Overview
- Lesson Title: The Legacy of President Obasanjo-A report on the legacy of Nigeria's former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
- Language: Hausa
- Topic: Economics/Politics
- ILR Level: 1+/2
- ACTFL Proficiency: Advanced-Mid, Advanced-Low, Intermediate-High; This ACTFL rating is an approximation based on the ILR level
- Modality: Listening
- Learning Objective: Maintenance & Improvement
- Subject Area: Language
- Material Type: LO
- Publication Year: 2008
- ObjectID: HAUS_12633
Transcript
| Original | Translation |
|---|---|
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Tsohon jekadar ƙasarnan a Majalisar Ɗinkin Duniya, Elhaji Aminu Wali ya ce maganar ta zarce ita ce ta lalatawa tsohon shugaban ƙasarnan Obasanjo zamani... A: Masu sauraro Assalamu Alaikum, Mohammed Sulaiman gama ke cewa barkanmu da saduwa a wannan shiri na ‘Kowanne Kauta’ da ya kunshi tsantsar ra’ayin ‘yan siyasa na kashin kansu, bisa al’ada ta dimoikradiyya, kamar yadda sasahen na talatin da tara na kundin tsarin mulkin kasar nan ya bada dama. Kamar yadda kullum ake dafa a fagen siyasar kasar nan, an dade ba a ga abin da ya janyo hadin kan wakilan talakawa a cikin Majalisar kasa da ‘yan jaridu, irin yakin da akai wa shirin nan na tazarce zango na uku a zamanin Obasanjo ba. Tsohon wakilin Majalisar Dinkin Duniya kuma daya daga cikin iyayen PDP a nan jihar kano, Alhaji Aminu Wali, yace babu abin da ya gurbatawa Obasanjo furarsa ta gagara sha, lokacin da yana mulki, har kuma ya gama mulkin talakawan kasar nan sunai masa kallon kura-kurai irin tazarce zango na uku. Alhaji Aminu Wali yace duk matsalolin da Obasanjo ke fuskanta a wannan lokaci suna da nasaba da waccan magana ta tazarce, wadda ‘yan Najeriya sunji haushin gwamnatinsa, lokacin da yayi kokarin yiwa tsarin mulkin mulkin kasarnan gyaran fuska, domin shigar da damar zarcewa a kan karagar mulki, fiye da wa’adin da kundin tsarin mulkin kasarnan ya zana a halacce. Alhaji Aminu Wali yace in baicin waccan magana ta tazarce da Obasanjo ya gama mulkinsa lami lafiya tsakaninsa da ‘yan Najeriya. Ya kara da cewar babu mai laifi irin mashawartan shi Obasanjo, domin kamar yadda ya fahimci tsohon shugaban, ba wai mutum ne mai wuyar hali ba, mashawartan sa sune suka kasa dora shi a kan kyakkyawan tafarkin da zai fahimci wannan lamari, yadda shima zai kyamaci wancan shiri na tazarce zango na uku. Alhaji Aminu Wali, ya kara da cewar in da makusantan Obasanjo sunyi kokarin fahimtar da shi illar tazarce musamman ga ‘yan Najeriya, da shima ba zai nace a kai ba, domin a cewarsa Obasanjo mutum ne mai sauraron jama’a. Yace koda a tattaunawarku da Obasanjo yaki sauraronka, in dai magana kake ta gaskiya ka gaya masa, yana iya aikata wannan abin, koda bayan kun rabu, domin ya san gaskiya aka gaya masa. “Ni a yadda na san Obasanjo, koda yaki amincewa da kai a kan gaskiya da ka fada masa, zai kuma gaya maka cewar bai amince din ba, a karshe kuma yana iya aikata wannan abin, in dai ya riga yayi nazarin cewa gaskiya aka gaya masa.” A lafazin Alhaji Aminu Wali, tsohon jakadan na Najeriya a cikin Majalisar Dinkin Duniya. |
Former ambassador to the United Nations, Elhaji Aminu Wali, said that seeking a constitutional right for a third term destroyed former President, Obasanjo's legacy Greetings, listeners. This is Mohammed Sulaiman welcoming you to this edition of ‘Kowanne Kauta,’ which highlights the opinions of politicians, based on the democratic tradition as enshrined by Section 39 of this country’s constitution. Considering the differences in political opinion in this country, it has been a long time since representatives in the legislature and journalists have taken a unified position on an issue, like the struggle against a third-term extension of the Obasanjo administration. Former United Nations representative and one of PDP’s patrons here in Kano State, Alhaji Aminu Wali, says that throughout his term of office, nothing has bothered Obasanjo like his image following the failed third-term bid. Alhaji Aminu Wali says that all of the problems Obasanjo is currently facing are directly related to the extension bid. Nigerians were angered when he tried to alter the country’s constitution to extend his term in office beyond the constitutional standards. Alhaji Aminu Wali says that if it were not for the third term bid, Obasanjo would have left office respectfully. He adds that Obasanjo’s advisors were partly to blame, because as he understands, the former leader is not a stubborn man, and it was his advisors who failed to convince him to reject the extension bid. Alhaji Aminu Wali goes on to say that if those close to Obasanjo had tried to show him the implications the extension bid would have in the eyes of Nigerians, he would not have persisted, because in his view Obasanjo is a man who listens to the public. He says that although Obasanjo may disagree with you during a discussion, he later thinks about things and implements your views if he sees truth in them. “In my experience with Obasanjo, even if he refuses to concede to your views, he will tell you, but in the end, he will accept your viewpoint once he is convinced you were telling him the truth,” says Alhaji Aminu Wali, former Nigerian ambassador to the United Nations. |
