12:15 AM
OGB community
As the year gradually draws to an end, the entire citizens of Nigeria are hoping and praying for a better tomorrow. The aspiration of a new year has suddenly disappeared and in its place a renewed determination for a better country in the year 2011.
In this article, I will be highlighting three fundamental events that would shape the future of the most populous nation in Africa. Some of the revelations will amaze even the most passionate followers of history.
Power Sector Reform
Nigeria presently generates an average of 3500 Mega Watts of daily electricity, which is not enough to drive the nation economy. This figure has continued to fluctuate in the past two years, with the Government even threatening to declare a state of emergency in the power sector. The importance of power in any nation's economy cannot be disputed, as it acts as a catalyst to drive small and medium-scale investments.
According to a time-table released by the federal Government of Nigeria, the power sector would be fully privatized by 2011; giving room for foreign investors to inject
Funds into the sector and install new independent power plants to boost power generation to more than 10,000 Mega Watts. The success or failure of the power sector reform will shape the future of Nigeria, as majority of Nigerians are already anticipating a revolution in that sector.
Democratic Elections
When in 1999 Nigeria conducted her first elections after the military Government handed over to Civilian, nobody gave her a chance to sustain the nascent democracy. Three successive elections have since been held since 1999 and the results of such elections have always been disputed in the court of law by opposition parties, with some elected officials losing their seat in the process. As we approach another election year, there is so much apprehension in the 36 states of the country, with the presidential elections attracting the most attention. The main Peoples Democratic Party (P.D.P) is presently engaged in a stiff contest to determine which party controls the Lower and upper legislative arm.
The independent National Electoral Commission headed by Professor Attahiru Jega has already released election time-table for elections at all levels of the country. In the past, the issue of election violence, ballot snatching and vote rigging has marred results which have made next year election even more critical in the continuous existence of the nation. Pundits are already predicting a massive transformation in the political equation of Nigeria, considering the recent agitation for electoral reforms and lose of power by the Peoples Democratic Party in some states in the country. Which ever way the pendulum swings politically, a democratically elected president will be sworn in on the 29th of May 2011.
FIFA Women World Cup Germany 2011
Football remains a unifying factor in Nigeria, as it has brings together the more than 200 tribes that make up the country. The national U-20 female team popularly known as the Falconets created history this year when they won Silver in the FIFA U-20 Women World Cup hosted by Germany. Their U-17 counterparts, the Flamingoes were Quarter finalist at the U-17 tournament hosted by Trinidad and Tobago this year. The Senior National female team- The Super Falcons made history when they lifted the African Women Championship a record Eight times when the tournament was hosted by South Africa from the 31st of October to the 14th of November 2010. These performances have brought a renewed expectation of a triumphant performance by the Super Falcons as they prepare to storm Germany for the fourth consecutive time. If the golden girls from Nigeria eventually lift the elusive trophy, it will be the biggest feat ever achieved in Nigeria's football history. It will definitely determine the future of Nigeria football in 2011 and the year ahead.
In this article, I will be highlighting three fundamental events that would shape the future of the most populous nation in Africa. Some of the revelations will amaze even the most passionate followers of history.
Power Sector Reform
Nigeria presently generates an average of 3500 Mega Watts of daily electricity, which is not enough to drive the nation economy. This figure has continued to fluctuate in the past two years, with the Government even threatening to declare a state of emergency in the power sector. The importance of power in any nation's economy cannot be disputed, as it acts as a catalyst to drive small and medium-scale investments.
According to a time-table released by the federal Government of Nigeria, the power sector would be fully privatized by 2011; giving room for foreign investors to inject
Funds into the sector and install new independent power plants to boost power generation to more than 10,000 Mega Watts. The success or failure of the power sector reform will shape the future of Nigeria, as majority of Nigerians are already anticipating a revolution in that sector.
Democratic Elections
When in 1999 Nigeria conducted her first elections after the military Government handed over to Civilian, nobody gave her a chance to sustain the nascent democracy. Three successive elections have since been held since 1999 and the results of such elections have always been disputed in the court of law by opposition parties, with some elected officials losing their seat in the process. As we approach another election year, there is so much apprehension in the 36 states of the country, with the presidential elections attracting the most attention. The main Peoples Democratic Party (P.D.P) is presently engaged in a stiff contest to determine which party controls the Lower and upper legislative arm.
The independent National Electoral Commission headed by Professor Attahiru Jega has already released election time-table for elections at all levels of the country. In the past, the issue of election violence, ballot snatching and vote rigging has marred results which have made next year election even more critical in the continuous existence of the nation. Pundits are already predicting a massive transformation in the political equation of Nigeria, considering the recent agitation for electoral reforms and lose of power by the Peoples Democratic Party in some states in the country. Which ever way the pendulum swings politically, a democratically elected president will be sworn in on the 29th of May 2011.
FIFA Women World Cup Germany 2011
Football remains a unifying factor in Nigeria, as it has brings together the more than 200 tribes that make up the country. The national U-20 female team popularly known as the Falconets created history this year when they won Silver in the FIFA U-20 Women World Cup hosted by Germany. Their U-17 counterparts, the Flamingoes were Quarter finalist at the U-17 tournament hosted by Trinidad and Tobago this year. The Senior National female team- The Super Falcons made history when they lifted the African Women Championship a record Eight times when the tournament was hosted by South Africa from the 31st of October to the 14th of November 2010. These performances have brought a renewed expectation of a triumphant performance by the Super Falcons as they prepare to storm Germany for the fourth consecutive time. If the golden girls from Nigeria eventually lift the elusive trophy, it will be the biggest feat ever achieved in Nigeria's football history. It will definitely determine the future of Nigeria football in 2011 and the year ahead.
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