Democracy In Nigeria :Voices Of A Generation

Table of Content Page ….i
Forward …iii
Introduction: A Mission With A Vision- Bamidele A Ojo …1
Part I: Constitutional And Political Reconstruction …6

Chapter I: Constitutionalism And The Future of Nigeria …7
Victor Edo-Aikhiobare
Chapter II: Federalism, State Creation And Ethnic Management In Nigeria .21
Adegboyega Somide
Chapter III: The Rehabilitation of 1999 Nigerian Constitution: The Federal Government And The Integrity of the Component States .42
Bamidele A Ojo
Chapter IV: Federalism, Political Instability And The Struggle Democracy In Nigeria .47
Layiwola Abegunrin
Part II : Social And Economic Issues .58
Chapter V: Leadership And Elites Politics In Nigeria .59
Mark Okoronkwo
Chapter VI: Curriculum And Administrative Innovations For Nigerian
Educational System In The Twenty First Century. .77
Zephyrinus Okonkwo
Chapter VII: The Nigeria Elites And The Generation That Was Lost .89
Adeolu Esho .
Part III : Foreign Policy Issues .100
Chapter VIII: A Survey Of Nigeria's Foreign Policy (1960- 1998) .101
Olayiwola Abegunrin
Chapter IX : The Sierra Leone Imbroglio: A Perspective On The
Question Of Nigeria's Involvement. .126
Nowamagbe A. Omoigui.
Chapter X : Nigeria And Regional Security In West Africa:
Nature, Problems And Prospects. .139
Aderemi Ajibewa
Chapter XI: Nigeria Foreign Policy And Regional Economic Diplomacy .154
Kelechi A. Kalu
Part IV : Wither Nigeria ? .163
Chapter XII: Breaking Ranks To Break From Bondage:
True Development In Post Military Nigeria .164
Tope Omoniyi
Chapter XIII: Managing Multi-Ethnicity: Lessons From Nigeria .178
Kasirim Nwuke
Chapter XIV: Constitutional Authenticity: Constructive Incorporation Of Traditional
Institutions Into The New Nigerian Experiment. .189
Bamidele A Ojo

Conclusion: Sustaining Democracy In Nigeria .192
Notes .196
Contributors . 216
Index .220

Democracy In Nigeria: The Voices of A Generation :Forward

The past few years have been very traumatic for many Nigerians. With the exception of those in power or close to the seat of power, the changes of 1998 was a welcome relief given the tyranny and repression that the country has suffered under General Abacha. With many people in prison and more in exile, the death of Abacha was received with a sigh of relief. The situation got even worse with the death of Chief M.K.O Abiola on the eve of his release from prison but as always the country must go on. Many observers saw in Nigeria, the resilience that has come to signify the strength and potential of this once "giant of Africa". Many have seen the destruction and the socio- political and economic decay of the past decades and as the whole world prepare for the new millennium, things could only get better in Nigeria. That is why the administration of President Obasanjo , even in the absence of anything significant, would still be preferable than the previous military administrations. Many Nigerians have seen the way the leadership has mishandled the Nigerian economy and abuse the rights of the people while exploiting and politicizing the ethnic diversity to satisfy their own individual agenda. It is with this in mind, and the renewed desire to begin to cultivate a Nigerian culture that appreciate the rule of law and sustain democratic governance as a means toward providing the best for all its people, that the aspiration and goals of a representative of a generation of Nigerians are put together in this volume. The call for Nigerians who want to make a difference received many responses and out of which the following has been selected to address some critical issues facing the new Nigerian political experiment. These opinions , sometimes academic and sometime less so, is considered a preliminary attempt to initiate a dialogue among Nigerians, in an attempt to foster better understanding of our need and identify what could bring us all together. This book is divided into four main parts: Constitutionalism and political reconstruction, social and economic issues, foreign policy issues and wither Nigeria ?. There are fourteen chapters in all and each representing the view of the authors as so noted. Many others responded to the call for contributions and due to inability to meet the deadline, set and extended several times, their essays cannot be included in this volume. The voice of a generation on democracy in Nigeria, I hope will constitute a renaissance of a more active role in the Nigerian political process by all Nigerians home and abroad.

