By Sylvester Udemezue
(Written 29 April 2020)

MEMORY VERSE:
A goal without a plan is just a wish.

(A) The “Rome Was Not Built In A Day” Angle
I agree that Rome wasn’t built in a day. But the building of Rome started from the foundation, not from the lintel. That is my point. Besides, people that built Rome had done some proper planning, due diligence, adequate consultation with stakeholders, compliance with planning regulations, and laying of a solid foundation, etc, before the construction of Rome began Sure, it won’t take one day to put up an entire structure. But you don’t even start without proper planning. You must first plan; and then you must start with the first step first, then onto the second, to the third and fourth and so on. Further, before the building of Rome commenced, all trees on that piece of land were cleared so that they would not adversely affect the construction work. If the place was water-logged, all efforts were made to prepare well for the then up-coming construction. The builders of Rome had first ensured there was sufficient funds to start the project. They had made sure there was adequate supply of workmen/manpower (masons, carpenters, brisk layers, etc). All building materials were first purchased; at least the ones that would ensure a smooth take-off.

▪️Finally, the building or Rome didn’t start like a castle in the air; else it would have collapsed like a pack of cards.. See the 8-storage building that collapsed in Owerri, IMO State a few days ago. That’s a result of improper planning. The virtual court hearings I am seeing now in Nigeria are just a mere waste of time that would take us no where. If we truly desire remote hearing, we’d, like the Romans, clear all cobwebs and obstacles in the way so that when we start, there’d be no stopping; it would be smooth-sailing. But more importantly, we’d achieve the purpose for which it’s introduced: a speedier, seamless, and more effective administration of justice.

▪️How can we claim to have started when a court that has about 4,000 cases on its cause list for this week alone has just heard only one case? Hmmmmm. I disagree that we’re ready. We’re not; the building of Rome didn’t start this way. So, the comparison isn’t apt, with due respect.

(B) Re: “If You Think You Can, You Can; If You Think You Cannot, Then, You Cannot”
I agree. But, graciously permit me to recall the words of an American Ace Broadcaster, Anderson Cooper who once said that ”mere hope is not a plan,” and of a certain French writer, poet, and journalist, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: ”A goal without a plan is just a wish.” To link it to our current discussion, many organizations have visions and dreams of achievements that they would love to accomplish, but these goals and achievements don’t take off successfully only because the affected organizations fail to make concrete plans surrounding these visions. This is where wishes and goals become disconnected. A wish is vague and certainly doesn’t produce tangible results on its own; unless the wish comes with a solid action plan to ensure we are able to get what we want, we’re waiting in vain for success. Without creating a concrete feasibility plan to abridge the gap between our wishes and our goals, we aren’t giving ourselves a chance to make our dreams a reality. Our having goals is admirable, and shows that we want to improve in some way and that we have hope for a better future. So, I commend the judiciary for this bold goal and vision. However, there is need to plan the “what,” “when,” “where,” and (most importantly) the “how” so that we don’t keep wandering aimlessly doing things that may not give us the leverage to seamlessly meet our goals. In my opinion, our goal of an online live court hearing * in Nigeria requires more detailed and comprehensive planning. Besides, we must first put/have in place adequate support structure. Only a well-crafted plan, taking into account all realities, can help us achieve this laudable goal. We must start with the crucial question: “where do we start in terms of planning”? The first things need to be done first. This is the whole point I have been trying to make. I am not saying we should not go ahead. I am not a prophet of doom, nor a pessimist; I am only suggesting that we ought to do the first things first so that we can easily realize this beautiful goal.

(C) Then Comes The “Keeping Our Fingers Crossed” Argument
As for them, the truth about us in this part of the world, to borrow from Robert H. Schuller, is that we always know the right thing to do; the hard part is doing it; we rather choose to be pursuing shadows, hanging on to all sorts of cosmetic measures meant to dissipate funds and achieve nothing tangible towards solving the real challenges we face, which then keep piling up and worsening by the passage of each day. I do not think there’s any court in Nigeria that has got the support facilities necessary to successfully run a full online real time (live) court proceedings. Holding of an online live court proceedings entails much more than having a phone or computer or being online as we see it.

To quote ASUU’s statement in re online teaching and learning, it ”is a type of E-[system] that depends entirely on internet-based resources and support system… requires certain behavioural changes and regulatory adjustments in order to make it work…. It cannot be established by mere… directive and bureaucratic fiat but through careful and detailed planning, funding and training by those involved. None of these has been done in Nigeria.” Along the line I pointed our attention to, ASUU has also alluded to ”poor internet access, high bandwidth costs and irregular power supply,” as hindering factors, and then has gone ahead to query the authorities thus: ”On what infrastructure do [we] …. expect the online delivery to run?”
(see https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.kemifilani.ng/2020/04/asuu-gives-reasons-why-online-learning-can-not-commence-in-nigeria-amidst-coronavirus-lock-down.html/amp)

Meanwhile, I strongly believe that achieving the goal of online learning or of online academic interaction (between teachers and students) is much easier than live court proceedings. Live online court hearing depends critically on presence of an effective and seamless Internet support, and sufficiently trained staff. When has the Lagos High Court conducted the relevant staff training? Indeeed, so many foundational things must be put in place before our talk and dreams about live online court hearing can transform into reality in Lagos or anywhere in Nigeria. The time is always right to do what is right Or, as Mandela said it, “It’s never too late to do the right thing.” There is still a great deal of a lot of work to be done. Hence, in my village, the elders would ask whether a child who is yet to stand on its feet and walk steadily and stably would be able to suddenly set out running. Just as the Lagos High Court, in respect of remote hearing, wants to climb from step 2 to step 10. How practicable is that? Is that not a form of one erecting one’s castle in the air, or , perhaps, they want to experiment with the procedure once suggested by an American essayist, poet, and philosopher, Henry David Thoreau: ”If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” Anyway, let me queue behind us in the fingers-crossed game, and see how Lagos copes from Monday, as it says it is “ready” for LIVE ONLINE COURT HEARING.
Respectfully,

Sylvester Udemezue
(udems)
(written and first published on 29 April 2020)

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