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As We Move Into 2006… By Jibo Nura Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria
By virtue of what happened from May 1999 to date, we should have understood that no amount of advanced mathematical calculations, be it in form of logic, abracadabra, complex numerical analysis or even double integration, can solve the nation’s geometrical problems that are daily induced by the so called political advocates of democracy and governance. The only solution, if any, to our own ordeal is to go back to the drawing board and pencil out a problem solving technique using almighty approach to all the disequilibria forces that disturb the concrete foundation of our national building.
Forget about trial and error this time around. All that is needed is for all of us to look inward into ourselves and inculcate the spirit of genuine attitudinal change in our behaviours and habits. Though attitudinal change it self is a continuous process, which can only emanate from past knowledge and experience interaction between existing attitudes and the modified ones.
According to Bala Muhammad’s societal reorientation lecture at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, attitude distinct from behaviour is a person’s inner thoughts and feelings for instance, how you intend to do with your life, whereas behaviour is as a result of outward expression of attitude that is, how you actually spend your life. The reason why I referred to this definition is to draw a demarcation line between these two words, attitude and behaviour, because we failed to appreciate the fact that they are the necessary ingredients in curbing societal predicaments. Our experience under the present democratic dispensation is very astonishing, for example, the massive killings of innocent souls, all in the name of tribalism, ethnicity and identity struggle. Ubiquitous financial improprieties among leaders, ineptitudes in leadership and governance, majority of people suffering amidst plenty, lack of security, lawlessness and order, lack of respect for humanity and hu man dignity, bribery and corruption everywhere. So also political wrangling, armed robbery and theft cases are seen all the time. In fact, there is a complete loss of direction and values system in the country. We no longer have respect for one another. Sometimes one even wonders and begins to ask whether we are expecting somebody from the moon or heaven to come and put things into shape?
To the best of my knowledge, I have never seen or witnessed an instance where one destroys his own house and anticipates somebody-somewhere to come and build another one for him. Therefore, as we enter into this New Year, 2006, we need to ponder over the following as food for thoughts:
One: The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not in age. For instance, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Botswana and United States, are all products of colonialism, who were nothing 150 years ago, but today they are developed and very rich.
Two: Japan with its limited territory, which is 80% mountainous, is incapacitated for agriculture and cattle raising. Yet today it is the world’s second biggest economy with immense floating factory, importing raw materials from different angles of the globe and exporting manufactured products.
Three: Switzerland, a country that does not plant cocoa, but that has not stopped it from having the best chocolate in the world. It produces dairy product of first class quality. It also transmits an image of security, order and precision, and that earned her the credit of world’s strong and safest country.
Four: Malaysia, who had collected palm kernel seedlings from Nigeria, who also had similar colonial experience with us and with all its ethnically diverse affiliation that divided the country into two halves, is today one of the largest countries that produce computer software, because they have courageous and good leaders.
Five: South Africa, who became independent in 1994, is today by far ahead of Nigeria. They are the Nigeria’s MTN wireless mobile telephone providers, but if you go to their own country, you would find that the MTN is never popular. And this was a country whom we have helped during apartheid days. What an irony?
Six: Ghana is another reference point whereby at a point in time Ghanaians had to be chased out of their home ground, then they had no choice than to flush out and seek refuge in Nigeria because of war and other groveling absurdities that bedeviled the country. Today, they have gone back and maintained peace and low level political/ military entropy. An average Ghanaian can today afford good shelter, food and accommodation. They are even trying to build world first class refinery, even though they are not an oil producing state.
Seven: South Korea is also a country that was behind Nigeria in terms of development but today, you hardly missed Daewoo electronic products in our homes that are made in South Korea. We can go on and on but it would be good to ask: what is the reason behind our backwardness, is it because of the change in people’s psyche and mentality or is it due to lack of national morality, moral values, discipline and natural endowment?
Really, the differences between Nigeria and these countries do not reside in the available natural resources and of course, it is neither lack of intellectual and human resources nor is it lack of natural endowments, because nature was never and is still not cruel to us. We are what we are simply due to the fact that we are a people framed along the years by indolence and indiscipline. The behaviour of people in the cited countries is that the great majority follows and upholds certain rules and regulations as mode of governance. They respect one another, unlike in our own case where majority of people can go scot free with stolen mandates; specializing in rigging elections and political/constitutional maneuverability, all in an attempt to secure second, third and even fourth terms. Some even have the guts to accuse those nearby as thieves, because they are caught in broad day light with stolen money abroad; a typical case of robbing Peter to pay Paul
Therefore, we are a country where only minorities, which are basically the downtrodden, follow basic principles in their daily life. We fail to copy, comply and teach the basic functional principles of rich and developed societies.
Finally, it is categorical that we can only transform into an egalitarian society if we can firmly uphold unto our moral values and ethics. We should restore our values at least in business and in daily transactions. Let there be genuine change in attitude and behaviours both at the top and grassroot levels; let there be respect, self discipline and mutual understanding among the leaders and the led. Political leaders must ensure the fear of God and treat the electorates with compassion.There is no rationale whatsoever in imposing and/or turning leadership into a family affair. We are supposed to emulate from people like Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Audu diof of Senegal who shown the world that power isn't everything but the only thing. These people willingly handed over the mantle of leadership without any violence or anarchy.We should therefore be responsible enough to be law abiding and obedient citizens by respecting the rights of others. If at all we want to resto re our national image and integrity there must be a complete overhaul in the existing system. In fact, as we move into 2006, we should by all means try and be hardworking, prudent and punctual in all our undertakings. We should also learn how to absolve ourselves from human bondage and social slavery. As the legendary Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley) had it in his redemption song i.e. “We got to emancipate our selves from human bondage and mental slavery none but ourselves can free our minds”.
Jibo Nura writes from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Contact Nura @ jibonura@yahoo.com
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