The founding fathers of politics in Nigeria got here with some beliefs girding them. First, one would word that the majority of them had been attorneys, whereas those that weren’t attorneys had been individuals with discernible beliefs. Additionally, political events or organizations at the moment had been all the time main the best way in that no two events had been alike of their aspirations and/or the philosophies they believed in. Undoubtedly, the diminishing of those qualities led to a improvement within the mumbo-jumbo that’s at present pervading the Nigerian political firmament. Sadly, the Nigerians felt unimpressed.
Earlier, Nigeria was not used to having deceitful individuals particularly of their decision-making positions. However how is it that they’ve now turn out to be thorns in her flesh? Take, for instance, when political hoodlums realized they may assist themselves via the technique of terror and violence, they hijacked the method and created a vibrant particular political area with juicy advantages besides. In contrast to the First Republic, when crooks had been fitted into positions in response to the dictates of social class and hierarchy of social standing, at the moment the material of our politics has turn out to be so frighteningly harsh and evilly porous that a gangster can domesticate the governorship’s ambitions of a Nigerian state. These are points that Nigeria’s political class ought to have addressed way back. However they could not! Effectively, it is not that they did not perceive clear up them. It is frustratingly annoying that they are additionally merchandise of confusion. Therefore the problem in talking to them!
When Obafemi Awolowo was arrested and ultimately sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with onerous labor for against the law of treason, Awolowo wouldn’t have been wrongly imprisoned if Nigerian activists had woken as much as their attraction and suppressed the fabricated prices. In fact, Nigeria would definitely have escaped the mess into which it will definitely – and conveniently – fell. Awolowo was imprisoned and Nigerians went about their each day actions as if nothing had occurred. As destiny would have it, solely the grace of Gowon saved the clever!
As Adisa Akinloye and “Males of Like Minds” from the ruling Nationwide Celebration of Nigeria (NPN) headed to a spending jamboree in London, Awolowo was the primary to warn Nigerians of the upcoming financial disaster. Right here, too, the Nigerians had been unconcerned. Slightly than springing as much as rescue the state of affairs with unprecedented ability, the federal government led by President Shehu Shagari selected mocking the “outdated man” as a pastime. Sadly, the Nigerians ignored the warning! Because the outdated man had no energy; and since society was gullible, the financial melancholy had its approach! Not lengthy after, “austerity” hit the nation like a plague. Nonetheless, the corporate did nothing! That was, after all, the dying knell for a authorities that was already nervous! Excitingly, “austerity measures” have continued to proliferate in several sizes and colours.
When the Wole Soyinkas of this world based the Pirate Brotherhood, there was a set tutorial customary that needed to be met earlier than a possible candidate might be initiated. Due to this, conversations with any member of the Brotherhood right now had been all the time laced with spectacular delicacy and ability. That was then too! Regularly, the vile widespread tradition of hooliganism took management and “Fadeyi Oloro” took over the features of the 70-year-old brotherhood!
When Adekunle Ademuyiwa Adepeju was shot lifeless on the College of Ibadan (UI) on February 1, 1971, the regime of then-Basic Yakubu Gowon almost fell, as a result of a catastrophe of this magnitude had by no means earlier than befallen the Nigerian college system. For a typical Hausa man again then it was simply “nufin Allah ne”. So, ‘life goes on!’ The Ibos merely thought it was a Yoruba boy who was killed. Because the 23-year-old pupil was not from her tribe, “life goes on”. That is not all! Half the Yoruba inhabitants was not even properly knowledgeable sufficient to grasp that no Nigerian, not to mention a college pupil, needs to be killed. However the Elite screamed and Gowon was scared! Sadly, after some time, nevertheless, a number of untalented inspired the pinnacle of state. They suggested Gowon to easily apologize to the nation, supply condolences to Adepeju’s household on the loss and guarantee them that the federal government would look into what the junta was doing! However what has turn out to be of the coed union named after the fallen hero? It’s questionable whether or not college students at this prestigious college nonetheless bear in mind a Kunle Adepeju being mowed down by an unknown police officer in Nigeria.
It was time for Nigerian scholarly journals from Nigeria’s main universities to realize worldwide recognition. Now one even wonders if Nigeria’s teachers even have the time to take a seat down, suppose and write, not to mention have it revealed in inside journals. Worst of all, lecturers at the moment are promoted as professors, not due to their publications, their work, or their worldwide recognition. No! It is as a result of they have been round too lengthy and left time within the departments; or belong to a sect; or one thing like that!
In 1972, the Nigerian College students Loans Board was established with the core mission of catering to the monetary wants of Nigeria’s needy college students. On the finish of the day, the rich and elite hijacked it for his or her kids whereas these it was initially supposed for gasped for air. Sadly, these kids who’ve illegally benefited from our group haven’t even thought-about it applicable to provide again to society, which is among the worst issues. They’re in both the UK, US or Canada, having fun with themselves whereas forgetting their humble beginnings. Due to this fact, the chance they’d was by no means reproduced so different individuals may have what they’d.
Effectively, I’ve argued elsewhere that a tyrant is a tyrant to the extent that individuals imagine that the person is exploiting the bounds of his ambition and energy rightfully given to him. Then you may see that a tyrant is performing. However what’s then lacking is management. The tragic fact is that as a result of an absence of management, those that beforehand had nothing to do with politics have entered politics and impose their very own values. The magnitude and affect of this tragedy is felt in the best way we mystify and elevate an individual just because they situation an indication from our group to construct a substandard highway for us and fee them with virtually the identical quantity of building value . what’s extra Each new and new authorities fights towards essentially the most heinous crimes and incumbent authorities malfunctions to win the votes of the lots. Nonetheless, should you do not perceive the dynamics of energy and the way it pertains to individuals, you’ll more than likely be supplied a seat on the Mammon desk that can probably make you a tyrant. And as we all know, when skewed values turn out to be a part of the bulk, it turns into an issue.
Could the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world give us peace in Nigeria!
•Komolafe wrote from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State (ijebujesa@yahoo.co.uk)
