possible solutions

Most writers are always accused of only criticism without pointing out solutions. The reason for this is simple solutions are not as complex as problems and most times require the application of common sense backed by good motives and reasons aimed at making life better for the generality of the people. That is not to say that solutions must not be thought out, discussed and adjusted where necessary. Economic history has shown that
where there are wide social and
income inequality and people do not
trust government, people tend to
prefer short-term, immediate
income redistribution programs
even if it will hurt long-term
economic growth, since they do not
believe that the benefit of economic
growth will reach them.
the people are actually rational
beings!
We must build
strong political and social
institutions that will ensure that
government will be more
accountable and will deliver on their
commitments to the people. Civil
society must keep up the pressure
for a more transparent government.
We must strengthen the institution
of a free press as an alternate public
parliament to debate public policy.
Civil society activism should not just
be for human right activists. Our
town unions, religious, trade and
professional associations should
become more active in how they are
governed at state, local and Federal
levels. More civil organizations
should use the Freedom of
Information Act to demand a higher
level of transparency of public
expenditure from our governments especially at the local Government levels.

Peaceful protest as a legitimate
democratic right of the people must
continued to be formally protected.
We must also strengthen our
electoral institutions to ensure free
and fair elections. When there are
no free and fair elections,
governments have no incentives to
be accountable to the people as
they know they cannot be voted out
of power. Political parties as the
foundation of our electoral process
must become more democratic to
reflect the true will of their rank and
file and offer the electorate real
electoral and ideological options.
We must also reform electoral
campaign financing to limit the
influence of money or at least
compel political parties and
contestants to public declare their
size and source of funding. If we can
develop the institutional
mechanisms that will limit
corruption in our elections, we will
significantly limit corruption in our
governments.
We must also strengthen the rule of
law and the institutions of law
enforcement. Unless crime can be
punished, there will be no incentive
to avoid committing it. We should
consider separating the office of the
Attorney General from the Justice
Minister. The office of the Attorney
General should be non-political,
independent of the executive, with
a fixed tenure that ensures it cannot
be removed by a sitting President.
Such Attorney General working with
Security organisations
would be better able to prosecute
high level politicians who have
committed economic treason and
bring them to justice.

Excerpts from: Olu Akanmu who also
publishes a blog on Strategy and
Public Policy