This link — Wiki your Town Council goes to a story published on Technology Review where social media is being used in for civic purposes. The story discusses some ideas one of which is how users of the sites can “rate the [elected] officials on job performance, create social-networking functions around local issues, and let users make free Internet-based phone calls to the [elected] officials”. The story encapsulates what I would love to see emerge from the Nigerian community of web enthusiasts and social advocates, and the hordes of political and social commentators operating at home and abroad.
“For democracy to be meaningful and thrive, the governed must be informed, proactive, forward thinking, and able to monitor the activities of their elected officials.” – Grandiose Parlor, August 2007.
In that August ’07 posting, I mentioned Nigeria needs a similar web application – the “Nigerian Legislative Scorecard (NLS)”, as I tagged it then.
“The idea is to acquire and assemble those pieces of information in a manner that can be easily used to assess the performance of Nigerian legislators at the end of their terms.”
Even though I asked and didn’t receive any input on the idea then, the fact that a similar –- though much more elaborate -– concept is being developed elsewhere confirms my vision — and also tells the doubting Thomas out there that the idea is solid and should be explored further.
There is one fact all Nigerian pundits must face: punditry — whether online, televised or in print –- has a limit, especially within the viscous Nigerian milieu of executive arrogance and social irresponsibility. They can’t keep writing and talking about the same topics — poor governance, bad leadership, corruption, etc, day-in and day-out and expect to see changes. Not in Nigeria most certainly.
Nigerians have written volumes of commentary on political issues, appraised government policies, and even staged protests and demonstrations, but there is one thing they have yet to do: Grab elected officials by their throats and hold them accountable. Nigerians have failed to look at them eyeball-to-eyeball and ask questions. And in few times they did ask and got unsatisfactory answers, they have lacked the courage to wrestle them down and kick then out.
Nigerians must be able to assess their elected officials via their voting records, public statements, issue positions, and constituency engagements. These data can be aggregated and refined into blocks of information to demonstrate how well elected officials have served.
These are the kind of efforts that must be in play in Nigeria of the 21st century.
The good thing is that there are several templates to explore…what is needed is the will to start.
If I’m not mistaken, this is the 3rd time you have addressed this issue
I wish I can be of more assistance, because I have little interesting in web matters. Don’t get me wrong – I would love to see our elected officials more accountable, and as you’ve rightly expressed, they lack the impetus to do so on their own. The Nigerian people must make them. I will share this idea with others, in fact I’ve done already, and will try to self it more within my circle of influence.
My take on this idea:
For this idea to fly, there must be strong involvement from the home crowd – journalists that are already on ground and familiar with the terrain.
The idea needs to be bankrolled. So the issue of sustainability must be addressed right from the onset. I’m also sensing this idea would best be delivered via a nonprofit platform, that way funds can be sourced from variety of sources both within and outside Nigeria.
Lastly, I sense that if Nigerian pundits – particularly those online can unleash the same level of energy to this endeavor, it will fly.
Good luck bro.
January 28, 2009 at 10:17 pm
http://nigerianwiki.com/wiki/Main_Page
January 29, 2009 at 6:19 am
@ Chxta: I’m not sure I’m getting the point of the link. The site has no relevance to article. Maybe I’m missing something…
January 29, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Timi, your statements are right on point. Thx.
January 29, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Imnakoya, when the Balance Score cards were mentioned by you, I for one started asking questions so as to get better informed. Why? Because I thought they were a good useful government evaluation tool. But nothing followed and I hope it could still be pursued. I dont see any reason why bloggers cannot create their own and introduce it to Nigerian government. Look at the Newspaper Awards ceremony. The idea must have been a brain child of someone who pushed for it, formulated it, then introduced it. Same can be done with the Score cards. The onus is on us to make it work. Many of us would like to evaluate the governors, Local Government Chairman, House of Reps members etc, and would like ideas on how to go for it.
Cheers
January 29, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Thanks Omotaylor. I know you will be down for the idea. Although I have been silent on the idea for a while, I have been doing more research on the concept since I disclosed my thoughts in 2007.
As Timi mentioned, this is way more than what one person can do alone. I will be putting together a list of interested people who will find the means to fast-forward and start building up this year.
January 29, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Came here via Pyoo Wata’s blog.
Let us know more when you have more. It would be a wonderful way for citizens to keep their politicians honest. Hope all is well.
