COLLECTIVE RESCUE MISSION:
RESTORING INTEGRITY, ENSURING DEVELOPMENT IN EKITI-STATE
A MESSAGE
FROM
KAYODE FAYEMI
(CRM-LOGO)
IFOWOSOWOPO
FUN IRAPADA EKITI
Dear Compatriot,
Heeding the Call to Service
Over the last two decades, I have been privileged to play important roles in the struggle to get rid of bad governance and undemocratic rule in Nigeria and many parts of Africa. For the most part, these were roles played largely behind the scenes – only known to central players in our democratic struggle and to discerning observers of the political terrain.
Many who were privy to the manner in which these tasks were undertaken had spent the last six years of civilian, democratic rule urging me to play a more active role in partisan politics, believing that I have a lot to offer our country and people. Although not a-political in any way, I have consistently rebuffed entreaties to throw my hat in the ring of partisan politics, even as I have continued to play critical roles in public policy transformation in Nigeria and the rest of Africa. My reluctance to enter the fray of partisan politics was not borne out of an attempt to feign humility. Indeed, it was the result of both political and personal considerations. Politically, I was sceptical of the rushed transition programme that ushered in civilian rule in 1999, since it was not anchored on a national conference on our future. On a personal note, I was reluctant to compromise my behind the scene roles unless I was sure the public space would offer even better opportunities to make fundamental difference in our peoples’ lives.
As we begin the consolidation of our fragile democracy, I have come to the conclusion that it would be wrong for quality minds not to heed the call to service by well-meaning compatriots. Important as it is to contribute to the process of rescuing our nation and putting it in the direction of genuine federalism and true democracy behind the scene, I believe it’s time to come out of the shadows and engage in the urgent task of rescuing our State from the inexorable path towards chaos and disaster. Ekitiland deserves no less from concerned and committed indigenes.
I am convinced it is time to arrest the crude privatisation of power that has undermined our collective development in the last two years. I believe I possess some qualities that can help transform Ekitiland into the cynosure of all eyes. I am confident that the citizens of our State possess a collective resolve to stop the rot and pursue the path of honour, integrity, hardwork and peace for which we are known in the quest to ensure holistic development.
I offer myself not as your leader, but as your servant. I present myself not as one having all the solutions to the problems plaguing Ekiti State but as someone who believes that the search for enduring solutions must begin with the building of genuine collective consensus. I see you as a major stakeholder in this consensus building process. I solicit your understanding and support and invite you to join hands with me in this collective rescue mission.
Yours sincerely,
Kayode Fayemi
CURRICULUM VITAE
Kayode Fayemi
Director, Centre for Democracy & Development
Kayode Fayemi is Director of the Centre for Democracy & Development, a research and training institution dedicated to the study and promotion of democratic development, peace-building and human security in Africa. Dr Fayemi attended Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti and received degrees in History, Politics and International Relations from the Universities of Lagos and Ife in Nigeria and his Doctorate in War Studies from the prestigious King’s College, University of London, England, specializing in civil-military relations. His research and policy interests include: Democratisation, Constitutionalism, Security Sector Governance, and Regionalism in the Global Context.
Prior to his establishment of the Centre for Democracy & Development, Dr Fayemi worked as a lecturer, journalist, researcher and Strategy Development adviser in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He was Strategy Development Adviser at London’s City Challenge; research fellow at the African Research & Information Bureau in London, UK, reporter with the newspapers, The Guardian and City Tempo, editor of the political monthly, Nigeria-Now, management consultant at Development and Management Consultants and lecturer at the Police College in Sokoto, Nigeria. As a prominent leader of the Nigerian opposition to military rule in exile, he was responsible for the founding and management of the opposition radios – Radio Freedom, Radio Democracy International & Radio Kudirat and played a central role in the opposition’s diplomatic engagements in exile.
Amongst his numerous academic and public policy engagements at home and abroad, Kayode Fayemi has lectured in Africa, Europe, the Americas and Asia. He has also served as an adviser on transitional justice, regional integration, constitutionalism, security sector reform and civil-military relations issues to various governments, inter-governmental institutions and development agencies. He was the main technical adviser to Nigeria’s Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (Oputa Panel), which investigated past abuses and currently serves on the Presidential Implementation Committees on Security Sector Reform, NEPAD and the Millennium Development Goals. He was technical expert to ECOWAS on small arms and light weapons and United Nations Economic Commission of Africa on governance issues. He is also a member, Africa Policy Advisory Panel of the British Government. At other times he has served as a consultant to the OECD on Security Sector Reform and chaired the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative’s Committee of Experts on developing guiding principles and mechanisms of constitution making in Commonwealth Africa.
