The Stars Are Becoming Politicians
It is no longer news that one-time soccer star, George Opon Weah, is the President-elect of Liberia. There is something about stars and the profession of politics that just doesn’t seem to blend. The profession of politics appears to be conservative in nature. Individuals and citizens that have excelled tremendously over the years in politics are those have been known to emerge from backgrounds that are conservative and orthodox.
Stars, on the other hand, are known to be “more free-r” in their life styles. Stars are liberal; they tend to exercise a lot of liberty in their way of life and are quite often not so conservative in principles, behaviour or way of doing things. Based on this fact, it is always a perplexing scenario whenever a star in any field, profession or venture, crosses over from his or her field and ventures out into the intricate and complex profession of politics.
It was Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th president that defined democracy as “… Government of the people, by the people and for the people.” With this definition, Abraham Lincoln appeared to be appealing passionately to all and sundry that the profession of politics should actually be a harmonious synergy between the governed and the governors , between the hoi-polloi and the few privileged aristocrats that wield power and influence over the masses. Politics should be a profession where the few that have the privilege of ruling multitudes of other people should be altruistic in their attitude while in political offices or while ruling, and should initiate and implement policies and programmes that are in the interest of citizens of every nation. Also, the masses should be actively involved one way or the other, every time, in the privileged process of secular governance.
From time immemorial the profession of politics has always held an alluring attraction for many men and women. The reasons why many individuals venture out into the profession are diverse, and personal, but in many instances, glaring. Social prestige, power, influence and easy money, always constitute outstanding reasons why many people are easily attracted to the profession of politics.
Over the years, however, and indeed in contemporary times, stars in various fields and professions, not minding their backgrounds and life-styles, have been venturing into politics. Consider these facts and examples. In Brazil, legendary football player, Pele, after retiring from a life of excellence in football playing, served as minister of sports in his country. In America, the name of Arnold Schwerzzarnerger rings a bell. Arnold Schwerzzarnerger, it was, who after acting in many well known movies, like Predator, Commando, Terminator, vied for office of Governor of California and became a two- term governor of the state. Intriguing as this might seem, it is worthy of note to know that in the same United States of America, one of America’s late presidents, Ronald Reagan, had a background that is “coloured” with successful intrusion into the profession of movie productions, and acting, before venturing into politics at the presidential level.
Senegal as a nation is another reference point. One of Senegal’s most well-known musicians is crooner Yousssou N Dour, with music albums that are listened to both in Senegal and in different parts of the African continent. In times past, the said singer vied for office of president of his nation – a star, aspiring to cross over into politics. Although Youssou N Dour lost out in the said aspiration, the fact that he was consoled with a ministerial appointment afterwards buttresses the reality that politics is a profession which stars have started becoming attracted to.
In Nigeria, consider names like Desmond Elliot, Richard Mofe Damijo, popularly known as RMD, Bob Manuel Udokwe and Ini Edo. Then reflect on names like Julius Agwu, Yul Edoche, Segun Arinze, etc. These Nollywood stars, are either serving in one political office in time past, or have at one time or the other, vied for, or have expressed interest in a political office.
As Nigeria gets ready to host the world in February this year to actualise what seems to be the project of the century, hope is about to be restored in the Lake Chad region. The gigantic transaqua project of diverting a little portion of the water the Congo River basin is losing to the Atlantic Ocean to save Lake Chad holds a lot of prospects to the region, ranging from electricity, afforestation, agriculture, transportation and economy. Ubangi River, which is a tributary of the biggest river in Africa and second only to the almighty Amazon in the world, River Congo has been identified as a potential donor since 1929 by Herman Sörgel, a German architect famous for his Atlantropa project. Since then, series of campaigns have been going on as the lake continues to shrink from about 25,000km2 in the 1970s to about 1,350km2 in recent times. The question that could not stop crossing the minds of most optimists is, could this be an- other in the series of abundant attempts to restore the lake whose importance failed to be overstressed?
The high level meeting is expected to have in attendance all of the presidents and heads of government of the member-states, namely Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic and Libya. Key partners hosting the conference are Nigeria, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC). Expected donors include the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank and the governments of Germany, China, Canada and the European Union (EU). All that is required is the sum of $14.5 billion. The amount might seem huge but as you think about the figure, do no fail to remember the thousands of lives lost to the terrorism in the region which is also attributed to the shrinkage of the lake, the over two million hungry children in the region whose lives are at the border between this world and the other. Do not also forget the millions of hectares of irrigable land lost to the desert or the species of both plants and animals going on extinction simply because they cannot live while Lake Chad dies. Think about the plight of the millions displaced both internally and across the borders. Think about reclaiming the once dense woodland that existed in the past within the region, and the fish potential that the lake holds and the millions of hectares of land that could be used to provide food security to the countries in the region. And the electricity prospect the project holds. How about opening land lock countries like Chad and Niger to international commerce through canals? Or the actualisation of the over ambitious Great Green Wall? We hope the international community will not sit and watch the lake and its people varnish from the surface of the world. The project on the basis of its prospects actually worth its salt!