In chapter I of this exercise, Victor Aikhionbare contend that Nigeria is at a cross road and the stage is set for a crucial struggle for the survival of this African "giant." Victor assert that Nigeria must now come to grip with the ultimate question of whether to institute real democratic institutions that will sustain the nation for now and in the future and that more than ever, the political instrument of a constitution and the idea of constitutionalism becomes a very important part of any attempt to move the country beyond the praetorian regimes that have strangled Nigeria politically and economically for more than three decades since independence. In his excellent contribution, Dr Aikhionbare underscore the importance of a constitution and prescribes how it can be used as a powerful tool to set Nigeria on a stable political course. He stresses the purpose of a constitution in any society, which is to create, organize, and distribute governmental power. And that it is put in place to assure that governmental power is exercised legitimately. This chapter also offers a lively new perspective on an old but timely argument about progressive constitutionalism and regressive authoritarianism by contending that Nigeria's future lies in a viable constitution.
The chapter further suggest that the constitution must represent the holy writ of Nigeria's civil religion, in which Nigerians expect to find the answers to their most troubling questions, especially the one of governance. And that the idea of constitutionalism and a constitution should therefore be a mirror that reflect the Nigerian history, a medium through which each generation of Nigerians turns its values, attitudes, and prejudices into law. Victor also emphasize that it must serve as a myth that gains its power from a strong belief in it by all Nigerians. The chapter concludes by joining the voices of a generation of Nigerians in challenging all Nigerians to embrace and live by the idea of constitutionalism. This is followed by Adegboyega Somide. His piece on federalism, state creation and ethnic management in Nigeria addresses one of the major problem facing the Obasanjo administration today. He discuss the questions of state creation, federalism and ethnic management in Nigeria. According to him, State creation along ethnic lines in Nigeria has failed to produce desired results and that a powerful ethnic pull continues to prevent Nigerian federalism from functioning effectively. Utilizing John Kingdon's "multiple streams" model, Adegboyega pinpoints the origin of state creation policy in Nigeria, and the reasons for its persistence. It compares Nigerian federalism with older and more successful federal states such as the United States, and concludes that federalism is not necessarily a panacea to ethnic conflict. And that Nigeria does not possess the minimum requisites identified in the literature for a successful federalism, e.g. desire to federate, state autonomy in decision-making and financial independence from the federal government. But that state creation has served to expand the support bases of successive military governments, while failing to remove the structural imbalance in Nigerian federalism.

