The regional economic model is the way to go for Nigeria. Proximity is love in economics - the nearer the better. Having decision about a product made by persons who only see control but no regard for the persons who live in the area of the production, is stealing. Before now when it was regional governments, Nigeria thrived and did things that they are having challenges doing in the 21st century despite thousands of Nigerians that now have degrees from all universities local and abroad.

The leadership is a choke-hold, with lousy 'One Nigeria' mantra. A diverse Nigeria whereby the strength of each ethnicity is recognized and accorded due respect regarding their way of life, will unleash Nigeria’s  potential.

In US, there are 50 states – nations. All act differently with local laws. Within each state, there are differences in the way their municipal governments are set up. Here is an example: the State of California, has no Governor's Mansion in Sacramento - its capital, but city of   Francisco, has one for its Mayor. Can such happen in Nigeria? Hell no. The president of US cannot dictate to any state or local government in US, but if a US president were to ask/tell a Nigerian president to be in DC in a matter of days, that president will be so excited, they will announce their trip to DC on national TV. Think about that!

Until recently, in the City of Dallas, one could only buy beer in a 'wet' area as most of the city was 'dry.' People that want to buy beer went to areas of the city or surrounding cities, where the commodity wa available.  There are certain parts of Dallas where I would not live because I don't like their local government, and I am at peace. That is America, very different from each other. Two unifying factors in US are the military and the currency. There are 12 federal reserve banks all acting in the interest of their region, and the dollar is printed  based on each 12 district’s request. Next time, take a look at a dollar. You will  tell which of the reserve banks requested its printing.

If the northern Nigeria wants Islamic/Sharia laws, allow them but then introduce federal laws that if violated, one is tried in a federal system. That 50% Nigerians have to be subjected to the whims and caprices of some from the north or any section for that matter, is an insult on the wellbeing of Nigerians. Let Nigerians be all they can be with respect for the law and opportunity to grow and glow with pride.

For instance, US oil/gas is a private sector endeavor while water is a public one, controlled by local governments and in some cases federal government. Water flow is beyond political boundaries, so the laws for water are more stringent. But in Nigeria, it's the opposite. Water is more important than oil.Period.

It's stealing under a flimsy 'One Nigeria' mantra, designed to rob persons whose region have resources but controlled by persons who are not from there. Jonathan Goodluck  is reason for some of the tension in the oil sector because upon becoming president in 1999, one of the first things he sought was a  list of all NNPC employees. There were more Yorubas in the oil/gas business between 1999-2007, a creation of Jonathan Goodluck. 

The north with unfounded fears designed on 'One Nigeria' mantra, set out to control the resource from Delta region. It must stop. Let Delta folks produce the oil in whatever format that is economically suitable. They should however pay taxes to the federal government. NNPC should be public traded and receive no backing from the federal government. When bad things are allowed to go on unchecked, they become tradition and custom. Nigerians have allowed bad things to go unchecked, making them lazy and dependent on one commodity they have/had no hand in making exist. The north has the best and biggest advantage to feed Nigeria and produce revenues bigger than what oil can do.

In Dallas where I live, under DFW International Airport which is owned by Cities of Dallas and Forth Worth, lies one of the largest gas fields in North America called Barnett Shale. Today, the field is producing and the cities that own the airport make no money from the revenue. Instead, the airport administration signed a production agreement with Chesapeake Energy to produce the gas. The airport  receives royalties which are not used for administrative expense but for capital improvements. That is why DFW is expanding and doing projects while other US airports of its size are struggling.

This sort of arrangement will not happen in Nigeria. Texas oil and gas sector is under Texas Railroad commission - regulatory only, headed by a chairman who is elected. US does not have a Minister for Mineral Resources or Petroleum. Nigeria should do away with the Ministry of Petroleum, and seek production agreements with investors to produce what minerals exist in commercial quantity while setting standards and requirements to maintain the environment.

Tribes in Nigeria can co-exist when there is justice in the ways the leadership operates. Nigerians are the most ruled and governed; there is the village chief, Oba, Emir, Igwe, etc., who wants to be accorded respect and allegiance. There is the LG folks, then the governors and of course, the ever present federal might with a president who is falsely seen as 'father of the nation,' a top heavy system of governance that makes everyone want to be somebody especially if it will give them an edge.

Nigerians ought to exercise their best within a framework of productivity, respect for the laws and national pride. Why should someone who is not from an area of the resource, control the resource except if the person has invested in it?

Free Nigerians from  the choke of lousy leadership starting from the village chiefs to the president, and the country will explode with gainful and productive activities to make tribal sentiments a minor issue. Nigerians are hungry and angry. Everyone remembers it's their turn to produce the governor and president because that is the only way 'they can chop' and look relevant. This is a  lousy way to look at leadership.

By Ejike E Okpa ii
Dallas, Texas.