There was a ‘fantastically corrupt’ nation to the extent that we did not spare ourselves the self-criticism of a near indelible image foisted on our sovereign nation by those who lost the track of our founding fathers’ vision for the would-be great country in the history of the world, yes!
But to agree with the British Prime Minister David Cameron over his recent comments describing Nigeria as a ‘fantastically corrupt’ nation over a cocktail is the highest level of unpatriotic disposition any Nigeria can exercise against his own country.
“Are we not corrupt?”; “Is David Cameron wrong after all?”; “Yes he was right indeed” are some of the reprehensibly disturbing comments uttered by second class-minded Nigerians who tend to absorb wholly whatever filth is thrown at us by those who will defend their own territorial integrity to the last, even while threading on a faulty policy or moral deficiency at a time.
“If you are angry against your country, do not tear the national flag” is what I often tell Nigerians who get uncontrollably angry with their nation at the slightest provocations. We have responsibility to uphold our territorial symbol and defend our cause even at a time when things are in bad shape for our nation.
Whenever I hold our national currency, I cannot but reflect on the labours of our heroes past who saw a nation that would thrive in the robe of greatness. The images of our heroes past are reflections equal to the ‘Statue of Liberty’ for America or the ‘Great Wall’ for China. Before we accidentally got to a stage where we were led by political small-chops and the weak hat whereby stealing was excused as no art of corruption, we had strong leaders who would die defending the future of our own nation. To the glory of God, President Muhammadu Buhari is restoring the hope we clinched on, believing that Nigeria will rise to its desirable status in the manner that has been foretold.
As collaborator is also culpable, Mr President is right to have told David Cameron that doing the needful against corruption by ensuring no Nigerian is allowed to safe-keep stolen money in Britain is more charitable than his apology. The bottom line is while agreeing that Nigeria had lost so much credibility to financial corruption, yet the word ‘corruption’ is vague and cannot be used to describe Nigeria as a fantastically corrupt nation in its entirety. It is also outrageous for any world leader to continue to sink Nigeria in the abyss of very derogatory expressions such as the ones uttered by David Cameron in spite of the ongoing efforts by the current government to put the nation back on track.
Recently in Britain, David Cameron’s family’s tax affairs came under public scrutiny in an allegation against the British Prime Minister’s tax offenses relating to tax evasion after details of father’s Bahamas business interests are leaked in the Panama papers saga; and not quite long, the controversial British Prime Minister was confronted in parliament over criminal investigation into alleged electoral fraud by Conservative MPs in the last year’s general election. As a matter of fact, Mr Cameron came under severe attack from Angus Robertson who is SNP leader as lacking moral justification to lecture other countries on corruption and probity in the said anti-corruption summit, as published in the INDEPENDENT of Wednesday 10th May 2016.
“Seeing as the Prime Minister is prepared to lecture other countries on corruption and probity, could he explain why seven police forces in the UK have launched criminal investigations into Conservative MPs over potential electoral fraud,” he asked at Prime Minister’s Questions.
It is in the habit of Britain to demean its former colonies, a habit France does not exhibit against its assimilated former colonies. But who cares? As Cuba defended its territorial integrity against the United States until America came calling lately, Nigerians should stand against perpetual label with bad names and identities; so shall we!
Globally, we should not forget that Nigerians are doing great. In all walks of life, Nigeria has produced very outstanding and reputable persons who have contributed immensely to world growth and development.
That the richest man in Africa is from Nigeria with most of his investments localised is a pointer to the fact that our economy remains one of the most prominent on the continent. Professor Wole Soyinka, a respected Nobel Laureate, is a proud Nigerian; five Lawmakers with Nigerian backgrounds are currently in the British Parliament; we are proud of Olympic Champions, best medical hands and exceptional talents too numerous to mention.
President Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and many other political cum administrative geniuses are not expatriates. Nigerians have run successful businesses in most difficult terrains and every corner around the world with conglomerates of business empires and investments. Among every five black persons in the world is a Nigerian, indicating our spread, dynamism and enterprise.
The economic potential of Lagos State alone is more than some three African countries put together. The dynamism at which Lagos is being managed is commendable, considering its mega status and complexity; no one is taken by surprise with his appointment as the Vice President of Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), an interest group established to promote trade and investment by facilitating engagement between Government and the private sector throughout the Commonwealth. This came shortly after he delivered historic keynote at the London school of economics on Africa’s potentials for sustainable growth.
While talking about leadership as major challenge confronting Africa as a whole, we must acknowledge that the role of citizenship is pertinent at ensuring all-round development. Afterall, a good citizen at the lower ebb will definitely make a good leader; all leaders we see today were once followers and who are not left out in the circle.
Promoting what is ours and defending our territorial integrity at all cost is an integral part of loyalty and patriotism to our fatherland. Nigeria is coming out of this situation and will become a country to beat. If there is any reason why the masses are not protesting against the ongoing deregulation of the oil sector leading to increase in pump price of petroleum products, it is because of the seriousness of the current government. Together, we can make Nigeria great again by first realising that the journey to a new Nigeria has started. Lets join the train so we can prove to the world that Nigeria can truly become fantastically great!
Olulade is a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Epe Constituency II
