The pathway ahead of Nigeria remains
hard, our ascent steep, and we may not get there as soon as we expect, but I am
filled with more hope now than ever before that we will get there and we will
reclaim our voices. I do not suggest that today’s celebration of 57 years of
independence is done as a fulfillment of our dreams and aspirations. However, I am certain that it creates a space
for us to reflect and make the change we need in our polity. The celebration of
today stakes out our chance to reclaim our voice to answer the call for this is
our moment and this is our time. It is by default that we have had bad
governments in Nigeria because we have allowed the past and present rulers to
operate on the unending margins of despair and apathy. In the past power was acquired not because there
was a genius about them but because we were asleep in deep slumber and the
coalition of progressives was fractured.
In the past, I have made reference to the
template of President Obama, the improbability of a black man becoming the President
of the United States. I have written about the near impossibility that was
overcome when the first man was sent to the moon. The obstacle that Apartheid
presented and the dismantling of it without a bloodbath, the impregnability of
the Berlin Wall which came tumbling down!
Today, on this 1st of October
2017 I therefore lay down a challenge to the cynics who claim that Nigeria is
an impossible case and that without our abject surrender to corruption and its
accompanying violence we simply do not have a chance at mounting a challenge to
the status quo. That without disintegration progress is impossible.
I also ask what do we have to lose by
trying? I suggest we lose more in not trying at all. I go further to state
today that by helping the people find their voices across the diaspora in
Nigeria from Sokoto to Lagos, Kwara to Taraba, Borno to Imo, Cross River to
Kano, we will be able to proclaim with all certainty and voices soaring above
the skies of Nigeria that our time has come!
My own dream is of a fully federated Nigeria
governed by policies based upon welfarism, premised on programmes, decisions
and/or rules evaluated on the basis of their consequences on the governed.
Welfarism based on the view that the actions of the rulers have significant
consequences that impact on the human beings they serve. Welfarism, which, produces
ideas that stem from having a human face. Our Welfarism must personify every
structure of government. These structures must be treated with dignity and care
because failure on any part will have dire consequences on others and have
fatal effect on the governed.
I visualise a quality of leadership whose
style is outstanding. Leadership that influences others through inspiration,
generated by a passion and ignited by a genuine and sincere purpose. Not a leader who lords it over the governed
and is only after personal aggrandizement and avarice. The vision is of a new
crop of leadership, which demonstrates the passion and willingness to serve and
serve responsibly.
I suggest that the principle of good
governance is acknowledged as essential for the success of any Nation. Leaders
at the helm of our affairs should play a vital role in serving their causes and
communities through committed passion as well as skills and experience
to the instruments of governance and the governed. The principle of good
governance enhances the provision of long-term vision and protects the
reputation and values of a Nation. To make a difference our politicians need to
have proper procedures and policies in place. The principle of good governance
will ensure the delivery of welfarist promises made through a team that is
accountable, sincere and astute.
Today as we saunter in and out of our Churches, relax at home or travel to places and spots of interests, we must dedicate ourselves to the hard grueling task to make the past 57 years worth our while.
