The type
of leaders we've had in Nigeria since 1979 is a mirror image of who we are as a
people. I'm guessing only a handful of Nigerians can sincerely say they've never cut
corners in their life. [Note, I used "they" not "we" because
I have.] Well, what we have in Nigeria now is what you get when you take
short-cuts to matters of life. Because we fail to follow due process, character
is not built in us; we've then become babies in adult appearance, who seek to
get by life solely depending on our connections when we're fully aware our
abilities don't match-up with our aspirations. Such an atmosphere will continue
to breed crime, under-performance and corruption by reason of having square
pegs in round holes.
I was once travelling out from Muritala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, and while the queue to board the aircraft was slowly progressing, a set of Mobile Policemen (MOPOL) came brushing us aside leading a man full of so much pomposity to the front of the queue allowing him board before the rest of us despite his late arrival. In-flight, I had to use the gents and as I was making my way towards the tail of the airplane, behold, I saw the supposedly VIP who felt no form of remorse sat in the economy section of the aircraft. With his braggadocio entrance being led by armed officers, I expect him to be a first-class passenger. What was the need of false importance? Isn't this clearly a feeling triggered by low self-esteem? It's psychological, the lesser you feel the more affluent you project yourself. It's common to hear Nigerians say "Do you know who I am?" in a bid to oppress the other, while in western countries, the gentleman or lady walking their dog quietly on the other side of the road might just be a billionaire in dollars.
This poverty initiated mindset is why when military coups occur or democratic elections are conducted in Nigeria, the dice usually land on individuals whose only interest are themselves, they loot the country's treasury crazily and allow foreigners take advantage of our ineptitude.
Most of our present crop of leaders don’t even know the basic function of their office, after muscling their way in there they reverse the tide and the populace become their servants, while they go on like royals. The Minister of Information occasionally cooks for The President, and Minister of Defence sells Crude Oil, saying he doesn't know what to do with his too much profit. It's also become an almost everyday sight to see state governors and their entourage on streets of Paris and London shopping with mistresses in name of representing Nigeria overseas.
This madness will continue, until individually, Nigerians consciously start to live right. Obeying traffic laws, standing on queues where applicable, respecting and protecting our vulnerable citizens (elderly, disable, children and women), allowing our children re-take exams if they fail, not the "man know man" approach to get them promoted or admitted into Tertiary institutions without substance. Repeating a class doesn't mean your child is a dullard, at times children have difficulties concentrating on their studies when bothered by other social issues. But encouraging them to repeat a task until they get it right is a valuable life lesson on its own.
Furthermore, teach your children to be honest by rewarding them when they are. Our idea of flogging children will only teach them to lie in order to escape the rod. Also display your joy for work and providing for the family, whether self-employed or in full/part time employment, let your child understand that it’s through work one becomes wealthy. Government on their part must ensure to prosecute those found guilty of crime in our society. This joint attempt at sanity by families and government will rub off on our children, because naturally they imitate their parents and people society throws up to them as role models.
Over a period of ten years, anyone who goes through this healthy process of living will develop good morals and eventually a solid character worthy to lead a prosperous nation like Nigeria, birthing the New Nigeria, a land blessed with all kinds of natural resources and hard working creative people. It is shallow mindedness that has made us rank amongst the poorest countries of the world, on paper, we don't belong in that class.
Begin this national re-orientation with yourself and your family - charity they say begins at home. The great book also sums it up, "A healthy tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a poor tree bear good fruit"...! (Luke 6:43), if you look into the stream it's yourself you will see. Good people, Good nation.
I was once travelling out from Muritala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, and while the queue to board the aircraft was slowly progressing, a set of Mobile Policemen (MOPOL) came brushing us aside leading a man full of so much pomposity to the front of the queue allowing him board before the rest of us despite his late arrival. In-flight, I had to use the gents and as I was making my way towards the tail of the airplane, behold, I saw the supposedly VIP who felt no form of remorse sat in the economy section of the aircraft. With his braggadocio entrance being led by armed officers, I expect him to be a first-class passenger. What was the need of false importance? Isn't this clearly a feeling triggered by low self-esteem? It's psychological, the lesser you feel the more affluent you project yourself. It's common to hear Nigerians say "Do you know who I am?" in a bid to oppress the other, while in western countries, the gentleman or lady walking their dog quietly on the other side of the road might just be a billionaire in dollars.
This poverty initiated mindset is why when military coups occur or democratic elections are conducted in Nigeria, the dice usually land on individuals whose only interest are themselves, they loot the country's treasury crazily and allow foreigners take advantage of our ineptitude.
Most of our present crop of leaders don’t even know the basic function of their office, after muscling their way in there they reverse the tide and the populace become their servants, while they go on like royals. The Minister of Information occasionally cooks for The President, and Minister of Defence sells Crude Oil, saying he doesn't know what to do with his too much profit. It's also become an almost everyday sight to see state governors and their entourage on streets of Paris and London shopping with mistresses in name of representing Nigeria overseas.
This madness will continue, until individually, Nigerians consciously start to live right. Obeying traffic laws, standing on queues where applicable, respecting and protecting our vulnerable citizens (elderly, disable, children and women), allowing our children re-take exams if they fail, not the "man know man" approach to get them promoted or admitted into Tertiary institutions without substance. Repeating a class doesn't mean your child is a dullard, at times children have difficulties concentrating on their studies when bothered by other social issues. But encouraging them to repeat a task until they get it right is a valuable life lesson on its own.
Furthermore, teach your children to be honest by rewarding them when they are. Our idea of flogging children will only teach them to lie in order to escape the rod. Also display your joy for work and providing for the family, whether self-employed or in full/part time employment, let your child understand that it’s through work one becomes wealthy. Government on their part must ensure to prosecute those found guilty of crime in our society. This joint attempt at sanity by families and government will rub off on our children, because naturally they imitate their parents and people society throws up to them as role models.
Over a period of ten years, anyone who goes through this healthy process of living will develop good morals and eventually a solid character worthy to lead a prosperous nation like Nigeria, birthing the New Nigeria, a land blessed with all kinds of natural resources and hard working creative people. It is shallow mindedness that has made us rank amongst the poorest countries of the world, on paper, we don't belong in that class.
Begin this national re-orientation with yourself and your family - charity they say begins at home. The great book also sums it up, "A healthy tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a poor tree bear good fruit"...! (Luke 6:43), if you look into the stream it's yourself you will see. Good people, Good nation.
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