Bob Dewar

Values and Beliefs - Bedrock of leadership style

Met a group of young leaders in Lagos who have formed 'The Future' project. They are all excelling in their fields, which range acros the board from media to fashion design or commercial agriculture. They want to be good examples to other less fortunate youngsters. They explained that Nigeria often has the wrong image. Youngsters should be shown role models of how to succeed and bring positive change. I said leadership was indeed important including within the younger generation- but values and beliefs had to be the bedrock of leadership style. They said they agreed with that, saying integrity and due process and sustainability was important. I said it was perhaps about building up institutions and systems that survived beyond any one individual. Anyway a very stimulating discussion and shows that Nigeria can look forward positively if the younger generation are all as talented and committed as this.

Posted at 17:12 23 September 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[1]

The port is Benin's lifeblood

Fascinating to go down the dual highway to Cotonou in Benin. Not nearly so many loaded trucks coming into Nigeria as when I last visited. That's a sign of the impact of the world economic downturn and the credit squeeze in Lagos. The port is Benin's lifeblood. West Africa should be a growing trading region and the challenge is to get the wheels of world commerce moving again.

Infrastructure is getting better in Benin with the new port now privatised and prospect of modernisation of the railway to the north. So it could become a key regional transport hub in time. But the daily reality for many is a small bit of 'informal' trade- a bag of rice in one direction, cheap Nigerian petrol in the other.

Posted at 17:06 17 September 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[1]

Sport matters in Nigeria

Sport matters in Nigeria. The country had a sad day a week ago when they drew with Tunisia in a must-win game to qualify for the soccer world cup. The score was two goals each. Twice a delirious sell out crowd was on its feet. Twice the other side equalised. Excitement and hope deflated in an instant. But Nigeria has great potential as a sporting nation- and not just in football. So many youngsters have natural talent.  Why not some new sports?

The High Commission lost a cricket match against a pretty good Abuja CC on Sunday. And rugby sevens could surely grow fast with the right encouragement.

Posted at 10:24 16 September 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

SMEs help create employment in Nigeria

It is impressive how our small and medium sized businesses are still focused on exports, emerging from the global downturn just as determined as ever to break into new markets. I opened an exhibition of products, of some exporters from London who have an Afro-Caribbean background.

Valuable linkages are being made with Nigerian SMEs and small scale industry. I made the points in my speech that British products offer quality and international standards. Getting small scale businesses to prosper is part of getting the international commercial system to start operating again. SMEs help create employment in Nigeria too and the future here is to have an encouraging policy environment for this.

Building intra-regional trade in West Africa is an important part of the way forward for Africa, provided that inefficiencies and corruption are reduced. Certainly this is not the time for protectionism

Posted at 16:47 09 September 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Getting rid of malaria in Nigeria

Great news that the programme to get rid of malaria in Nigeria and distribute over 63 million nets got a significant boost last week.  The idea is to get two nets distributed to every household by the end of next year, reaching over 30 million homes and hopefully saving thousands of lives.  In fact, Nigeria counts for over a quarter of all cases of malaria in Africa. 

The UK and others are working together, supporting government health services in rolling this out, including £50 million of British aid delivered through DfID.  The shocking statistic is that half of all Nigerians get infected with malaria each year, and over 30% of childhood deaths and 11% of maternal deaths are caused by it.  And those deaths are preventable.   Hopefully that will change with this new push. Picture by Williams Daniel.

Posted at 15:56 08 September 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Giving more attention to agriculture

As elsewhere in Africa, land is so important. The world economic downturn has focused ever more attention on Nigeria’s need to diversify its economy.  With 80 to 90 million people, in other words up to 70% of the population, dependent on agriculture – which also supplies 42% of GDP – it is an obvious area for priority. The government is giving more attention to agriculture, which is good. Putting emphasis on commercial agriculture makes great sense. The tropical agriculture research done in Ibadan has been helpful. Good infrastructure and services and support is needed for the farmers. It was interesting to call on Oxfam to hear more about their livelihoods, food and agricultural development strategy in many of Nigeria’s States, where they are trying to ensure that the interests of small scale farmers are properly recognised.  Should it not also be a priority to 'bring on' small scale farmers, helping them improve productivity and inputs, and helping them convert into small commercial farmers themselves? Access to land also needs to be decided fairly and not just handed out at political whim. Getting the new land legislation right will be critical

Posted at 16:52 02 September 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

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Posted at 19:55 01 September 2009 by e-Media Global  |  Comments[0]

British business in Africa

Opened a conference in Lagos of all our UK Trade and Investment officers in Africa- as well as the London team. They're doing a great job in helping British business help Africa. In difficult times of global downturn the standards and quality offered by UK companies give them a special advantage. And the logic for African Governments to push forward their economic and political reforms- and create bigger markets by regional integration- is stronger than ever. 

It is also a no-brainer that African Governments can push on with policy decisions that can help the business environment and help the private sector transform their countries. Such as tackling issues of governance, banking prudential requirements, bringing transparency, adopting international standards, looking outwards and refusing to be protectionist. All this will help African economies in challenging times. Britain remains Africa's gateway to the global economy as it starts to recover.

Not easy times for many African economies given commodity prices, tighter credit and a pause button on some internationally financed projects but medium and long term growth prospects are good. With our strong diversified economy, industry, products, services- and our own helpful business environment and global networks- the UK remains Africa's logical partner. Excellent evening event was sponsored by Standard Chartered who are doing great things in Nigerian banking.

Posted at 17:02 28 August 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Rain is a blessing

Rain is a blessing. Economists talk of growth of the economy from inward investment and better policy and governance. Quite right. But is a good 'climate' for economic growth more important in the minds of  the poor- and this is still the country with the most poor people in Africa- than rain which grows their food?