Glossary
| Hausa term | English meaning |
|---|---|
| na ƙashin kansu | ”Of the bone of their head” refers to something being from someone’s personal perspective and, also, unilateral. |
| tazarce | "Let it continue" implies a continuing state, which, in this context, refers to the president's plan to stay in power for a third term. |
| iyayen PDP | ”PDP parents” refers to the elders of the PDP political party. |
| abin da ya gurɓatawa Obasanjo furarsa ta gagara sha | The phrase comes from the saying "gurɓata fura ta gagara sha" (to stir up in a malicious way with the intention to harm), which refers to embarrassing or jeopardizing someone. |
| talakawan ƙasar nan | “The poor of this country” refers to the people, common people. |
| gyaran fuska | ”Fixing the face” refers to the grooming custom of Hausa men, who get traditional barbers to shave their faces. The term means to fix or amend, in this context. |
| zana a halacce | "To design lawfully" refers to the legislature or the constitution, in this context. |
| zai ƙyamaci | "He would hate" implies "he would renounce." |
| nace a kai | "To insist," "to stay firm on a position" |
| a lafazin | "On behalf of" |
Notes
The Legacy of President Obasanjo
1. Obasanjo was a veteran of the military and political elite when he was elected in 1999. He served two terms as the President of Africa's most populous country, Nigeria, and left office at the end of May 2007 in the country's first democratic transfer of power from one civilian administration to another. He was president of the People's Democratic Party and is currently its board of trustees' chairman.
He was praised for tackling corruption by setting up the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and paying off almost all of the country's debt. Under him, Nigeria played a leading role in the region, being instrumental in setting up the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), resolving conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone, founding the New African Partnership for Development (NEPAD), and holding the chair of the African Union (AU), among others.
Obasanjo's achievements, however, are jeopardized by his alleged "third term agenda" that implied amending the country's constitution to allow him to rule for another four-year term. Nigerians opposed the bid and the Senate threw out the constitutional amendment bill. Consequently, President Obasanjo stepped down after the April 2007 general election, as Nigerians' vigilance and distrust of the government's motives began.
Allegations of corruption perpetrated by his cabinet make him accountable to the people and tarnish his image.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5327/is_200306/ai_n21331052
http://nigeriaworld.com/articles/2006/mar/141.html
http://www.blackvoicenews.com/content/view/39324/23/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olusegun_Obasanjo#Post-presidency
2.Freedom Radio Kano (Muryar Jama’a) is a private Radio station in Kano. It came on air 1 December 2003 and is the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria. It broadcasts locally, in “a range of about two hundred kilometers as the crow flies.” Their mission statement says that information, education, entertainment, and the promotion and protection of socio-cultural values are paramount in its programming, in addition to advancing the constitutional rights of the freedom of expression, especially for the less privileged members of the society and within the law. Their schedule includes religious and news programs, interviews, etc. One can find many interesting broadcasts, e.g. a live interview with HRH the Emir of Kano and a feature on democracy.
http://hausaonline.wordpress.com/2006/07/19/freedom-radio-kano/
http://www.freedomradionig.com/
CONTENT SOURCE: Muhammad Suleimanu Gama, Ibrahim Nagaida Bichi & Sa'adatu Muhammad Babaji (2008, May 27). Former ambassador to the United Nations, Elhaji Aminu Wali, said that seeking a constitutional right for a third term destroyed former President, Obasanjo's legacy . Kowane Gauta Sharada Industrial Estate, Kano: Reedom Radio - Muryar Jama'a. http://www.freedomradionig.com/audio/kowane_gauta_tue.mp3 You selected a Learning Object that offers practice on this objective: Demonstrate your comprehension.