In chapter III, Bamidele Ojo examine the inadequacies of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nigeria provision on federal -state relationship. He call for a review that will facilitate a more independent component unit which will allow each state to develop its own agenda and promote its own goals within the general construct of the Nigerian polity. In this chapter he reiterate a common concern for the continued dependence of the Nigerian component states on the federal government, which is contrary to the true spirit of federalism. And also call for a constitutional review which will allow for a more autonomous state structure and legitimate constitutional construction. This call is also premised on the notion that a far more independent sub- unit is indispensable for sustaining democratic governance and effective federal structure in Nigeria. Professor Layi Abegunrin in chapter IV propose that the subject of federalism exerts a magnetic force among Nigerians. And that there was broad agreement that Nigerian federalism has been abused by military rule and that the way forward is to reconstitute our governance in such a manner as to avoid the over centralization of Nigeria's public affairs and governance imposed by military rule. The chapter examine and analyze the tragedy of Nigeria's crisis of governance that has damaged inter-ethnic, inter-regional and other communal relationships. In conclusion , he gave some suggestions on how to restructure and sustain democratic culture and institutions that can lead to peace, political stability and long standing economic development in a democratic environment under a true federal system. Part II start with Mark Okoronkwo's piece on leadership and elite politics in Nigeria. Mark identify many major problem area in the governance of Nigeria and according to him, the chaotic state of affairs in Nigeria is due mainly to the military and the failure of the leadership in general. He conclude the chapter on a strong note by making recommendation for a selfless, capable and patriotic leadership in the new Nigerian polity. In chapter VI, Zephyrinus C. Okonkwo, examine two ideas: Curriculum Innovations for the Nigerian Educational System, and Administrative Innovations for the Nigerian Educational System with emphasis on the tertiary level. Although these two ideas seen to be independent, they have a region of intersection which will be discussed in sequel. Zephy discuss in some details the needed curriculum innovations at all levels of the educational system and also deal with administrative innovations required at the colleges and universities in order to lay a strong foundation for a stable environment where students, professors, non-academic staff, and administrators can thrive as a community whose objective encompass teaching, research, and service. Dr Okonkwo in this chapter affirms that like every educational system, the Nigerian Educational System must provide:
(i) An adequate, safe and secure environment for teaching and learning where the educated must imbibe adequate skills and knowledge to seek gainful employment within the society;
(ii) College level education, which must not only provide the student with enough basic skills but must also prepare the student for graduate education within and outside the country;
(ii) Responsive dynamic curriculum at all levels of education. Such curriculum, according to him, must respond to societal needs, and must include innovative methods of teaching and learning, innovative method of seeking knowledge, computer skills and information technology, strong emphasis on communications both in written and oral forms, reading and public speaking. The curriculum at all levels must be reviewed from time to time expunging irrelevant topics and courses and including new ones.
He also suggest that administrative innovations at the tertiary level must include
(i) Tenure system at all tertiary institutions;
(ii) A method of checking the excesses of some professors and administrators through legislation and enforcement of the laws;
(iii) Provision of adequate funding for salaries and research for colleges and universities by the establishment of a stable method of funding including land-grant, Educational Tax, Luxury Tax, and Property Tax;
(iv)Streamlining teaching and research resources and reducing waste by eliminating redundancy and duplications in neighboring colleges and universities.
This chapter is followed by Adeolu Esho ‘s piece on Nigerian elite wherein he takes a cursory look at the emergence of the Nigerian elites and their role in the systematic decimation of a country and the marginalization of a people. Adeolu also delve into the exodus of a generation of Nigerians in search of greener pastures, in need of self-preservation and filled with a burning desire to salvage their dignity and that of their families. The final portion of the chapter focus on issues that need to be addressed for a sustainable economic, political and societal development in Nigeria. This is followed by part III on foreign policy issues. This section is started by Professor Abegunrin's overview of Nigerian foreign policy since independence . In this excellent piece , he examine the foreign policy of each administration between 1960-1998. Based on the premise that the personality of each leader that have ruled Nigeria had affected, and influenced the country's policy either negatively or positively, no matter how stable or unstable the political situations of the country have been under each regime, he emphasized the dynamics of Nigeria's foreign policy and that the transfer of power to a capable, well disciplined, uncorrupted, and democratically elected civilian government in 1999 could provide fresh impetus to the economy, to human rights, to relations with the major industrial powers, and to better policy overall.
