Bob Dewar

'Doing it' is the key to build confidence of citizens

Held our six monthly round-table meeting with Lagos Governor Fashola and his team. We are working closely with him to help  change lives in this megacity through business and technical support. Our full team was there - including UK Trade and Industry, DFID and British Council colleagues- and we talked a lot about business links, governance and growth, education and skills training.

A key theme was helping by sharing our knowledge and experience- hoping to produce a domino effect. In other words helping Lagos set examples to be copied elsewhere in Nigeria by simply 'doing it'.  Implementation and action is the key to building confidence of citizens. Another important theme was capacity building, transferring skills and training to Nigerian institutions.

A dynamic partnership in a State where a lot is happening. Success and progress in Lagos, particularly its dynamic private sector- and how that translates into employment and better quality of life for its burgeoning population- is crucial for the country and West Africa as a whole.

Posted at 11:28 04 February 2010 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

The role of the Media in nation building

Held an informal meet the press event which I do every January. The media here are growing and are quite widely read by the 'elite' of Nigeria at least. They play an important role in efforts for transparency and accountability of Government and of politicians.

Understandably they were most interested in the statement on Nigeria issued last week by David Miliband and his US, French and EU opposite numbers. I explained the context: Nigeria's an important country and we extend our support to it during the current difficult period of uncertainty. What's important at this time is to respect the Constitution, rule of law and democratic principles.

The role of the media in the political period leading up to the next elections is if anything more important than ever, especially given the power of vested interests and relative weakness of institutions. There's a need to contribute to democratic culture and the denting of impunity of the corrupt. Balanced and accurate reporting- and investigative journalism- should make a difference over time.

Posted at 16:24 01 February 2010 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Interacting with Nigerian in diaspora

Packed hall in central London last week when British Africa Minister Baroness Kinnock and Nigerian Foreign Minister Maduekwe interacted with the Nigerian diaspora. This was a celebration of their role in British society. David Miliband's special video message highlighted successes in all walks of life from politics to fashion, professions to sport. The meeting brought out lots of comment and advice in both directions. There were comments on the British angle- in some cases applauding cooperation with officialdom, in others criticising blockages in communication. For example a claim that the mainstream media do not cover the diaspora fairly. There were also requests for the Nigerian authorities to help diaspora professional groups to help improve policy and make a difference including to the quality of governance and transparency.

A valuable meeting in this, the 50th Anniversary year of Nigerian Independence. A lot of useful messages were given to both Governments which we will need to reflect on and do what we can. And it's very important to continue to make efforts to have as good communication as possible.  http://ukinnigeria.fco.gov.uk/en/working-with-nigeria/celebrating-diaspora/

Posted at 10:45 01 February 2010 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Celebrating Nigerian diaspora in the UK

Am much looking forward to the London event on Wednesday when the Nigerian diaspora will interact with our Minister for Africa Baroness Kinnock and Nigerian Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe.

There's no difference between domestic and foreign policy in this globalised age. That's shown especially clearly with the Nigerian diaspora who are part of the fabric of British  society but are also hugely important in bringing positive change home to Nigeria. They have expertise and skills in vital areas, from inland revenue to healthcare, from education or policing to law. Whether it's their money, their skills or their experience, they can help build the better governed political and economic structures Nigeria is still searching for 50 years after independence. That's hugely important for Africa, not just Nigeria. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=21600605

Posted at 15:03 18 January 2010 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

The next generation project

The New Year is being celebrated in Nigeria with much sombre reflection on all the difficult challenges ahead facing the country. But it's not all negative.

One thing that's important is to think long term and strategically,.rather than short term and for the benefit of vested interests. So it was inspiring to meet the members of an Independent Task Force set up with the President's support, supported by Harvard University and sponsored by the British Council. In 2010 they will take forward the 'Next Generation Project'. So much of the challenge in Nigeria and West Africa is to give young people choices and jobs for a better future. This can be done if the 'democraphic dividend' is exploited positively with the right policies.

The first job of the task force is to analyse the situation and what policies might bring a positive demographic dividend- if leaders make the most of their young people- or the reverse if they don't. Mapping scenarios and explaining them to policy leaders and then getting those policy leaders to 'own' and implement the right policies could make all the difference for Nigeria's future and for its prospects of joining the top 20 economies.

Posted at 13:46 04 January 2010 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

England 2018 FIFA World Cup Bid

It was great to focus on football for a day this week, when a top level delegation from the FA visited to present the England 2018 FIFA World Cup Bid. England will give a warm welcome to guests and will be an excellent partner. Football is a passion in England and in Nigeria and if the 2018 World Cup is awarded to England we will ensure the whole world benefits. And its legacy benefits including for Nigeria will make the world proud of FIFA.

