Press Release: An Open Letter To Fellow Nigerians: Salvaging Our Nation:- A Task that Must Be Done

Fellow Compatriots,

Over the past four decades we have witnessed an endless abuse of the will of our people by leaders who lacks the will to govern appropriately with a view to promoting the interest of all Nigerian for the benefit of all Nigerians. We have seen a wanton disregard for transparency in governance and accountable leadership. You and I have also observed with dismay , the endless recycle of the same sets of people in position of power, which in essence confirms an endless regurgitation of pain, suffering, destitution and rapid decay of our socio-political and economic institutions. There is so much a people can take and our people have been burdened by these and have no doubt crumbled under the weight of irresponsible and un-responsive leadership. At this point in time, we have an opportunity to take advantage of the new political environment and help to arrest this endless dance of death toward the abyss by our nation. Let us help to clean up our governance system and challenge the constantly evolving, self-sustaining and pernicious leadership. Let us stop their ability to incorporate new membership as they continue to perpetrate their inept leadership style. Let us demand probity and accountable governance by using the most viable instrument ever given to a people - the power of their vote.

Our people have never been effectively informed, engaged and prepared to use the power of their vote. In the past four decades we have seen utter manipulations , through the use of all kinds of method to dissuade and mislead our people in the use of their vote. Even the most pious politician of them all, have in one way of the other, use reasons other than that which will promote the interest of all Nigerians ,to explain why we should vote for them. Many will say that, we are many nations and therefore we must address some basic differences before we take the final step of rekindling our national spirit. I agree with the latter but not after the former. Rekindling a national spirit should be the prerogative of all good leaders. I know we have not voluntarily chosen this path together but can we use that as a reason why we cannot come together to address problems of hunger and poverty in our nation. Can we use it as a reason why a child should not have the ability to live beyond the age of one or can we use it as a reason for the senseless deaths on our roads and in our hospitals because of lack of appropriate responses and medical facilities. The answer is No. I am calling on you all and especially my generation, to stake a claim to this NATION and refuse to mortgage their lives and national treasure (you and I and all of us) in satisfying the needs of just a very few. You are part of my generation because you are alive today and have an opportunity to lift your finger to help salvage this nation from its vision less and inept leadership. The next question is what can I do ?, what can you do ?, what can we all do ?.

This is what you can do: To those who are in the Diaspora I say, I challenge you as you visit Nigeria and as you try to invest in your nation, find time and spend just ten percent of whatever fund you want to give your family or community and take the time to organize in your neck of the woods, a town hall meeting or a social gathering wherein you can talk to your loved ones, your ward or your local government. Talk to them about the importance of their votes. Talk to them not to be bought by unscrupulous politicians who waves naira in their faces. Remind them of investing in the future of their children and challenge them to make a difference by voting for those they think can really make a difference. If we can all do that, we might begin to re-engage our people in the political process. We might begin to break the back bone of these corrupt and inept politicians who have held our nation in captivity since its birth. If you can do that and your friends can do that, we might begin to lay the foundation for a better Nigeria for the future generation . 

We might begin to take back our nation inch by inch, ward by ward, local government by local government. I will go to my village, you go to yours or go to your city or town. I will go to my ward and I will go to my local government and start this process. Please join me in doing this in your own neck of the woods. With a significantly less investment than you can ever imagine, we might begin to change the way politics is played in our nation. We might begin to get involved in reshaping the future of our country. Let them all leave their ivory towers for once, let them leave their affluent environment and cities abroad for once and for once, let them dialogue with their people and re-energize them in participating in the future of their community. This is what we must do to break the cycle of corruption and death in our nation . If you can do that, you can also join together with others who shares your views of Nigeria. Join forces with those who want to make a difference and change Nigeria for the better. It is simple, you have to begin by realizing this mission is bigger than your individual or anyone's individual agenda. This is for salvaging our nation which is a task that must be done. This message is to all Nigerians, whether you are in the big cities or not, if you can rally forces, you can get this done. Let my brothers and sisters in the Colleges and in the Universities across the land begin this process of political education of our people. Let my brothers and sisters in high schools spend their Saturdays engaging their fellow community members in the dialogue of educating our compatriots about their responsibilities and the obligations of our elected leadership. And when these politicians shows their faces abroad, looking for foreign currency, let us slam the doors in their faces and send them back to their constituents with their tails between their legs. It is about time.

With this , we can slam the doors on the faces of politicians pandering to us and waving the naira in exchange for our votes. With this , we can boycott their weekend jamborees and motorcades and sirens and ask them the real questions instead of bowing to their false sense of integrity. This message is also for the Nigerian politicians also, the end is near and there is an increasing need to change your ways. Nigerians are no longer going to seat on the sidelines and watch you pillage their nation. They will rise to stop the wanton destruction of their resources. They will join forces together to stop you dead in your tracks. Our sovereignty must be assured and the interest of all Nigerians must be protected. Economic prosperity of all must be guaranteed and the security of all Nigerian assured. If any of our leaders is incapable of functioning in this new environment, it is time for them to go. Our people are awakening from their slumber. The dusk is upon your inept leadership and corrupt manipulation of our people. Let all forces of progress join forces for the sake of our future and those of our children. Let a new dawn begin in the horizon for a once giant of Africa. I know it is not going to be easy but where there is a will there is a way. Many have proffered ideas, they suggested economic reawakening, many wanted to invest as a means of re-energizing our people. 

The question is why haven't we been able to make a headway in these regard. The answer is simple. With the type of leadership we have as a people, with the type of mind set that we have as a people in Nigeria and the corrupt nature of our interactions, it will be difficult to do better unless you change that mind set. And we can begin by changing the leadership and therefore begin to lay a foundation for a society capable of sustaining the required economic and socio-political development. The task of doing it rests on every Nigerians. We cannot expect them (current leadership) to change it when it favors them, we must force them to change or we must be engaged in it to change it. Change it, we must or else what will be the purpose of being a Nigerian. "I love my country, I no go lie" and I am ready to join forces with others like me to make that change possible. Let us go out and liberate the minds of our people. Join forces with your fellow Nigerian and the result shall be sweet and the task should be done. Thank you and God bless this nation of ours- NIGERIA

----Tuesday, June 19th. 2001, Stroudsburg. PA, United States Bamidele A Ojo.PhD contact: mosbam@noln.com