Monday Philips Ekpe
"Bakare's message reached its climax when he outlined five things that the nation would not need: Another civil war or widespread violence, military intervention (interference is more like it in Nigeria), warped transition, dishonest/cunning leadership and the June 12 kind of spell."
"Bakare's message reached its climax when he outlined five things that the nation would not need: Another civil war or widespread violence, military intervention (interference is more like it in Nigeria), warped transition, dishonest/cunning leadership and the June 12 kind of spell."
On the morning of the 1990 Gideon Orkar's coup, I was in Ikeja, on my way to church, when I heard the announcement. After listening to all that the adventurers had to say, I told everyone around me that the thing would fail. Some agreed but others thought I was being too cynical.
Later, Pastor Chris Okotie of the Household of God bluntly condemned what had just happened, even when it was not clear where the tide would turn to. He reaffirmed his faith in the indivisibility of Nigeria and made the worshipers pray their hearts out for the federation. Throughout the service, as uncertainty hovered around the country, I prayed silently, like many other Nigerians: Oh Lord, never again. In a matter of hours, that nightmare was over.
Last Sunday, I was part of the congregation that watched Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly (LRA) deliver his live broadcast titled, "If the Truth Must be Told", that centred on the state of the nation. Seven years ago, his prophesy which indicated that the then President-elect, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, would die, threw the country into confusion. Anger and fear filled the land. Even some Pastors argued vehemently that Pastor Bakare should have applied more wisdom and caution on the matter. "Insensitive," "wicked," "callous," "unpatriotic" and similar adjectives were used for the fearless preacher. In the midst of all that, Bakare never ate his words.
This time, the atmosphere in LRA was more sublime. As he marshalled his points, I saw in him someone with an undying love for his fatherland. "No matter what happens, don't give up on Nigeria" was the motif of his message and the words on the sticker that he distributed that day. "The old is decaying and the new is emerging," he kept repeating. He gave graphic details about the events and intrigues that have brought Nigeria to its present condition. He did all that, according to him, in obedience to Obasanjo who had called on both Moslems and Christians, four days earlier, to praise and thank God and also reflect on the country.
Bakare's message reached its climax when he outlined five things that the nation would not need: Another civil war or widespread violence, military intervention (interference is more like it in Nigeria), warped transition, dishonest/cunning leadership and the June 12 kind of spell. All these things would take the country backwards, away from the desirable fresh phase of its existence. I believe that those who came to LRA that day, hoping to witness a discharge of invectives on the government and its operators, were disappointed. And pleasantly too. Yes, the man made expressions that might not make personalities like the president, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Muhammadu Buhari or Alhaji Abubakar Atiku feel good about themselves. All the same, it was obvious that the pastor placed the general good of Nigeria above any temptation to patronise individuals. He was more preoccupied with convincing his listeners that, in spite of the signs of looming anarchy, the future will not be bleak, that the cloud will produce rainfall, which will be followed by sunshine.
A new Nigeria? One does not have to be a pessimist to think of reasons why the country may be far from it. But, then, one must not underrate the power of faith. Just believing that something is achievable is enough catalyst for its actualisation. The moment the issue of possibility is settled in the mind, it would be easy to carry the body along. The same process goes for corporate bodies.
For a long time, the readiness of Nigerians to believe has been trampled upon by their leaders and opportunists. Each time soldiers gain entry into radio stations to thrust themselves onto the centrestage of the nation's political life, the first words they utter are "Fellow Nigerians." After that, they would outline the prevailing unpalatable situation - usually credited to the administration that was being pushed aside. Promises of better things are then made profusely. But as soon as they settle down and taste the juice sapped by their predecessors, they renege on their stated objectives and drag the country further down into the vicious valley of non-performance and waste.
Sadly, the few civilian governments that have come in between have not fared much better. This has led to apathy on the part of the people. Painfully still, it is this scenario that has made the enthronement of mediocrity and the continued plundering of public wealth possible - to the extent that hope, for many Nigerians, is alien here.
But, like Okotie, Bakare and the other citizens who have demonstrated faith in the capability of Nigeria to rise again, I think time has come for the people to prepare themselves mentally for change. While the failure of leadership is glaring and responsible for most of the woes that have bedeviled the country, the citizenry is also to blame. There is a sense of resignation that Nigerians often exhibit in the face of challenges. But, at times, as it happened when the Third Term agenda was overwhelmingly defeated, they discover their voice and fight.
More than ever before, that same spirit is needed now to brace up for the challenges of building a new Nigeria. People should realise that the nation is not for "them" to plunder but for everybody to nurture and expect good harvest from. Everybody owes this country enthusiasm about the nation's dream of recovery and march into rejuvenation. No longer should Nigeria be treated impersonally. Rather, it should be embraced as a common project, something to be cherished and communally protected from predators. That is the way to keep away the apostles of martial music. That is the way to give this great land the breather it deserves.
The season of politicking that lies ahead presents the opportunity to apply a different approach. The old brigade (not necessarily in terms of age) should be given the back seat or confined to upstairs. Nigeria cannot afford to let her citizens and the black race down. We, the people, can speak with one voice. We can move mountains and lay a new, better foundation for a country that should stand with pride in the comity of nations. Fellow Nigerians, let's step on it. It is possible.
