Bob Dewar

Good governance and transparency

Met a new committee of the House of Representatives who are focusing on good governance including making sure resolutions and decisions in the House of Reps are implemented. They are  looking at issues of transparent procurement and fiscal discipline too.  They want to arrange a summit on good governance. I said this was an important theme- in fact perhaps the most important for all countries. But governance standards had to be 'owned' by everyone if they wanted things to happen, by all branches of the state (legislature, judiciary, executive) and by the private sector and civil society. It's all about how people behave. 

Posted at 12:54 14 October 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]

The rainy season has started

Back in the swing of things in Abuja after the FCO’s Leadership Conference in London and Easter.  The rainy season has started – huge storm in Abuja at the end of the week.  The meetings in London were very useful including with the Nigerian community who were predictably mostly interested in visa issues.  Also had a good meeting with West African Business Association (WABA) members.  International economic crisis is having an impact on Nigeria but there are still important opportunities and our Trade and Investment office are very active. 

Good to see that the England and Wales Law Association sent a trade delegation, (for the second year running) last week.  The way the legal system is intertwined with that of the UK is symbolic of the close relations in many special areas.  My own belief is that one of the best things we can do as British Government is to help Nigeria adopt international standards.  In fact the impact crisis on the Nigerian private sector has to some extent encouraged a move towards quality, including in the banking sector.  As customers get more choosy so it must be win-win for UK companies to offer highest international standards and corporate governance as part of the package.

Posted at 09:45 22 April 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

The Military and Africa

Gave a speech at the National Defence College to an audience of well-informed military from Nigeria – and eleven other African countries.  Spoke a lot about our belief in multilateralism, working together to solve world problems, the need to avoid protectionism in facing the current global crisis and so on.  Reiterated our commitment to supporting African solutions to African problems and to genuine partnership.  Gave details of our support for African peacekeeping, governance standards and development.  And expressed my admiration for sacrifices made by African peacekeepers, including Nigerians in Darfur and – most recently -Burundians in Somalia.

Posted at 12:59 25 February 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]

Business is booming

Down in Lagos again, the commercial capital of West Africa, that great sprawling city full of life and enterprise. This time for the visit of Andrew Cahn, Chief Executive of UK Trade and Investment. He coincided with a large mission from the London Chamber of Commerce.

Business is booming and there are opportunities for companies in many sectors if they keep their eyes wide open, find the right partners and ensure integrity. And it's not just in the oil and gas and financial services sectors. It was great to see a Yorkshire company providing street lighting! There are some new areas of opportunity including education, construction, infrastructure and agriculture.

Our young UKTI team are doing a great job. They are busy. There's a Nigerian saying 'grass does not grow on a busy road.' Loved their new offices with photos of artists and sports icons. By the way the Premier League here is a huge British brand, helped by the number of Nigerians and West Africans playing in it. Everyone is passionate about their teams. My driver supports Liverpool. Manchester United and Portsmouth played a friendly in Abuja this summer.

The boom in financial services in Nigeria has slightly been set back by a 'correction' in the local stock exchange in recent months- and the world situation now means many are reviewing their positions. But more Nigerian banks want to list in London. The theme is very much that London can provide the gateway for Nigeria to the globalised world. We've got the connections to the international standards and professional practice. Good performance on corporate governance would help change some perceptions abroad.

Since arriving in Nigeria I have been struck by the emerging middle class, plus a new generation of young Nigerians with world class professional skills, some of whom are returning. A great trend for the future. But there is a challenge in re-building the quality of local educational institutions - and providing skills below University level, to help youngsters get jobs.

Posted at 14:56 22 September 2008 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[1]

Lots of opportunities and lots of challenges......

I’ve been blogging on the High Commission website since my arrival in Nigeria I’ve been here six months now so perhaps it’s time to pause for thought.  Such an important country for Africa. Such a big country!  Over 140 million people and over 250 different ethnic groups. It’s like seeing Africa contained in one country although of course every African country is different. I seem to have been travelling non stop and still need to visit two thirds of the States in this Federal Republic (there are 36).

There are lots of opportunities and lots of challenges for the Nigerian Government - not least sorting out the Niger Delta problem with its knotty mixture of deep issues of criminality, security, poor governance and development.

My main thought, six months on, is the one I had when I first stepped off the BA flight in this new capital of Abuja. We are intertwined together, Britain and Nigeria, by history, people, shared background.  We think the same way. Nigerian people are great - the true wealth of the country, not the oil and gas however important (and sometimes distorting) those are. So it is crucial that we talk to each other and listen to each other, with mutual respect.

Secondly there’s a real opportunity right now for Nigeria to make a new start and improve the quality of what it does. In re-building institutions, services, infrastructure. Here it’s important that the UK helps by offering useful experience, skills, knowledge. In other words we should add value to what Nigeria wants to do, whether through official links or private sector.

Quality also in terms of values and integrity. Simply having the political will to roll back corruption will make a great difference. Tackling large scale corruption and taking to court those who have misused their position for personal gain will be win-win for the government. It encourages investment. It sends a signal that there is no impunity for the corrupt, however powerful they are. The people want better leadership and a better quality of life. The current President offers real hope with his vision. 

So that’s my morning reflection over my pawpaw- plus fresh orange juice. I was present at migration talks in London on Monday, which I think underline the point about us being intertwined. UK prisons have many Nigerians in them. And there are many other Nigerians who do not have legal right to remain in the UK. Equally we do want and we do value legitimate Nigerian travellers and visitors and those who are highly skilled and contribute to our economy. So it’s right that we have a regular and constructive dialogue on these issues round the table.

I am off in a few days to the UK and it’s only a matter of weeks before we will be receiving President Yar’Adua and his team on his very important visit to London. The visit will be great for both countries. Will let you know how it goes!

Posted at 15:34 02 July 2008 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[13]