I am writing in response to what our highly esteemed elder-statesman and former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR), and lately, Nobel Prize Novelist – Professor Wole Soyinka. Both are advocating what majority of Nigerians both at home and abroad have been saying regarding governance in Nigeria.
Governing a country is a tedious task. However, governing a country like Nigeria – the most populous nation in Africa, supposed to be the richest but poor due to the unscrupulous leaders that have held the country to a response for decades is even more so. It is such a big shame that these two octogenarians are telling us what millions of us know. At times, I wonder if by publicly making a statement appealing to the younger generation is a tacit approach to inform their age mates to bow out whilst the ovation is loudest. In recent years, we have seen the elderly who appear sickly attending conferences only for them to snooze off halfway through important deliberations. Some have been known to meet their maker during their deep sleep whilst others are so physically incapacitated that they attend meetings in wheelchairs and or look heavily sedated. Why must people believe they have to hang on to power onto their last breath?
Whatever happened to growing old gracefully and playing with their grand or great grandchildren? What happened to sitting down in a rocking chair with a good novel or being around their loved ones and admiring nature – thanking the Good Lord for giving them longevity and of course, having led a good life? Being in a position of power does not give anyone the right to be in the same position forever. It is not hereditary that has to be passed down generations or to purposefully seek re-election, particularly if the person is incompetent or incapacitated. What is wrong being a mentor or kingmaker to the young ones who are considering going to politics?
I have a couple of elders who were top professionals (not politicians) and retired meritoriously, who are my mentors. They are happy to give advice relating to their discipline but would never trade their dignity for money or put themselves in a position where people young enough to be their children will disgrace them. They live up to the adage – “a good name is better than all the gold and silver”. I am always reminded that we came with nothing into this world and shall leave with nothing. The only way we will be reminded is having established a good legacy. However, if someone has been known to embezzle money, what legacy can that ever be? Generations to come will forever be remembered of their ancestors’ legacy, whether positive or negative.
Unfortunately, in this current dispensation in Nigeria, no one seems to think about any legacy other than to continue with bad governance, poor leadership and so many other multifactorial unproductive attributes to the masses. Everyone wants part of the national cake. The younger generations have positive ideas that will advance the nation of Nigeria, yet they are not given the opportunity. Professor Soyinka said in a recent article entitled – ‘Where did we go wrong?’ Sir, we did not go wrong other than the fact that too much respect has been given to the elderly that they do not know that they have indeed crossed the boundaries!
The youths have always been ‘awake’ but for our culture of respect wherein we cannot be seen to insult the elders by publicly shaming them.
Now Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, one of the most charismatic, relevant and well respected African leaders who is globally recognised, also had to remind the Nigerians in the Diaspora that their country needs them and to return home, with particular focus on the youths to wrestle power from the ‘old guards’. How can they return home to a country where there is no respect for rule of law, amongst other maladies – after they have been used to a comfortable life in the western world? It is true to say that not everyone is living the life they expected abroad but at least they can enjoy the benefits of developed nations where leaders are held accountable for their actions. They are competent leaders who are elected on merit. They know that they are public servants and must ensure they listen to the electorate. They are NOT above the law. They OBEY the rule of law and know that if they are found guilty of any charge, even before they are asked to resign, they do so HONOURABLY. If after resignation, they are found guilty, they will be incarcerated. Crime is being contained; there is no jungle justice and certainly nothing like electricity power failure.
Unfortunately, Nigeria is struggling to exit from a period of recession but one should wonder what led us into it in the first instance. It is due to the malpractices of the past that have come to haunt us all. So many Nigerians have left the shores of Nigeria for greener pastures. These are nation-builders like medical professionals, engineers, accountants, lawyers, etc. who unfortunately have been forced into the ‘Brain Gain of the Western world at the expense of Brain Drain of Nigeria’.
The politicians in Nigeria travel abroad all the time for vacations medical attention or to give keynote addresses at various conferences. I tend to wonder if they never for once think that what they have experienced abroad should be replicated in Nigeria. Does it occur to these so-called leaders that we do not have our own national carrier – no aeroplane with the inscription – Nigeria – but we are very quick to pay any amount to travel by foreign airlines. What a shame! No wonder we are being treated like animals on some airlines. Are we really living up against being called ‘shit holes?’ Do we know how much the foreign airlines will lose if all Nigerians boycott them for even one week?
We conduct too many talk shows but never walk the talk. Nigeria has been blessed with so many natural resources and highly intelligent and competent people. Some of the western countries we run to experience natural disasters but in Nigeria, our disasters are man made!!! Nigeria does not have state-of-the-art hospitals not even one to be proud of but we have thousands of qualified medical professionals roaming around the streets of Nigeria with no jobs and those who manage to ‘escape’ to western world vow not to return because they believe Nigeria has lost its direction. The same can be said of engineers, architects but who have not been given opportunity to put their varied expertise to good use. Rather sad that a politician will leave Nigeria when in poor health because he or she does not have faith in the medical facilities. On getting to the western world, they look for the best professionals to treat them only to find their own kind – yes, a fellow Nigerian in either top German, British, American, etc. hospitals. Has it occurred to the legislators that we abandon what we must do in our own backyard, which would have given thousands of Nigerians the opportunity to contribute to the GDP of Nigeria instead of bleeding the country blind? Where is the future in Nigeria? Where is the future for the youths? The youths have been robbed of their birth rights! We are ALL STAKEHOLDERS in Nigeria – irrespective of social status, ethnic minority, gender, etc. This is why we must all get involved in rebuilding Nigeria, at least take it back to its former glorious years.
Giving the youths the opportunity to lead or at least be properly mentored to lead will bring a breath of fresh air and ideas, which will develop the nation and help, reclaim our title as the ‘Giant of Africa’. Recently, we have witnessed young people elected as leaders of their nations such as the 47-year old Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau and Emmanuel Macron of France; amongst others. A more recent and close to home for us is the former footballer, George Weah who became the President of Liberia.
It also goes without saying that some of our youths are too scared to fight for their rights because in a country like Nigeria, for them to be relevant, there might have to be a revolution. They are not as tough-skinned as the people who fought for our freedom. Unfortunately, those who think they are tough turn to crime – kidnappers, ritualists, robbers and I am afraid, one has to include those who have callously drained the coffers of the government.
- Fatusin is a Freelance Writer, Inspirational Speaker, Compere, Social Commentator based in the United Kingdom.
