Reflections and opinion on a Somber Nigeria's 65th Birthday
I thought I should start my ruminations on our somber 65th birthday by quoting our late and great African Leader on Power.
"Power is a loan, not a Possession – Use it to Plant People [not Thieves] … Power is never truly owned, only held for a while. Whether it comes through politics, position, influence, or privilege, power has an expiry date. Yet, many who ascend into authority forget this fundamental truth. They build monuments to themselves, silence the voices around them, and focus on preserving their grip on power rather than using it to empower others. Unfortunately, by the time the truth becomes evident, it's often too late to do the needful."
President Nelson Mandela
There are numerous examples in our history to support Mandela's wise counsel.
Coming to our 65th birthday, many of us celebrated this historic moment in 1960 and sang the beautiful and inspiring song in our elementary schools:
NIGERIA, WE HAILED THERE. OUR DEAR NATIVE LAND. THOUGH TRIBES AND TONGUE MAY DIFFER IN BROTHERHOOD [AND SISTERHOOD] WE STAND!"
As children we never experienced the centrifugal tendencies of religion and ethnicity. Today, we are disturbed by the levels of political and social divisions in the republic. I recall how we fetched clean water from street pumps, had electricity 24/7, and had no huge walls built around homes to separate the rich from the poor. Our elementary and secondary schools were integrated.
Today, folks of my generation have failed the country in leadership given our experience since 1960. I saw that admission in the faces and reactions of some of you on YouTube. Indeed, leaders, both civilians and military, have failed this most populous Black nation in the world woefully.
In my opinion, our academics have also failed the country badly because we cannot collaborate meaningfully with each other on ways we know can catapult this endowed and wealthy nation to greater heights developmentally—in part because of ethnicity and regionalism—i.e., s/he is not from my state or village, therefore I can't hire him or her to be the VC of our university.
Considering my preceding views, what is to be done?
1. Our teachers and leaders at public and private sectors, churches, Mosques should at the local, state and national levels advocate, preach, teach, and promote patriotism or nationalism. This suggestion is in conformity with Article 15 (4) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) which affirms: "The state shall foster a feeling of belonging and of involvement among the various people of the federation, to the end that LOYALTY to the nation SHALL override sectional [or ethnic] loyalty."
2. Practice meritocracy in employment and in political parties.
3. Political parties should avoid the politicization of ethnicity and religion (more on that in my forthcoming project).
4. Civil society organizations must remain vibrant in their pro-good governance activism.
5. Political scientists must be active on matters of good governance. You have written superbly on this issue. However, you need to be more active in the media to promote your recommendations and solutions. After all, this is your area of expertise.
ON CORRUPTION: "If we don't kill corruption, corruption will kill us." President Muhammadu Buhari.
I am aware that corruption is semper et ubique. In Nigeria's case, however, the cash are frequently invested in foreign banks and not in Nigeria. The late General Sani Abacha is a good case in point. His 800 million dollars refunded to Nigeria, by the United States, was invested in the second Niger Bridge.
Nonetheless, I suggest that:
1. Those apprehended for corruption must be made to refund the loot at the local, state, and national governments.
2. Any recovered loot at the federal level should be invested at our three flagship universities for MAJOR RESEARCH PROGRAMS-to confront this highly technological age. These 3 universities are:
a. University of Ibadan
b. University of Nigeria
c. Ahmadu Belo University.
On this matter, I appeal to our successful entrepreneurs both at home and the diaspora to establish research foundations so that like India, Nigeria should start exploring the "moon" and some of the great assets in Nigeria and Africa. This could be your family's legacy.
P/s I have had the great opportunity in my academic discipline to travel globally in the last few decades, and this includes our great continent. Nigeria has all that it takes to join the First World. All that is needed is patriotism and good leadership!!!
Ike Udogu
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