19 September 2010

By Bukhari Muhammad Jega

The Nigerian nation has come along way, since that faithful day, the white colonialist lower the flag of exploitation and underdevelopment, and handed over the independent of this country to indigenous countrymen and women; so much have happens that shape the directions of the country. At independent Nigeria was a beckon of hope for all Africans; it was believes that, Nigeria will lead other Africa countries in championing and fostering development. Unfortunately, these Africa countries have waited so long for their big brother to show responsibilities and commitment, but the big brother has failed in it responsibilities and has become an outright embarrassments, to its other siblings. These siblings (Africa countries), have taken their destiny in their hands, and today they are performing miracles; while their big brother (Nigeria) is still walloping and galloping in the stream of ineptitude and confusion.

Anytime the topic come up that we are a failed state, I find myself asking some fundamental questions which are searching for answers. Such questions includes, are we really a failed state? What really lead to this sorry situation we found ourselves? Between leadership failure and docile followers who is really to blame for this fundamental failure? Are we really a failed state or just not on the part of developing after 50 years of independence? Do the current politicians have answers to our fundamental flare? Do we really have leaders or the theater called Nigeria is full with comedians who pretend to be our leaders. These were the questions that keep troubling my mind as the nation and people celebrate golden jubilee of Nigerian independence.

Fifty (50) years after independence, since that faithful day so many things have past under the sun; while some are memorable, others are so annoying and frustrating. One thing that remains certain is that, our country men and women, have not, fare better in discharging their responsibilities as leaders, in all sphere of our national life. A nation with abundant resources both human and material, but lack the leadership and spirited and conscious citizens that will force the leadership to fine-tunes such resources into a roadmap for development.

Although many reasons have been advance for the failure of this nation, but one thing that remains certain, is the fact that, the Nigeria nation has been
suffering from cancerous ailment called failure of leadership. Over the years, the leaders that have ruled and are still ruling this country, lack the sincerity of purpose and the courage to develop this country. What all of them have in common, is the ability to use populist policies, to deceive their
country men in believing that they care about their welfare, where as deep inside they portend nothing but vampiroues attitudes that, continue to suck the blood and energy of the people they profess to administer. People with self aggrandizements as their agenda in governance; who see Nigeria as there farmland flowing with milk and honey to satisfy their whimsical desires. The nation and my country men and women, have suffered in the hands of these charlatans for years. There are no fabrics of our national life that these cancerous diseases have not inflected its pains.

Today, Nigerians have clinched to their Bible and Quar’an, praying seriously for the Almighty to redeem them, from the hardship and frustrations there are in, as a result of the wicked mechanization of these selfish and unpatriotic parasites (leaders), that have nothing to contribute, than, furthering the destruction of the remaining pillars that hold us together. Before it used be that the military rule was the problem of this country, but, as God will have the civilians are in-charge, but yet the country has not fare better eleven years after an uninterrupted democracy. Do they really care about us? Are they aware that there actions and inactions is seriously destroying our corporate co-existence? Do we still have somebody out there within the circle that is listening to the voice of the voiceless? These are some questions I ask myself often in my quite moment.

Fundamentally, Nigerians are very hardworking, creative and talented people; if the right environment is created by the leadership, to tap these resources that are buried in the hearts, hands and heads of very Nigerian. Who are the redeemers that will tap and develop these creativity and talents? Sometime people argued about the chances of Muhammadu Buhari, Atiku Abuakar, IBB, Ali Gusua and others older generations that are jostling to rule us once again as fundamental redeemers. But, I ask myself if some of these bright minds suddenly pass on, does that mean we have lost leaders that will take us to the greater height? I believe the answer is on the negative, the essence of development is to always identify bright minds that have shown courage and determination in changing our society for a better. What about grooming leaders like the Babantude Fasholas’ of Lagos State, Mallam Nuhu Ribadus’, Mallam Nasiru El Rufa’Is’,  Sanusi Lamido Sanusis’ the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and host of others including you reading this piece; as a potential national redeemers come tomorrow, that will fill the leadership vacuum that will soon be created.

Our hallmark to development is our ability to identify people that have strives to make things work; within the prism of hopeless situation we have found ourselves. It is time the old guards should pave way for the new breeds, to take charge of this country while they offers guardianship, through their wealth of experience in other to build a nation out of the centrifugal misery we found ourselves. The time to act is now.

As we mark a golden jubilee (50 years) of nationhood, it is time these charlatans and comedians, who pretend to be our leaders, in all strata of our
society understand that making Nigeria work again, will be beneficial for all us. The current crisis of kidnapping, militancy, 419ers and Boko Haram saga is only clearing way for a much bigger crisis and conflicts; if not even outright civil war in Nigeria (God Forbid). These reactionary crises are all composers of revolutionary songs and dance step, if urgent attentions and cautions were not taking; if the predictions of the United State America intelligent community are anything to go by; that Nigeria will disintegrate in fifteen (15) years time; starting from 2005-2010; ironical this year we hope to be among the 20 largest economy in the world; any linkage; I think we should think about this; because if we are not among the 20 largest economy in the world; we might end up among the 20 largest fail state in the world (God forbid). (Logical thinking is require here please).

While saluting the over patience and resilient of Nigerians on the attainment of golden jubilee, 50 years of nationhood and hopelessness and confusion, it is also important to acquits them that docility and prayers alone will not solve the problem, but our commitment, sacrifice, courage and self evaluations of our contributions to the development or underdevelopment of the country, is key to making THE REDEEMERS appears within our mist and change this historical injustice and exploitations of some few group of people who seen our country as their personal estate to be distributed to their wards and cronies. This is because God does not change the destiny of people unless and until they change what is in the heart. God in the Glorious Quar’an said “Allah does not change the condition of any people until they first change what is in their hearts” (Surah Al-Ra’ad 13:11).


So therefore, docility, cutting corners, corruptions, immorality, unguided criticism, dishonesty, mistrust etc will lead us to no way; it will only deepen
our woes. Let turn a new leaves by reforming ourselves and challenge our institutions and structures of injustices and exploitations. This is our
historic roles as Nigerians, let us not given excuses on why it cannot be done, let not emphasis our difference, but understand them, we have the study, let have the action. Happy Golden jubilee my country men and women; and God Bless Nigeria Amin
                         
BUKHARI MUHAMMED BELLO JEGA
National Facilitator Study Initiative for Leadership Discipline in Nigeria (SILDIN) ABUJA
belloskic@yahoo.com
07037176838