Let's be factual with ourselves Nigeria is in dire need of a surgical operation and this is long and over-due. As an active citizen of this beloved country, I would humbly suggest possible solutions to the mountainous challenges we grapple with daily as a people.
Now straight to the Operating Room(OR). The problems we now face daily in Nigeria is older than our 53 years independence and has little or nothing to do with our years at experimenting with democracy. It is foundational. And if the foundation is compromised, what does it hold for any country?
In actual fact, Nigeria doesn't exist.Hold on,just before you haul your stones at me! The nomenclature "Nigeria" was concocted and brewed from a pot of deceits,lies and more lies. It is nothing but a big fat lie. If you are a citizen of this great country but you haven't laid your hands on the 1914 Luggardian document that brought the entity called Nigeria into the existence, you have been anaethesized but not insulated from the painful reality of the "Nigerian System" as it was mentioned in the aforementioned document (no pun intended,please). A critical reading of this document will definitely serve as an eye-opener to the fact that Nigeria was primarily intended as an experimental placebo as against a control experiment. It was one of Britain's dreams.
Throughout the document,reference is often made to “The Nigerian System.” It is sad to realize that 100 years later, without the slightest knowledge about the Luggard document, what many Nigerians ignorantly call “The Nigerian Factor” does exist. Let me give you an excerpt from the document:
... “The three basic principles necessary for the successful working of the Nigerian System are Ignorance, Fear and Military terrorism; that is to say, the perpetuation of the natives in a state of idolised ignorance, the impregnation of their minds with an instinctive dread of the White man and reverential awe for the fetish of white prestige and the paralysation of their wills by the spectacle of Military terrorism hanging over their heads like a sword of Damocles. The crass ignorance prevailing in the Northern Provinces ....”
(From The Amalgamation of Nigeria, A Documentary Record, Page 273)
Fellow citizens,it then goes without the saying that the point of first incision in the clinical dissection of this problematic species in our laboratory is lie.Yes lie!We have since built on this for more than 100 years.And like every motorized articulated vehicle,the engine must be brought to a halt to effect repairs to any damaged part-just that in this case the whole Nigerian System.
I believe the proposed National Conference is a necessary evil and comes handy no matter how fishy it seems.The platform could serve more than a reunion party and dig into the structureless foundation upon which the Nigerian System was built,expose the lies,re-design and re-package a brand new engine that is viable for the geographical entity called Nigeria.
The second incision to correct the inherited anomalies in the Nigerian System is a re-visit of the Amalgamation of Northern and Southern Protectorates. What was the primary reason for this union in the first place? What was the pre-amalgamation story line? And what are the tales of the post-amalgamation?Are we really better or worse off? Some people believe it was a colossal mistake. What do you think? At this juncture,we have to be honest with ourselves and jettison all emotions and childish sentiments and re-calibrate. However, proactive cautions should be observed at reaching a reversal or progressive decision on the amalgamation rule in the interest of all concerned.
The third item on the agenda will yet be another tough decision on which system of government best suits the Nigerian System: Regional System of government or Federative System? Let's perish the lies of any existing federalism. It is another scam! It doesn't exist. Given the multi-ethnicity nature of the Nigerian System,the choice of a system of government or administration might not be as easy as the proverbial breakfast of maize pap with spiced meats. Above every other thing else, the factorials of the permutation and combination of the Nigerian System variables are almost indeterminable-it is just too complex-however,if we could just gather the will and courage to work at solving our humongous challenges one at a time, we could succeed but it we fail to try we have failed already.
The next item is the collection of an accurate and near-to-date population figures. It is rather disturbing that we still rely on 1991 population census results to make economic decisions for Nigerian in 2013. What country or nation works to alleviate the economic woes of her people without accurate population data? Nigeria! Let the National Bureau of Statistics, National Population Commission and other relevant agencies carry out as a matter of urgency a fresh population census of Nigeria and Nigerians and communicate the data to the Nigerian Economic Development group which in turn interpret and use it to develop a comprehensive socio-economic development blueprint. This is not a rocket science. You can only adequately cater for the people you know are that existing!
Let's talk about the dreaded,hydra-headed monster called corruption. Corruption has since become legalized institution in the Nigerian System and to beat your chest that you are a different breed is an express admittance to corruption in itself. Any system that intently turns its back on merit and competence is a broth media for the bacteria called corruption(to sound mild). Any institution or government that sets up a pseudo committee to investigate and probe into financial misappropriation when failure-proof evidences are ubiquitous to support the allegation is criminal and wasteful. Until we tackle the issue of corruption in the Nigerian System with all seriousness it deserves, no meaningful economic development should be expected. Let's make political appointments unattractive to traditional politicians, cut down the salaries and allowances and see who really wants to serve the fatherland.
Lastly,let's see true reforms in the power sector to dive the economy and institutionalize integrity in the electoral system so that an average Nigerian with clean slate, due diligence,qualifications and competences can contest for any public office in the land.
Lest I forget when will ASUU and the federal government sheathe their swords and get the Nigerian students back into the classrooms? What country plays 'Baba-Jebu'(by the way,'Baba-Jebu' is a local version casinos in Las Vegas) with the future of its young people?Nigeria! What country dreams of economic prosperity without giving the desired priority to the educational needs of her people? Again,Nigeria!
It is my sincere belief that if we pay close attention and give serious thoughts to the afore-mentioned challenges, we would crack the Nigerian Da Vinci Code of stagnation and clear the road for sustainable developments and a true Nigeria.
God bless Nigeria!
Olanrewaju Daodu
Regional Representative(Nigeria)
Alternative Lifestyle Communication,USA.
Email:lanrecreativeinnovations@yahoo.com*
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