Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / NewStats: 3,197,572 members, 7,965,264 topics. Date: Thursday, 03 October 2024 at 11:03 AM |
Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Still On Nigeria’s Political Foundations- Ahmad Salkida (384 Views)
Ahmad Salkida, Journalist Wanted By Army, Who Knows Boko Haram Inside Out / Ahmad Salkida Replies Army:'I'll Be In Nigeria If Army Provide My Flight Ticket' / DSS Captures Khalid Barnawi - Ahmad Salkida (2) (3) (4)
(1) (Reply)
Still On Nigeria’s Political Foundations- Ahmad Salkida by Amoto94(m): 7:50am On Mar 09, 2016 |
It is far-fetched for anyone to think that Nigeria
will just wake up one day to become like
Singapore, one of the world’s most successful
societies since human history began or even to
frog jump to the level of the United Arab
Emirates, UAE, a country that has achieved
mastery over natural barriers to emerge as a
model of social cohesion, creative innovation
and a cultural melting pot to the rest of the
world. Both societies by sheer planning and
commitment to process have within a
generation scaled over the basic needs of
human existence, such as food, shelter,
healthcare, education and employment. Each of
these countries functioning well under carefully
foundated template. And so, the leaders now
have set their eyes on the future.
In contrast, Nigeria that started her journey of
nationhood at about the same time with
Singapore and a decade after the UAE’s union,
has floundered and groped without clarity. In
fact, there is no clear path to what constitutes
nationhood in Nigeria when the levers upon
which rests her foundations are fragmented.
Successive leaderships have failed woefully to
steer the people on the path of passionate,
motivated engagement. Tension is tearing and
tugging at the seams and hardly is there a basis
of unified aggregation. The things that divide us
are more attractive even to those in leadership
than the humbling virtues that ought to mould
the people together. Each group is beating a
path away from what ought to be the common
ground.
If there is, then, I have not seen a Nigerian
leader in my lifetime that has done well in
unifying an evidently dominantly polyethnic
society. Nationality, which supposed to bring
citizens’ together towards developing a
commonwealth with common aspirations, and
strengthen a bond that will be increasingly tied
to the advantages of a social policy is absent in
Nigeria. Which makes many to refer to the
country as a mere geographical expression that
have been able to hold itself together by divine
providence rather than a concerted, self-
conscious effort by leaders to leave behind a
legacy.
Nigeria’s problems are so numerous. The same
applies to other nations. But the problems that
have divided Nigerians the most are grave,
including marginalisation, inequalities and
nepotism. All characteristics of our being that
ought to lift our diversity have become a
source of anguish and suffering. The three
major ethnic groups, namely Hausa, Igbo and
Yoruba have assimilated hundreds of other
ethnic groups in the country. For example, I am
from Borno state in the North East of Nigeria,
yet, I am neither Kanuri nor Hausa, two
dominant ethnic groups in my state and in the
north respectively. Sadly, I can hardly boast of
equal treatment when competing with these
powerful ethnic groups in that region.
So many people from the South East and South
South will contest being all labelled as Igbos as
people in Kano or Lagos will refer to them. The
third ethnic majority group, the Yoruba, is like
the others made up of numerous smaller
collections of people amid those who consider
themselves as bona fide Yorubas. Arising from
these most of the minority voices have been
eclipsed into the generalization of the
‘WaZoBia’ frame. Clearly, this hinders any
advancement of any strong national identity
that is based on citizens’ rights and
responsibilities in Nigeria.
Same thing applies when it comes to the two
officially recognised religions; Christianity and
Islam. Within Christianity there are those that
don’t consider certain denominations or beliefs
as Christian enough or Christian at all. Amongst
Muslims, sectarianism is rife, where dozens of
Sects do not see eye to eye. Yet, a growing
population that are not Christians or Muslims
feel marginalised in a so-called secular state
like Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari, though may not
possess the credentials to unite a highly
polyethnic society, however, he still stands a
chance to make history by developing three
critical national agendas for Nigeria, which
include: social cohesion, anti – corruption and
save the ailing economy. If he can focus on
these three areas, conflicts, unemployment
and poverty will reduce dramatically.
