A major challenge Nigeria has is that, assuming all the current leaders are "effectively" removed from office, who among the potential replacements will not be as bad or even worse? Do we have that group of Nigerians that has been "groomed" to lead as true patriotic Nigerians ready to serve the nation and her people? That is a dilemma that the nation has and one that the leaders have taken advantage of knowing that the "replacements" are equally corrupt, inept and selfish.
This is observed in those in Nigeria as well as in those in diaspora. Why? many have not had experience leading people or projects that require working with many people, especially those with diverse opinions. In essence, in general, the things we are concerned and complain about in current and potential leaders are also observed in most of us.
So, fellow Nigerians, if we want leaders who will truly serve the nation, we need to start now to "groom" them starting with our children and ourselves. Good leaders do not just emanate from the space and make things happen. They are trained right from childhood. Certainly it is frustrating when one realizes the huge resources available to Nigerian leaders (in ALL aspects of life) to make the nation be that "God's own country" but the fact is that we are getting what we sowed.
Many Nigerians, including those in diaspora, have benefited directly and indirectly, from having looters as leaders for decades. Thus, a major part of the frustration now is that such is no longer as easy or even possible. Recall what happened when Obasanjo wanted to decrease the amount of importation into the country as a way to help with local manufacturing, local utility and export. Importers, customs, clearing agents, etc, yelled and fought. Well, if we want these lootings and general corruption, which is ingrained in the minds of most Nigerians, something has to give.
We must face these realities and work to effect changes that would lead to a better nation, starting with Nigerians whose (demonstrated) qualities must include: patriotism, people management, fairness, etc, along with absence of tribalism or belief that any religion is better or worse than the others. Not doing so, means that we better be ready for continued whining, cursing and yelling because so far, history does not have examples of a countries that just prayed and fasted and boom, great leaders became! Forget biblical stories, they are just that: stories!
Another major confounding problem facing Nigeria of today is that most people have defaulted to their tribe and/or ethnic base. Not a good situation for a nation still trying to find its way to a level where an average person can afford at least, basic necessaries. In this unfortunate situation, a leader is seen by his/her tribe as "doing no harm", regardless of what he or she does and people from other tribes sees suspicion in anything the leader does. History shows that in a situation like this, the tribe that is cohesive "wins" in that a potential leader is assured of a massive support and will do more for that tribe! On the contrary, the tribe that struggles with cohesion loses on both sides. That is the case in Nigeria now.
The northerners, in general, are very cohesive and support their leaders who in turn, "protect" and provide for them however small that support may be. The southerners, who have struggled with cohesion since time, loses. In fact, even when a southerner is the leader, same lack of cohesion and associated internal woes continue to mess things up for them and for the nation.
So what is the solution? There is no magic bullet folks. None. As I alluded to above, Nigerians must do the following:
1. Learn to see things from what is good for the nation and its people NOT what is good for me!(It does not take much thinking to realize that a nation doing well benefits both the led and the leaders! After all, why do the wealthy live in barbed houses, in perpetual fear and nurse anger all the time!?
2. Learn to see every Nigerian as a partner whose ideas are needed for the good of the nation
3. Learn to get out of the "box"! This box is full of tribalism, cultural entanglements, resentment, anger and bitterness. In history, no nation has done well when so many people remained in such a box.
4. Learn to see Nigeria as "my country" that I will be ready to die for. This is patriotism 101, which must be in ingrained in the head of every Nigeria. The nation has not done this!
5. Nigerians in diaspora should learn to be the solution than the problem: yes, to a significant level, many of us have contributed directly and indirectly to the horrible situation in our native country. We must re-group and to do what our counterparts have done. Just relaxing in countries built and sustained by our counterparts while complaining is silly if not foolish. We have complained enough.
6. And so on
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