- Continued from last week
equal regions. Legitimate authorities gave way to dictatorial leadership. Again, to whom were the soldiers accountable? Surely, they were not answerable to the “bloody civilians.”
The mistake of the first military ruler, Major-General Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, who foisted the strange unitary system on the country through his controversial unification decree, marked the beginning of the journey to gloom. He was a fine soldier, a professional military man. But, as an administrator, his government was not impressive. He was an ethnic bigot in national uniform; clannish, discriminative, inexperienced, incompetent, ill-prepared slow and indecisive. He created more problems than he met on ground.
Also, his unfortunate death unleashed more challenges relating to politico-military succession. The chain of events led to the avoidable 30-month civil war.
Today, some leaders may be dodging the national question. Yet, its resolution is critical to peace and harmony. The crux of the matter is that it was not Nigeria that was colonised by the British. The kingdoms – Yoruba, Nupe, Fulani, Kanuri, Ebira, Efik, Ibibio, and Bini, among others – were colonised.
Nigeria has aptly been described as a mere geographical expression. Diverse people from incompatible social formations were lumped together to coexist. The question is: on what terms?
The 1999 Constitution has continued to lie against itself. What is the basis for peaceful coexistence? Restructuring, the anticipated elixir for true national cohesion, should not be put in abeyance. If Nigeria desires security, it should also consider state and community policing. It is gratifying that President Tinubu has given his nod to state police.
Nigeria is still being confronted by an identity crisis. Why is a section still pushing for disintegration or balkanisation? Is it not due to feelings of alienation, marginalisation and injustice?
The country has also continued to grapple with a distribution crisis. How the wealth is generated is usually less important than how it is distributed. Thus, fair play is said to be absent.
There is hope under the current administration. Its people-oriented policies and programmes are reassuring. Many problems were inherited by the administration. They cannot be resolved within a year.
But, speed is also required to sustain the cooperation of the distressed citizens for the government.
The past is consigned to history. But the present can be devoted to reforms and other corrective measures, which should permeate the sectors.
Nigeria yearns for great leadership. An opportunity is presented to President Bola Tinubu to lead the country through these lean and challenging times. Expectations are high for him to implement his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ with utmost fidelity.
Read Also: Hyundai Nigeria unveils locally-assembled CNG vehicles
If President Tinubu can restore regular power supply and revive the ailing refineries, Nigeria will be on the path to survival. The informal sector would have been liberated and the measures would be an incentive to local and foreign investment.
The government should refocus public spending in a way that will trigger productive activities and wealth generation. The country should pay attention to agriculture to guarantee food security. President Tinubu is doing that.
Leadership should have a national outlook. This is being demonstrated by the President’s critical appointments. Nepotism will only accentuate suspicion and generate nasty thoughts about ethnic domination which would fuel the fear of marginalisation and exclusion.
Where should Nigeria be in the next 63 years?
Hopefully, a technological giant; a great federal democracy; a self-sufficient country; an industrial hub; a secured polity; a united nation-state; and a world power should be birthed sooner than later, if all goes well. What will, however, point in that direction is the foundation that is being laid today.
The government and people of Nigeria should dream big about the future, jettison habits that impede development in private and public, and lay a concrete foundation for future prosperity under a rational and responsible leadership.