Dr Fayemi is a Fellow of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan, Adjunct Professor of Security Studies at the African Centre for Strategic Studies, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., USA. He was also a Visiting Professor in the African Studies Programme at Northwestern University, Evanston, USA in 2004. Dr Fayemi serves on numerous Boards including the Governing Board of the Open Society Justice Institute, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, African Security Sector Network, and on the Advisory Board of the Global Facilitation Network on Security Sector Reform and on the Management Culture Board of the ECOWAS Secretariat. He has written extensively on governance and democratisation, civil-military relations and security sector issues in Africa. Among his recent books are: Mercenaries: The African Security Dilemma - edited with Abdel-Fatau Musah (Pluto Press, 2000); Deepening the Culture of Constitutionalism: The Role of Regional Institutions in Constitutional Development in Africa (CDD, 2003), Security Sector Governance in Africa: A Handbook (edited with Nicole Ball, CDD, 2004) and Out of the Shadows: Exile and the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy in Nigeria (CDD, 2005).
A native of Isan-Ekiti in Oye Local Government, Kayode Fayemi is the last child in a family of six. He comes from a long tradition of public service. His father, Chief Francis Falade Fayemi retired from the Ondo State Civil Service in 1977 having served in the Western Region, Western State and Ondo State respectively for over twenty-five years. In retirement, he later served as Councillor and Chairman of the old Ekiti North Local Government between 1977 and 1979, and subsequently, President, Customary Court covering parts of the Oye Division of old Ekiti North Local Government. A Justice of the Peace and Baba Egbe of the St Martins Catholic Church, Isan Ekiti, Chief Fayemi is a well-known community leader and believes that the only life worth leading is a life of service to the community. His son follows in this well trodden path.
EDUCATION
1993Doctor of Philosophy in War Studies, King’s College, University of London, United Kingdom, Thesis Title: Threats, Military Expenditure and National Security: Trends in Post Civil-War Defence Planning in Nigeria, 1970 – 1990.
1987Master of Science in International Relations,University of Ife, Ile-Ife, (Now Obafemi Awolowo University), Nigeria
1985Bachelor of Arts (Honours), History, University of Lagos, Nigeria
1982Higher School Certificate, Federal School of Arts & Science, Ondo, Nigeria
1980West African School Certificate; Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
1997-Director, Centre for Democracy & Development
1995- 1997Secretary General, Media Empowerment for Africa (The Radio Foundation)
1993 -1995 Strategy Development Adviser, Deptford City Challenge, London, UK
1991 -1993 Research Officer, African Research and Information Bureau, London, UK.
1992Tutorial Fellow, War Studies Department, King's College, London, UK
1987-1989Research Officer, Development & Management Consultants, Ikeja. Lagos-Nigeria.
1985- 1986Lecturer, Nigeria-Police Training College, Sokoto – Nigeria
AWARDS AND GRANTS
2005Democratic Control of the Armed Forces (DCAF), Geneva, Switzerland, Research Consultancy Grant to study “Donor Assistance in Security Sector Reform in Africa: A Recipients’ Perspective ”
2004Scholar-in-Residence Research Grant in African Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA.
2004Ford Foundation, USA Special Initiative on Africa, Research Grant to write a book on “Exile and the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy in Nigeria.”
2004Institute of International Education, New York, USA, Fellowship Grant to study “Regionalism in a Global Context – ECOWAS and the Challenge of Change.”
2004Democratic Control of the Armed Forces (DCAF), Geneva, Switzerland, Research Consultancy Grant to study “ Security Sector Reconstruction in Post-Conflict States: Case Study of Liberia and Sierra Leone.”
2004Department of International Development (DFID-UK), Research Consultancy to write a research report on “Mainstreaming Conflict in Development Assistance in Nigeria.”
2004Department of International Development (DFID-UK) Research Consultancy on “Demanding Change Initiative.”
2003Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Research Consultancy Grant to survey the “Security Sector in Africa.”
2003Berghof Foundation for Conflict Resolution, Research Consultancy on “The Peace Process in Sri-Lanka.”
2003Department for International Development,(DFID- UK), Research Consultancy to study “Post-1999 Developments in the Nigerian Military” for the Drivers of Change Initiative.
2002International Development and Research Council (IDRC) Canada, Research Grant to study “Security Sector Governance in Africa”
2002Department of International Development (DFID-UK), Research Consultancy on “Democratisation, Poverty and Security in Ghana ”.