February 3, 2009 at 11:14 am
Solomonsydelle – I wish I have more to share, but I don’t.
The idea is open to all, and anyone that can run with it. What I know for sure is that this is one issue that can be executed collaboratively with the right amount of brain power.
February 3, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Imnakoya, seems people dont know how to begin the mobilisation phase and I am sure many are out there who wants this WIKI or Balance Score Cards to work. I see where you are coming from when you say that this is not a one man thing. But someone has to kick start it. Is it possible to run a sort of competition for ideas and suggestions. I dont mind footing the bill of the prize. Or is it possible to contact people you know are good IT and Blog sepcialists and form a committee of 6 – 10 people to work on this. Email, video links and blogs are there for the members to share and move things on. Lastly, can you do email messages to some of your colleagues or popular Nigerian Bloggers e.g. Imnakoya, Sahara Reporters, Naija Blogs, Brighter Days Network etc?
I know that this is a good idea and its taking too long to be followed up.
Its time for change and bloggers can make the change. wish I knew more IT. If from what you know about me, you believe I can be of assistance, please let me know.
Regards
February 9, 2009 at 11:56 am
Thanks for the input and for keeping the conversation going.
I think the technical part of the concept is the easiest. There are several template on can use without much work.
The challenge — to me — is in finding and loading relevant information to site once it’s up. This is more than what the typical overseas-based blogger can do alone. Inputs from within Nigeria is crucial , and I will explain why.
In my mind, the needed information can be sourced from a variety of sources:
1. The newspaper and TV correspondents covering the national and state legislatures. They understand the inner working of the assemblies and have the right access and contacts. They can provide some of the information required. The task is finding these people and keeping them on board.
2. From newspaper (print and online), and TV reports – some of the information will need to be transcribed. This can be done by anyone really, but it will be better to have some dedicated manpower addressing this, input from the general crowd will then only be complimentary.
3. From the ‘citizen journalists’ who could provide the local component i.e. inform on what their representatives are doing at ‘home’. For example, each federal legislator is required to have and run offices, and execute projects at their constituencies, but many don’t. This is one of the areas, the common people can come in and fill in the information.
These are some of the sources of information that will be required. Others sources can be explore, of course.
You mentioned one thing that caught my attention — the use of incentive. I have thought of that, and do agree that may be required to get the idea off on a good traction. We can discuss more about this later.
On forming a committee — I have always maintained that the idea is open to all.
Thoughts and suggestions are welcome, always.
What my little experience has taught me is that those that are genuinely interested in the concept will make contact and will proffer suggestions without being asked. Of course, that does not preclude identifying and collaborating with entities that have existing or planned agenda that could complement what has been proposed here. I believe with time there will be a confluence of the people and resources it would take to get this off the ground.
February 9, 2009 at 1:20 pm
The more you explain things Imnakoya, the more my eyes open with understanding and I thank you for this. This will work, so now we can start trying to locate Newspaper editors with guts and clout and integrity in Nigeria so we can approach them and form a partnership or coalition. I am starting on this and will keep you posted. Is there any ways we can contact Mrs Dora Akunyilu? I will really start trying. Well done for your initiatives. Our good intentions will not go to pots.
February 9, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Thanks!
I will love to know how things go on your end. However, I think this kind of activity is bets done outside of the usual government bureaucracy. In fact, one way to go — which I’m really keen on — is to operate as a nonprofit entity. There are some advantages to this — neutrality and ability to source funds from friendly foundations within and outside Nigeria. The entity must be registered in Nigeria, US and maybe in the UK. I know for sure there are potential pockets of money to tap into.
February 9, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Thanks Imnakoya, at least this gives me a focus. I will concentrate on media people that are intersted in joining forces with diaspora bloggers to form an information NGO, which will fit into what you said above. You too keep an eye out and we could even call out to Nigerians at home by throwing this open as an essay competition, thereby identifying the correct personnel. We could start the competition via Grandiose Parlor but have it mentioned in Nigerian newspapers, calling for input and contributions. We should also give it good time, i.e. between 6 – 8 weeks.
Let us all think about this. I appeal to other readers to contribute to this. Imnakoya has tried and we need to combine energy to do this.
WIKI
BALANCE SCORE CARDS
GOVERNMENTAL APPRAISALS
ETC
Are good for Nigerian governance and future progress.
Thanks.
February 10, 2009 at 10:39 am