Panel offers Nigeria solutions

Visiting professors from across the country came together Saturday to suggest and discuss possible resolutions to the various social and political problems plaguing Nigeria. The ideas presented in the panel, which was entitled "Nigeria: Which Way Forward?", will be sent to Nigeria in order to help advise the government. The panelists, together with an audience including current and former students and community members, formulated two resolutions to send to the Nigerian government. They recommended finding ways to prevent military intervention in politics and advised a re-examination of the feasibility of different ethnic groups living together in the same nation -- an issue which often leads to political problems. The speakers said that the necessity for such resolutions has been building since the annulment of the election of President MKO Abiola on June 12, 1993. At that time, the country, which had been independent for more than 30 years, fell under military rule. The change resulted in many social and political problems for the Nigerian people. The panelists attempted to address these issues from their various ethnic and social vantage points. They included Professors Banji Akintoye of Eastern College, Bolaji Aluko of Howard University, Obinkaram Echenwa of West Chester University, and Salman Yusulf of Montgomery College. After each panelists' individual presentation, the floor was opened for audience questions and comments. T. Kumar, a former University Law School student, attended because "the situation in Nigeria is pretty bad." "We hear information only from the press, which in many situations is not that great," he said. "So, I want to hear and learn from Nigerians themselves." Second-year Engineering graduate student Lola Ogunyemi said she was interested for the same reason. "I'm here to hear what other Nigerians think and to contribute my own ideas," she said. Community member Folashade Oyebade came to the discussion "because of the political situation of the country." "The major ethnic groups [were] well-represented as members of the panel," she said. "We hope to reach accord as to the solution to the problem going on in Nigeria presently." The discussion, which drew an audience of approximately 30 participants, was held at 4 p.m. in the Smith-Penniman room of Houston Hall. It was sponsored by the Forum for the Advancement of Nigeria.