Consolidating the gains of change

There is this feeling of satisfaction when one works for something and eventually gets through to it. One feels satisfied and respect for the victory is resounding. I think that is the scenario that Nigerians are in today. They went into an election on whose eve several millions across the country and outside thought was […]

There is this feeling of satisfaction when one works for something and eventually gets through to it. One feels satisfied and respect for the victory is resounding. I think that is the scenario that Nigerians are in today. They went into an election on whose eve several millions across the country and outside thought was the beginning of the end for the giant of Africa.
To most Nigerians today, especially those who went for change, the desire is to close their eyes and open them only to see to the reversal of all the decay in the system. We have forgotten how long it took to get this bad. Of course, it may not be our making and thus not our business how the rot is corrected. We all are worried that things have degenerated but the feeling is that those who believe they can effect a change in the system have asked for our mandate and we have given them.
So, move into action and get these things that have been wronged for a while right as soon as possible. This is the general view of the people at the lower social strata. Don’t blame them; they have been badly and severely beaten by the government that was just removed. The thirst for change to right the wrongs couldn’t have echoed much more than it is doing now and I think we have to move to action.
The government of General Muhammadu Buhari needs to deploy tremendous resources in ensuring that Nigerians are sufficiently informed about the thinking, steps and strategies that government will be taking to address this age-long decay. Certainly, there is no magic wand to automatically remove us from this backwardness but what I think Nigerians will desire to see is the seriousness on the part of those who lead over them to genuinely effect positive change after this while.
Nigerians, who have made the efforts necessary by ensuring that change comes, have more serious task and responsibilities lying ahead of them by supporting the governments at all levels and deploying skills in respecting the laws of the land. One of the major shortcomings of the Nigerian society, which obviously has its roots in the leadership, is impunity and failure to abide by simple laws and code of conduct.
If law and order are restored in Nigeria, all other things will automatically fall in place. A society without laws or where laws are not respected is merely an animal kingdom. The essence of the basis of state system is defeated and life will therefore be short, nasty and brutish. This is exactly the Nigerian system, which the citizens resolved and have changed.
Two cardinal issues are critical here. One, on the part of leadership to display unhindered determination and transparency in dealing with the numerous national problems and on our part a commitment to followership with determination, support and understanding. If these two cardinal objectives are achieved, Nigeria will once again be the great African leader that it was. Lesser mortals would not snub our leaders and we shall dictate the tune and direct not just out national affairs but also Africa’s international relations.
Those who will be in government must as a matter of fact understand ab-intio that it will not be business as usual. The bureaucracy must be reinvigorated to take its right place in public administration and service delivery. The military must be purged of those unwanted political generals and officers just as the Department of State Security (DSS) must be rid of the toxic that it has become in the last six years especially.
The DSS was until recently the most credible of the security outfits but has since degenerated into a pity where otherwise fine officers have been turned into watchdogs of dirty politics. This is an area that desires urgent surgical operation by the new administration.
We must continue to emphasis on code of conduct of political officers. It mustn’t be business as usual where the public till is reduced to personal property and income of state a subject of political heads. We must build institutions that will survive above individuals who man them. Public officers at all levels must own up to their responsibilities and be responsible for their actions.
God-fatherism and nepotism must be eradicated while the legislature must reassess itself and provide the leadership that is critical in ensuring compliance and good governance on the part of the executive.
The judiciary must also be made to shade itself of that unfortunate toga of corruption and hopelessness. Most Nigerians today don’t have regard and hope for the judiciary and the reason is simple, commercialisation of justice. So long as we don’t look at one another and tell the truth, so long we shall continue to languish and remain in this pre-paradigmatic stage of development.
The task to change Nigeria from its decay to the path of honour and integrity that would guarantee economic growth and development is enormous and realisable only if there is synergy between the state and its citizenry. Change will come as we want it but must be ready to be partners of change and agents of transformation. Not the Goodluck Jonathan type that almost broke down Nigeria.
All hands must be on deck if truly we desire change, then we must be ready to work for it and to have it.
God bless Nigeria.