Jerome-Mario Chijioke Utomi
The bitter truth is that presently, no nation best typifies a country in dire need of peace and social cohesion among her various sociopolitical groups than Nigeria. Over the years, myriads of sociopolitical contradictions have conspired directly and indirectly to give the unenviable tag of a country in constant search of social harmony, justice, equity, equality, and peace.
In view of this fact, particularly as it is said that once the boundaries of the brain is adjusted by new knowledge, it will never regain its original shape, as we begin the year 2022, there are important actions/steps that the nation handlers must take in order to abort this unpalatable narrative.
In my view, the Federal Government must come to the recognition that Nigerians hitherto relegated to the background in the scheme of political and socio economic affairs of their nation, have finally come to term that sovereignty as provided for in Section 14 (2) (a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) belong to the people. Hence, they are ready to hold the government accountable and make demands for prudent use of the nation’s resources.
The second and a very good one being that Nigeria as a nation, we ‘stand a better chance of not failing if its handlers abides by the basic principle that has helped other countries progress; social cohesion through sharing the benefits of progress, equal opportunities for all, and meritocracy, with the best man or woman for the job, especially as leaders in government’,
Going forward, Nigeria needs a sincere and selfless leadership, a politically and economically restructured polity brought by the national consciousness that can unleash the social, economic and political transformation of the country while rejecting the present socio-economic system that has bred corruption, inefficiency, primitive capital accumulation that socially excluded the vast majority of our people.
The Federal Government must recognize, and position Nigeria to be a society of equal citizens where opportunities are equal and personal contribution is recognized and rewarded on merit regardless of language, culture, religion or political affiliations. If we are able to achieve this, it will once again, announce the arrival of a brand new great nation where peace and love shall reign supreme as no nation enjoys durable peace without justice and stability, without fairness and equity!
From the above explanation flows yet another question as to how?
The answer may not be explicit as this piece provides too short a space to explain and understand the above question. it is however, spaced enough to state that if committed to mind, and acted upon in this 2022, there are strong indications that Nigeria’s challenge is predicated on inadequacies of, and failure by public office holders to generate breakthrough ideas and exacerbated by comprehensive incompetence to learn what the job of leadership is all about, made worse by total absence of creative/innovative thinking and superior leadership communication.
To explain this fact, evidence abound that Nigerians in the days of the oil boom in the 1970s witnessed the peak of economic successes. But when it seemed that the country would end up controlling the whole world, something prevented it.
The problem is that we failed to apply/use what we have learned from successes of other countries to make informed national policies/decisions. This brought a marked economic decline and paved the way for other countries to overtake us both socially and economically.
This decline in Nigeria’s socioeconomic growth, and accelerated development of other nations are traceable to the existence of smart and banal leadership styles. The smart leaders that held sway of now developed countries spelt out every detail of their nation’s growth strategies into the future. They planned everything; they knew the job of leadership. The banal leaders on the other hand never got the big picture but only concentrated on the boring little details. They are good at analyzing the nation’s political and socioeconomic challenges with clarity but could not see the solution. This is the painful tale about our country.
To move forward and build Nigeria of our dreams, the nation- leaders need to reassess their priorities. The leaders/government must develop the ability to give every citizen a stake in the country and its future by subsidizing things that improve the earning powers of citizens- education, housing and public health.
Again, separate from providing good governance and granting Nigerians the love, attention and care they deserve, President Muhammadu must be ready to practice empathy, humility, communicate, accommodate, coach and invite the youths to start learning leadership through sincere political apprenticeship/appointments. It will be of greater good in political and socioeconomic terms if the Federal Government admits the reality that Nigerian youths are no longer ready to watch the political and leadership affairs of their nation from political gallery.
Without doubt, effective communication should be a skill that President Muhammadu Buhari must learn going forward if he is desirous of being described as a strategic leader when he must have gone. Humility should mean to him recognizing that he doesn’t know everything and some of his best strategies have flaws. His ability to practice empathy will create meaningful connections between him and the general masses.
let Mr. President remember that ‘a system that advertises complete absence of human kindness, exploits the weak and vulnerable in the society, much against acceptable international practice, and places little or no value on human life is a destructive system’.
On their part, it is important that Nigerians continue to speak up against violation of human rights, suppression of free speech and freedom of the press. They must not initiate, encourage or spread false, mischievous or divisive information capable, or with outright intent, of misleading the populace and disrupting societal harmony and peace. Within the ambience of the law, they must speak up with facts against any wrongdoing or oppression by the government or fellow citizens capable of endangering sustainable democracy and the effective delivery of good governance.
Also, Nigerians are in agreement that the law is the supreme instrument of the state which must be respected and no one is above the law. This particular fact if well understood will assist them (Nigerians) to comprehend that as citizens, they are constitutionally eligible to vote and be voted for.
Finally, ‘whenever and wherever words fail to impose order, anarchy prevails. Wherever and whenever signs fail to communicate noble ideas and ideals, humanity is diminished and impoverished’. Likewise Nigerian political space at independence despite being an amalgam of multicultural, multi-religious and multilingual groups thrived peacefully on some values nourished. This harmonious existence, however, has since transformed into a chaotic coexistence. President Buhari’s ability to find answers to the nation’s disordered coexistence will be the most valid responsibility/performance in the present circumstance.
Utomi Jerome-Mario is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy), Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), A Lagos-Based Non Governmental Organization (NGO).And could be reached via Jeromeutomi@yahoo.com/08032725374.
