Following the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria in 1914 by the British colonialist, Sir Lord Fredrick Lugard, a feder-ating state called Nigeria emerged. This same entity won independence from Britain on the 1st of October 1960. It may be appropriate to say that what Nigeria actually got from Britain was mere political independence. Consequently, Britain withdrew its governance of Nigeria and handed over same to Nigerians. However, it was revealed that some of the British officials settled in some parts of Nigeria and continued to advise them politically and otherwise until the civil war broke out and they quickly found their way.Going by the Nigeria history, one can boldly and proudly say that our past leaders moulded this country with great zeal for success. This was manifest in the way and manner they collectively fought and achieved political independence for Nigeria. It is true to say that those crops of leaders exhibited sound leadership qualities and moral pedigree as well as professionalism that is lacking in our current politicians and leaders because greater part of their actions are based on ethnicity, tribalism, favouritism, among others. What a dangerous dichotomy at 51 indeed'It is evident that some past leaders in Nigeria have ruined this nation and made it what great Professor Chinua Achebe refers to as: 'This is an example of a country that has fallen down; it has collapsed. This house has fallen'. The country has suffered and sunk into pervasive corruption, social catastrophe and economic dilapidation for a long time. Our much respected values of patriotism and uncompromising emphasis on integrity and honesty have been thrown to the winds. Most of our leaders have lost their integrity and dignity because of money and they sometime lost their sense of reasoning because of Naira if not 'Nairases.'It is a known fact that corruption has been instrumental in disorienting us in this country; it has made us the laughing stock of the World. We have so many good people; we have resources, which should make us the envy of other nations in the World. In view of the mismanagement of resources, under-utilization of human resources and the syndrome of 'get-rich-quick' our country is in shambles. We have laws that must be enforced to punish the corrupt.Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings (alias Junior Jesus) former Ghanaian President, said thus in 2007 on corruption, 'unless the citizens learn to boldly reject fraud and criminality in leaders, wrong-doing will persist; unless our people disabused the mind of politicians who think the electorate can be bought to surrender their rights and votes, leadership will continue to commit fraud; rig elections and amass ill-gotten gains at the expense of the whole country; unless our people learn to stand up against dictators and political charlatans, democracy will continue to fail in different countries at different times.'On leadership, Professor Babatunde Fafunwa (of blessed memory), a one-time education minister and first Nigerian to acquire a Ph.D. in education in 1955 said that the revered of African leaders is Nelson Mandela who led his people out of the 'shackles' of apartheid, and still forged reconciliation between the races. He had a clear and great vision for South Africa, and was able to set out and accomplish his goals. Incredibly, unlike other leaders on the continent, the great man handed over power after just one term. Imagine that happening in some African countries!We have not been fortunate to have good leaders. What we have been having is what Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah currently of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese tagged as 'accidental leaders.'Professor Attahiru Jega, a political scientist and the current Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman actually gives the best description of some of our past leaders, when he said in a lecture at Abuja that: 'If the truth be told, past Nigerian leaders with few exceptions were self-serving rulers, not leaders. Some were even despots. There is perhaps no other country in the world where power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely as in Nigeria.It is abundantly clear that at 51 security of lives and properties are no longer guaranteed. The image of lawlessness is seen everywhere. Nigerians live in frustration, regret, dejection, hopelessness, misery, pains and sufferings. Not quite long, it was reported that there were violence and killings in Benue, Akwa-Ibom, part of Delta State (Ibusa and Oviorie), Akure, due to struggle for supremacy by rival political groups.Except we apply the rules of the game, if not we are very far from the much talked about brotherhood spirit, which I am convinced the banner has been stained. What about all the bombings of public places along with innocent souls in some part of the country. This, to me has not only dented but denigrated the image of the country across the globe.Many years ago, Dele Giwa, Rear Admiral Onigbinde, O. N. Rewane Funso Williams were killed. Before the 2003 senatorial election, Chief John Monoria Agbatutu of Agbarho in Delta State was killed before the primaries. The Asipa of Oyo was clubbed to death. On the 21st of December 2001, Odunayo Olagbaju, member of Osun State House of Assembly was killed by gun men in Ile-Ife. On the 23rd of December 2001, Chief Bola Ige (siddon look), the late justice minister was murdered in his room at Ibadan, on August 15, 2002 gunmen killed Victor Nwankwo. September 26, 2002 John Nuhu , treasurer of Akassa Council in Bayelsa State was killed.November 25, 2002, PDP gubernatorial candidate, Dele Arojo was assassinated in Lagos. We always hear that the killers will be brought to book or be fished out. How many of them have we been able to fish out' Engr. Hamed Olatunde Onipede, second substantive Principal/Chief Executive of the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun , Delta State for approximately a decade was murdered in his apartment in Badagry. The killings and maiming are too numerous to mention. Without mincing words, Nigeria needs to take security very seriously.Whatever the case may be, I wish to quote Abraham Lincoln's statement in Gethysbury, on the 19th of November 1863 for our information and guidance 'That this country under God shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people by the people for the people shall not perish from the earth'.Soeze can be reached via charlessoeze@yahoo.com
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