NIGERIANS under the present political dispensation are gradually disentangled from leadership deceit and captivity. In the past, Nigerians were forcefully turned against their mental aptitude by corrupt politicians. Application of intelligence was not valued in the face of popular hail ofour leaders who are subjecting us to hardship. The effect is biting hard today. Public fund is stolen, which makes provision of essential amenities for the masses impossible. The search and recovery of illegally possessed public fund is being inevitably heightened and tightened against the unending numbers of perpetrators. Many able, intelligent and hard-working citizens have fled the country in search of greener pastures, perhaps because their country’s environment isn’t helpful to self-actualization.
The politicians, career officers, security, bankers, merchants, religious bodies, judiciary and institutions of learning are all guilty. The poor masses too are threatening one another. Nigerians’ confidence, courage, determination, freedom, hope and patriotism are improving. They are inclining towards cooperating with the leadership except a few powerful people in certainquarters. There is an important role that the power of words can play to create enlightenment for the masses on the form and direction their cooperation will take for the rapid change we desire for our country. Nationally managed words can inspire, spur and stimulate Nigerians into rapid reformation disposition with trusted and loved leader in position.
The unwholesome psyche of Nigerians that cast a spell on Nigeria’s development is not accidental. All the human developmental avenues have been brutalized. Those in the corridors of power at all levels of government are mostly guilty of corruption that is causing hardship to the masses. We need to trace them to their past. Did the avenues like home, school or places of authoritiesthat they passed through have problems? The problems we are facing today indicate the total failure of those avenues. Homes and schools believe they share responsibilities in child training and at times pass the buck. With the eight hours custodian role schools play in the life of students, it has a greater, far-reaching impact on the life of a nation than homes. But how can schools today make students to realize their civic responsibilities? If young students underwent studies of related subjects at elementary and secondary education levels and possibly something similar at higher institution level in general studies, what do they need again to know that they owe the society a responsibility to work for its growth? Why isn’t there a reflection of that knowledge in the society? Perhaps, something is wrong with the impartation of knowledge. The emphasis may have been shifted from future action on the knowledge to passing the test or examination on the various topics.
The constitutional avenue is also sick. It is faced with the problems of implementation. In this state, the constitution can only apply haphazardly and leave the society unprotected. Pending the resuscitation of these avenues, Nigerians can be re-orientated through words.It doesn’t matter if it is anchored by the National Orientation Agency (NOA). The major concern is the strategy. I believe this nation is blessed with sufficiently knowledgeable people who can do it. NOA can look for competent Nigerians and draw out a schedule for each month.Let’semploy word power as one of the revolutionary strategies to raise the consciousness of the masses, especially the illiterate populace, in order to movethis nation forward.
If words rather than arms between the federal government and Boko Haram insurgence could lead to the return of Chibok girls and the Niger Delta Militants could cease fire, it may not take long to reorientate Nigerians with words.Words from religious angles demonstrate their potency.
Let the talk come up once in a month on radio and T.V, translated into Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo languages. The hour of the ‘reorientation talk’ can be fixed, like the environmental sanitation day. The contents must be rich, appealing and captivating to pass the message that can make our survival individually and as a nation less cumbersome. Nigerians should be groomed through words that practical development isn’t a mere wish; it takes honest and patriotism. Reports of research into the history of what it took some developed nations to dominate the world stage technologically, politically and economically should feature. What accounts for the incessant influx of immigrants who want to savour the fruits of those developed nations’ labours? How did the citizens of those nations contribute to their glory? Government should eep Nigerians in all areas of human endeavour informed on the need to play roles in the areas they control to aid Nigeria’s convenience and comfort.
- Mosobalaje lives in Ibadan, Oyo State
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