In order to build and create a Nigeria that the people can believe in, there is an urgent need for a new constitution by all the peoples of Nigeria. This is the way forward for us all to begin the process of nation building. The present Nigerian constitution is a centralist document packaged by the military and special interests and handed over to the people. This centralist document makes a mockery of democracy, federalism and the presidential system of governance.
This unitary system of government by special interests in Nigeria has contributed in no small measure to the discontent, unrest, and armed insurgence that continue to retard development and quality of life within the Nigerian nation space.
My people, if we want a better Nigeria we need to create it and make it happen rather than watch things happen. We should not be tied to our past but our potentials and capacity to bring about change.It is time to recapture that sense of a common purpose: we are all Nigerians and have no other country to call our own. We need each other and must care for each other. Be you Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Ijaw, Christian, Moslem, atheist, etc there are more that bring us together than divide us. I’m tired of hearing about how Nigeria is on the wrong track – I want us to come together to put it on the right track.
I want all of us to stand up and to start reaching for what is possible.
History calls us to stand up and create a country we can truly call our own. A country that gives meaning to the lives of her citizens and the best gift we can give our children and the future generation. Because loving your country shouldn’t just mean watching independence celebrations on October 1st – an independence that has left Nigerians more despondent and disillusioned; creating your country and making it happen must mean accepting your responsibility to do your part to change it. And if you do stand up, I promise you that we can make a new and better Nigeria happen in our generation.
As we approach 2011, its time for change and to reclaim the Nigerian nation from the special interests. Your brothers and sisters and indeed your children need your service, right now, in this moment – our moment – in history. I’m not going to tell you what your role should be; that’s for you to discover. But I am going to ask you to play your part; ask you to stand up; ask you to put your foot firmly into the current of history.
On my part, I will reach the nooks and crannies of Nigeria through all available channels to let the people know that they are the architects of their destinies. I might in the process re-engage many in the political process that have surrendered their future to the special interests after many years of hopelessness.
Let us remember the immortal words of Frantz Fanon, the future will have no pity for those men who possessing the exceptional privilege of being able to speak words of truth have taken refuge in an attitude of passivity, of mute indifference and sometimes cold complicity.
I believe, together we can change our hearts, together we can change our nation and together we can make Nigeria happen.
Salus Populi, Suprema les – the will of the people is supreme.
God bless you and God bless Nigeria.
