Victor EzejaFormer Nigerian diplomat, Ambassador Oseloka Obaze, has declared that given the myriads of challenges rocking Nigeria mainly due to poor governance, the country needs an ethical and purposeful leader with a transformative mindset.
Amb. Obaze spoke at the Launch of a book, ‘The Nigeria Dream’ by Dr. Moses Paul, at Merit House, Abuja, on Sunday, July 2, 2023.
The diplomat lamented that while the purpose of government is to cater to the wellbeing of the people, Nigeria has over the years been unfortunate to have the kind of leadership that enthrones impunity, leading to all kinds of vices, crises and divisions.
In his remarks titled ‘Dr. Mo’s Thinking in Time’, Amb. Obaze said that Dr Paul’s ‘The Nigerian Dream’ grapples with the issues germane to Nigeria in a proactive approach. “I can affirm that The Nigerian Dream, which in its Eight Chapters grapples with issues germane to Nigeria, passed the required litmus test and more: after all, good books about governance and politics should have certain core nuggets; essentially, they should be “down-to-earth and sometimes hilarious demythologizing of people and events.” Dr. Mo toes that line well, thus buttressing the essence of our shaping our historical and nation-building narrative by documenting events as they unfold,” Obaze stated.
Obaze, who is also Campaign Manager of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign in the February 25, 2023 election, noted that the book, “paradoxically, has a nugget of nostalgia embedded in the modicum of hope held out for a non-performing, laggardly and polarized Nigeria. If not, how does one countenance the suggestion that ‘It’s time to revive the good old days?”
He, however, noted that despite Nigeria tending towards a failed state and with all the vital development indices on a nosedive; “a new Nigeria is possible and it must be predicated on the concrete and cogent realities of the past – basically the lessons learned and missed opportunities.”
Continuing, he said: “Any discourse of Nigeria that glosses over corruption, weak institutions, lack of accountability, state capture, and glaring inequalities in power and resource sharing, would be essentially shambolic. The Nigerian Dream does not.”
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He added that the book espoused the ideals for achieving a new Nigeria Dream.
“This proves that true democracy encompasses the freedom to choose, starting with respect for the rule of law, the people selecting a leader of their choice and that choice being respected, and the institutionalization of all other freedoms.
“The purpose of government is the well-being of the people. Citizens’ rights deriving from the Constitution must be sacrosanct. A purposeful leader has the task of ensuring that government meets its responsibility to protect the common man. He must serve in accordance with the Constitution, but also protect people’s rights and ordered liberties.
“Nigerians are not foolish people; our leaders are just plain greedy and selfish. It is that selfishness that has delayed The Nigeria Dream. So Thinking in Time, it’s time to seize the moment. A New Nigeria is indeed Possible. The time is now!” he concluded.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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