Umar Osabo
All lizards suffered stomachaches, but you will never know which lizard is sick unless you see the one that lies belly wise. I cannot really say what some of us want for Nigeria. But as for me, I want a Nigeria where we can produce what we eat, the cars we drive, and most things we use day to day locally. I also want to see a Nigeria where we will all go to bed with our two eyes closed. A Nigeria, where most of our youths will be gainfully employed after graduation or have the enabling environment to create their own jobs. A Nigeria where we will see our diversity as an opportunity to learn from one another and grow together. A Nigeria where the son of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody. A Nigeria that will operate on institutions, not on the whims and caprices of a few. And the institutions must be above persons, groups of persons or geopolitical blocks and political parties.
The title of my short essay is taken from John F Kenedy’s quotation where he said: ‘Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country. I absolutely believe in this statement of facts. Though, some people may disagree with my proposition. However, everyone has the right to their opinions, but we all have moral and constitutional duties to put positive energy together and begin to find ways that we can change our beloved country’s narrative for good. In a similar manner, leaders at all levels must live up to their responsibilities. With this in place, we can then set with a tape and ruler and redesign the Nigerian of our dream as well as decolonize our minds.
It’s a statement of fact that we do have challenges of bad leadership as well as the masses. This has been there for decades now. But if I may ask, did the past and present leaders drop from the sky? Are they not Nigerians? Everyone has a role to play in the making of a New Nigerian of our dreams. And if anyone is holding the vague notion that it is one geopolitical zone or the other that is responsible for the current spate of insecurity and economic hardship, then, it appears the person hasn’t studied Nigeria well.
I am afraid, if we continue to lament instead of looking inward for the best possible ways to remedy the situation; what happened to Israelites of old may as well happen to us. May God forbid it! However, I would like to appeal to anyone reading this piece to kindly detach s/he mind from petty sentiments that landed us where we are today. If Nigeria has to work for all of us, we must start working for it now. And part of making sure that Nigeria works for the good of all is for the elites to put their emotion under check. We are human beings first, then Nigerians, and later what we are today.
To remedy the situation, we need to start loving one another, our products, our abilities unconditionally. This will enable us to see the good in one another irrespective of whatever trivial difference we may be having with a person or group of persons. By so doing, we will begin to think of what we can do for Nigeria, not what Nigeria will do for us. This may be a little bit difficult for some of us. But, if the elites who have an absolute understanding of what is wrong with Nigeria could start by a little display of unconditional love, positive change in everything they do that is somehow against the spirit of a better Nigeria, then, things will begin to work for all of us.
Those of us who have a say in the government, should for the sake of our unborn children and great-grandchildren make sure they channel their energy towards the building of institutions that will be above everyone or a group of persons in Nigeria. Without working institutions, the county will continue to have old wine in a new bottle as leaders. The media auctioneers, judicial officers, security personnel, teachers, and every other profession out there must begin to put Nigeria first in everything they do. To make Nigeria good for us all, we must strive harder to be the change we wish to see in our beloved country. I am not talking of cheap lips-service or pecuniary seekers who often blow the ambers of patriotism just to win an elective position. I am talking about working for the good of Nigeria in private and in the open without the expectation of any immediate rewards even if it means dying in the process.
Nigeria didn’t get to where it is today accidentally. It is deliberate inaction or negative action of some of us that landed us where we are. When I was growing up, I was made to understand that education is the key to success. But, today, education is a key to success for those who have mothers in the corridor of power! It’s almost impossible for a child of a nobody to becoming somebody without knowing anybody in Nigeria! This must stop! Sometimes, it makes some people begin to feel that they are cheated. As a result, they begin to look for all sorts of negative ways, willingly (some) and some unwillingly (frustration) to help themselves. It is really sad! We need to rise and change the situation, if not, the worse is yet to come!
One worrisome thing is that people seldom ask questions. Questions on how Mr. X, Y, and Z become wealthy! Leadership has become a cheap way to siphon the public funds. Another troublesome issue is that you will hear people saying: ‘they are prosecuting our son or daughter unjustly! Often, the people who are making these claims knew deep down in their hearts that their son or daughter has actually stolen from the public purse! This is a clear case of unpatriotism to Nigeria progression, and inimical to the masses who have worked under the sun and in the rain to elect them! I really hate lamentation as a person! But, it is a wise thing to point out problems and then proffer solutions. All this can change if we really want to change the narrative in our society. It will only take a change of mindset. And building upon that willpower tenaciously until things change for the common good of all.
I don’t need anyone to tell me that leading people is one of the most difficult things to do in this world. It has been so since the days of Abraham (AS), Moses (AS), Jesus (AS), and Muhammad (SAW). So it scares me when I see some people who are supposed to go out and develop a career and become more resourceful to society, vying for elective posts. I am not trying to say it is bad, but, some of these people appear not to have agendas at all. Some of them find it so difficult to keep their family running well, yet they want to rule the entire community, why? Could it be that if you want to be rich overnight in Nigeria is to go into politics and use whatever means to get there and steal? I have seen people who cannot read a newspaper and digest its contents going from pillar to post just to win an elective post, why? I think our political system is too lucrative, we need to make it less profitable so that only those who want to truly serve can contest for elective positions.
One word from Napoleon Hill will solve most of our challenges in Nigeria. That word is Faith! This may sound naïve to some of us. But it has the innate power to change things for good. Faith is a state of mind that can be induced. It’s achieved through continuous repetition of what one wants, then the subconscious mind will accept the vibration. Once, this is achieved, it will manifest itself in the positive world through constant actions and persistence! How should not be a problem to one who truly desires a positive change in Nigeria? But holding on to the vision and repeating saying what he or she wants in Nigeria, and then work towards it! I swear to God, if we all do this in our quiet moments and in public, it will surely come as we always want it! It may take time, but; it will surely come! The starting point is the mind! See the change in your mind’s eyes, hold it, romanticize it and work for it; it will come!
Civilization is nothing but systematic management of human emotion. But, how come African countries, Nigeria in particular claimed to be civilized, but somehow, we are finding it difficult to manage our emotions? So many petty emotional deficiencies across the country! The aftermath of some of these attitudes gives birth to most of the problems the country is battling with today. If only we can detach, or put our emotions under check, work for the benefits of all, the country will be better forever! And I think we should stop portraying the negative side of our country, Nigeria is not the worse country in the world. We are directly or indirectly the recipient of what we portray.
On a final note, real success or change starts from the metaphysical realm before it is transmuted into the physical or its material equivalent. All the great men/women and countries in human history have their real strength and change first in the unseen world and later transported it to the world around them! There are so many examples in the world’s history.
If you think this could change someone’s views positively about Nigeria’s predicament, however small, kindly pass it forward.
Thank You.
