Yemisi Ransome Kuti : Engaged in finding solutions

TALK WITH YEMISI RANSOME-KUTI

Extracts from an interview published in Les Afriques, 2009

She is fascinating and naturally knowable.  She is profoundly Nigerian, and, at the same time, citizen of the world. Her lifetime engagement, her raison d’être, her activities bear it out. For Nigerians, she is a ¨typical Ransome Kuti, with rebellion and activism running in the blood¨, one that ¨has made good her aims and objectives¨. She has scored success in practical terms. Her philosophy cloud be synthesized in several words. ¨Think globally, act locally -In your community- Within your family -Start with yourself¨.

Granddaughter of Reverent Canon Josiah Jessey Ransome-Kuti, only child of Azariah Olusegun Ransome-Kuti, Chief Pharmacist for the Federation of Nigeria and Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Yemisi Randsome Kuti comes from a family that is actively engaged in Nigeria´s development. Her aunt Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was a foremost feminist, part of the delegation to negotiate independence for the country from the British. Her cousin, Fela Kuti pioneered one of Africa’s most successful and influential musical styles, "Afro-Beat¨. She is also cousin to Olikoye Kuti, Beko Ransome-Kuti and Wole Soyinka, the first African to win a Nobel prize.

Yemisi is the founder of the Nigeria Network of Non-Governmental Organizations (NNNGO), the first CSOs´ association of its kind in Nigeria, and of 'Girl Watch', an organization aimed at educating young Nigerian girls from poor backgrounds. In 2006, she was appointed a Civil Society advisor to the World Bank. She is recognized as one of the foremost community leaders behind Nigerian efforts to meet the Millennium development Goals and eradicate poverty.

 

 

What is the role of the Ransome- Kutis in Nigeria’s development? Afro Beat, the first Nobel Prize won by an African, feminists, activists, political, economic and social leaders….

We have had generations of the Ransome Kutis contributing in one way or the other to educating Nigerians about their rights, empowering them to take those rights to another level. They stand as symbols of defenders of the peoples’ rights and interests.

This is a heritage that you carried along. In 1992 you have founded the first generic membership body of CSOs in Nigeria. What is the added value that the model of NNNGO brings to the world of the NGOs and to Nigeria?

A lot of my personal activism has been done during the years of the military rule. I was arrested and, incarcerated in SSS interrogation rooms. When the country transited from military regime, the need to reconnect Nigerians with themselves at local, state and national level was very critical because the military years had created a gap between the people and the government.  The NNNGO was established by Nigerians to assist in identifying where the gaps in integration are and help strengthening the voice and participation of the average Nigerian in the process of moving the nation forward. It identifies Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and develops the register of NGOs and relevant Non State Actors in Nigeria.  It has established state and local government Liaison Offices and it helps with connecting the civil society with the donors’ agencies, with the government offices and also with themselves, for better networking. It develops programmes to strengthen the capacity of CSOs.  Finally, it assists in mobilizing Nigerians around the big issues - the MDGs, good governance, zero tolerance for corruption.  This is to encourage Nigerian NGOs, whatever their focal activity is, to look at the big picture, at issues that are critical for Nigeria’s socio-economic development and mobilize around that. For example, we collaborate with the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) and the Global Call for Action against poverty in Nigeria.  

What is the kind of leadership that true federalism needs in Nigeria?

A leader who is competent, who has integrity, character, and courage, has the energy and drive, vision and ideas and who will lead by sample. That person should be surrounded with people who have the similar characteristics and aspirations, who are empowered by the same values. You cannot content yourself with being disciplined, having integrity, having good ideas, wishing well for the country, as long as you are surrounded by a bunch of crooks. 

And the leaders should be able to emerge from transparent political processes. Those are good leaders, not just wealthy people, but people that have the interest of their country at heart and have the intellectual capacity and the integrity and courage to see those ideas through.

You encourage to challenging the youths to positive productivity. How do you define “positive productivity”?

 The people are very productive. Without the industrious and creative activities of the Nigerian people, the state would have collapsed. However, the capacity to monitor public and elected officers and budgetary provisions is very limited. Nigerians are very active, making things work in a small, micro level and keeping the whole system working to some extent. That productivity can be enhanced if the government provides electricity and energy supply to the people. If it can only do that alone, you will see a real explosion of productivity in Nigeria.  Government should do everything it can to make sure that funds and affordable loans are easily available to the people. They are trying to do it, but they are not there yet.

 Secondly, the educational system, should offer a whole raft of opportunities for improving their education, improving their skills, vocational training, all kinds of opportunities that you have elsewhere in the world. Everyone who has the interest and the ability to improve should have access to further learning. There are so many ways that the government can now lead education and improvement in skills in all sectors available in Nigeria. We are talking about holistic education that will empower the youths now and in the future, to be competitive in the current knowledge based, global socio-economic environment.

What is the kind of impact that you have had and you count on having?

 I hope that I have transformed things in one way or the other, little be it or much that I might have set examples for others to follow, that I was able to give the occasion for others to go and embrace the opportunity presented to them. I hope that have had the courage to use whatever talent I was given to assist in creating small changes. I think that there are fundamental micro changes that, in the long run, will turn into changes that will impact the nation. I am grateful, that I have been able to be engaged in finding the solutions, working with other people that are truly passionately, working positively to influence change in their own environment   for the country and for our children. We want them to live in a peaceful country where opportunities abound, for them to realize their potential, to travel outside Nigeria and feel proud instead of ashamed, to become productive citizens and hold their own anywhere in the world.

 

****** Fela Kuti _Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-XpFYAlEMk&feature=related