Nation building has over the course of time followed a generic cycle, from a period of necessity to that of struggle, from struggle to breakthrough, from breakthrough to eminence, from eminence to decline and sadly from decline to total collapse unless the cycle is arrested and reversed through another wake of struggle. All ancient nations have had to fall through the cycle and give way for the rise of later ones. Historians would agree that Nigeria of todays period of necessity was a long and pathetic one, starting coincidentally as the Early European visitors made landfall on the coast of West Africa, progressing through the slave trade period way through the colonial administration and which eclipsed in the phase of struggle and rise of nationalists and climaxed in the phase of breakthrough at Independence. Thereafter, the nation building tool kit achieved an almost miraculous growth record compared to Nigerias contemporaries in Asia, South America and Africa. We could have reached the phase of eminence if the country had been able to maintain the industrial tempo founded in the breakthrough phase. But costly risk factors began to rear their heads in the forms of coups détat, tribal discord, breach of the rule of law, etc, thereby undermining the buildup value of that phase running into the dawn of oil boom. Since then, Nigerias own cycle has been warped down while her once outraced contemporaries geared ahead and presently have their horizon of eminence in clear sight and their radiant smiles of hope project the majesty of patriotism, tolerance, brotherhood, good leadership, unity and determination. With the return of democracy, hopes sprang and high expectations grew mightier. Because lessons had been learnt, mistakes noted and way out identified, Nigerians rightly anticipated an instant jolt from the unfinished breakthrough phase into eminence. All that was needed to accomplish the jolt vision was the judicious mobilization of the countrys stupendous wealth by the instrumentality of good governance. But unnaturally, a pestilence of embezzlement, self-enrichment, ethnicism, lawlessness, hate, bigotry, substandardization, disunity, ill will, insecurity and indiscipline has befallen the Giant and the cycle is in reverse order. Finding a very viable arrest mechanism to this reverse order rests first of all with the Leaders and second of all with the led. It is impossible one way without the other and is more impossible without any. We are in a real mess as a nation, though ironically the mess is more visible and nauseating to the outside world than it is to the leaders and to majority Nigerians, who are essentially just a flock of mixed breeds. I am one of this flock too, for not yet having done enough as a change agent. But the resolution to carry the change slogan from talking to walking and from sentiment to goal is perhaps what a great number of us share today and today is the time to dare what we share. That is part of the unfinished phase of the nation building cycle. And so long as you do and promote it, you are a decorated Nigerian hero with or without the national merit award under your belt. You are the hero of millions of youths who yearn for true hope, millions of children who cry for a meaningful life, millions of downtrodden fellows who have given up and have kept their grievances to be recompensed on the Day of Judgment. We must strive to complete the nation building cycle on pain of flagrant counter activities by others to dismantle the groggy foundation altogether. We are a Giant and can surmount the force of the darkest storm afflicting our system. That is if we strive away from corrupt practices, prejudices and injustice. If that, be rest assured that God is by our side. If not, be prepared for the worst. And of course no amount of preparation can withstand the worst when it comes. The worst has always completed the cycle for a people who could not complete it by themselves. But we cannot afford to let it come! May Allah bless Nigeria.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 07:57:01 +0000
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