Guest Column

NigerianNews

Dr. David Ogula
Scholar-Practitioner
New York
Click here to Email

For the first time in our history, we have a President not beholden to the asymmetrical forces that have wielded power and influence in the nation. Given this development, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s rise to power introduces multiple columns that strengthens the structure of our nation, and creates the opportunity for us to forge and affirm a national identity.

This is Our Moment
by Dr. David Ogula

---

Nigerians have yearned, hoped and prayed for a better Nigeria. However, in this quest for a better Nigeria, there have been a few missed opportunities. Murutala Mohammed, Muhammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon’s administrations, the second and “third” coming of Olusegun Obasanjo offered opportunities for a change in direction. If you are wondering about the reference to Obasanjo’s third coming, his influence is viewed by this author as a continuum, not merely for the maneuvers behind the scene that led to the current turn of events politically, but much more significantly, for it’s implications for political transformation. It is fairly accurate to note that with each missed opportunity there has been a pattern of looking back with regret or hurling blame. This pattern of behavior is analogous to the ensuing dilemma if a door is slammed at one’s face. Spending so much time staring at the door or contemplating on what to do about the closed door, limits the likelihood of seeing other doors that may be open. Thus, the culture of looking back, not necessarily to learn from our errors, has prevented us from seizing opportunities, or from looking ahead and setting priorities.

Given our inability to seize past opportunities, one wonders if we would detect and seize other opportunities for national transformation when they arise. Events that trigger transformative change do not appear announcing their arrival. They are detected, in part, from paying attention to what is right in front of us. Such moments are shaped by events, and sometimes by a convergence of unanticipated factors. When such moments arrive, it takes discerning minds to use them for the collective good. Some clues about our role in shaping our world are offered by Albert Einstein’s insight that "the world we have created is a product of our ways of thinking. It cannot be changed until we change those patterns of thinking." Likewise, the Nigeria we have created over the last 50 years is a product of our thinking. Certainly, the Nigeria we will create in the next 50 years will be a product of our thinking, decisions and actions.

We have just witnessed a moment of profound existential hope for Nigeria. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s rise to the Presidency bodes well for every Nigerian. Because of space and time constraints, I will limit myself only to listing the possibilities engendered by this momentous turn of events. First, the opportunities offered by the political realignments we are witnessing holds the promise for every Nigerian, regardless of tribe or tongue, to aspire to lead and be whomever they wish to be.  Second, it holds the promise of a future focused on the things that unite us rather than those that separate us. Third, it opens the doors for equal treatment for each individual and for us to build a society where each individual has equal opportunity to elevate himself economically. Fourth, it promises to enervate the will to break the cycle of dysfunction in Nigeria. Fifth, it holds the promise of dismantling ethnic sanctuaries for corrupt public officials; and sixth, it holds the promise of a new generation of politicians who will invest their abilities on building a nation instead of replicating and perfecting the errors of our forerunners.

An opportunity has also been created to weaken, if not completely dismantle, the regional political system which has dominated the nation since independence. For too long the fortunes of the nation have been tied to the interests of regional elites disguised either as regional interests, or national interests. Regional politics in Nigeria has neither benefited the nation nor the majority of the people in the regions whose interest regional elites claim to represent. The massive number of poor and disadvantaged people among the dominant trio is evidence of elite manipulation of regional sentiments. As we all know, a trivet maintains stability only if its stands provide support symmetrically; irregularity in any stand inexorably threatens its stability. The converse holds if a structure has multiple columns. In our political history there has never been a time when the interests of the dominant trio achieved such symmetry. For the first time in our history, we have a President not beholden to the asymmetrical forces that have wielded power and influence in the nation. Given this development, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s rise to power introduces multiple columns that strengthens the structure of our nation, and creates the opportunity for us to forge and affirm a national identity.

The President has in his own words given us the standards to measure his performance in office -the “irreducible minimums” of stabilizing power supply, continuing the fight against corruption and ensuring a credible electoral process. To seize this moment, the President must be taken at his words. We must focus on his performance and judge him by the standards, and timeline he has set for his administration. Simultaneously, those who are scheming to derail the achievement of nationally desirable goals should be exposed. In all, good governance and leadership by example must be seen as an imperative for meaningful results to occur. The doctrine of trickle down corruption, manifested by mindless looting at all levels of government must be rejected in its entirety.

As is often the case in Nigeria, the regressive forces are pulling together, hedging their bets on maintaining the status quo. At the same time, the “independence generation” whose hopes for a better life as adults have been crushed are asserting themselves, indicating that they are not ignorant, timid or immature. The latter are clearly voicing their rejection of the labels thrown at them by those politicians whose flawed policies plunged the nation into this deep mess. Knowing that the regressive forces have an infinite capacity to wreck havoc and encourage others to indulge in difficult behavior, these Nigerians are utilizing the new media to diseminate their message and mobilizing against those who wish to thwart any signs of progress. They recognize beyond any doubt that placing the vehicle of the Nigerian State in reverse would not miraculously launch it forward. From all indications, they have resolved not to collude with those who planted the seeds of generational failure.

I join these progressive Nigerians in searching constructively for the best possible ways to improve the system and to make it work for us. I acknowledge that the system in place is imperfect; nonetheless, I join Nigerians in and outside Nigeria, in the discussions and actions that will lead us logically and rationally to the conclusions that serve our needs.

To all Nigerians, I say, this is the moment to set the nation free from the self-gratifying vision of regional elites. I feel the momentum growing. This is our moment, this is our chance; let’s not let it slip.

Unique visitors: 621