If A Nation Could Speak

If A Nation Could Speak

Hakeem Babalola

Political life in Nigeria is still amoral, still ruthlessly competitive and usually corrupt; the government is unstable, tyrannical, and, therefore vulnerable to challenge by self-assertive men and women. I wish one day the inordinate cruelty of our so-called ruling class will become things of the past. At the moment their diabolic guile is plunging us into Okun (sea) thereby sending us to early grave. And I suspect they are doing this by invoking conscience and morality, which are but mythologies to keep us in awe.

The thing that pains my heart is the simple fact that our country had once been tagged giant of Africa. I have pondered like a ponderous pen upon what could have transformed a giant to a dwarf status. But they say God knows all things have a cause. What could be the cause of all these woes on our beloved Nigeria? Most especially when we’re opportune to have a great nation. All we need is genuine seriousness rather than false pretences. Unfortunately we have not even start laying the foundation. For instance, we have not addressed an inevitable and subtle question of what it is to build a nation. Let us start the long and arduous journey through this path.

In all aspects, Nigeria is obviously blessed. Human as well as natural resources are there for us to put into effective use. We have petroleum for example, which makes other countries jealous. How well have we managed it, other than to increase the price of fuel whenever it pleases the government? Other nations that are not as blessed as ours in terms of natural resources – make things work. In some parts of Europe or other similar nations where there’s no natural resources, their citizens enjoy basic amenities such as good roads, constant electricity, good transportation system, running water, health care services, free and qualitative education etc. Is there any wonder why Nigerians in Diaspora refused to return and contribute to the development of their motherland? Why is the Nigerian ruling class treating its own citizens inhumanly? Why after forty-four years of trial and error, we’re still languishing in jail? Yes, living in Nigeria could be imaginatively compared to living in jail, but I hope readers would forgive my hyperbole. I am just unable to hide my despondency, especially when our governments can – if they so please – make things work. They should consider themselves lucky that we’re not an egg thrown culture; otherwise most of them would be bathing in eggs every day!

However, it’s not surprising our nation is not moving forward. It is not surprising people are genuinely suffering. What can any right thinking person expects when public office has since become an easy avenue to reaping where one does not sow! How can we progress when there’s no meaningful direction? How can Nigerians be proud of human dignity when those at the elm of affairs are totally blind and notoriously ignorant about humanity? How can life be better for the citizens when one Abacha could tuck away billions of dollars? (British-based Transparency International ranks Sani Abacha as the 4th most corrupt man in the world with 2-5billion dollars from 1993-98). Each government is insidiously fond of telling us to be patient. That things would be all right, that there’s no gain without pain while they siphon the nation’s wealth abroad with the collaboration of their overseas counterparts. When will it dawn on Nigerian rulers that their dreadfully corrupt minds are inimical to the health of our nation? In fact, each Nigerian government is always acting like a madman whose madness takes donkey years to develop, then when will it be cured? Never?

And, haven’t we been seen the product of their avarice, inept, and lack of foresight? They have given birth to joblessness, death trap road, armed robbery, 419er, hyperinflation, political assassination and what have you. They have dashed our hope. They have psychologically and successfully made the youths a pessimist. The female students have become professional prostitutes. The ones that managed to escape the brutal hardship in Nigeria, and subsequently found themselves in Italy or other places have become hookers. One has to read some reports by the wife of Vice-president, Titi Atiku, on the trafficking of Nigerian females to Italy – for prostitution. The youths have become brain drain. Every youth wants to leave the country irrespective of hardship awaiting him or her in any country of choice. Isn’t it an eye-opener if a Part-four University student prefers to abandon his or her studies to “checking out”? What of an exchange programme student who refuses to return home after the completion of his or her program? These two examples are to me a metaphor of something: Hopelessness.

Indeed many of our youths have since perished during such daring sojourn. A serious government, I think, will genuinely deliberate on why the youths who left Nigeria in frustration are eventually making it in the country of adoption? And I am not talking of 419ers, the drug pushers or others who deliberately engage in illegal activities. I am referring to Nigerian men and women all over the world making it through hard work and tenacity. These fellows are our hope as a nation. They are the ones to redeem our blatantly damaged image abroad. At least, the world would know – through them - that not all Nigerians are 419ers or drug pushers. To these ambassadors I say, “please don’t relent on your efforts, and surely your dream of a well managed Nigeria would come true”. I am also dreaming of this day when in a proud manner Nigerian youths will see the green-white-green flag as a symbol of HOPE.

Isn’t the fundamental function of any government to provide basic amenities and especially security for its citizens? Nigerian government does not think so, hence the unresolved incessant killings so rampart, and one is inclined to think government must be involved. It’s an absurd irony that the same government the people look up to – for protection –is the same government that’s indirectly killing us day by day. For in this world there’s no worse plague to bear than the enemy at home who’s always there. Where do we go from here when our hospitals are barely functioning? What is left of us when the police seem to have abandoned their basic duties – of protecting the citizens from criminals? Where is the hope when teachers just go to the classroom for going sake? How could any citizen be proud of the government who refused to educate them? The foundation of any state, according to Diogenes Laertius, is the education of its youth. I posit here that any state that refuses to educate its youth will surely bring social upheaval and violent conflict into such state. And where is the justice when there’s no constant and perpetual will to allot to every citizen her due?

