Pharmaceutical executive to run for president of Nigeria
Leading Nigeria his goal
Toronto businessman is running for president of the African nation of 140 million. `I think there are a lot of values I can bring to the situation'
Apr 09, 2007 04:30 AM
Tobi Cohen
CANADIAN PRESS
A research scientist and chief executive of a Toronto pharmaceutical company wants to be the next president of the oil-rich West African nation of Nigeria.
Isa Odidi has dual citizenship here and there but longs to bring the ideals of his adopted country to his homeland, now struggling with corruption, human rights abuses and violence.
The 50-year-old plans to campaign there in the run-up to the presidential election April 21.
If elected, the chief executive of IntelliPharmaCeutics Corp. said he will seek to reform Nigeria's judicial system, adopt legislation similar to a bill of rights, push for freedom of information laws and protect freedom of the press.
"I consider Canada home, seriously," Odidi said, noting he fought and won in court the right to keep his Canadian citizenship when Nigerian officials suggested he had to give it up if he wanted to run for the presidency.
"It's one of the strong reasons I am actually running because I think there are a lot of values I can bring to the situation in Nigeria."
Odidi said Nigeria – a land rich in oil, minerals and agriculture where friction often erupts among its Muslim, Christian and tribal populations – has much to learn from Canada's take on democracy, economics and multiculturalism.
But Canada could also benefit from stronger ties with Nigeria, he said.
"I'm a very strong believer in Canadian business and I think Canada should look for more opportunities on how to grow the GDP (gross domestic product) ... should look for new markets, and those emerging markets are in Africa.
"Nigeria has 140 million people. It is a big market for Canada."
Odidi said Canadian aid for Africa is a "drop in the ocean," so it should extend beyond dollars and cents.
Building relationships between Canadian and African companies and promoting foreign investment would create a "win-win" situation for everybody, he said.
"Canadian companies win by making more money ... creating more jobs, paying taxes, growing the GDP," he said.
"Nigerians are happy because we learn from the skills of Canadians who are trying to do business here."
Canadians might have a hard time electing a leader who resides outside the country, but Odidi said his New Democrat Party was founded by Nigerian expatriates from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia who feel that the current government's eight-year reign should end.
President Olusegun Obasanjo was considered a marked improvement over his tyrant predecessor, but his government has nonetheless developed a reputation for corruption.
Obasanjo attempted to change the constitution so he could serve a third term and, when unsuccessful, critics say he sought to ensure the victory of his hand-picked candidate.
Odidi sees Nigeria at a "tipping point," when many citizens are beginning to realize the country needs successful people with the right skills and experience to come into the country to help.
Considered among the top nine candidates out of a pool of 23, the father of five admits the journey could be difficult and dangerous.
Elections in Nigeria have been plagued by violence and corruption.
Odidi said he will continue his practice of sticking to the issues rather than playing on people's emotions and a security team will accompany him.
"If it's really a free and fair election, people go out and vote for who they want to vote for. If that happens, I strongly feel I can take that ticket," he said.
