Ossai, Tony Osborg | University of Port Harcourt (original) (raw)

Papers by Ossai, Tony Osborg

At the presidential elections of 2015, Nigeria elected a progressive government for the first tim... more At the presidential elections of 2015, Nigeria elected a progressive government for the first time since 1993 following the annulment of the Moshood Abiola (Social Democratic Party) victory.

Following one of a most trying time for Nigeria and one of the most unpredictable elections in the history of Nigeria, a democratic handover is set to take place for the first time.

It will be a monumental task to set down clear priorities to begin the process of restoring pride and place of Nigeria and setting a new direction for progressive change in the country.

Numerous challenges face the nation, from security concerns, to corruption, inequality and abject poverty. We need to begin to identify not just immediate changes that can be achieved but more importantly, the long term path of progressive reforms.

This collection of essays captures the views of some of our key thinkers to bring together the priorities for achieving real progressive change across a range of policy areas. It is the start of what we believe will be the start of much needed conversation and debates across the country, aiding the government in the daunting task of beginning to shape the path to a more progressive Nigeria.

With contributions from Otive Igbuzor, Frank Ofili, Jaye Gaskia, Eddy Aghanenu, Daniel Amrohore, Elvis V Onovughe, Edward Ekemere, Greg Ekhator, Monday Agbonze, Adefolarin Olamilekan, Gradeone Henry, Tracy Adole, Joseph D Dafimu, Ufuoma Atsiangbe and Tony Osborg.

The lecture attempts to give a historical account of Nigeria's political movement starting from t... more The lecture attempts to give a historical account of Nigeria's political movement starting from the 1963 republican constitution to the first and counter coups which led to the destruction of Nigeria's federalism and the introduction of the present unitary system. The lecture also attempts to explain how the present feeding bottle unitary system under-develops Southern Nigeria and incapacitates Northern Nigeria. It highlights the merits of true federalism and explain how restructuring will resolve the fears of the secessionists.

Emphasis is laid on how true federalism will stimulate national development through regional competition, reduce ethnic tension and save Nigeria from possible disintegration.

This essay is designed towards discussing policies which a progressive government can implement. ... more This essay is designed towards discussing policies which a progressive government can implement. The discussion on corruption is limited to a specific kind that is common among the three tiers of governments of Nigeria and which I suspect is the foundation upon which the bulk of our commonwealth is abused and stolen by public officials. This kind of corruption is hidden under the pretext of public procurement – the award of contract process.

The essay investigates why corruption has become official in Nigeria, and it attempts to proffer solutions

My purpose here is to discover the universal foundations of morality and to expose how humans can... more My purpose here is to discover the universal foundations of morality and to expose how humans can avoid the hypocrisy of engaging in moral contracts that are socially irreconcilable and incompatible with their inherent nature. The discourse is mainly descriptive and analytical rather than prescriptive. Rooted in historicism, it does not seek to chart the direction of our moral conduct but, instead, to reinstate the foundation of morality as a subjective guide derived from human construct.

Books by Ossai, Tony Osborg

‘Can Nigeria Bake Her Own Bread?’ is a thorough research into the foundation of major institution... more ‘Can Nigeria Bake Her Own Bread?’ is a thorough research into the foundation of major institutional abnormalities of Nigeria. The book is divided into seven chapters, each, addressing a specific sociopolitical problem. On corruption, the book does goes beyond stating that this is a national problem. It exposes how corruption is coordinated, executed and institutionalized, especially from the loopholes of our procurement laws and processes; then it goes further to recommend a simple proactive solution. The same method applies to other issues addressed in the book. For every national challenge I have identified, I have equally designed a simple policy plan and possible solution. 'Can Nigeria Bake Her Own Bread?' summarizes Nigeria's contemporary challenges and goes further to recommend simple solutions....with a style of positive criticism. From the unlimited abnormalities arising from a historically inherited political culture, to the dysfunctional orientation of the average youth and up to the technological deficiencies. It exposes the systematic abnormalities of our Nigerian political system.The Nigerian sociopolitical environment has never been well captured from the atomistic point as contained in Can Nigeria Bake Her Own Bread? Indeed,where justice is negotiable, filthiness becomes delectable ... A perfect description of a developing society

Conference Presentations by Ossai, Tony Osborg

Proposed paper on True Federalism and the Restructuring of Nigeria, as presented to the All Progr... more Proposed paper on True Federalism and the Restructuring of Nigeria, as presented to the All Progressive Congress (APC) Committee on True Federalism

At the presidential elections of 2015, Nigeria elected a progressive government for the first tim... more At the presidential elections of 2015, Nigeria elected a progressive government for the first time since 1993 following the annulment of the Moshood Abiola (Social Democratic Party) victory.

