Nigeria ‘s problems are centered around leadership.
The ordinary citizens of Nigeria can, and do, live in peace with one another in all parts of Nigeria. It is only when they are induced or enticed by the leaders of their respective ethnic groups that their ethnic consciousness becomes a dominant factor in their relationship with one another. Thus, it is the exploitation of the masses by the leadership for their own personal interests that leads to religious extremism, ethnicism or tribalism, to the detriment of our national interests.
That is why the issue of ethnic religious leadership is of national concern. The sentiments and fears of any people can be roused by a single, well-articulated, deliberate statements, and such harmful manipulation of the masses by the wrong leadership must be serious cause for concern in a country such as Nigeria with her multi-ethnic and religious population. Every ethnic groups has not been alone in its unfortunate history of poor leadership.
A legacy of mistrust and fear of one another from our colonial past is today constantly perpetuated by our leadership. We have spent our energies and our resources in a continual, recurring battle among ourselves, instigated by the selfishness and short-sightedness of our leadership. Should not our leaders take time to examine the state of mind of the average Lagosian who lives peacefully in proximity with fellow Nigerians of all ethnic groups?
Our ethnic animosities are not really as serious as we are made to believe they are by those who would wish to exploit them to perpetuate their own political empires. Other countries with faar more violent inter-ethnic histories of hatred have managed to attain a national consciousness, while respecting the various ethnic heritages of their citizens.
I am convinced that effective leadership must have its foundations in the wisdom of the masses of those it seekd to lead. In their common toil for daily sustenance, the masses have learned to cooperate with and appreciate one another, though we see the reise of ethnic bigotry and ethnic divide powered by the power drunk political embezzlers masquerading as leaders.
As our nation strives to attain self-reliance and respect, she should promote cooperation and mutual respect among her citizens. We do not need to forego our cultural heritages in order to develop a national consciousness: there is strength in diversity. The challenge facing our present and future leaders is to direct these positive qualities of our people towards a more peaceful co-existence as a nation.
This is the message by Arthur Nwankwo taken from his short book (The Igbo Leadership and the future of Nigeria) it is also what I see in most of Comrade Dele Farotimi Sunday lectures. The only way we can liberate the minds of our suffering citizen and get them ready for the storm if through knowledge and information.
Todays lecture: The coming of the storm stands out and is a warning of an imminent implosion if we do not give an urgent attention to the hunger, insecurity and failing state of the affairs in Nigeria today. #defyhatenow
