GUEST COLUMN: The global cashless policy which way for Nigeria and What is globalization?
By Abbati Bako, psc, bsis, UK
AREWA AGENDA – Amongst the 197 nations of the world that signed up to implement the Globalization Policy in late 1980s; Nigeria cannot be different when it comes to the implementation of the policy. Globalism is a unified global agenda created by Western World that involves three key elements; the Democratic system, global economic integration and multiculturalism.
But it’s not easy for the South-South Nations of the world, especially the African Continent. This Western type of policy seems to be very difficult to implement due to a lack of awareness and poor economic growth as well as bad governance, conflicts and a landlocked African Continent. Research indicates that 65% of global resources are deposited in Africa. But the Continent is the poorest in terms of economic opportunity compared to others.
Like in any social sciences subject, there is no tentative or globally acceptable definition of globalization (unlike in the natural sciences).
Professors John Belis, Steve Smith, Patricia Owen and others 35 Professors defined globalization thus “globalization simply means the widening, deepening and speeding up of worldwide interconnectedness”. USA, 2008.
While Professor Tatah Mentan opined that globalization means “First, is a process of building connections between regions of the world. Second, globalization is manifested in different areas such as communication, culture, politics and economics. Third, globalization may lead to greater economic, social or cultural equality around the world”. Eritrea, 2007.
On the other hand, Professor Robert Gilpin observed that “Since the end of the cold world war, globalization has been the most outstanding characteristic of international economic affairs and, to a considerable extent, of political affairs as well”. USA, 2001.
Although, there is an anti-globalization movement in the late 1990s and early 2000. But, Professor Muhammad Attahiru Jega says that “promoting democracy in the context of globalization also meant promoting free market economy and a favourable investment climate for their multinational corporations and general economic interest” (Ibadan Nigeria 2007). This means that a free market economy seems to be global order in every Continent.
Also, J. S. Oduma and E. A. Aiyedum defined globalization as “Globalization connotes a presence, the process of “making global”, “being present worldwide”, or “global arena”. These imply visibility, immediacy, or availability. Thus an issue, object, value(s), institutions, or practice is globalized if either through commerce, production, consumption, politics and information technology it is visible or considered relevant in global centres”Nigeria 2004). This means that the issue of trade, communication, cashless policy and so on are all visible in the world today.
The analysis of the situation:-
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This writing understands that the issue of cashless transactions in Nigeria is becoming a serious problem if care is not taken. The Northern Governors paid a visit to President Muhammad Buhari today (03/02/2023) with a view to draw his attention on the economic aridity in the North and indeed the entire Nigeria. My State Governor of Kano State Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (OFR) has spoken to journalists during the visit that the deadline for the currency swap should be extended beyond February 10, 2023. Also the Governor of Kaduna State Nasuru El-Rufa’i has cautioned that the issue of the currency redesigned policy can affect the “elections of 2023”. But the CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele still insist on the deadline for the currency swap. This writing still insist that enough time for the currency swap should be given otherwise, the issue will affect Nigeria’s democracy. For example, the elections’ of 1999 attracted 57% voters but the elections of 2019 attracted only 23% of voters. So, if the 10th February deadline for currency swap is not change that may create apathy in the coming elections’ of 2023. Hence, the Nigeria’s political leaders must take note!
This writing view that globalization policy can be described as a unified universality system for global governance. This means that every nation or society should use the same code on global economic integration, set forth in systematic form; a compilation of international public policy (IPP) with a view to regulate global economic activities and be supervised by the world bank, IMF and WTO (all) under supervision of the global police, USA, (USA controls 98% of global territorial waters as a global power and no ship can escape the eyes of USA in both site of the Atlantic).
And on the issue of governance globally; democratization is the key in every nation and to be regulated by the 57 key principles of democracy, guided by the three principles of politics (competing values, interest and ambition) electorates to decide and be supervised by both internal and external stakeholders- (internal opinion leaders and the foreign friends of the nation). Therefore, democratization is also a code to be practiced in every nation of the world.
Then the issue of multiculturalism where by human being is fit to be in any nation in respect of his or her religion, tribe, culture and tradition or from whatever part of the world he/she comes from. The only conditionalities; one must follow the rules or laws that govern that particular nation. The example of Chinese that are there in every nation of the world (there are about 300,000 Chinese students in US alone). And they are in thousands in Nigeria doing their businesses or in millions in every part of the world exploiting the globalization policy.
Pakistan generates about $11 billion annually (1/3 of Nigeria’s annual budget) from their nation’s citizens working in other parts of the world. Also other nations such as India, China, Indonesia, Japan, S/Korea and Brazil generates billions of dollars from their citizens working in other nations (on money transfer and so on).
And again, the largest university in India that trains their citizens in different educational fields with a purpose for exports of their citizens to work- (the university have about 750,000 students) in different parts of the globe (all) with a view of exploiting the globalization policy.
What PMB’S government and other stakeholders should do to exploit globalization policy for the benefits of Nigeria and Nigerians?
To be continued (InshaAllah)
Dr. Abbati Bako,psc,bsis,UK Political Strategy and Communication Consultant and Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State on Public Affairs