In his inaugural address of 29 May 1999, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo gave assurances that his government is committed to good governance in all ramifications. These include transparency and accountability, elimination of corruption, the optimum use of national asset for the benefit of the majority, poverty alleviation and economic recovery. Unless it is another country entirely, I am yet to see much of these things manifested. Oh yes, the advent of mobile phone is commendable. Let the same generosity extends to other aspects of our lives. For, as incredible as it purports, that being who can hardly affords a square meal would feel nothing but belligerence. Let us allow the poverty-stricken and downtrodden in our midst to feel the dignity of a human being. After all, we have been addressed time and time as fellow Nigerians. Let us find a permanent way whereby touts or political thugs will realise they can be useful to their country rather than being criminals. Let us put a wreathed smile on even a cleaner or porter whom I suppose belong to the bottom of the totem pole. Let us show the impoverished Nigerians who wear threadbare clothes the meaning and fruit of democracy. By the way, what kind of democracy is ours when elections failed to hold due to the activities of political thugs? (See The Guardian, Sunday, March 28 2004)

To be fair, economic recovery in our country is a daunting task. It won’t be that easy even for a serious government. And I think this is the more reason why politicians should be more careful – of their promises – when campaigning. There’s no need for empty promises, which indicates desperation to rule at all cost.

It is at this juncture I would digress, and I beg for forgiveness like Nigerian citizens need to forgive our past rulers in other to move forward. The motive of this digression is to place before President Obasanjo the future that befits a man of international stature like himself. First, Obasanjo needs to remember that history will definitely judge him. He should realise this could be his last chance to be politically relevant to his nation. Thrice the president (One term as a soldier), there’s no excuse for failure after leaving office. More so it would be morally wrong for him to criticize his successors when in fact himself could not put things right during his terms. Obasanjo should imagine himself sitting at his Otta farm with Madam Stella over pounded yam and okro or egusi soup reminiscing over the past. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if his conscience makes him chuckle, and then whispers to Madam: “This is the great Nigeria I have nurtured.” And it was Usman Dan Fodio who said that, “Conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it”.

So, a reckless and inhuman implementation of ‘economic’ policies can only lead to massive social dislocations as we are witnessing today, according to Colonel Abubakar Umar (rtd). Even if the retired Colonel’s utterance is vengeance or self-glorification in nature, there’s iota of truth in it. And this is what really concerns me now. But can Obasanjo be right when he said that his economic policy is for the future? If this is so then all of his critics should be ready to eat our words. Though the truth remains many Nigerians today are leaning towards pessimism as a result of government bad policies, yet the man Obasanjo is urging us to be optimistic – the song those before him had sung. He has forgotten that a realistic pessimist is far better than ignorance optimist. For if our country is going to be a better place in fifty years’ time, we should have been seen a drastic positive change in the last ten or twenty years. Definitely, the change won’t come overnight. Americans and citizens of other so-called advance countries are enjoying the fruit of their fathers’ labour while Nigerian citizens are in deep agony of our rulers’ ambivalent behaviour towards governance.

Does leadership connotes failure in Nigerian context? It seems. When in fact good leadership is a virtue. It means suffering as Late Dr. Tai Solarin once said. Leadership simply means great responsibilities and leading by example. It is dignity and a way of preserving one’s name. It is genuine caring and not about building palaces, or a way to amass wealth at the expense of citizens. Good leadership demands remarkable foresight. Honesty and not hypocrisy is a prerequisite for good leadership. No matter how difficult the situation, any worthy leader should always endeavour to tell the truth. And this is where I part with Socrates, that great philosopher who said, “leaders should only tell lies if it’s in the interest of their community”. Under no circumstances should a leader tell lies, and this of course, is in their own interest. Leaders cannot subvert the truth for a long time; it will definitely hunt them in the long run as it is now haunting both President Bush of America and Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain – over Iraq.

Therefore, I am yearning for a nation whereby we celebrate honesty and hard work instead of titles or ill-gotten wealth. I am thirsty for a nation whereby affluence isn’t the real motivation but a good name. I am dying for a New Nigeria where youths will have great hope. I am calling for a nation where the dignity of human beings is a priority. I am appealing to President Obasanjo and his cronies in government to start laying a solid foundation for future of our country. Let us build utopian communities in accordance with our beliefs. Let us make our country a place where Nigerians in Diaspora could eventually return to, and contribute to the development of a great nation. Let us do it for our children who sooner or later would put us either in the dustbin of history or golden book of history. I prefer the latter.

Time waits for no man or nation is what Nigeria would say if she could speak. Please, let us make her proud among the comity of nations. It can certainly be done.