*Reflection*
By George OZALLA
It has indeed become worrisome that the perpetual cycle of unfulfilled promises and disappointment with leadership has become a defining characteristic of Nigeria’s political landscape. The constant refrain of “let us change this government” has become a hollow mantra, as citizens are repeatedly let down by politicians who fail to deliver on their promises over the past years.
One of the primary issues pinning down Nigeria’s leadership profile is the lack of a clear and cohesive implementable ideology. Many politicians seem more focused on personal gain, shadow-chasing, lip service, and self-aggrandizement than on serving the overall public interest. This is evident in the frequent realignments and party-switching that occur, often without any discernible change in policy or approach – just the same set of human beings moving about!
The result is a lack of continuity and consistency in governance, as each new administration seeks to undo the work of its predecessor rather than building on existing successes. This has led to a situation where Nigeria’s development is stunted, and the country is unable to realize its full potential.
Furthermore, the alarming level of selfish and unpatriotic tendencies of many politicians is a major obstacle to the nation’s progress. Rather than prioritizing the needs of the nation, they often put their own government narrow interests and personal enrichment at the forefront. This has resulted in widespread corruption, with politicians and government officials embezzling public funds and engaging in other forms of malfeasance.
Nelson Mandela’s words readily resonate deeply in this context: “Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely a daydream, but vision with action can change the world.” This statement spotlights the importance of effective leadership and strategic planning in driving progress and development. Nigeria’s many past and present leaders have consistently failed to demonstrate this quality.
The consequences of this are dire. Nigeria’s economy is struggling, with high levels of unemployment, poverty, and disturbing inequality. The country is also facing significant security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping. In addition, the lack of adequate investment in infrastructure and human capital has hindered Nigeria’s development and made it difficult for the country to compete fairly in the global economy.
The question on everyone’s mind is: who can truly turn things around for Nigeria? The answer is not an easy one, as the country’s problems are deeply ingrained and extremely complex. However, one thing is clear: Nigeria needs leaders who are committed to truly serving the public interest, rather than their own personal agendas. Nigeria’s leaders need to seriously cut down on extravagant leadership lifestyle and needless expenditures!
These leaders must be willing to take a long-term view and prioritize the development of the country, rather than seeking short-term gains. They must also be accountable to the people and transparent in their decision-making processes.
The people of Nigeria must also play a role in demanding better leadership and holding their elected officials accountable. This can be done through active participation in the democratic process, including voting, patriotic honest activism, and advocacy.
One of the key disturbing challenges facing Nigeria is the issue of population growth and infrastructure development. The country’s population is growing rapidly, but the infrastructure and resources needed to support this growth are not keeping pace. This has led to significant challenges in areas such as healthcare, education, unemployment, transportation, and other services.
Another major challenge is the issue of citizenship and border control. Nigeria needs to ensure that it has a robust system in place for identifying its citizens and distinguishing them from non-citizens. This is essential for preventing criminal activity and ensuring that the country’s resources are used for the benefit of its citizens.
Nigeria’s past military and democratic governments have been riddled with accidental, incidental, and experimental gambits, a sort of trial and error chain of events without a solid foundation to make Nigeria truly the giant of Africa in all ramifications. The current democratic dispensation is grappling with such challenges, with many of the same issues and self-inflicted challenges persisting.
The country’s leaders have been criticized for their lack of accountability, transparency, and commitment to the public interest. The result is a country that is struggling to realize its full potential and provide for the needs of its citizens.
I make bold to state that in this context, the only true opposition that can serve as a constant check on the government are conscientious citizens, clear-sighted members of the fourth estate of the realm, civil society organizations, organized labor, and faith-based organizations. This is because opposition political parties in Nigeria have failed woefully to provide effective oversight, instead resorting to intra-party conflicts and endless struggles.
The time for change is now, and it is up to all Nigerians to demand better leadership and work towards a brighter future for themselves and future generations.
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief NEWSCOUNT
