The 2013 result of the Economist Intelligence Unit of Where-to-be-born Index, which attempts to gauge which country will offer the most excellent opportunities for a healthy, safe and flourishing life in the years ahead, ranked Nigeria as number 80 out of 80 countries evaluated. This makes Nigeria the most awful country to be born in out of the 80 countries analyzed! This is how low we have sunk in recent time. Contemporary statistics about the country, across major sectors, have been baffling. For instance, Nigeria remains one of the few countries lagging behind in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals while our ranking on the corruption index remains abysmal. Similarly, Nigeria is among the only five countries in the world with the existence of polio. This is aside being ranked third in the world in the prevalence of AIDS/HIV.
With regards to public security, we are not faring better either.
From all indications, these are not really the best of time for our beloved nation. How did things get to this level? At what point did we derail from the agenda of our founding fathers? Well, if we are to be frank with ourselves, we all (every Nigerian) have a part in the present sorry state of our dear nation. The usual style in various discourses on the state of affairs in the country is to lay the blame on the doorsteps of leadership. However, in as much as it is undeniable that the availability of a focus and visionary leadership is pivotal to the progress of any society, it is equally a fact that, in our case in Nigeria, the followership is itself a major concern. When we talk of corruption, for instance, the general tendency is to point accusing fingers to those in government. But the reality is that there is hardly a sector in the country where corruption doesn’t thrive.
There is no point in passing the buck. We should stop the blame game. The way forward, is for every one of us to have a rethink. If some are building and others are pulling down, the building will definitely collapse. No matter what happens, this is the only country that we can call our own. Politics, religion and ethnicity should not be used as platforms to divide us. It doesn’t matter where we are, we can get to where we ought to be if we are determined to build a stronger and united nation that will be the toast of coming generations. We can do it. We have the potentials. We have the resources. All we need is a strong resolve to start afresh. Let nothing divert or deter us from this noble course.
Despite the myriads of our challenges, all is not gloomy with the country after all. It is cheering, for instance, that for the first time in our history , we have had the rare prospect of holding on to democratic governance for 15 un-interrupted years. With steady economic growth, a stable democratic government and broad support from development partners, the Nigeria of our collective dream and aspiration could be attained. However, to consolidate democracy, restore a functioning economy and promote sustainable economic growth, we need to strengthen the various organs of government and other institutions of governance. There is basically nothing about the country that is wholly peculiar. Several countries around the world have had similar or same experiences as Nigeria. The only difference is that while others identify their challenges and frontally work on them, we seem to cover up ours and keep on living with the pretext that they never exist.
What does the future hold? In spite of the misgivings and several hiccups, Nigeria, will yet rise again. Time after time, in one culture after another, human beings have proven their resilience; they’ve shown that great things are possible and that man is capable of incredible successes in spite of monumental odds. Nigeria and Nigerians must not be an exception. Even as we think and get perplexed and angry, about the events of the last five decades, we must not give up hope. It looks bad and ugly; still, we must not despair. We must keep focusing; keep doing the right things for our country. We must do all we can to escape the condemnation and damnation of history and posterity. We cannot be the people and the generation that gave up even as others fought to save their own countries. Nigeria is our country, it is the one we truly own. Let us be united in saving our nation. Our outward expression of unity will reflect our inward unity of purpose.
On a lighter but serious note, it is no longer news that all the states in the country have beautiful slogans that showcase their peculiarities. For instance in Lagos, we pride ourselves as the “Centre of Excellence”. However, the truth is that, the whole country has sufficient human and natural resources to attain excellence in all ramifications. All we need is to properly harness these resources. In the North-east, Adamawa prides itself as the Land of Beauty because of its pleasant scenery. Nevertheless, beauty is virtually a visible feature across the country. If only we could strap up all the striking tourist sites across the country, Nigeria would attract greater investment and, indeed, be accorded much respect across the globe. In the North-west, Kebbi is renowned to be the “Land of Equity”. How wonderful would it be, if equity truly reigns supreme across the land? In the North-central, Kwara is regarded as the “State of Harmony”. If only we could eschew all forms of bitterness and other divisive tendencies, we could actually build a nation where harmonious interface is the order of the day.
On a final note, for the sake of the coming generation of Nigerians, we need to build a united and stronger entity. Since providence has brought us together, despite glaring differences, it is of necessity that we brace all odds and embrace harmonious living. Nigeria has the potential for greatness, if only all hands could be on deck. We must therefore, go forward and upward in all ramifications. We are not a failed generation. We are not a degenerate generation. We are not an accursed generation. We are good people, Great Country. Let us all work for a better, stronger and united Nigeria for the things that unite us are deeper and more important than the things that can separate us. “To live in unity is good and pleasant. To live in disunity is scandalous”.
One would like to close with the enduring words of Gerald R. Ford, the 38th president of the United States of America, USA: “even though this is late in an election year, there is no way we can go forward except together and no way anybody can win except by serving the people’s urgent needs. We cannot stand still or slip backwards. We must go forward now together”.
•Odutola is Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.
