A NATION SEARCHES FOR TRUE STATESMEN.
BY OWOYALE WASIU.
Who truly is a statesman or stateswoman? According to the Merriam-webster dictionary, it is"one versed in the principles or art of government; especially:, one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government or in shaping its policies."it also sees such a person as"a wise,skilful, and respected political leader "
The Cambridge dictionary refers to such a person as" an experienced politician, especially one who is respected for making good judgments".And according to Dr.Wayne E.Baker,a sociologist at the university of Michigan Ross School of Business "A statesman is a woman or a man experienced in the art of government ,a wise and respected leader,and- this is critical-an impartial promoter of the public good.A statesman combines vision and virtue to do the right thing in service of the public interest", To this I add that a statesman or stateswoman must spew wisdom for the common good and carry him or herself with a measure of dignity. 19th century author, preacher, and abolitionist James freeman Clark said," A politician thinks about the next election .The statesman thinks about the next generation.
According to an American organization,The statesman Group,that awards those it thinks deserve to be called statesmen they are those "who risk their own party's support to do what they believe is right.who see the forest before the trees,as well as the roots below and the birds above.Who strike out to challenge the status-quo,but understand the world is far more complicated than human intelligence can can comprehend .Who hold their convictions over their hearts, but not over their ears".
Wherever we talk of statesmanship leadership,morality and integrity are all there to play.Over time,true Nigerian statesmen have been going to meet their ancestors and perhaps when pa maitama sule died, he went away with the status of the last true statesman of yore.We had those rare qualities in people like pa Obafemi Awolowo,Nnamidi Azikiwe,Bekololari Ransome kuti,late senior advocate of the masses Gani fawehinmi,Aminu kano,Okotie-Ebo,Adekunle Ajasin.In all those names mentioned a golden thread of selflessness connects them along the regions of Nigeria.They never thought about themselves, but what occupied their minds was the betterment of their people, and in essence, Nigeria they fought for us from the colonialist,and from ourselves. They stood for truth,and all what we truly aspire for.These are the people we intone when we recite the national anthem that"the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain".
Nigeria has suffered enough in the hands of those we tauting and being parading as statesmen,who claim they are helping the nation.But instead they are like bewitched Druids who hide in the dark,concocting a boiling pot garnished with incitation, hate,avarice, disharmony and casus beli to poise the nation;and like vultures, always waiting to feed off the chaos .To a sick nation they shed crocodile tears,their sorry tonque-in cheek,they are job comforters, but waiting for the final pronouncement.But Nigeria will not die,Nigeria will outlive them.
These so- called elder statesmen,after destroying the country when they die newspapers will be awash with obituaries and lies in the name of tributes, and they will get accolades which anyone who gets them should protect with dignity, and coming with it is responsibility ;to show those coming behind how to navigate life,so that they don't fall into the pits they the old men have fallen into before.But the so-called elder statesmen that I share space with are only adept at exemplifying characters that only befits vagabonds.At a time we are supposed to reap from from their experience they have shown puerility.In serious state matters they flash a dopey toothy smile,or "I dey laugh o"
The qualities of true statesmen are all there for all to see Apart from altruism, true statesmen will not rig election neither their lieutenants snatching ballot bus nor assassinating their political opponent characters. True statesmen walk the talk rather than talk the walk.True statesmen will not change the goal post at the middle of the game.True statesmen will only count their achievements on the number of citizens they put smile on their faces not on the number of private jets and how how their wards graduating with first class in London business school of economy while sons of the people them purportedly claiming to represent are on strike. True statesmen will not close his eyes to the present state of public hospitals while running to London, Israel for back arch and headache when millions are dying here and there from chronic cancers and ordinary malaria. True statesmen will only think of next generation not 2019.
In the final analysis perhaps and above all,true statesman strives for egalitarian society.
The buck stops at individual's table who really qualifies to be a true statesmen among the buharis,fayoses,angos,yakassais,junads,tunubu
s,Afes,uwodos,judges, Jonathans,Falaes,Akandes it is up to you.
Owoyale Wasiu is a political and public affairs analysis .wass8383@gmail.com