I wasn’t born in 1960. So, I have no memories of the
euphoria of the first Independence Day. My early memories of independence are
the celebrations in the small government school I attended. My well starched
and ironed school uniform, national flags made of paper, singing the National
Anthem, and a speech by the headmistress were the highlights. In my final year,
I was allowed to pin a small flag on my shirt and hold a slightly bigger one in
front of the school because I was a school prefect. Those were proud moments!
Even after so many years, the pride still remains. It is totally different
today.
Back then, it was more about Nigeria, our country! There was
nationalism all around. Even as young kids, there was unflinching commitment to
the country. Reading Chinua Achebe and Cyprian Ekwensi was a passion. I was
told so many times by my father that the first few images of post-independent
Nigeria weren’t of food shortages, poverty, hunger, inadequacy of almost everything.
There was hope!
nationalism all around. Even as young kids, there was unflinching commitment to
the country. Reading Chinua Achebe and Cyprian Ekwensi was a passion. I was
told so many times by my father that the first few images of post-independent
Nigeria weren’t of food shortages, poverty, hunger, inadequacy of almost everything.
There was hope!
Where are we after 55 years, and where do we intend to go?
As I listened to Buhari’s speech yesterday, I felt sorry for Nigeria. How did
we get here? Everything in Nigeria has changed and, in many ways, changed for
the worst. We still see poverty everywhere we turn. We are still worried
whether the next ship will bring enough food. We are a country floating on
crude oil yet we wake up every morning to fuel scarcity, wondering whether we
have enough money in our pockets to buy fuel for our generators and cars for
the next day. Although our choice of cars is no longer limited to the Peugeot
504 and the Tortoise cars our parents cruised in the 60s, and we may not live
in a black and white TV era with just one channel anymore, and there are no
more long queues at telephone booths, does that give us comfort? Have we
progressed? No. We still have to solve our more complex problems to move
forward and we are impatient. We are still looking to developed countries for
aid or to the World Bank for more loans. We are still not confident enough or
ready to take on the world.
As I listened to Buhari’s speech yesterday, I felt sorry for Nigeria. How did
we get here? Everything in Nigeria has changed and, in many ways, changed for
the worst. We still see poverty everywhere we turn. We are still worried
whether the next ship will bring enough food. We are a country floating on
crude oil yet we wake up every morning to fuel scarcity, wondering whether we
have enough money in our pockets to buy fuel for our generators and cars for
the next day. Although our choice of cars is no longer limited to the Peugeot
504 and the Tortoise cars our parents cruised in the 60s, and we may not live
in a black and white TV era with just one channel anymore, and there are no
more long queues at telephone booths, does that give us comfort? Have we
progressed? No. We still have to solve our more complex problems to move
forward and we are impatient. We are still looking to developed countries for
aid or to the World Bank for more loans. We are still not confident enough or
ready to take on the world.
What are the things Buhari needs to do and urgently too?
1: Contain divisive forces and actions. We seem to divide
ourselves in the name of tribe, region, religion, group, sub-group,
constituencies, and we never unite in times of crisis. There are a number of
external forces which may not want Nigeria to become developed and powerful.
These forces are creating difficulties both inside and outside the country. They
predicted our disintegration in 2015 and they almost made sure it happened. We
must differentiate our enemies from our allies. It is also very important that,
as a multi-cultural society, we learn to live and grow together and to resolve
our differences through dialogue within ourselves and not external influences.
Any form of violence, for any reason whatsoever, should be avoided. Instead of
expecting the government to solve all our problems, let the civil society take
its role seriously and do its bit. The large majority of Nigerians want to get
on with their lives in peace. This majority needs to assert its presence.
ourselves in the name of tribe, region, religion, group, sub-group,
constituencies, and we never unite in times of crisis. There are a number of
external forces which may not want Nigeria to become developed and powerful.
These forces are creating difficulties both inside and outside the country. They
predicted our disintegration in 2015 and they almost made sure it happened. We
must differentiate our enemies from our allies. It is also very important that,
as a multi-cultural society, we learn to live and grow together and to resolve
our differences through dialogue within ourselves and not external influences.
