Boston – by Emman Okuns.
Renowned novelist, political columnist, and essayist, Professor Okey Ndibe has expressed dismay at the bizarre state of affairs of the Nigerian nation, saying “we have failed ourselves, our leaders have failed us.”
The professor of fiction and African literature at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut in the United States of America said however, that Nigeria still has a chance for redemption, but charged: “we need an enlightened citizenry” to move the nation forward in the right direction.
Professor Ndibe was speaking as a facilitator at the recently concluded Nigeria Security Summit at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
He said that for Nigeria to be able to solve its problems, the nation must examine where things have gone wrong.
He expressed disappointment that up till now no one can say the exact number of the Chibok girls, kidnapped by the Boko Haram insurgents.
Such shortcoming on the part of the country, he declared was a great cause for concern as it was indicative of the level of importance the nation places on human lives.
He lashed out at the Nigerian Media for not finding out the actual numbers, but rather quoting different figures of the missing girls, adding that they needed to have done a better job.
In a country where human lives count, he said the exact number of the missing girls would be known, adding “The problem is not Jonathan’s alone, the country was created in hope and later turned into hopelessness,” attributing it to corrupt leaders.
The social critic and human rights advocate regretted that despite Nigeria’s enormous resources it cannot provide water and electricity for its population.
Government, he stated must be ready and honest in dealing with the issue of corruption in the country as a key factor in solving other pressing problems.
Professor Ndibe urged the Jonathan administration to treat all corrupt pubic office holders and criminals without preference as against the current practice where those criminals considered to be loyal to the authority are walking free with their loots, while those not in its good book are being prosecuted and incarcerated.
He called on President Goodluck Jonathan to summon the courage to use any corrupt member of his administration to show a great example of his will to deal with the issue of corruption in the country.
Professor Ndibe also touched on those elements of the system which tend to promote corruption, such as the immunity clause in the constitution which protects certain top government officials, including the president and governors from prosecution while in office.
He called for the removal of the clause, except for those people who are facing prosecution while performing their legitimate official duties – not when they are indicted for defrauding the country.
He also talked about security vote, which according to him has been subjected to abuse by those in authority, saying that it should be left in the hands of security agencies.
On law enforcement, Professor Ndibe said they should be given free hands to perform their duties.
The President, he said should give free hands to them, saying that they should operate without first seeking his permission.