In chapter IX, Dr. Nowamagbe Omoigui discussed the Nigerian involvement in Sierra Leone. According to him, the notion of Africa as the centerpiece of Nigeria's foreign policy is romantic and admirable but needs to be vigorously reevaluated and placed in context. The center piece of Nigeria's foreign policy ought to be its citizens and their individual and collective interests outside the country insofar as it affects their quality of life inside the country. He asserts that Nigeria's sub- regional, regional and non-regional international ties need to be predicated on this basic framework and that Nigeria cannot afford to be naive enough to assume any permanent friends or enemies particularly when her presumptions are not reciprocated and her economic survival is in doubt. Nowamagbe also made it clear that Nigeria is not the only country with a humanitarian or regional security interest in what was going on in Sierra Leone but that Nigeria needs to carefully reposition itself in the right orbit within the universe of other interested parties (bilaterally and multilaterally) and titrate her investments and risk-taking to the realities of her domestic situation and the current international environment. This is followed by Dr. Aderemi Ajibewa's chapter on Nigeria and Regional Security In West Africa. This chapter looks into the economic, military and socio-political clout of Nigeria in the sub-region as to determine if she could have the surplus to defend her neighbors in the West African sub-region in line with her foreign policy posture. This chapter is also premised on the notion that Nigeria may become or act as the policeman of the sub-region or would seek accommodation with others through economic, political and defense alliances to defend the sub-region. The parameter that guides his analysis revolves around: What is the structure of Regional Security? In this respect, three criteria will be examined to determine the adequacy of the regional intervention: a. Is there a Regional structure? b. How consensual or conflictual is West Africa? and c. Is there a structure of Regional leadership? 2. What is the 'diplomatic basis' / structure of the intervention? There are a number of variables which call for analysis, emphasis will be on the more critical ones.
In chapter XI, Dr Kelechi Kalu undertook a study of the political economy of Nigerian foreign policy with a focus on Economic Diplomacy within the Economic Community of West African States. Dr Kalu asks the basic question: given the international system's constraints identified by Realism and Dependency theories, how much freedom do African countries have in designing their strategies for economic development? A basic analytic assumption here is that for African countries there is very little distinction between foreign and domestic economic policies. This assumption is based on the fact that domestic policy (e.g. taxation laws) affects how foreign countries and corporations perceive their relationship with a given country. And, that the structure and operation of the international economic system forms part of the structure and operation of the international political system where the concept of power, however defined, is central. For different reasons, both realism and dependency theories would agree that as a less developed country, Nigeria's external and/or domestic economic policies would be constrained by the international system.
The international system's constraints argument presupposes the absence of freedom or options for Nigeria to design an independent foreign policy and economic strategies for development outside of the rules determined by powerful political and economic actors in the international system. A systematic exploration and analysis of the relationship between Nigeria and the member states of ECOWAS yields insights for understanding regional and internal constraints on Nigeria as well as opportunities for its foreign and domestic economic policies. Section three of the book is focused on which way forward for Nigeria. And here, Dr Tope Omoniyi in chapter XII, reaffirm the consensus of opinion that Nigeria has spent enough time in the doldrums during which it was confined to the margins of global economics and politics. According to him, internally, Nigerian citizens have suffered depredations and degradation brought on by embarrassingly high levels of mismanagement in spite of an abundance of both human and natural resources. And while the current new experiment at democratic governance is expected to go through a teething period with all the attendant problems associated with such a stage of development, the nation possesses the wherewithal to avoid some of the pitfalls that the post-industrial world experienced. To Tope, the despondency that has attended the last years of military 'occupation' must now transform into the positive rage that galvanizes the nation into 'action for development'. It is against this background that this chapter examine some of the relevant factors in designing a workable frameworks for national development. Dr Omoniyi's emphasis is on the media and mass education in the democratic process, information technology and the global economy and a reappraisal of attitudes to class, culture and civic responsibility. This is followed by Dr Nwuke's piece on managing multi-ethnicity. Kasirim Nwuke claims that the instruments that Nigeria has used to manage her multi-ethnicity have themselves become a factor responsible for the increase in the number and intensity of conflict and that efforts aimed at reducing the incidence and intensity of ethnic and inter-ethnic conflict must of necessity include a complete overhaul of these instruments. In this chapter, Kasirim review the emerging economics literature on the growth effects of ethnic fragmentation and provides a historical background to the management of ethnic conflict in Nigeria. It also examines three instruments of creation of states, the Federal character principle, and the system of revenue allocation - used in Nigeria to manage the country's multi-ethnicity. This exercise end with Bamidele Ojo's chapter on constructive incorporation of traditional institutions into the new Nigerian experiment. According to him, Nigerian polity is an artificial British creation which for obvious reasons was created while ignoring domestic variables, which is one of the many reasons for the socio-political and economic decay we are witnessing today. In this chapter he call for a constructive incorporation of traditional institutions as a means of establishing political legitimacy and sustaining the new Nigerian political experiment.