2000Georgetown University’s Global Leadership Fellowship
2000Ford Foundation, USA Research Consultancy on “Public Participation in Constitution-Making in Zimbabwe.
1999Global Coalition for Africa (World Bank) Research Grant on “Demilitarisation and Security in Africa”.
1999/2000Department for International Development (DFID-UK), Research Consultancy on “Nigeria Country Strategy”
1991John D & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Research Grant, King's College London
PUBLICATIONS: BOOKS
Understanding the Nigerian Military: Threats, Military Expenditure and Security Sector Reform in a Transition State, (Forthcoming 2006,)
Beyond Regionalism: The Institutional Context of Regional Integration, Security & Development in West Africa (Forthcoming 2006)
Out of the Shadows: Exile and the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy in Nigeria (CDD & BookCraft, 2005)
Integrated Development in the Niger-Delta, edited by Kayode Fayemi, Stella Amadi & Ololade Bamidele, (CDD, 2005)
Poverty Eradication in Nigeria: Public Policy and Pro-Poor Growth (CDD, 2004), edited by Kayode Fayemi & Otive Igbuzor
Security Sector Governance in Africa: A Handbook (CDD & IDRC, 2004) (edited with Nicole Ball),
Deepening the Culture of Constitutionalism: The Role of Regional Institutions in Constitutional Development in Africa (Lagos: CDD & Ford Foundation, 2003)
Evaluating the Constitution-Making Process in Zimbabwe, edited by J. ‘Kayode Fayemi (CDD, 2002)
Constitution-Making in Commonwealth Africa, New Delhi, CHRI, 2000. (with Hassen Ebrahim)
Securing Democracy: Democratic Control of Military and Security Establishments in Nigeria and South Africa, (CDD, 2000)
Mercenaries: An African Security Dilemma, edited by J ‘Kayode Fayemi & Abdel-Fatau Musah, (London: Pluto Press & CDD, 2000)
Security, Democracy & Development in Liberia: State Rebuilding after State Collapse, (London: CDD, 1998).
PUBLISHED BOOK CHAPTERS
Integrated Development in the Niger-Delta (Lagos: CDD, 2005), edited by Kayode Fayemi, et-al, Introduction.
Reform and Reconstruction of the Security Sector (Geneva: Lit Verlag, 2004) edited by Hanggi Heinner & Alan Bryden. Chapter on “ Security Sector Reconstruction in Post-Conflict States: The Case of Liberia and Sierra Leone”
Review of Security System Reforms, (Paris: OECD, 2004), edited by Dylan Hendricksen. Chapter on “Overview of the Security Sector in Africa,” (with Eboe Hutchful)
Drivers of Change: Review of DFID Programmes in Nigeria (DFID, 2004), edited by Chris Pycroft & Chris Heymans. Chapter on “The Military”
Deepening the Culture of Constitutionalism in Africa: The Role of Regional Institutions (Lagos: CDD & Ford Foundation, 2004), edited by Kayode Fayemi, Chapter on “Constitution-Making in Africa”
Federalism in Africa: Volume II - Case Studies (Trenton,N.J., Africa World Press, 2004), edited by Aaron Gana & Sam Egwu. Chapter on “The Military and the Future of Federalism in Nigeria.”
“Peace and Security in West Africa: Any Role for the Commonwealth?”, Special Publication for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Abuja 2003 by the Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit, University of London, November 2003.
Beyond Structural Adjustment: The Institutional Context of African Development, edited by Nicolas van de Walle, Nicole Ball, and Vijaya Ramachandran (New York: Palgrave, 2003) Chapter on “Governance in the Security Sector”
Governing Insecurity: Democratic Control in Societies in Transition, edited by Robin Luckham & Gavin Cawthra, (London: Zed Books, 2002). Chapter on “Governance and the Security Sector in a Democratising Polity: The Nigerian case.”
Comparing Experiences of South Africa and Nigeria in Transition, edited by Abdul-Raufu Mustapha & Jeremy Seekings, (Oxford: OUP, 2001). Chapter on “The Nigerian Military and the Politics of Democratisation.”
Political Armies: Military, Politics and Nation-Building in Comparative Perspectives, edited by Kees Koonings & Dirk Kruijt (London: Zed Press, 2001). Chapter on “Entrenched Militarism and the Future of Democratic Transition in Pluriform Societies: The Case of Nigeria”.
Negotiating Poverty: New Directions, Renewed Debates, edited by Neil Middleton, Rob Visser & Phil O’Keefe (London: Pluto Press, 2001). Chapter on “Comments on Human Security and the Poverty Reduction Guidelines.”