A quick lesson from the UAE for Nigeria is, the
population of expatriates or non citizens stood
at over 8 million, accounting for nearly 90 per
cent of the country’s total population, with over
250 nationalities and dozens of religions that
are free to worship, yet the UAE has been
ranked the leader in government efficiency and
social cohesion, and the eighth most
competitive nation in the world as adjudged by
the Swiss International Institute of
Management Development. How did such a
diverse population succeed in achieving this
feat? The answer is simple, the country has
reduced disparities in wealth and opportunity.
Citizens and residents like me in the UAE are
given a sense of belonging that makes
everyone see themselves as members of a
shared community.
There is nothing like a Nigerian being called a
settler in his or her country when coming from
another state within Nigeria or, citizens feeling
unwanted or insecure if they choose to be
resident out of their native states or region.
Living in the UAE, as a Nigerian resident, I have
seen how a mere email to the Dubai police got
an instant reply, and an officer was assigned to
help me deal with the complaint I initiated.
Laws are respected and can catch up with even
the locals if they run afoul.
The UAE is also a living example of how social
cohesion is a bond that holds a group together,
even if individuals within that group or its
seven emirates have differences and the
people have diverse backgrounds and belief
systems, unlike the case in Nigeria. This level
of cohesion can only be managed and sustained
by a firm, selfless and visionary leader who
does not tilt the lever of official privilege to
the advantage of one against another. A leader
in Nigeria has nothing to lose if he or she
imbibes such virtues as seen in other fast
developing countries.
Sadly, the change mantra that ushered in the
current government has not enthroned the
much anticipated accountability, transparency,
due process and the rule of law, which are the
key drivers that will make any society not only
to function, but excel. We do not focus on
building institutions, we are carried away by a
personality cult. We hear about how well
meaning the intentions of our leader are. But
we nevertheless forget how vastly history’s
graveyard is littered with failed leaders who
had the best of intentions. We forget that the
leader is not omnipresent and relies on
individuals who were active bedfellows with
corruption the night before. We imagine that
men and women who are unable to even
truthfully declare their assets are drivers of
anti-corruption campaign today. These are
individuals who thrive on impunity and have
made a public show of it.
Nigeria is really in dire need of enthroning
inclusive institutions where the citizens is king
and the king is accountable to the citizens. For
all of our problematic foundations Nigeria’s
case can only pass as an exemplary case of
extractive institutions where a few number of
elites control government.
www.salkida.com/still-on-nigerias-political-foundations/ 2 Likes |
Re: Still On Nigeria’s Political Foundations- Ahmad Salkida by Nobody: 8:21am On Mar 09, 2016 |
Well Said |
Re: Still On Nigeria’s Political Foundations- Ahmad Salkida by ercel: 8:49am On Mar 09, 2016 |
This guy just captured the bane of Nigeria's growth and development. We have to forge common interest and on a common ground. We can't continue doing things the old way and expect different results. Nigeria is not the only country in the world with multiple ethnic groups and religions,those with far more than us have embraced their differences and are progressing. This attitude of "my tribe,my religion,my people.." Will keep destroying us. It can be clearly seen that PMB has the will to fight corruption,but how will he do it successfully with the likes of Bukola Saraki and some past corrupt leaders who are now close to him because they sponsored his campaign? He (PMB) is also getting it wrong suspecting a certain region as potential saboteurs to his government since they didn't vote massively for him,without demonstrating forgiveness and promoting cohesion,he'll soon find himself further tearing Nigeria apart. PMB must demonstrate his statement that he belongs to no one and to everyone. The first Nigerian leader to truly amalgamate Nigeria (unite the people) will go down history as Hero of the people! |
(1) (Reply)
We’ve Not Unbundled NNPC- Kachikwu / Poll / A Message To All Rivers People.
(Go Up)
Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 25 |