because that is part of the legacy and responsibility of leadership. We know there is challenges security wise but an act of good leadership is willing to confront even that situation and create an enabling environment. I believe you are referring to the challenge faced by Boko Haram. For me, the answer is not so much of using force but using a superior intelligence to understand them, know their problems, fears and aspirations, the real thing that is bothering them so much that they are willing to give it against their own society. When you resolve that matter, then the whole thing will disappear. But we shouldn`t pretend that there is no problem. There is a very big problem and the way to solve the problem is to understand them. For instance, when you are ill, the doctors doesn’t just give you a medicine, they will first of all diagnose you to know your problems, this is the time that we really need to get at their problem ,know the right prescription and the whole thing will be resolved.
According to an interview granted by a section of the media, the Islamic sect are not just calling for implementation of Sharia Law in 12 states but Nigeria in its entirety. Do you think it can be achieved and what would be the adverse effect of imposing Sharia Law to both Christians and Moslems?
In a society like ours that is full of diversity, the real answer to situations like this is to really have a very intensive dialogue in which way people would understand that you have your views and religious aspirations and there are other Nigerians which also legitimately shares different views. How can we now live together aggrieved? When we live without understanding, people will respect the position but its not possible. The important thing is for them to let us understand them. If after all the explanations and they refuse to come to terms for the fact that we are Federal Republic because the reason why Nigeria is a Federal Republic is because of the diversity.
The answer to a diverse nation of ours like the USA is the Federal constitution in which the various parts can develop on their own. Each state is supposed to have some form of autonomy within the Federal Republic. There are certain matters which you cannot impose on the entire nation because religious beliefs, aspirations, culture and languages differ but we all agreed to come together. Based on the context of that agreement, I believe that they should understand that it is not possible. So let them understand and if they fail to understand, the constitution provides an answer to what happens to that kind of situation. The answer to those who are willing to destroy the republic because of their vested interest is that the constitutions is very clear on the issue and the government of Nigeria will at that point implement the constitution of Nigeria massively.
You said the best way is to dialogue with them but the sect leader has shunned any form of dialogue with the President?
I am not saying that they should dialogue with the president but the society because the society is bigger than the government. The society has good elements. The elements they should understand or listen to should not fit with them to really discuss. It is not government but the civic society of the federal republic of Nigeria because in Nigeria there are civil and civic societies. Civic societies are their various elders and organizations. We just concluded the polls and the people elected this government. In the final analysis, they have to go back to the people, find their representatives who will talk to them because this country belongs to all of us. If we go the way they are going, then we will worsen the situation. If after everything, they still prefer to display the spirit of revolt, then the constitution provides an answer to the issue and it’s very clear.
The freedom of information bill has been passed into law but people are still denied access to basic information especially the media. What is your reaction on that?
The bill is a facility to law. You have to now harvest and follow up. It doesn’t bring it to you. The law gives you an empowerment to be able to seek information. Even if the information tends to be difficult, don’t give up because it is part of your work as a journalist. To ensure that the law is by your side, you will now seek the information peacefully and within the context of civil society. There`s good order, law and order, due process and human right. You have to struggle then use the law to get a harvest.
The embattled speaker Dimeji Bankole wasted the country`s resources even with poverty taking its toll on Nigerians. What it`s your reaction to that?
Give Jonathan the next 4 years, he has a transformation agenda. Encourage and support him because he will do well. At the end of it, the society will be better.
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