Content Description: A report on the legacy of Nigeria's former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
XML
<activity>
<problemset>
<problem>
<type>L2_Purpose-Audience</type>
<stim>For whom is this report intended and what is its focus?</stim>
<fdbk>The report informs Freedom Radio listeners about former Nigerian President Obasanjo and his legacy, the public response to his third term plan, and a politician's view of his administration's handling of the plan.</fdbk>
<hint>Note the repeated use of the word "tazarce" in the report. Consider the mission of Freedom Radio and the program Kowanne Kauta. Please refer to the Notes for more information about Obasanjo and Freedom Radio.</hint>
</problem>
<problem>
<stim>What does the report say about the politicians' and the media's position regarding the third term controversy?</stim>
<fdbk>The report says that the representatives and journalists are in agreement regarding the issue of Obasanjo's third term agenda.</fdbk>
<type>L2_Facts-Figures</type>
<hint>Consider the reference to the popular remark about the controversy as mentioned in the introduction of the report's topic.</hint>
</problem>
<problem>
<type>L2_Descriptions</type>
<stim>How does the former Ambassador to the UN and elder of the PDP party describe Obasanjo?</stim>
<fdbk>According to Alhaji Aminu Wali, Obasanjo is an understanding, attentive, and considerate person who would use good ideas from others.</fdbk>
<hint>What does Alhaji Aminu Wali say about Obasanjo's ability to listen to other people? Please refer to the Learn More notes for information about PDP.</hint>
</problem>
<problem>
<type>L2_Cause-Effect</type>
<stim>Whom does Alhaji Aminu Wali blame for creating the issue of the third term bid?</stim>
<fdbk>He thinks that the president's cabinet failed to make him understand the implications of a third term plan and its disadvantages for Nigeria, which would have made him renounce the plan.</fdbk>
<hint>Please review Alhaji Aminu Wali's remarks regarding the people surrounding Obasanjo.</hint>
</problem>
<problem>
<type>L2_Implied_Meaning</type>
<stim>How has the third term issue affect Obasanjo's reputation among the general public?</stim>
<fdbk>According to the report,the bid for a third term has negatively impacted the public’s opinion of Obasanjo.</fdbk>
<hint>What is implied by: "duk matsalolin da Obasanjo ke fuskanta a wannan lokaci"?
Pease refer to the Notes for some insight.</hint>
</problem>
<problem>
<stim>What is the central message of the report?</stim>
<fdbk>President Obasajo's leadership braved challenges, but the bid to have the country’s constitution changed to extend his tenure by a third term is an issue that has tarnished his achievements to the extent that the former president, though an attentive person with good intentions, now receives criticism.</fdbk>
<hint>Think about how the third term plan affected the overall Obasanjo legacy.</hint>
<type>L2_Main_Idea</type>
</problem>
</problemset>
<instr type="eng">Read each question and type your response in the box provided. Click CHECK at the bottom of the screen to view the model response.</instr>
<instr type="target" />
<bgnotes>
<bg>
<category>Background Information</category>
<note>1. The People's Democratic Party (PDP) is one of Nigeria's main political parties. Formed in 1998, it is the ruling party and is dominant in the Fourth Republic. The PDP is a centrist political party. It won the elections of 1999, 2003 (with Obasanjo as president), and 2007 (with Umaru Musa Yar'Adua).
http://www.peopledemocraticparty.org/ourleaders.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_Democratic_Party_(Nigeria)
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5327/is_200306/ai_n21331052
2. Aminu Wali is a Nigerian diplomat and figure in the PDP party.</note>
</bg>
<bg>
<category>Culture</category>
<note>1. _Alhaji_ refers to a male pilgrim going to Mecca and also a symbol of wealth and class.
2. _Assalamu Alaikum_ (or _Salama alaikum_) comes from Arabic and means "peace be upon you." It is used as a greeting to announce oneself before a speech or when entering a house.</note>
</bg>
<bg>
<category>Vocabulary</category>
<note>1. _Tazarce_ (let it continue) is an expression used to infer the extension of an action or a leader's tenure beyond a determined time. The "Third Term Agenda" is referred to as a tazarce system, in this context.
2. _Kurakurai_ (shortcomings)</note>
</bg>
</bgnotes>
</activity>