By Irinyemi T. Stephen

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It’s not an overstatement that Nigeria’s troubles are numerous, but these challenges are resolvable only if both leaders and followers alike are willing and ready to painstakingly go all the way to stand up and rebuild all over again.

Nigeria’s ordeal is not peculiar; just as some other countries of the world with similar challenges had pulled through the woods, same can be achieved by Nigeria. The challenges of rebuilding as an indivisible unit is a tall order; nevertheless, the sacrifice which must be made to achieve the feat must not be compromised on whatever grounds of religious bias, ethnicity or tribalism, region affiliation, political bias, nepotism, bribery, corruption and other divisive or discriminatory tendencies.  Unfortunately, a closer look at the chances or likelihood of access to opportunities in some sessions of the civil service structure, tells the story of unimaginable divisive and discriminatory tendencies which are foreign (alien) to the Constitution of the nation; and it’s most regrettable that this practice has been legalized and forced down the throats of most Nigerians as though, normal and acceptable by all.

Considering the enormity of the nation’s challenges, it’s therefore, not so much of a surprise that we see in some quarters the agitation of separatists who have become dissatisfied with the present system and would stop at nothing to break-away; while in some other quarters, some are pushing violently from all possible channels (including banditry) to cart-away from the economy as much as they can of whatever is left of the vandalized resources over the years. Seeing the obvious troubles of the nation, why are we still playing to the gallery – leadership and followers alike? Why are we not throwing all that we have into rebuilding everything about Nigeria? Why are we behaving as though, we have no stake anymore in Nigeria?  Why are we still focusing on rebuilding other nations of the world with the little we have left of the vandalized resources?  Why do we want to empty Nigeria with our frivolous and deliberate squandering of resources that might add at least a block to the rebuilding of the broken structure of the nation? Would there ever be a Nigeria left for posterity in the way and manner leadership and followers are attending the matters of rebuilding what we have left of the bits and pieces of the nation?

Why are we politicizing the rebuilding of Nigeria? Why are we treating the life and soul of Nigeria as though, it’s the property of some political associates, cabals, friends – birds of the same feathers; and not what belongs to all Nigerians? Rather than rebuild, why are we tearing down Nigeria with the coloration or tint of religion – giving our institutional structures and personnel our individual religious identities? Wouldn’t all of these practices further tear Nigeria apart? It’s really unfortunate!

Over time, in open shame, we have been running a country with unwell and completely broken down health institutions, dilapidated, falling to pieces or ramshackle educational system, collapsed security system and compromised developmental institutional structures.  Day in, day out, we witness unabated flights (movements) of professionals to foreign economies, students to foreign institutions (whether accredited or not) and other persons move out in search of better opportunities and quality services for want of same in Nigeria. In all of these movements, highly needed technical expertise or proficiency and financial resources for the rebuilding of the nation slip off our hands carelessly with show of little or no concern by a vast majority.

 Why are we playing to the gallery by conducting compromised or selective Operation Cleanup Nigeria of Corruption (OCNC) and have hypocritically and tactically avoided (turned our eyes away from) some of the people who have milked and emptied Nigeria of her resources? Are there no evidences in and outside of Nigeria to make them pay for what they have taken from the country’s treasury over the years or we have simply avoided and respected them because they are political associates and/or connected on regional, ethnical, professional and other inclinations?  Yes, a few corruption cases have been sorted, but how well; and must we sweep other obvious cases under the carpet? Oh no Nigeria, why have you become so helpless?

 Why have we not put the Constitutional Conference’s resolutions on the table for execution over these years to put to rest the “heart burning points” of the regions and people of Nigeria ably represented at the sittings or sessions?  Must we politicize our co-existence and postpone the doom’s d

 When did the issue of number – “We are more and have the number” become a point of reference in Nigeria’s co-existence? Ab-initio, when we knew that co-existing would be difficult, why did we agr

 Why would any region in Nigeria begin to feel as though, ruling Nigeria is their birth-right only and has the sole power, authority or mandate to decide whatever happens in the Federation? Are we no longer a Federation with equal rights in the entity called Nigeria?   Why should any region that is a Federating Unit be denied the chance of ruling Nigeria?

Does the Quota System still function in Nigeria to give all Nigerians a right to benefit from available opportunities in the federal structure or it’s been subjected to selfish manipulations? Yes, it’s alright to insist on competence in any system for excellent service delivery; however, it does not justify why a particular region only should dominate any federal civil service sector of the Nigerian system, does it?  When would we review the civil service: the military, para-military and other sectors to give every Nigeria and region in the entity the chance to enjoy the common good and opportunities in the nation?

If Nigeria, according to the Constitution is a Secular State, why should we allow religion, which is a person’s personal faith tear us apart? Why should we allow the institutions which are common to us and which identify us as one people to be tainted by our individual religious identity, distinctiveness or uniqueness?

In my opinion, I believe it’s never been a myth that Nigerians are truly suffering – our tears and pains are not hidden; they are written on  our faces, particularly those of the common persons on the streets.  This obvious situation notwithstanding, does not in any way foreclose  our hope of re-launching or re-initiating a formidable come-back that will see us produce a better nation and do well again as a people.  If there is no hidden agenda in the bosom of any of the constituents or units (leadership and followers inclusive), we can roll up our sleeves and start the rebuilding process again. Yes, so much sacrifice will be required on the part of everyone who cares to be involved in the process – the willingness and readiness of rebuilding must be seen to be written all over us: from the greatest to the least, from the very important personality (VIP) to the very despised personality (VDP) in society, from the learned to the illiterate, from the rich to the poor, from all Nigerians at home to those in Diaspora and from the chief executives in government and private sector to the common Nigerians in all sectors and on the street.

Rebuilding is possible and it’s now, if we must salvage whatever we have left of this great nation.

 *PRAYER FOR NIGERIA*

Luke 13:13 (KJV), “And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.”

Isaiah 45:2 (KJV), “I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron.”

 O Lord, because we know that Nigeria’s deliverance can only come through the greatness of Your power, stretch forth Your hand that can make whatever is crooked straight and cause it to be laid upon the crooked structure of the Nigerian nation for a refixing and total restoration, in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.