As a State of hundreds of nationalities with so many fault lines and huge diversification challenges, we have not fared badly in our 100 years of common existence. Our ability to weather the storm and remain a united entity is in itself a fundamental achievement.
The world today cannot count 5 nations with the nature of our socio-cultural and political challenges who have remained together for 50 years. In essence, it is incumbent on all Nigerians to further translate our diversity into strength for the common good of all.
As a nation, we are not where we supposed to be, some of the nation’s we were at par in the 1960s like Singapore, Malaysia and even China are today far ahead of us in terms of human and physical developments. Indications, that we have a lot do. On the other hand, Nigeria is not where it used to be; we have equally advanced and have a lot to thank God for.
We have our ups and downs like many other nations of the world and we cannot run away from them. However, we should not continue to celebrate our failings with impunity like some critics often do.
We are all collectively responsible for our failings and successes. We must understand that government is not an abstract entity; the people themselves are the government and equally have the power to define the course of governance.
What we need to do as a people now that we have celebrated 53 years of Independence and weeks away from the century mark of amalgamation, is to move beyond our narrow mindset about government and governance. We will achieve a better progress if we see governance as a collective responsibility of all not just by few individuals occupying high public offices.
We need to have a strong sense of ownership toward our nation and place high premium on everything that is Nigerian to eradicate impunity in our climes. The Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan should be supported by all Nigerians as a collective task towards making a nation that we will all be proud of.
Let us move beyond cheap condemnation, we should make constructive criticisms by suggesting how we can do it better, we should find fault and yet show support to our nation, we should go beyond the talking and work for the prosperity of Nigeria.
If you believe and I believe that Nigeria will be great and we all work for it, surely our nation will flourish. Yes, it is a collective responsibility. God Bless Nigeria as we celebrate 100 years of Amalgamation.
@ Ogbole, Abuja-based legal practitioner and Benue State Opinion Leader is a partner with Ogbole and Suswam Chambers
