It is approaching noon on a quiet Lagos day with only the sound of the television for company when I hear the announcement heralding the inauguration ceremony of Nigeria's first President to emerge from a civilian to civilian transition process. Think about it: no coup, no assassination, no death in office, no 'stepping aside'; just a straightforward, colorful dignified ceremony, witnessed by thousands, featuring crisp military formations, active children's calisthenics, daring displays of motorcycling dexterity by policemen and the ubiquitous, brassy martial music.
Few men don't have a stirring to higher personal performance levels when they hear a military band. From the competent and colorful commentary, I soon learn that bands from each of the three army branches and one from the police are collaborating to provide the music. I'm enjoying the scene and seizing the opportunity to learn the credentials and qualifications of each of the individuals leading each of the parade components - the Navy, the Army, the Air Force and the Police.
Maybe I'm just predisposed to enjoy the display with pride because of my nostalgic recollection of my secondary school days as a cadet but I think there is always something to admire about the precision and unity of purpose of a military force adorned in full ceremonial regalia, galvanized around a single purpose and doing the RIGHT thing: displaying the military 'teeth' behind a CIVILIAN president.
Speaking of attire and adornment, it is on full display among the massed crowd in Eagle square, especially on the women. See me see 'geles' (headties) aloft! Some cameramen might agree that one of their greatest professional challenges is obtaining clear shots around these magnificient elements of our traditional apparel! I have yet to see the women, ANYWHERE in the world that can compete with Nigerian women in beauty, creativity and color on display at festive occasions. Haba, why!
Hundreds of children in well-organized groups perform a calisthenics display with precision and excellence, spelling out the words UNITY, PEACE,and DEMOCRACY FOREVER on the floor of Eagle Square, to the admiration and applause of the crowd. I am impressed at their level of discipline and purpose and really wonder about the logistics of successfully getting all of them there for practice sessions, training them, and keeping them well fed and healthy.
In my view the most impressive display was when the children, dressed in alternating groups of green, white and green, stood under an ENORMOUS Nigerian flag and with their coordinated efforts, made it virtually flutter and wave in the wind across the parade ground. It was amazing, beautiful to behold and a credit to their training and collaboration. I doff my (resource control) hat to the people who oversaw the children's preparations for this day. Even if the cynical adults forget, each of the children will have an indelible memory of the event and their participation. Fortunately, they, and not the cynics, are the future of Nigeria.
The Police followed with an acrobatic display comprising members of the force - motorcycle outriders - displaying considerable skill in handling their equipment. Some would actually stand on the seat AND DANCE!; others would sit on the rear storage container and ride (no hands of course); still others would stand on one side of the motorcycle, all the while maintaining a constant speed and showing no signs of imbalance! One even rode with his feet on the handlebars. Wow! Me sef don know say difference e crea (clear) between Naija Police riders and okada!
While many of the speakers at the event were using microphones, I noticed that the officer commanding the entire parade had a voice so loud it rang out, unaided, across the square as he directed the officers. He was mounted on a horse and in a moment of mirth, I couldn't help wondering what the HORSE was thinking through all this: "It's such a hot day; I should have told them to put my hay on ice...?" Or "Hmm... I need a new pair of horseshoes, I hope the titanium ones with the red stripes that I ordered online arrive soon"... Or perhaps "This is quite a nice ceremony and all, but couldn't I be playing polo right now?" :)
All kidding aside, I was truly subdued by the proper sense of occasion that attended the event.
A few feathers might also be ruffled at the Nigeria Village Square to learn that the television signals are beamed to us nationwide and perhaps worldwide via the recently launched Nigerian satellite, NIGCOMSAT :) So much for the arguments of the 'extreme waste' crowd.
For the first time in my life, I had cause to listen to the complete swearing-in speech and Oath of Allegiance administered by Chief Justice of the Nigerian Supreme Court, Justice Kutigi and attested to by both Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and Alhaji Umar Yar'Adua. I noted that the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office dictate that both Vice-President and President are to uphold the interests of ALL Nigerians, not just those allied to them in any specific manner, always guided by the Constitution and the Law, eschewing their personal interests. That is their challenge and ours is to ensure and monitor their compliance.
I reflect that Nigerian history is being written in my lifetime and I dedicate myself to replenishing the inkwell, perhaps contributing a few lines of my own in the process. Ultimately, the tapestry that we weave will be immeasurably deficient without the contributions of every Nigerian and so in my view, we ought to resolutely work to improve Nigeria in spite of, and not because of all that needs to be reformed, rectified and renewed in this country.
I could never deny the right and requirement for those who oppose all things Nigerian, or those who oppose all things Obasanjo to continue protesting them; I'd just suggest that they look deep within to eke out their best contribution to the development of the nation. If their conscience is clear that their very best contribution is protest then they can sleep well at night. I certainly do.
In President Yar'Adua's inaugural speech, I was encouraged to hear him speak with directness, purpose and a sense of urgency about addressing electric power generation, the crisis in the Niger Delta and poverty eradication amongst other things. There is something to be said about the educated mind: Yar'Adua's speech was simple in delivery, substantially succinct and a stirring call to action for Nigerians. He deemed the term 'Nigerian Factor' as unacceptable, stating that it suggested that being born Nigerian had some inherent negative characteristics.
The concepts that imprinted themselves indelibly in my consciousness from the speech were ... Redefining the Nigerian family such that the success of one is defined by the happiness of many, and ...the challenge is great, the goal is clear, the time is now (UMY'A, May 29, 2007)
I recognize that the foregoing could be underwhelming for many, many Nigerians with multiple grouses against the Nigerian state as constituted, especially those living abroad in 'perfect' societies but, when I reflect that it has taken me nearly 40 years of life to actually witness the peaceful transition from one civilian authority to the next in Nigeria, I cannot permit ANYTHING to minimize the import and significance of the event. I don't know what tomorrow holds but at this moment, I'm filled with an optimism that is also somewhat self determined. There are 4 years of the Yar'Adua Presidency ahead; I'll either get to work, contribute and enjoy it, or complain endlessly. I immeasurably prefer the former.
My one piece of (unsought for) advice for Umar Musa Yar'Adua (UMY'A): Rule yourself. Lead Nigeria. Never confuse the two.
P.S. Atiku was craven, crass, cowardly and conspicious in his absence from the event. I'll presume it was because he was making preparations for his future as a phantasmagoric footnote.
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