----------Bamidele A Ojo PhD,
May 29th 2000, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, United States.

Contributors

Dr Olayiwola Abegunrin:
Olayiwola Abegunrin is a professor of international relations at the department of political science, Howard University, Washington Dc. Formerly the acting head of department of International Relations, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University)Nigeria, Dr Abegunrin holds a PhD in International Relations, History and Political Economy from Howard University, Washington DC. His research and publications focus on international relations, African Politics, Political Economy and US foreign policy towards Africa. He is the author of Nigeria and the Struggle for Liberation of Zimbabwe: A Study of Foreign Policy Decision-Making of An Emerging Nation (Stockholm, Sweden: Bethany Books, 1993); Co-author of U.S. Foreign Policy Towards Southern Africa: Andrew Young And Beyond (London: Macmillan Press, joint publication with St.Martin's Press, New York, 1987) and three other published books. His articles have appeared in scholarly and internationally recognized journals, including, International Affairs(London), Scandinavian Journal of Development Alternatives (Stockholm, Sweden);Journal of African Studies(UCLA), and many others.
Dr Remi Ajibewa
Dr Aderemi Ajibewa graduated with a PhD degree in Politics & International Relations from the Lancaster University, U.K. His research interest include:
Regional Security Issues, US Foreign Policy, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Peace & Conflict Analysis/Resolution. Aderemi Ajibewa is currently a Researcher/Community Organizer at the Minnesota Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (MN ACORN). His research and teaching career has been international in scope. He has worked in many areas and developed expertise in many sub-fields of international politics including, non profit organizations and teaching at Universities in Asia, Africa, Europe and the US. He was recently co-ordinator of International Studies program at the University Malaysia Sarawak. In his long career as a university professor, he has taught at the University of Ife, Nigeria, Sussex University, Brighton, Edge Hill College, Ormskirk, U.K and the University Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia.. He won the prestigious British Airways fellowship in 1989 and the Lancaster University Senate Award. At the Univ. Malaysia Sarawak, he was given an award for ''excellent teaching'' in 1996. He has been a visiting scholar and lecturer in Singapore, Brunei and the United States. His views have appeared in several authoritative journals and books such as '' Destiny of the Colored Peoples of the US Politically Considered'', Nigeria and the European Community in Macmillan Ltd.,1990, Indigenous Technology and Industrialization in Developing Countries: Nigeria As a Case Study, Journal of Third World Science, Technology and Development (Frank Cass, London 1990), The Civil War in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), Africa Update, (US) Fall, 1997, A Framework for Internal Regional Conflict Resolution in Southeast Asia Context, The Indonesian Quarterly, South East Asian Security Issues, UNIMAS Today,(Malaysia) 1997, The Civil War in Chad, International Security Digest (London) Vol. 2, No.6, 1995, Regional Security Problems and Needs, The Quarterly Journal of Administration Vol. XXIV, Oct. 89/Jan. 90, The Organization of African Unity and the Quest for An African High Command Nigerian Forum, Vol. 8, 1988, Two Party System is Ideal. A Commissioned Paper for the Federal Government of Nigeria Political Bureau on Nigeria: In Search of a New Political Order Vol. 1, 1987, Regional Peace - Keeping in West Africa: Learning and Lessons for Southeast Asia The Indonesian Quarterly Fourth Quarter, 1998, to mention a few.