So as I wait for a plane to Lagos looking out at the downpour, delay of take-off is a plus not a minus. Let it rain!

Posted at 10:13 26 August 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[1]

Mutual interest in managing migration

Just back in Abuja having had some leave in the UK and participated in roundtable migration talks with senior Nigerian Government officials.  Once again a very useful opportunity to exchange views on all the different parts of this important agenda. 

The relationship with Nigeria is so much about people.  Naturally this turned out to be an opportunity for both sides to explain how they saw things and the outcome was very positive, although the main Nigerian concerns continue to be visas to the UK and the conditions for that.  We agreed that we must collaborate closely, including UK help for capacity building and reform.  We have a lot of contacts at all levels with all the relevant ministries, explaining latest development and policy, including the points-based system and as much information as possible is put on the internet.  But we all agreed to renew our efforts to do even more to ensure the best communication in both directions. 

We all have a mutual interest in managing migration, encouraging legitimate migration but discouraging illegal migrants and those who wish to do us harm.

Posted at 14:30 18 August 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Awareness about the environment

Participated in a thought provoking round table discussion last week in Lagos on climate change, organised by the British Council. The State of Lagos is doing a lot to raise awareness about the environment but the urgency of climate change has still to strike home to everyone.

Naturally in Lagos, much of which is very low lying, there is a lot of discussion of sea level rise and what it means. But my message was not to panic; instead there are things that all leaders, all individuals can do.  And, besides better planning, there should be great opportunities for use of new technology and funding that we hope will be part of the deal for developing countries at the December Copenhagen summit.

So far as the UK team goes,  we decided to work as much as possible with both the private sector and Lagos state Government in coming months, trying to improve shared understanding and joint cooperation between them. Also trying to help on waste management and other specific areas.

Posted at 16:00 14 July 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Great to see Lord Sebastian Coe in Abuja..

Great to see Lord Sebastian Coe in Abuja, Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the 2012 Olympic Games. I remember watching him break those 800 and 1500 metre records!

Besides talking to other organising committees and Olympic representatives from all round the world, he spared time to meet the Minister of Sport.  The London Games wants to be Games for everyone. And one of the great things about the 2012 Games is the International Inspirations project, which is linked to it and already under way. It will use the spirit of the Olympic Games to change the lives of young people in many countries all around the world and thus leave a special legacy.

What better way than sport to reach out to inspire youngsters- including the poor and disadvantaged- in countries such as Nigeria. I think sport can empower them, can motivate them, can bring them together, can give them hope, happiness, pride and friendship. With the help of the British Council and UK Sport this project will try to help the Nigerian Sports authorities to develop sports policies and curricula and activities over the next few years.  On that note I better stop blogging and go for a run!

Posted at 10:45 09 July 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

New BBC World Service Director visits Nigeria

A splendid 'soap opera' drama was acted out on our lawn by the BBC World Service Trust. Local actors were staging a scene about local corruption over the (non) repair of a road and the death of someone driving on it. At the end one of the actors came round with the microphone asking some of us in the audience who we thought was responsible! Makes you think.

That's the good thing about what the BBC World Service Trust do in Nigeria where they produce radio dramas- like soap operas- and discussion programmes about key issues that affect the life of ordinary people. This is real communication for development, poverty reduction and human rights. There are millions of devoted Nigerian listeners for these programmes (one of the names is ‘Story Story’) which are broadcast in English and local languages. They raise awareness about so many social issues including HIV, human rights, governance, you name it. People identify with the characters and get better knowledge and understanding of social and development issues. That means they can make more informed choices and build better lives.

The reason for the performance was the first visit to Nigeria by the new BBC World Service Director, Peter Horrocks. The BBC World Service is renowned for its independence, objectivity and balanced reporting. That's why millions and millions of people all around the world- including in Nigeria- trust it and depend on it for accurate information and news.  Accurate information is so important in giving people everywhere better information, understanding and choices.

Posted at 12:57 06 July 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[1]

Towards achieving the Arms Trade Treaty

The UK's goal to achieve an international Arms Trade Treaty reminds me of the extent to which small arms- as well as more sophisticated weapons- are damaging peace and development in Africa, not least in Nigeria's Niger Delta. The UK has been supporting efforts to stop the flow of small arms across the whole of the West African region, including into Nigeria.

Unfortunately gangs are still able to get small arms and to use them to try to extort money by illegally 'bunkering' crude oil or by kidnapping innocent people. Of course there needs to be development and better governance and human rights (the communities in the Niger Delta need to see the benefits of the oil and gas revenue produced in their areas) and a political settlement and a cease-fire and better security.

But the illicit arms trade, often financed by proceeds of criminality or drugs, is helping prevent a breakthrough. Young people everywhere in Nigeria need development, training, education, jobs. They need a better life, not guns.

Posted at 15:29 17 June 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[1]

House of Commons Committee visits Nigeria

The international Development Committee of the House of Commons are here to review the DFID programme in Nigeria and also to look at urban poverty. What better way to start than to look at the issues facing Lagos, the mega-city of West Africa and one of the largest in the world. Urban poverty is often forgotten in Africa but ever more people are migrating to cities looking for a better life.

Lagos has particular issues because it is very low-lying near the sea. Transport provides special problems- there are already some amazing motorways over the swamps. Affordable housing and other services are also needed on a large scale.

The UK through DFID is already helping the State to fast track legal processes in courts and land registry. Basic issues for development. But one real headache confronting the city right now is how to plan best for sea level rise in the face of global warming. We want to help the dynamic State government in confronting such challenges.

Posted at 08:57 16 June 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]