President Goodluck Jonathan

Only last week, a former Lagos State Governor, chieftain of a political party and a major player in the Nigerian polity Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu was quoted as saying Nigeria's security system has failed. A number of other unsolicited and unconstructive criticism have equally emernated from some familiar quarters since the less than six months of the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Crucify Jonathan they cry for the current state of our economy. Crucify Jonathan for every attempt at change for the better. Crucify him for the state of unrest in some parts of the country. Crucify Goodluck for the unfortunate detonation of the pending time bombs. Crucify him they cry like the scenario on the cross of calvary. Men who at one point or the other have contributed to the production and mix of these various time bombs waiting to explode in the face of any who dares to change the status quo in the course of leading the affairs of this great country.

Former U.S President Donald Reagan once said 'government is not the solution to the problem. And if government is defined by the dictionary as a group of people who have power to make and enforce laws for a country or area, then we would agree to have identified a major source of problem in our country since independence. Nigeria is a wonderful country that has longed paraded and celebrated mediocrity over meritocracy. Maybe because the former have learnt to train their muscles and fight for positions they obviously do not fit in. Invariably, the brightest and most educated are kept at the background only to be used and dumped when and where applicable. This explains why most often we find round pegs in square holes. Leaders who lack skills and competence bossing over the informed.

Since the begining of our democratic rule we have had good and bad leaders in government all fully armed with various selfish policies. Caring slightly if those policies are in the best interest of the Nation or not. With little or no consultations they jump into the process of implimentation. They are only very excited about the impact the acronym generates at public round tables. Policy continuity which is a vital tool for development of any nation has never been a priority. Yet the same chip of the old block of politicians and leaders who most often seize power by force through rigging and have contributed greately to our current crisis as a country are crying crucify Jonathan for the state of the nation. How come they could not fix the country or better still the small state they led when they found them selves in office? Its a painful truth that the current generation of youths have only a handful of worthy mentors.

Professor Wole Soyinka, was once quoted as saying the present generation of youth is a wasted generation. Perhaps maybe this line of thought may have informed the former military president IBB's statement when he declared that the Nigerian youth are not fit for leadership positions. In mine candid opinion they might be right. Because the truth remains that the older generation have failed and are still failling in their duty of leading by example. This has left many youth trapped in the middle with no mentor to learn from. They grapple in the dark clouds of the nation holding onto whatever it is they can lay their hands on for survival. Mothers have been drawn out of their nests in search of food for their children. The men and leaders who ought to be their shields are no where to be found. They claim to be working yet there is no result. The economy is crumbling, reducing from nothing to nothing. Everyone is pointing accusing fingers and no one is bold enough to take up responsibility for this failing state.

However, these big questions will always remain on the lips of every youth trying to survive, paying darely for an offence they know nothing about. And now the questions. When did Nigeria get so bad and who could be responsible? At what point our leaders left our hands? Were the youths ever carried along or in thier schedule? Did our leaders and parents think they were going to live for ever? Because this abysmal level of decadence we have found our selves in as a Nation would have progressed over a period. The Aso Rock was never empty at any time. History has proven that men, not beasts, (most of them alive and some still asking to be elected) have occupied these offices of honour and leadership at various levels and times. It is amazing how these men find the boldness of stepping out of their palatial homes into their state-of-the-art cars, drive through the streets racing in our potholed roads, into the eyes of hungry street kids without any remorse. They go back home satisfied with the work of their hands.

But for the former president Olusegun Obasanjo's administration and the 'do or die' election which preceeded Jonathan's in coming to Aso rock, we would still be wondering in the island of what to do as a nation when we ought to be running and dogeddly focused on achieving the vision of repositioning Nigeria on the global stage. For once, most Nigerians were glad to watch the usual business in the senate of 'take a bow' being replaced with a rich and enlightening discuss on the state of the country, possible solutions and the way forward. In these crop of newly appointed ministers we see the Nigeria of our dream. We see men and women who quite understand the current challenges and would actually hit the ground running as charged by the president. Again, the youths are being reminded and indirectly challanged on the need to return to the table of hard work.

Those who have been opportuned to lead know the difficult progression of change. Especially when this change is from bad to good, it is not always readily accepted. Meaning these new ministers should be ready to step and climb on toes in their various ministries. They should develop creative ideas to encapsulate their stunning words into action. More so when the president has informed them that they all are working on probation. By this there is no room for rest untill they can break through their respective ministries. No need getting relaxed and used to the paraphernalia of office when the seat is not completely secured. What the citizens yearn desperately is change. The kind that will impact favourably on the grassroot.
In all sincerity, the demand for public accountabilty has never been stronger than it is currently. The recent clamour which led to the freedom of information bill becoming a law speaks volume of the fact that Nigerians want to be part of the governing process at all levels. If a democratic governmemt ought to be accountable and listen to the people who have elected them into office then Nigerians want a listening leader who will do things the right way. So far president Goodluck Jonathan can be regerded as a listening president.

Government is not a one man show. Its a business of many competent hands. If this administration fails, it is because those seemingly intellegent people around the president have fooled us with their oratory. Unfortunately, because of the economic situation of poverty in the land, most people have learnt the language and mannerisms of the wise and intelligent. Its so bad that they even forge results of institutions they never attended like the case of a former speaker some years back just to grab a particular office.

Eventually they get the office, the jobs need to be done. Yes they truly want to do it but they cannot because kowledge cannot be faked. The brain works on the basis of the 'garbage-in-garbage-out' cyber formula. Like the lawyers will say in their legal jargon 'nemo dat quod non habet' you cant give what you do not have. This reminds me also of a former minister during the reform days of former president Obasanjo who could not even interprete a policy he was supposed to be executing. Like commedy, we all laughed when he explained the NEED document from his myopic understanding on national television. Naturally, that kind of leader should have resigned. Rather he stayed on.

We need patriots as leaders. People who will be wiling to give and sacrifice for the good of the country. Lets get to the point where resignation from office will no longer be a big deal because the only thing that should matter is result. If a leader have appraised him or her self and thinks the challange on the job is more than envisaged, the most honourable thing to do is to resign and let in another person. The onus of keeping this nation together rests on our collective shoulders. Youths are major stakeholders and key playesr in the development of this nation. They should be engaged and encouraged to contribute meaningfully rather than use them as tool for melting out vengance or perpetuating evil deeds.

The Goodluck Jonathan administration can be seen as transparent and willing to work. This is obvious from the hands he is deciding to bring on board and the responsibility he places on their shoulders. We have prayed for a good leader, God has given us one who listens. If democracy as defined is government of the people, for and by the people, then as a nation we have taken the right step in the right direction. We have choosen our president at the last general election and in keeping to his promise of never letting the nation and its citizens down, he listens and makes amend where necessary. Continuity in policy brings expanion and development, to this the president is commited. Lets play our parts in our little ways in building this nation and making it a much better place for us all. It is not time for buck passing because we are all guity. It is time to share good ideas with the government of the day as royal fathers, governors intellectuals etc. It is time we tell our selves we can make it work and truly get back to our drawing boards in our little ways to ensure we make Nigeria the country of our dreams for us and generations unborn.