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E-mail a friendYOUNG VOICES
Nigeria's New President Runs The Oil
President Umaru Yar'Adua has chosen his cabinet (after two months of negotiations). He has taken on the responsibility to fight corruption, and to be the final decision-maker on issues of Nigeria's rich oil resources. Nigeria gets lots of money for its oil wealth, but shares little of that money to the communities where the oil comes from. So, the country has had conflict between the oil-rich communities - which feel robbed - and the central government.
Nigeria's problems with fighting corruption - in every state of its federal system and also in the capital city - are notorious. But this West African country also has a lot going for it. Nigerians' level of education and population size makes their people a national resource. Its oil wealth and recently soaring stock market are also huge assets. But the oil can be a curse too - if it fuels corruption.
The president's new cabinet included appointing himself to be Energy Minister - the person who has to deal with all the challenges including Nigerian oil. Dear President Yar'Adua, if there is more funny-business with the oil resources, now the citizens of Nigeria know that the buck stops with you.
Here in the USA, we are depending on your ability to keep peace at home, by sharing the oil wealth equitably with your people. Nigeria matters to U.S. energy security, but more important than serving our interests sir, you must be the president that Nigerians have long deserved.