So many mis-directions

For the past two weeks, we have been on this matter even though from different perspectives. This is in addition to earlier discourses titled “Development: Things we ought to know.” Both topics appear similar but definitely not in their context and content. What things we ought to have known was foundational in scope – things that should have followed the granting of independence to Nigeria. We can be on those issues for decades because the examples are just so many, each carrying serious weight and deep significance for our national development.

This outing would mark the conclusion of the series on “So many mis-directions” so we can take on other matters of national importance. Albert Einstein told us, no one gets a problem solved in a very sustainable way operating from the very level (standpoint) from which the challenge(s) was(were) created. We have gone against this time tested theory, and things rather than get sorted out, keep turning out worse. It is the reality of our experiences so far in the journey of nationhood.

The other day while one tried to look up a few things in the bid to add knowledge, one came across something that tickled the mind; in China, an agriculturist, a female, didn’t have to use a tractor to dig up the soil, she had with her a tiny motorized machine which at the press of a button began to perform the task so effortlessly. The sight was a marvel to behold, add that to the fact the big trees can be decimated in about three minutes using very simple mechanical devices and equipment.

In shops, offices and restaurants, especially in developed economies the human factor is fast going down as robots take over key responsibilities of everyday business operations. Many of us have cars and phones that can become operational by word commands. By mere speaking, doors open, stay still for as long one may desire. Cars, as we have seen, have become auto driven. Fossil fuel would soon become history. The world is set to move into another entirely different era of human existence.

This should set us thinking as well as make us adjust our vision outlay if we have any, and propel a hastening of our pace at development but unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like we know what the mission for the next century is. If we know, then nothing shows we are aware that we are already into the new season. If this was very clear we would do things very differently. Rather than place emphasis on critical areas that move development, we still insist we operate from the side of primordial instincts. This pattern has perpetually kept us on the wrong lane. Let us mention few to bring our message home.

Government still funds religious engagements in a union that has long accepted that worship is a private affair and where the constitution, the grand law bans the adoption of any faith as state religion, which in very unmistakable terms provides for secularism. For a few days running, the question of Sharia courts, from nowhere just sprouted in the southwestern part of the country. Some Nigerians of their own accord rose up and began planting religious courts everywhere, in turn provoking undue controversy and heating up the society alongside.

Penultimate Saturday highly placed, well-educated citizens were on a prominent national television weekend programme to push the rightness of igniting religious agitation in Nigeria of 2025, 64  four years after independence. They called the normal courts “Christian courts.” This effort at religious expansionism is coming at a time the private sector in America, China and Russia are making strenuous efforts to have another settlement established in another planet in space.

Compare the swearing in ceremonies we saw recently in Britain and few weeks ago in America and compare with the way we do it here. Look at the elaborate nature, the overbearing presence of the military, days of drills and rehearsals and add up the cost. Do a review of the appointment process, expertise, criteria and timeframe. Anyone should be free to tell the difference.

After 64 years of attaining nationhood, isn’t it puzzling that our President and top public officials still fancy the idea of running to foreign countries to seek medical attention? One or two of them stayed for more than six months at a stretch on such journeys. It is so disheartening to note that medical tourism has become the vogue of the elite in a country that hardly earns any income from productive processes and engagements. Those not virtually running away from the country want to visit every country in the world for holidays with funds pilfered from service in the public sector. “Idle rich Nigerians” is what some Nigerians call the rich ones amongst us.

They have so much money which they flaunt in reckless and very provocative manner and also in ways that destroy the well-being of the country, yet not up to five percent of the figure in that class are involved in very productive endeavors. We have only rent agents, many of them serving the interest of imperialism. Unfortunately, they are the ones holding power and authority.

This group lacks what it takes. No great capacity. No tutorship, while in public offices they struggle on routines. We take them to power and expect so much forgetting about some fundamental, settled matters. Among them is the theory that no man can give what he doesn’t have. When knowledge is lacking a journey of 40 days would turn into a movement of 40 years.

This class of ill-equipped individuals loathe rigour, but rigour is at the heart of any great exploits and enterprise. Pulling through an agreement requires deep seated efforts. It drains the adrenaline. Producing a vision would require blood to flow as sweat from the forehead. Pursuing agreed terms and resisting negative urges and the pull of vain men is an art on its own. As for Arts, the knowledge and discipline are picked on the streets or from surface digging.

Less than three weeks ago, most of us saw a video of President Joe Biden of United States leaving the White House after handling over to his successor. He didn’t appear quite himself, yet he held out power and office for the simple reason that there is a system in place that throws up officials on merit, they run the task and the head just offers a supervisory role. Great things France, China, Russia, Britain and America will do are issues for campaign.

Every year we quarrel over budgets at the federal, state and local government levels, which are financial outlays running into billions and very recently in trillions; at the end of each year we say we have ran the budgets. Accounts show that we gave out substantial sums on each subhead. The question is: how come the fulcrum of the economy remains underdeveloped? Why are the roads death traps, hospitals are mere consulting clinics and death theatres?

See what we have made of our educational institutions. Rail systems elsewhere have remained the backbones for real development but in our case we have ran it down and not only that we put it out as well. Electricity generation transmission and distribution has become like man’s attempt to locate where God stays in heaven – a very difficult task. The citizens have been left to grow on their own terms. The consequences include a country that has become rudderless, full of hunger, starvation, so much social tension and conflicts.

Development and transformation isn’t a tea party. It is a serious, very tedious process. It is a task for the equipment. No country ever gambled their way into it. It is the by-product of intentional acts. Countries that desire to see sustainable development catch the citizens at very young age. They recreate the education system. They give attention to courses that make every citizen productive after going through the process. They give emphasis to health and agriculture.

Sometime ago, a Chinese company wanted to set up operations in a part of Abia State known as Asa. Before venturing into the area, the company sent two of the female staff to come to Nigeria and learn the Asa dialect and the cultural nuances of the people they would have to interact with for years running. Those staffers are still in their employ. What does this tell you?

We end with a very instructive quote from an unknown sage. He posited: “If citizens are suspicious (of their leaders and government), collaborative efforts won’t add up; if loyal advice is not heard, small minds will talk and criticize us in secret. When hypocrisy sprouts, even if you have the wisdom of ancient kings you could not defeat a peasant, let alone a crowd of them.” The pains of underdevelopment are becoming too much to bear and the volcano is fast beginning to rumble underneath. If we do not change course, to do the right things, one day it will erupt and the lava flow will be massive and destructive. This is the plain truth.

                                        Concluded…