Dr Victor Edo-Aikhiobare
Edo-Aikhionbare is an Associate Professor and head of the department of political science at Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah. His research interests are in democratic governance, legal and constitutional systems, and international law and politics. His publications have appeared in the National Social Science Journal, U.S. Encyclopedia of International Relations, Focus, and others.
Adeolu Esho Esq:
Adeolu Samson Esho graduated from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) with a BSc degree in Social Science majoring in Political Science in 1984 and an MSc degree in International Relations in 1986. Adeolu, as one of the multitude of Nigerian youths dreamt big dreams including becoming either a diplomat or a professor of political science but had to adjust his ambition midway as a result of the uncertainty of the Nigerian situation and the shear luck of working in a computer management consultancy company in Lagos as a deputy manager, administration. Here he developed an interest in computers and found a new career . This new interest took him to London, England, where he studied for and obtained a masters degree in information systems engineering at Southbank University. He had to undergo a one year study to show competence for the MSc program by obtaining a post graduate diploma in information systems engineering. Adeolu moved to the USA where he worked as a systems engineer with a systems integrator headquartered in Dallas, Texas and later with Compucom in Silicon valley, California. He hold the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), the Novell Certified Engineer (CNE), Compaq ASE, HP STAR Network Connectivity Professional and the Intel Systems Integrator certifications among others. Adeolu is now based in Irvine, California with his wife and two children. Though now officially known as a Systems Engineer, Adeolu's primary constituency remain political science and he does not shy away from discussion in this area whenever it arises. He is an executive board member of the Council for African Affairs (CAA) and the Nigerian Democratic Leadership Forum (NDLF).
Kelechi Kalu:
Kelechi Kalu received his Ph.D. in 1997 from the Graduate School of International Studies, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado. He has published several articles and book chapters on Nigerian Foreign Policy, Third world Studies, Political Economy of Ethnicity in Nigeria and The
Political Economy of State Reconstitution in Africa. His is the author of The Political Economy of Foreign (Forthcoming, 1999). Kelechi serves as Program Chair, International Studies Association of the Southwestern Social Science Association. He teaches in the Department of Political Science at The University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado.

