Though tribe and tongue may differ, Nigerians the world over, joined in brotherhood to celebrate the 55th independence anniversary of their beloved country, amidst unnerving socio-economic and security challenges, especially on account of the Boko Haram insurgency. But what is more, the critical message expressed by the chequered state of Nigeria’s nationhood as captured by President Buhari in his Independence Day address, should not be lost to needless merrymaking and extravagant festivity. “We have all the attributes of a great nation. We are not there yet because the one commodity we have been unable to exploit to the fullest is unity of purpose,” noted the President, in very trite remarks, as the country enters a new epoch with an admixture of cautious optimism and genuine apprehension.
In the aftermath of the historic election in which the general will of the people prevailed and a new social pact was signed with President Buhari, Nigeria has never been so vociferously optimistic in its national transformation, yet it has never been so deficient in terms of human capital and infrastructural development. But even as the annual ritual of colorful attired school children, professional groups and trade union parades garnished the martial display of the armed forces; and the drills of paramilitary forces entertain; even as Nigerians congratulate themselves for the courage and tenacity in fostering a precarious unity that has been threatened from every front, October 1st also signals another opportunity to ponder on the state of Nigeria as well as the nation’s future.
Nigerians expect a more purposeful and honest leadership from Buhari. His election is meant to give the people hope and liberate them from abject poverty. It is saddening that despite the positive assurances in certain areas, the paradox of lack in the midst of abundance and impunity in the face of the rule of law writs large. A high point in the social deficit in Nigeria today is the state of national security or the lack thereof, with the territorial integrity violated, as sections of the country are controlled by violent insurgents who unleash terror, killing, maiming and abducting hundreds of helpless victims with apparent ease, causing others to flee. It is reckoned that Nigeria now has over three million internally displaced persons because of the insurgency.
Meanwhile, in the face of this national emergency, the security apparatus, in spite of billions deployed, has demonstrated an embarrassing weakness and shocking inadequacy. Boko Haram has become a metaphor for Nigeria’s failure to prosecute security as a basic ingredient of governance. It is an ominous statement of weakness that puts Nigeria to shame.
At 55, Nigerians continue to witness the steady degradation of social infrastructure, the decline in education, health, agricultural and industrial sectors, the epileptic power supply, in spite of huge financial investments and much trumpeted privatization of the sector, as well as corruption and impunity that now appear to have taken on the character of statecraft. The ever declining economic fortunes of the people have recently been worsened by the devaluation of the Naira which has sent inflation on an unusual flight. And finally, the plummeting of crude oil prices is presenting serious challenges for the nation’s economy and making a mockery of a nation that seeks to be one of the most industrialized nations by the year 2020.
Contrary to general expectations, the new APC government failed to hit the ground running. Over 100 days after taking office, there is yet to be a cabinet. “Fellow Nigerians, there have been a lot of anxiety and impatience over the apparent delay in announcement of ministers. There is no cause to be anxious. Our government set out to do things methodically and properly… The first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course. Impatience is not a virtue. Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better results for our country is what the APC government for CHANGE is all about,” Buhari said in his independence address. But the problems of Nigeria cannot wait!
In an escalating sequence of entropic political leadership, the President and his party continue to act as if they sought to gain power first and then plan what to do with it; as if they were as unprepared for their own electoral success as the PDP was unprepared for its defeat. Whilst the government dishes out grandiloquent rhetoric about change, the truth must be told that as a people Nigerians are more divided today than ever before along ethnic, regional and religious lines. Therefore, national unity can no longer be taken for granted.
So, what cause is there for celebration? Beyond the fanfare of this occasion, the government and the people need to ruminate on forging a stronger, more united and more resolute Nigeria. For Nigeria to realize its full potential as a nation of immense endowments, Nigerians must rise up as one and cast out the demons of ethnic antipathy and rancor, political acrimony and banditry, religious bigotry, primitive acquisition, mediocrity and cronyism, and other negative forces that have held the nation hostage and now threaten to consume it.
The weight on Buhari’s shoulders is heavy and the hope is that he can carry it. Nigeria needs Buhari at this time and they voted for him because he is deemed a man of integrity with the gravitas of leadership whose mere presence should signal a shift in attitude. He stands on a firm and high moral ground to prosecute the much-desired war against corruption and bring about change in governance in ways fundamentally different. The point must be made that Nigerians voted for his character not any program, and certainly, not his APC party.
But change will not happen in an environment of widespread division, social discontent and strife. Nigerians must quickly abandon the primitive sentiments of narrow ethnicity and religious bigotry, and face squarely the task of building a modern democratic society comprising people of diverse ethnic origins and multiple religious persuasions. If Nigerians would abandon corrupt and destructive political and socio-economic habits and summon the determination to build a modern democratic society, they would put themselves on the path of national transformation. Nigeria cannot afford to plummet further, by remaining the crawling giant of Africa, and the beggarly, weeping boy in the comity of nations.
Nigeria must demonstrate its coveted state of independence by an ability to find home-grown solutions to its problems, provide basic human necessities for its teeming population, eschew corruption and respect the rule of law and place high premium on its human capital. The National Conference report is not totally ideal but its implementation will be a good starting point for a national rebirth. Another chapter in Nigeria’s life must begin, and the time is now.
