Nigeria at 53

I choose this occasion of Nigeria's 53rd independence anniversary to break my 27-month blog silence. Some of my friends "accuse" me of being an idealist, and my only defense is that ideas build nations, and the "working" Nigeria of our dreams is an ideal. This does not mean "unachievable". It only means "yet unachieved". I am however thrown aback every time I am surrounded by my fellow country-men. All agree that we live in less-than-desirable conditions, but everyone has at least 2 "solutions" that differ from everyone Else's! It does not matter that you interview 10 Nigerians or 10,000 of them. You are bound to have "solutions" at least twice the number of respondents! This is a result of years of myopic symptom-treating mentality. We only see perspectives from our view, without taking in a wider view of the bigger picture.

It is difficult for me to wish anyone a happy independence, or to felicitate on this occasion. My 9-year old daughter asked me on 30th of September if we would not go picnicking, and I could only shake my head sadly as I looked upon her soulful innocence. Ignorance is not bliss; it is the hiding place of infants. I grew up in a Nigeria where Agege Bread was 25 kobo. My children's generation have never spent the kobo! I remember the free books from John West, Macmillian and Longman publishers in the days of Universal Primary Education (UPE). Now, the children of the less privileged have no hope of sound public education... And, we roll out the drums, while selfish, ignorant bigwigs parade themselves as lords of all, and hedonistic jokers label themselves demi-Awo. Yet, critical national issues have been reduced to the stuff for Obahiagbonglish.

With this pensive realisation dangling over my mind, I find myself in humble supplication to God Almighty on this day, to save the soul of Nigeria. I invite all true patriotic, well-meaning Nigerians, and true friends of this country to join me, to ask God to give us:

- A nation where public office holders understand that nobility confers responsibility, and that privileges abound to make public service bearable.

- A nation that has a true job description for public office holders, and sound metric parameters to judge good governance and performance, instead of comparison with (mis)conducts of past rulers.

- A nation that prioritises building an institution for breeding competent leadership mindsets, so that a public servant that does the right thing is not a random flash-in-the-pan, or a hero amongst zeroes.

- A nation where religions, regions and tribes stop beating the drums of war, and be less stupid to realise their rulers at the top are inter-married, and care only about dividing them to gain selfish ends.

- A nation where the hard-running, car-chasing pure-water seller in "mobile supermarket" (in traffic, if you will) is nurtured into an Olympic medal hopeful.

- A nation that breeds people (and therefore leaders) that see beyond their nose-bridges and pot-bellies, to understand that true development comes only when research is prioritised.

- A nation where the people (and therefore the leaders) understand that true partnership with the Chinese (or any other foreign investors) must develop our lagging technological sectors, by tying into agreements local manpower development through our various institutions.

- A nation that grows its industries so that we can process our numerous God-given mineral resources, for our benefit, and export.

- A nation where our president (like Chief Obafemi Awolowo did in 1979) can mandate all public office holders and members of his ruling party to withdraw their wards from private schools, and enroll them in public schools, so that due attention can be devoted to growing our future.

- A nation where former rulers, ex-these and ex-those will once again be content with being true Elder Statesmen, not glutinous withering hags stubbornly holding to power for selfish benefits.

- A nation where the academia is in consonance with the real sector, so that a Chemistry graduate must not find work in a bank while the Finance graduate roams the street.

 

- A nation where living in diaspora becomes less appealing to every Tamuno, Dikko and Haruna (Tom, Dick and Harry, if you will), and those who "know" are allowed to operate the machinery of state and industry.

- A nation where every child born is guaranteed a pair of shoes, adequate clothing and dignity of life.

- A nation where our children find it easy to believe that they can excel by doing the right thing the right way, always.

I have a long list of national demands from God, but I am not a greedy person... If God can start with just putting these points in the hearts of our policy-makers, and make every Nigerian teach their children this, then I will roll out the drums in thanksgiving to Him. May God save Nigeria.