Zephyrinus Okonkwo :
Dr. Zephyrinus C. Okonkwo was born in Amuzi-Ikenanzizi in the Obowo Local Government- Imo State Nigeria. He attended St. Joseph's School Achara, St. Teresa's School Ikenanzizi, and Sacred Heart School Umunkpeyi. (His father was a teacher!). He attended the University of Lagos from 1975-1978 ( for the NCE -program in Mathematics and Chemistry), and served in the National Youth Service Corps at Government Secondary School Bama-Borno State (1978-1979) where he taught Physics and Mathematics. He taught in Imo State for one year before returning to the University of Lagos for B.Sc.In Mathematics/Education and graduated with First Class Honors in 1982. In the fall of 1982, he started the new M.Phil program in Engineering Analysis in the Faculty of Engineering University of Lagos, and earned the Master of Philosophy in Engineering Analysis in 1985. In 1990, Dr. Okonkwo started the Ph.D. program in Mathematics at the University of Texas at Arlington and graduated with the Ph.D. in spring 1994. Dr. Okonkwo has presented several scholarly papers at conferences. His main research focus is in the area of Differential Equations and Optimal Control Theory. Some of his latest publications include: Admissibility and Optimal Control for Difference Equations. ( Dyn Systems and Applications Vol. 4 (1996)), Ito-Type Stochastic Functional Differential Equations with Abstract Volterra Operators and Their Control ( Dynamic Systems and Applications Vol. 6 (1997)); Approximation Procedures for an LQ- Optimal Control Problem (Libertas Mathematica, Vol. XVIII (1998)); Stochastic Functional Differential Equations with Abstract Volterra Operators 1: Existence of Solutions- (Volterra Equations and Applications -Gordon & Breach, 1999), and Curriculum Innovations and Emerging Careers in the Mathematical Sciences-Technology Education Review, Vol. 1 (2) (1998). Other research interests include mathematics and Science Education, and economic development. He is a reviewer for the Mathematical Reviews and a Consulting Editor for Technology Education Review- a referred journal. Dr. Okonkwo formerly a tenured Associate Professor of Mathematics at Alabama State University, is currently at Albany State University, Albany, Georgia. He is married to Maryjane Okonkwo. They have four children.
Mark Okoronkwo:
An international civil servant, Mark is currently the Claims Officer of a UN Peacekeeping Mission on the Golan Height, between Syria and Israel. He holds a B.A degree in Business Administration. He is married and has 4 children.
Nowamagbe A Omoigui :
Dr. Nowamagbe Austin Omoigui is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Chief of Cardiology at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC, USA. He is a Board Certified Internist and
Cardiovascular Disease Expert with a Masters Degree in Public Health (University of Illinois).
He attended Federal Government College, Warri; Kings College, Lagos and the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, before proceeding to the US for advanced postgraduate studies. Before then, he had been a youth corper at the Brigade of Guards, Nigerian Army after which he underwent additional training at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. He was recipient of the prestigious NYSC Presidential National Certificate of Honor in 1983. In the US he trained in Internal Medicine at the University of Rochester affiliated hospitals and Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, before proceeding to Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, for fellowship in Cardiology and Health Policy. At Stanford, he was the recipient of the prestigious Timothy Beckett and Hewlett Packard Awards. He subsequently attended the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio where he acquired skills in advanced interventional cardiology. Dr. Omoigui is an amateur military strategist and foreign policy analyst both of which he pursues as hobbies.
Tope Omoniyi :
Dr. Tope Omoniyi , formerly a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Applied Linguistic Research, School of English Language Education, Thames Valley University, London, United Kingdom, is currently a senior lecturer in sociolinguistic at the Department of English Language and Linguistics at Roehampton Institute, London. His research and teaching and research interests include issues relating to language and identity, language, ethnicity and citizenship; language and hybrid identities especially in cross-border contexts; mediated discourse and identity; refugee studies; and language in national development. Published works include "My blood, my nation: Ethnicity and nationality as alternative and hierarchical identities in African Borderlands" ITL Review of Applied Linguistics 1997: 117-118, p.27-50; Rural Communities across International Boundaries: Implications for Language and Ethnicity in Afro-Asian Perspective, In J.A. Fishman (ed.) Language and Ethnic Identity in Disciplinary and Regional Perspective. New York: OUP 1999
Adegboyega Somide:
Adegboyega A. Somide is a Ph.D. candidate in political science at the Rockefelller College of Public Affairs and Policy, State University of New York at Albany. His current research interests include ethnic relations in South Africa and Nigeria and the role of regional organizations in managing internal conflicts in Africa.
Bamidele A Ojo:
Dr Ojo is a professor of political and international studies at the School of political and International Studies, Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, USA. He is also the executive- director of the Council For Africanaffairs, a non-profit research and educational foundation on African affairs. Bamidele received his BS in Political Science , Msc in International Relations and Diploma in French from the University of Ife in Nigeria. He also received an Mphil in African Studies and a Phd in Political science from the Centre d'etudes d'afrique noire, Instititut d'etudes politiques, Universite de Bordeaux 1. France. And an LLM International Law from the University of Nottingham, England. Dr Ojo also received other degrees including a DELF in French from the Universite de Clemont ferrand, France, DIHL, International Humanitarian Law, Wegimont, Belgium. He has published extensively in comparative politics, international law, African studies and human rights. Among his publications are: Human Rights and the New World Order: The Questions of Universality, Acceptability and Human Diversity(Commack, NY: Nova 1997);(editor) Nigeria's Third Republic: The Problems and Prospects of Political Transition To Civil Rule (Commack, NY: Nova, 1998); (editor)Contemporary African Politics: A Comparative Study of Political Transition To Democratic Legitimacy(Lanham: MD: UPA, 1999) and he is currently working on Globalization: In Context and Viewed From Below and Amidst the Decay : Issues, Problems and Politics In Contemporary African Politics. Bamidele is also actively engaged in encouraging Nigerians abroad to get involve in salvaging Nigeria from its current malaise. " We can write, we can profess, we can condemn but we can also impact more when we are involved"
Kasirim Nwuke
Kasirim holds a Phd and teaches economics at Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA and a Research Fellow at the African Studies Center, Boston University,Boston, MA.

To be published by Sungai Press, Princeton NJ

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