Following one of a most trying time for Nigeria and one of the most unpredictable elections in the history of Nigeria, a democratic handover is set to take place for the first time.

It will be a monumental task to set down clear priorities to begin the process of restoring pride and place of Nigeria and setting a new direction for progressive change in the country.

Numerous challenges face the nation, from security concerns, to corruption, inequality and abject poverty. We need to begin to identify not just immediate changes that can be achieved but more importantly, the long term path of progressive reforms.

This collection of essays captures the views of some of our key thinkers to bring together the priorities for achieving real progressive change across a range of policy areas. It is the start of what we believe will be the start of much needed conversation and debates across the country, aiding the government in the daunting task of beginning to shape the path to a more progressive Nigeria.

With contributions from Otive Igbuzor, Frank Ofili, Jaye Gaskia, Eddy Aghanenu, Daniel Amrohore, Elvis V Onovughe, Edward Ekemere, Greg Ekhator, Monday Agbonze, Adefolarin Olamilekan, Gradeone Henry, Tracy Adole, Joseph D Dafimu, Ufuoma Atsiangbe and Tony Osborg.

The lecture attempts to give a historical account of Nigeria's political movement starting from t... more The lecture attempts to give a historical account of Nigeria's political movement starting from the 1963 republican constitution to the first and counter coups which led to the destruction of Nigeria's federalism and the introduction of the present unitary system. The lecture also attempts to explain how the present feeding bottle unitary system under-develops Southern Nigeria and incapacitates Northern Nigeria. It highlights the merits of true federalism and explain how restructuring will resolve the fears of the secessionists.

Emphasis is laid on how true federalism will stimulate national development through regional competition, reduce ethnic tension and save Nigeria from possible disintegration.

This essay is designed towards discussing policies which a progressive government can implement. ... more This essay is designed towards discussing policies which a progressive government can implement. The discussion on corruption is limited to a specific kind that is common among the three tiers of governments of Nigeria and which I suspect is the foundation upon which the bulk of our commonwealth is abused and stolen by public officials. This kind of corruption is hidden under the pretext of public procurement – the award of contract process.

The essay investigates why corruption has become official in Nigeria, and it attempts to proffer solutions

My purpose here is to discover the universal foundations of morality and to expose how humans can... more My purpose here is to discover the universal foundations of morality and to expose how humans can avoid the hypocrisy of engaging in moral contracts that are socially irreconcilable and incompatible with their inherent nature. The discourse is mainly descriptive and analytical rather than prescriptive. Rooted in historicism, it does not seek to chart the direction of our moral conduct but, instead, to reinstate the foundation of morality as a subjective guide derived from human construct.

‘Can Nigeria Bake Her Own Bread?’ is a thorough research into the foundation of major institution... more ‘Can Nigeria Bake Her Own Bread?’ is a thorough research into the foundation of major institutional abnormalities of Nigeria. The book is divided into seven chapters, each, addressing a specific sociopolitical problem. On corruption, the book does goes beyond stating that this is a national problem. It exposes how corruption is coordinated, executed and institutionalized, especially from the loopholes of our procurement laws and processes; then it goes further to recommend a simple proactive solution. The same method applies to other issues addressed in the book. For every national challenge I have identified, I have equally designed a simple policy plan and possible solution. 'Can Nigeria Bake Her Own Bread?' summarizes Nigeria's contemporary challenges and goes further to recommend simple solutions....with a style of positive criticism. From the unlimited abnormalities arising from a historically inherited political culture, to the dysfunctional orientation of the average youth and up to the technological deficiencies. It exposes the systematic abnormalities of our Nigerian political system.The Nigerian sociopolitical environment has never been well captured from the atomistic point as contained in Can Nigeria Bake Her Own Bread? Indeed,where justice is negotiable, filthiness becomes delectable ... A perfect description of a developing society

Proposed paper on True Federalism and the Restructuring of Nigeria, as presented to the All Progr... more Proposed paper on True Federalism and the Restructuring of Nigeria, as presented to the All Progressive Congress (APC) Committee on True Federalism