Uche Igwe

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A wind of disgruntlement is blowing across Nigeria. There are fears that, unless President Jonathan steadies the ship of state, divisions within the polity and the rising discontent could be hijacked by political opportunists to cause something more catastrophic.

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It has been more than eight months since the harmonised version of the National Climate Change Commission Bill was forwarded to Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan for assent. Uche Igwe asks why there is still no word from the presidency on the fate of this very important bill.

Snapparachi

While the Niger Delta amnesty could be seen as a ‘modest success’, writes Uche Igwe, it is now time to direct resources towards the pursuit of ‘verifiable physical development in the region’.

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Economist and UN advisor Professor Jeffrey Sachs may be optimistic about the prospects of the Nigerian economy, but Uche Igwe says the facts on the ground don't back up Sachs' positive outlook.

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While the passing of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Act in May 2007 ‘sent very positive signals about Nigeria’s desire to sustain its leadership in the global initiative to the world’, NEITI needs to be subject to a number of new amendments, writes Uche Igwe.

Snapparachi

Uche Igwe travels to Rivers State in Nigeria and reports on progressive reforms by the state governor in the areas of healthcare, education and food security.

Wikipedia

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan is working hard to convince people that he will ‘deliver credible elections’, with the appointment of electoral commissioner Attahiru Jega. But, writes Uche Igwe, ‘a functional system rather than an individual is what is needed’ to sanitise a process that has become ‘a vehicle for electoral fraud’.

EITI

With Nigeria not yet compliant with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Uche Igwe calls for greater transparency in the country’s extractive industry.

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‘African leaders must learn to accept defeat with equanimity and put national interest and continental prosperity above selfish quest for power,’ writes Uche Igwe.

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Uche Igwe travels to Nigeria’s Bayelsa State and, despite an influx of oil dollars, finds appalling poverty, lack of infrastructure and a volatile pre-2011 election period.

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