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• Fayemi, Briggs, Abaribe, others suggest ways to salvage country
From Aidoghie Paulinus, and Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, has said Nigerians have two alternatives before them to either kill the country or fix it, warning that time was not too much in their favour.
This is as former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, Abia lawmaker, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Niger Delta activist, Ankio-Briggs re-echoed the urgent need for political and socio-economic restructuring in Nigeria, to speed up its growth and development.
They also spoke during the unveiling of the book, “Bold Leap,” written by ace journalist and former senator who represented Imo East, Chris Anyanwu.
Speaking at the ceremony attended by the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo, who represented President Bola Tinubu; former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, represented by former Senate president, David Mark; former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, represented by former Senate president and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; former Chief of Staff to Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe; immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi; Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi 11 and others, Obi Achebe said: “In this country since independence, we have been talking, talking and talking. I think it is time we begin to think about doing something because we have two alternatives, to keep milking the cow until it dies because of our sectional interest which we intend to protect; because of personal interest, people go into public service not to serve the public but to serve their own interest. Either we keep doing that and milk the cow to death or we do the opposite and place Nigeria above everything else.”
He lamented that there was still institutional discrimination against the female gender not just in Nigeria but even in America and the rest of the world.
“Maybe, some parts like Britain have gone a bit further. They have had three female prime ministers in the UK. So, why can’t we have a president in Nigeria that is female and a governor that is female?”
Achebe said Anyanwu’s works, in her writings, in whatever she had done, she is always worried about Nigeria and he can testify to that because of a small working group that they have which focuses on how to lift Nigeria out of the present situation.
“If all of us can resolve to do that and to have a better country going forward and I will like to add, time is not too much in our favour, it is either we milk the cow to death very, very fast or we can turn around the country very, very fast,” Achebe added.
During a panel session on “How to fix Nigeria: System, structure, institutions and leadership,” at the launch, Fayemi, Senator Abaribe and Ankio-Briggs insisted that the desired growth and development would continue to elude Nigeria until sincere discussions and actions were taken on the issue of socioeconomic and political restructuring.
Fayemi, in his submission, said justice, equity and inclusivity would hasten the development of Nigeria, but sadly, such elements were conspicuously absent in its political environment and engagements
“In as much as we are talking about fixing Nigeria, that can neither be achieved through revolution nor secession. These elements are not the solutions to fixing Nigeria. Change is incremental and not revolutionary. As long as the change is consistent, its impacts will be seen over time.
“Remaking Nigeria is the solution that can only come through justice, equity, and inclusivity, as recommended in the Constitution. Restructuring the Nigerian state has become inevitable and the right way to go. Sadly, many people misunderstood the restructuring campaign. It’s about re-organising society to serve the interest of all its citizens.
“Right now, Nigeria is not serving the interest of its people. It’s only serving a tiny minority elite that is close to the corridor of power, thereby leaving the majority unserved. We need a system that will respond to the yearnings of the majority of the people who are under 30 years.”
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Ankio-Briggs stated that restructuring is the only way out of the growing inequality and unfairness, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of being a clog in the wheel of Nigeria’s political progress.
“We are in the very worst stage as a nation. Patriotism is not only about what you do for your country, but what your country will do for you. Something very drastic has to change for Nigeria to remain afloat.
“For the past 30 years, I have championed the campaign for restructuring, and I believe it is the best decision for Nigeria. If we don’t do that as quickly as possible, we will continue to witness socio-economic underdevelopment. Some states would continue to financially sustain other states.
“We need to restructure our political system urgently. This restructuring campaign will help us to correct some of the identified lapses that are hindering our socioeconomic and political growth and development, thus putting us in the part of growth and development.”
Senator Abaribe highlighted some inimical roles being played by the judiciary, which encourages corruption and abuse of the systems of governance. “We need the right people and right institutions to fix the challenges slowing down our development.”
Earlier in his remarks, President Tinubu had said the title of the book signifies risk-taking and courage, as Nigerians navigate and journey through life.
“What does taking a bold leap mean? It’s a question that echoes in the corridors of the ambitious, the restless, and the visionary. To take a bold leap is to embrace the unknown with open arms, to step off the edge of certainty into the depth of possibility.
“This leap, hidden in uncertainty and brimming with potential, is not merely a physical act, but a profound metaphor for the vital decisions that sharpen our lives and careers. It’s about mustering the courage to face the fears that tether us, to transcend the ordinary, and to pursue the extraordinary. In the world, this concept transforms into a guiding star for young men and women propelling them towards unexpected success through the uncertainty of risk and opportunity.”
Tinubu said he strongly believed the book would be a source of encouragement and also serve as a compass to the younger generation as they navigate through the challenges and realities of life.
Speaking earlier, Mark said Obasanjo and Anyanwu were incarcerated together. “And that of course, brought them very close.”
Mr. Obi congratulated Anyanwu for the wonderful documentary.
“That is what we all want people to document so that the younger ones can learn, especially in our society where it is difficult for the young ones to have people to emulate, people to look forward to and everything. Writings like this make all the difference,” Obi said.
Emir Sanusi said he supposed that for all Nigerians of his generation, Anyanwu’s name is a household name, watching her day-in, day-out on televisions, watching her documentaries, watching her on the news and also following her as a commissioner and as a senator and politician.
“I would like to congratulate her on this remarkable achievement. I have not read the book, but I imagine that on reading it, we will find everything we would expect, from the importance of the girl-child education to the question of breaking the glass ceilings that are placed in the way of women, the struggles that she has gone through, the difficulties and overcoming obstacles and I am sure that we will all have a lot to learn,” Sanusi said.
