Since then we have discovered that Agwu Amogu (now an ISIL Rep), who had just formed the Individual Libertarian Network of Nigeria had collaborated with Thompson on the Walk for Capitalism in Lagos – and that Thompson and James Shikuku Shikwati had both attended Barun Mitra's Liberty Institute seminars in New Delhi, India.
Another project in the works for Thompson is a seminar on privatization of energy privatization this coming June.
The following is from a speech delivered at a seminar sponsored by IPPA in Lagos.
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IPPA is a non-profit, research, non-governmental public policy think-tank whose mission is to promote public understanding regarding the institutions and principles of a free and prosperous society. The Institute particularly seeks to promote criticality, the public understanding of limited democratic government, the rule of law, free enterprise and property rights to political stability and economic stability and economic growth; to identify curbs on freedom and economic growth; and to look at government policies with a view to estimating their social, political and economic benefits and costs.
Its activities involve comprehensive research into the existing and potential policy issues and publication of research findings. Aside from this, IPPA organizes and attends seminars, workshops and conferences.
Every society is desirous of prosperity, but not everybody seems to know what the factors are that encourage economic growth. As you might all observe, a lot of Nigerians, including our top politicians, started calling for the dividends of Democracy just about one year into Civil Rule. They are apparently looking at Democracy as a business venture from which you receive dividends.
To my understanding, what our people are calling for are some appreciable changes in their economic lives. These calls must have come from a wrong assumption that Democracy is an end in itself. No, Democracy is not an end in itself, it is just a means to an end, and that end is a free, stable and prosperous society. Democracy can only offer a conducive environment where people can detect, develop and utilize their talents, skills, initiatives, intelligence and brilliance unhindered for national development. Democracy cannot till the ground for us; we cannot fold our arms, sit in our rooms and expect Democracy to bring food onto our tables.
There are three pillars of a free and prosperous society and they are: the Political Freedom of Democracy, Economic Freedom of the Market and Liberal Education. Therefore, if you have the political freedom of democracy and there is no economic freedom of the market, you will still not have a prosperous society.
Nigerians need to understand that what they should start demanding from the government is the removal of all policies and factors that impede free enterprise and economic growth.
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Thompson in his seminar addressed the problems of religious conflicts – explaining that while religion is an important part of many people's lives, it is also a source of conflict. Given the high levels of conflict in Nigeria he asked why investors would invest in a "crisis-prone and volatile environment where business units can be razed to the ground in just seconds." (Ed)
Libertarians interested in this subject are encouraged to contact Thompson. Contact information follows.
Thompson Ayodele
Coordinator,
Institute of Public Policy Analysis
Hakeem Saka House
6 Majolate Street, off Kayode Street,
Onipanu-Lagos, Nigeria
website: www.ippanigeria.org
thompsondele@onebox.com
International Society for Individual Liberty
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Institute of Public Policy Analysis – Nigeria
