Sunny Nwachukwu
A national call to service could be by electoral process, the same way the nation is being expected to observe once again in our political history (preparing for the polls), come 2011. This call also could be by appointment where, credentials and ‘ability to deliver’ on assignments mapped out by those in authority are critically considered with the eligibility of any candidate slated or nominated to occupy a given official portfolio/position; for a specific purpose of achieving results that will be beneficial to the general public. In the first instance, it is driven by impetus intrinsic in the personality as will-power characterized by expected excellent, result-oriented performance that would stand out among the contestants vying for an elective position (in most cases). A very good example is the last concluded U.S. presidential polls where an African-American (President Barack Obama) emerged as the first black U.S. President with the campaign slogan, “yes we can”. Be that as it may, whether by election or by appointment; service bears an expected one-direction impact if those being served are to experience growth and progress.
In Nigeria, the story has always been contrary to the expectation whenever accounts are given or stock-taking is made on stewardship. Whenever the unexpected results are captured at the end, it naturally gives very mental excruciating pains as well as demoralizes the ‘stakeholders’ (the electorate) within the system. This season in our political life and history is a period and time of reckoning in our generation; when our country turns 50 years (golden jubilee) since independence. No doubt, the strategic timing attracts lots of reflective, thoughtful insights into our past, to determine how well, how far we have fared (bad, poor, good, excellent) in our national life; especially socio-economically. Honestly, looking back; Nigeria @ 50 is still crawling. Comparatively, this backwardness is traced back to the conducts of our past, unpatriotic leaders who did not consider the damaging and adverse effects of their irresponsible actions and selfish decisions taken at the expense of and against our national development.
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Casting our minds back to the memory lanes; all the wasted opportunities and fortunes call for lamentation over almost all the national strategic projects, in the steel sub-sector, the Aladja and Ajaokuta steel rolling mills where billions of Naira was sunk in yet, no remarkable achievements as at date were recorded. This singular project, Nigeria started alongside two other nations (Brazil and South Korea) the same time, for the purpose of repositioning us technologically but, today Brazil and South Korea are respectively doing exploits in the auto manufacturing sector. Nigeria on the other hand, is here singing and telling stories. It is indeed a real sorry situation. One good thing is that our past leaders are alive today to witness a period of reflection into our past and the retrogressive economic achievements made so far.
We need to tell ourselves the truth as we focus into the future that the next phase brings than sticking to the old status of “business as usual”, in looting our national treasury. The next phase calls for rebuilding the desolations of our national economy because, Nigeria is blessed and we have the potentials, any how one looks at it. Selfless service calls for proper execution and implementation of our national plan. This duty must be discharged corporately, married to certain critical factors (if really the nation is aimed at succeeding as an entity) such as efficient management of resources with disciplined and prudent application of competitive costing over project execution by those placed in authority position where, corruption is eschewed completely.
Once again the nation is at the brink of going to the polls where our nascent democratic process will be tested to experience (according to the promises of Mr. President) a free, fair and credible general election of “one man one vote” in January 2011 (going by the recent INEC timetable). We hope to responsibly start from electing our public officers through polls void of violence, thugry and every other unimaginable electoral manipulation or rigging; where the citizens are allowed to exercise their franchise (civic rights to vote) by choosing their leaders and never again through undemocratic process of intra-party or inter-party selection of unpopular, unpatriotic, irresponsible candidates and evil leaders in governance that are imposed on the masses against their wish.
Service calls for servant-leadership where the steward throws “self” overboard and only seeks responsibly to satisfy the led at all times. Service to the people entails and demands a total sacrifice by the servant-leader; not self serving as presently being observed in almost the three tiers of government. The ultimate aim of every good leader is to progressively and continuously improve on the present and never to draw socio-economic programs back. Such leaders are characterized and equipped with the fear of God, wisdom, integrity, honesty and accountability. They are able at all times to defend/protect the poor and the needy through mass-oriented, godly policies and programs that are popular at all times, and they are never oppressors in all sectors of the economy.
Now, as we prepare for the 2011 polls coming right on the heels of our almost a wasted season of 50 years after independence; shall the people of Nigeria go back to our vomit instead of matching forward? Our individual and respective answers should determine our corporate future. Let us all search our conscience and be persuaded by the right judgment in making our choice at the polls from this new season of our national life. Globally, China is presently making waves economically because of good governance and the corporate patriotism by the citizenry.
