Am not going to bore you all with the same over flogged rhetoric, that Nigeria doesn’t have reliable energy, that most of our infrastructures are in dilapidated states, that our healthcare delivery is in shambles, our security agencies ram shackled, that even though our constitution calls for a federal system of government, we are in fact a unitary state and that with the rest of the woes facing this nation, the Nigerian people have been greatly traumatized in the process.

The issue now is, since we have identified most of the ills facing our nation and in most cases also offered solutions, what do we do next? Are we just going to be armchair commentators or soldiers in the battlefield of freedom? 

I declare that talk is cheap when it is not backed by action, Nigerians in the Diaspora have a great opportunity to live and work in an environment where their labor is rewarded handsomely, they should use whatever leverage they have to press home to the Nigerian government that good living ought not to be a preserve of the rich and mighty in Nigeria alone but that the government’s primary responsibility is in creating an enabling environment for prosperity to thrive for all.

We have to note that there has been a pattern amongst past and present Nigerian leadership. More often than not, they are anti people, morbidly corrupt, oppressive and utterly totalitarian. The result has been the continued deterioration of every facet of life of the Nigerian people. As you read this, the average life span of a Nigerian is at 44 years! How pathetic!!

Because of this kind of leadership, we as a people have been tuned to forever criticize and compare one bad government to another. Now it is my humble opinion that we need to do more. The Wole Soyinkas, Anthony Enahoros et al have done their part, the torch should pass on to younger Nigerians both in the Diaspora and in the motherland, all hands must be on deck to wrestle Nigeria out of the hands of the thieving class that has become its albatross. The following are ways that I think we can do this:

1. The formation of a strong multi ethnic coalition with card carrying members both in the Diaspora and in the motherland
2. They should have a constitution that would not be ambiguous and one that will be ratified by all founding members.
3. A standing committee with clearly defined tenure that will carry out the day to day activity of the organizations should be put in place.
4. Their agendas should be clearly spelt out, its primary goal should be to promote good governance in Nigeria using legitimate channels to achieve this.
5. In the Diaspora, these organizations will be saddled with carrying out seminars, workshops etc and protest marches whenever any high ranking government official is visiting. Its standing committees will provide the logistics for these.
6. The standing committees will also be responsible for lobbying members of the United States congress and other European parliaments.
7. Besides the annual stipends that will be contributed by card-carrying members, the committees will also have the mandate to seek for funds from individuals, foreign governments and multi national corporations.
8. All affairs of these organizations must be transparent and democratic in order for it to be credible.
9. With well coordinated efforts, these organizations will have favorable legislation passed on its behalf demanding good government accountability from Nigeria.
10. They can also participate in the Nigerian national assembly by sending forth pro-growth bills to the body, the issue of our federalism and the workability or otherwise of the present constitution should take front and center.
11. Finally, after careful consultation within its members and with some financial stability, these organizations can metamorphose into a political party and continue to set agenda for the nation.

I submit that if we as a people can fight for what rightfully belongs to us instead of just talking about it, we can indeed move a long way towards the free and prosperous Nigeria that we dream of. If you agree that yesterday was too late a day to have started this, then lets get it started now.

 Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia writes from Indianapolis, Indiana, smith30045@yahoo.com

Robot  # 1 | 22.01.2006 13:06

Am not going to bore you all with the same over flogged rhetoric, that Nigeria doesn’t have reliable energy, that most of our infrastructures are in dilapidated states, that our healthcare delivery is in shambles, our security agencies ram shackled, that even though our constitution calls for a federal system of government, we are in fact a unitary state and that with the rest of the woes facing this nation, the Nigerian people have been greatly traumatized in the process....Read the full article.

malcolm12398  # 2 | 22.01.2006 13:28

Hey omo! I found your remote. Michael Ewetuga

Ajia  # 3 | 22.01.2006 13:53

thanks brother, I will get in touch.

Blackbird  # 4 | 22.01.2006 14:54

The cabal that has hijacked our country, loots unchallenged because they know that the citizens are focused on that constant struggle to survive, and those who have the courage and the desire to demand change are caught up in the never-ending rat-race as a second class resident in another man's country. In my humble opinion, Mr. Ajia's brief article has contributed more to the war against Nigeria's occupation by these troglodytes, than any longwinding grammar-immersed writeup by some of these individuals with access to the web. He has reiterated the situation, stated where he believes we should be, and drafted a roadmap as a guide. The problems that face our country are well known, and have been widely discussed. What is needed is a roadmap to get us to the other side of the river where we rightly belong. We need to discuss how we are going to prevent the modification of our constitution so as not to allow these robbers to steal us blind for four more years, we need to discuss how to best react to these individuals who have illegally lodged themsleves in the government house in Oyo so as to drive a stake into the heart of godfatherism in Nigeria, we need to discuss how best to handle the Niger-Delta issue and redistribution of oil revenue, and most importantly, we need to discuss how to bring to justice those people who held us hostage with their guns, and deprived us of our right to elect leaders and develop our country, and are currently flaunting their wealth and lifestyles in our faces everyday. Until we begin to address how to achieve these goals, we will be stuck in a continuous cycle of bantering and discussing how bad the situation is. The enemies of our country are delighted when we talk and argue, because as long as we just talk and make a lot of noise, they are free to continue their heinous activities. Talk is cheap, it is time for action.

UNREGISTERED  # 5 | 22.01.2006 23:21

Gooood talk. Stand Up Get Up, Stand Up for your rights! Pray, where are "the tactical Nigerians"?