Democracy in Nigeria: Continuing Dialogues. Chapter on “The International Community & Democracy in Nigeria” with Antonia Simbine and Alison Van Rooy. (2001).
Mercenaries: An African Security Dilemma, (London: Pluto Press, 2000). Introductory Chapter: “In Search of Security in Africa”.
State Reconstruction in West Africa, (Lagos: Centre for the Defence of Human Rights, 2000), edited by Segun Jegede, Ayodele Ale and Eni Akinsola. Chapter on “Constitutionalism in West Africa.”
SELECTED PUBLISHED JOURNAL ARTICLES
“Foreword”, Human Rights and Justice Sector Reform in Africa: Contemporary Issues and Responses, Justice Initiatives: Journal of the Open Society Justice Initiative, February 2005.
“Framework for Security Architecture in West Africa”, Conflict Trends, Volume 4, No II, 2003.
“Democracy, Security and Poverty in Ghana: A Mid-Term Review of the Kufuor Administration” in Democracy & Development, Journal of West African Affairs, Vol 3, Harmattan edition, 2003
“Dilemma of Civilian Control in a Post-Military State: The Case of Nigeria” in Journal of Conflict, Security & Development, King’s College, London, Volume 2, No.3, 2002.
“Security Challenges in Africa”, Special issue on African Transitions: Seminar: The Indian Journal of Thought – Volume 490, June 2000.
Military Hegemony and Democratic Transition in Nigeria, Issue: Journal of Opinion, 1999/II (Journal of the African Studies Association, USA)
Civil-Military Relations and the Future of Democratic Transitions in West Africa, African Journal of Political Science: Special Issue on Security, 1998
“Nigeria: A Nation in Crisis”, Strategic Survey 1995/96, (London: International Institute of Strategic Studies, 1996)
“The Oil Weapon: Investigating the feasibility of an oil embargo against the Nigerian military regime” Special Report launched at the House of Commons, British Parliament, December 1995.
"France and the Defence of Franco-phone African Nations: Paternalism or Pragmatism?" Africa World Review (London), October - May 1994/5
"Africa's Disarmament illusion", Africa Events (London), February 1993
"Africa: A Review of Continental Insecurity", Africa Events (London), December 1992
"Hardware Facts: Disarmament and Development in Africa" Africa Events (London), June 1992
SELECTED CONFERENCE & WORKSHOP REPORTS
Comparing Experiences of Democratic Control of Military and Security Establishments in Nigeria and South Africa: Report of the First Workshop held Johannesburg, South Africa, September 2000
Learning Lessons, Sharing Experiences: Proceedings of a Special Retreat held for Members of the Human Rights Violation Investigations Commission, Abuja, Nigeria, September 1999
Regional Collective Security in West Africa, Proceedings of the Centre for Democracy & Development’s Conference on Rethinking Regional Security in West Africa, Volta Hotel, Akosombo, Ghana, July, 1999.
The 1999 Constitution in Nigeria: Bridging the Gap between the State and Civil Society, Report of the Centre for Democracy & Development Conference, June 1999.
Engaging Sierra Leone: State Reconstruction and Reconciliation in Sierra Leone: Proceedings of a Workshop on the Sierra Leone Crisis, Lome, Togo, June 1999.
Beyond Elections: Strengthening Nigeria’s Constitution-Making Process, Report of an Expert Group meeting on Nigeria, November, 1998.
Mercenaries and Instability in Africa, Proceedings of the Workshop on Mercenaries and African Conflicts held at Conway Hall, London on June 23, 1997.
Planning for Democratic Development in Nigeria, Proceedings of a Workshop, Centre for Democracy and Development, London, November 1997.
SELECTED CONFERENCE PAPERS AND PUBLIC LECTURES
“Democratisation: The African Experience” – Presentation made to the Georgetown Leadership Seminar 2005 Reunion, June 17, 2005 in Helsinki, Finland.
“The Security Challenges in Africa – Can African Union & NEPAD meet them Effectively?” Lecture given at the New Issues in Security Course 2005 at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, June 14 2005.
“Pursuing Security in the Post Conflict Phase: Reflections on Recent African Cases and Implications for Current and Future Peace Operations” – Presentation at the 4th Geneva Centre for Security Policy Workshop on Peace Operations, June 13 2005.
“Why is rich Nigeria so poor?” - Presentation made at a Special Lecture organised by the Norwegian Council for Africa, Oslo, Norway, June 8, 2005.
“Reflections on Togo’s Recent Elections”, Presentation at the Conference on Developments in Togo, National Democratic Institute, Washington, D.C., USA, May 20, 2005.