Any form of violence, for any reason whatsoever, should be avoided. Instead of
expecting the government to solve all our problems, let the civil society take
its role seriously and do its bit. The large majority of Nigerians want to get
on with their lives in peace. This majority needs to assert its presence.
2: Release the energy of Nigeria’s youth to generate growth
and prosperity. Take a look at any young man or woman in Nigeria today, you are
sure to find that unusual level of confidence, a confidence to take up a
challenge to better the best in any part of the world they find themselves.
They are willing to work extra hours, learn new things, and innovate. It is
this confidence and the attitude of “Naija no dey carry last” that is Nigeria’s
most valuable capital today. We need to support this with the best quality
education, infrastructure and training and research facilities, be it in the
private or public sector. Nigerian youths shouldn’t be entangled with issues of
language or religion. They should be focused on their careers and their growth,
which will in turn be Nigeria’s growth.
and prosperity. Take a look at any young man or woman in Nigeria today, you are
sure to find that unusual level of confidence, a confidence to take up a
challenge to better the best in any part of the world they find themselves.
They are willing to work extra hours, learn new things, and innovate. It is
this confidence and the attitude of “Naija no dey carry last” that is Nigeria’s
most valuable capital today. We need to support this with the best quality
education, infrastructure and training and research facilities, be it in the
private or public sector. Nigerian youths shouldn’t be entangled with issues of
language or religion. They should be focused on their careers and their growth,
which will in turn be Nigeria’s growth.
3: Get the infrastructure right. Young Nigerians are
becoming impatient, and rightly so. They want to get going. Inadequate
infrastructure, whether it is physical or social, is holding them back. Roads,
power, basic services like water and sanitation, social infrastructure like
healthcare, education need urgent attention if we want this country to grow.
Many of these could come through private sector investment, innovation and
efficiencies. The government will still play a major role both in terms of
providing funds, encouraging investments and ensuring regulation. Instead of
focusing on irrelevant issues, we need to focus on quality and cost of
services.
becoming impatient, and rightly so. They want to get going. Inadequate
infrastructure, whether it is physical or social, is holding them back. Roads,
power, basic services like water and sanitation, social infrastructure like
healthcare, education need urgent attention if we want this country to grow.
Many of these could come through private sector investment, innovation and
efficiencies. The government will still play a major role both in terms of
providing funds, encouraging investments and ensuring regulation. Instead of
focusing on irrelevant issues, we need to focus on quality and cost of
services.
4: Fight inefficiency and corruption. We are all worried
about corruption. But when it comes to standing up against corruption, we have
failed. Buhari must deter Nigerians from further engaging in corrupt practices
by making scapegoats. He has to start by appointing only credible people into
his cabinet. They must be discouraged from looting the treasury. If you ask me,
I will suggest that Goodluck Jonathan’s government should be probed and those
found guilty of corrupt practices should be sent to Kirikiri. All forms of
corruption are bad, but it is only the bigger cases that we pay attention to,
forgetting that the petty corruption is just as cancerous. It affects the poor
more and makes life miserable for the average Nigerian. The civil society needs
to stand up and force the change we have all been clamouring for. Luckily, we
now have the Freedom of Information Bill which is an effective tool in the
hands of the Nigerian citizen to ensure transparency. If Aba manufacturers are
empowered, we do not need technology from outside, we just need the will to
change age-old and opaque processes. Society needs to make its demand for this
change loud and clear.
about corruption. But when it comes to standing up against corruption, we have
failed. Buhari must deter Nigerians from further engaging in corrupt practices
by making scapegoats. He has to start by appointing only credible people into
his cabinet. They must be discouraged from looting the treasury. If you ask me,
I will suggest that Goodluck Jonathan’s government should be probed and those
found guilty of corrupt practices should be sent to Kirikiri. All forms of
corruption are bad, but it is only the bigger cases that we pay attention to,
forgetting that the petty corruption is just as cancerous. It affects the poor
more and makes life miserable for the average Nigerian. The civil society needs
to stand up and force the change we have all been clamouring for. Luckily, we
now have the Freedom of Information Bill which is an effective tool in the
hands of the Nigerian citizen to ensure transparency. If Aba manufacturers are
empowered, we do not need technology from outside, we just need the will to
change age-old and opaque processes. Society needs to make its demand for this
change loud and clear.
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