The Search For A New Nigeria (24): Patriotism, Selflessness And Setting The Record Straight -By Richard Odusanya

It was the life of the greatest iconic figure and our revered clergy, Martin Luther king Jnr., that exemplified and succinctly captured the essence of the headline in context and the message. He posited that: “If peace means accepting second class citizenship, then I don’t want it. If peace means keeping my mouth shut in the midst of evil and injustice, then I don’t want it. If peace means being complacent and accepting the status quo, then I don’t want it. If peace means being passive then I don’t want it. If peace means willingness to be exploited and humiliated, then that’s the kind of peace I don’t want.”

Not until the Americans stood up to Britain, independence was never in sight. Until the dark-skinned fellows stood up to the whites in American, freedom from slavery was never in sight. Until David stood up to the giant Goliath in the presence of his fearful brothers who were militarily and academically more qualified, victory was not in sight. Until Israel began to confront the nations that brought threats and war with the “language they understood” peace was not in view.

ISRAEL’S STRATEGY

Israel will be nowhere today if it relied solely on the belief on prayers alone without a vision and strategic planning. Israel has become a force that cannot be taken for granted because of both its own image militarily and economical. Israel has come of age to understand the strategy and what it means to be in the midst of hostile Nations. Israel will rather gain ground than shift ground; and it is working.

The nations that surrounds Israel understands that if it must get what it wants it will take a fight. It’s either a peaceful negotiation which common senses and good reasoning will choose as the first step to resolving conflicts. However, if threatened not to live in peace Israel will result to the offensive to their enemies. Sometimes, it takes a confrontation to shut down threats and violence where negotiation seems impossible. And the traducers must see this in the eyes of their opponents.

NIGERIAN PREDICAMENT

Those who seek for peaceful negotiation “Restructuring” or “True Federalism” and those who are the protagonist of separation should not be seen by the aggressors as a weakling or be unnecessary branded as enemies of the state. It is a well known fact that the aforementioned elements that sees themselves as superior and in possession of the instrument of coercion “aggressors” that have been insensitive to others and continuously increased our fault-lines and deliberately compounded our situation along ethnic and religious divides.

Nigeria flag

The situation that we find ourselves as a nation did not begin with the present political gladiators. It started way back in the sixties. The Nigeria of today is one that everyone with ties to this nation is ashamed of. Our confidence in the system has continued to wane with no hope in sight. Nigerians over the years have dreamt of a Nigeria where everything works even though there’s little hope that our dreams will ever become reality.

It wasn’t always like this. I remembered the words of Maj. Kaduna Chukwuma Nzegwu the leader of the ‘revolutionary army’ that staged a military action in dead of the night in January, 1966. Regardless of the mismanagement and adventurism, the intentions and statements is not lost on me, he went further to mentioned the issues of nepotism, corruption and mismanagement of resources, the “Ten percenters”. He concluded with an assurance that: “Nigeria will be a country that we are all going to be proud of.” This was a defining moment in the life of our dear nation Nigeria.

Major Kaduna Chukwuma Nzegwu

Then the counter coup and the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election clearly won by Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola GCFR. This is the foundation of where we are today. To remedy the anomalies, the northern leaders in their wisdom programmed the 1999 election in favour of the Southern part of Nigeria. This was how Chief Olusegun Obasanjo became the beneficiary of that arrangements. It was to be a four years one term each for the Southwest and Southeast. The beneficiary of the magnanimity and concession of the leaders of thought from the northern extraction, who was released from life imprisonment, subsequently became crafty, reneged and dishonored the arrangements that would have successfully taken care of the marginalized and aggrieved sections of the country.

I honestly believe in zoning and as an advocate of justice, equity and fair play, I sympathize with my brothers and sisters, particularly from the southeast, and the northeast zones. These two zones has been shortchanged and marginalized in the issue of producing the president of Nigeria, the last time was over fifty years ago. Sentiments aside, we need to sit on a round table and revisit the pre 1999 and address it appropriately and the set in motion the machinery to reconcile every region of the united Nigeria nation.

WAY FORWARD

Until we become better citizens, we won’t produce better leaders because they will keep emerging from us. Until everyone is treated equally be it Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Igbo or any other ethnic groups, we can’t have the Nigeria of our dreams. The Nigeria of our dream is one where government and other institutions begins to function.

The Nigeria of our dream is one where corruption, bribery, nepotism, sex for grades, kidnapping, terrorism is a stranger. The Nigeria of our dream is one where government workers won’t be expecting appreciation from public for doing their job. The Nigeria of our dream is one where there must be consequences and punishment for every crime. The Nigeria of our dream is one where a little child will not know the phrase ”Up Nepa”. The Nigeria of our dream is one where the principle of fairness and equity are institutionalized.

MKO Abiola, after winning the June 12 election.

Under the platform of; AFRICA COVENANT RESCUE INITIATIVE ACRI, I have previously submitted a detailed proposal for unification to the Federal government through the secretary of the federal government (SGF) and personally hand over the president’s copy to my friend and brother Mallam Garba Shehu two years ago. “Way Forward” published by Sahara Reporters, Opinion Nigeria and Matters Arising. The Mandela model is the way to go, it was replicated in Kenya and it worked. This is the way to go. God bless Nigeria.

Richard Odusanya is a Social Reform Crusader and the convener of AFRICA COVENANT RESCUE INITIATIVE ACRI.