By Olakunle Agboola – As Africa’s most populous country, largest economy, and most notable democracy, Nigeria is a bellwether for the continent. And not only that, it is a home for the black race as many Africans are expecting Nigeria to wake up amid a weakening economy, rising insecurity, violent conflicts, and deep distrust in government and institutions.
It is obvious Nigeria has not lived up to her potential and the awakening of the nation is the liberation of Africa. This was the idea of Awolowo Western honesty envisioned Nigeria as the home of the black race. He could not undermine the potential of Nigeria among the community of nations but sadly he could not effectively lay down the bony frame structure of an effective society when he could not rule as a president.
Many times, the Late Nelson Mandela before he died, has shown distrust to a wallowing giant whom so much is expected but could not maximize her potential due to agents of darkness in the political corridor who have hijacked power for selfish and personal interests. Nigeria continues to battle with a narcissistic government and has become a luxury planner for a better future for more than 180 million citizens.
The excerpts of the interview conducted by Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed for Nelson Mandela in 2007 said it all.
“You know I am not very happy with Nigeria. I have made that very clear on many occasions. Yes, Nigeria stood by us more than any nation, but you let yourselves down, and Africa and the black race very badly. Your leaders have no respect for their people. They believe that their interests are the interests of the people. They take people’s resources and turn them into personal wealth. There is a level of poverty in Nigeria that should be unacceptable. I cannot understand why Nigerians are not angrier than they are.
What do young Nigerians think about your leaders and their country and Africa? Do you teach them history? Do you have lessons on how your past leaders stood by us and gave us large amounts of money? You know I hear from Angolans and Mozambicans and Zimbabweans how your people opened their hearts and their homes to them. I was in prison then, but we know how your leaders punished western companies who supported Apartheid.
What about corruption and crimes? Your elections are like wars. Now we hear Let you cannot be president in Nigeria unless you are Muslim or Christian. Some people tell me your country may break up. Please don’t let it happen. Let me tell you what I think you need to do. You should encourage leaders to emerge who will not confuse public office with sources of personal wealth.
Corrupt people do not make good leaders. Then you have to spend a lot of your resources on education. Educate children of the poor, so that they can get out of poverty. Poverty does not breed confidence. Only confident people can bring changes. Poor, uneducated people can also bring change, but it will be hijacked by the educated and the wealthy. Give young Nigerians a good education, teach them the value of hard work and sacrifice, and discourage them from crimes which are destroying your image as a good person.”
Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo said so much about leadership in his lifetime. He knew good leadership is the bedrock of any successful society and more reasons he positioned himself to be a great leader with so much development in the Western region. He made a laudatory speech in 1961 in London that encapsulated leadership.
“The influence which a nation exerts, the respect which it enjoys, and the prestige accorded to it on the world scene depends on two important factors: the size of its wealth and calibre of its leadership.
Granting an incorruptible, courageous, public-spirited, enlightened, and dynamic leadership, the wealth of a nation is the fountain of its strength. The bigger the wealth and the more equitable its distribution among the factors and agencies which have helped to produce it, the greater the outflow of the nation’s influence and power”
Nigeria has significant work to do in improving national, state, and local security and governance. Nevertheless, the citizens must use their thinking caps to uphold the truth and not sell the future of their children to have a slice of bread. Good leadership is beyond sentiments of political affiliation or religion. Yearning for a better government and credible leaders who will create an enabling environment for more than 200 million Nigerians should be a major focus.
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