It was great that Andrew Cole and Lord Triesman also took time to visit the Old Karu orphanage to meet the kids and to have a kick-about match with them. Football does inspire youngsters everywhere, inspire them to go to school, inspire them to strive to achieve! Meanwhile we are all looking forward to the World Cup next year in South Africa, which has brought pride to the entire Africa continent. Will England meet Nigeria in the final?!

Posted at 11:03 18 December 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

The new Petroleum Club

Attended the first meeting of the new Petroleum Club of Lagos with the Minister of Petroleum as chief guest. He explained the need for deregulation (more money goes on subsidising the cost of fuel in Nigeria than in the Federal's Government's entire investment budget!) and reform of how the petroleum sector is organised. Reform is needed. But it's also important that new legislation turns out to be win-win. In other words win win for the country and win win for foreign investors who need to have the confidence to invest.

Posted at 10:57 18 December 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Encouraging brave journalism

Posted at 10:37 17 December 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Getting democracy into the culture

Visited the University of Ibadan to make a speech about universal democratic principles- including those set by the African Union and NEPAD and ECOWAS- and what makes up a culture of democracy. For example, it's important for the Constitutiom and rule of law to be respected. Important also to strive for peaceful, free and fair elections, avoiding violence and corruption.

Useful timing to make the speech I hope as politics are already hotting up, even though next Presidential elections aren't due until 2011. It's really important for Africa that Nigeria improves on its 2007 performance and moves forward. It can be done if there's top level political will.

Posted at 11:02 16 December 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Awayday at the orphanage

The orphanage in Abuja was a riot of coloured tee shirts the other day and crowded with busy people. The whole High Commission staff were there beavering away in teams as different tasks. The plan was to improve everything, to give the kids a better life. Some of us dug out the drainage, some installed a water tank, some erected a fence, some (that was our group) put together chicken coops for eggs hopefully to be laid by a batch of smart new hens, some planted trees and shrubs or overhauled the play areas.

A great day though pretty hot. Tremendous team spirit. And some happy children!

Posted at 13:20 10 December 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Prevention of mother to child transmission

This year Nigeria marked World Aids day on 1 December with a focus on Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of which there is a particularly high incidence here. Nigeria has the second largest number of people with HIV in the world - a prevalence rate of 4.6% directly affecting 2.6 million people. But Nigeria has made great progress in the last ten years, with many now receiving treatment.

The upside of these figures is that 95% of Nigerians are HIV negative. We the British Government, through DFID, are running a £100 million programme on HIV prevention to help push that percentage higher.

Posted at 13:03 04 December 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[1]

Our diversity

What great cultural diversity! No, not talking about Nigeria this time- though it's difficult to beat over 300 languages in 36 States!- but the UK. The Lagos Caledonian Ball was a great way to mark the end of a year emphasising the special things about Scotland- and by extension the UK of course. And an occasion to recall the sorts of values Rabbie Burns wrote about.  "The honest man though e'er so poor is king of men for a' that." And he also wrote of love and homecoming: "and I'll return again my love tho' it were 10,000 mile". Rings true when listening to the cadence of the caelidh band playing 4,000 miles away from home- in a lively humid evening in the heart of Nigeria.

Posted at 07:35 03 December 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

University Energy Research

After speaking to students and academics we went outside the Sokoto University's Centre for Energy Research to look at some on-going projects.  There was a large one for bio-mass, several for use of solar power to heat water and some useful cooking oven designs too, which produce the same heat for much less wood. 

It would be great if indigenously designed technology like this could be commercialised and rolled out across the North.  But the harmatan (dusty wind from the desert) sitting low on the dusty fields was a reminder that conditions aren't easy. 

Posted at 14:01 02 December 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Contributors to international peacekeeping

Capacity building and transfer of experience to help create Nigerian- and by extension, regional West African- centres of excellence was again the theme last week. This time when our Minister for the Armed Forces visited. The UK helped create the peace keeping college at Jaji some years back.

Nigeria is now one of the world's top four contributors to international peacekeeping. Darfur and Liberia are just two examples. A new course to help on modernisation of the armed forces was launched at the National defence college. And the first instructors have just qualified in a new joint maritime security training centre in Lagos. International best practice is an important theme within the training, including international law and human rights principles.

Posted at 13:44 01 December 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Climate change & faith speech

Visited Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto and gave a speech on climate change and faith pointing out that many holy texts talk of the responsibility of human beings for ‘stewardship’ of the environment.  The world’s faiths joined together could become the planet’s largest civil society movement for preventing climate change. 

The debate was very lively.  Some said this was a calamity mankind brought on itself and nothing should be done.  But many others believed we had to act.  Indeed the message from the Sultan of Sokoto was clear.  Allah is creator of heaven and earth.  Everyone shares the responsibility.  What is needed is to revive faith and make judicious use of the environment.

Posted at 15:56 25 November 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]