Onwuasoanya FCC Jones
There have no doubt been many attempts to decipher a working formula for the transformation of Nigeria.
Literature on how to solve Nigeria’s problems are almost as many the population of Nigeria. Every country looks up to its best when searching for solutions to its problems.
His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, GSSRS, was at his most patriotic and erudite best, yesterday, as he captivated his audience of eminent Nigerians who gathered at the Greetings Hall of the Club Arena in Onikan, Lagos, to listen to one of Nigeria’s most intellectually versatile politicians take them through the history of Nigeria’s challenges and equipped them with some rarely discussed solutions to these challenges.
From the host governor, His Excellency Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to his counterpart from Ekiti, His Excellency Biodun Oyebanji, to the foremost traditional ruler in Yoruba land, His Eminence Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife and a host of other dignitaries who graced the occasion were held spellbound, as the Imo State governor spoke with clear audacity of patriotism on a topic that many other contemporary politicians might have shied away from.
Hosted by one of the oldest sports clubs, and the oldest social club in Nigeria, the Yoruba Tennis Club boasts the membership of some of Yoruba’s most educated people, including the foremost nationalist and independence activist, Herbert Macaulay, who was among the club’s founding members when it was initially founded as Orelodun Tennis Club in 1926.
The club is renowned for excellence and this is reflected in the quality of leaders they invite to speak at their events, especially, their anniversaries. Governor Uzodimma fits the high standards set by founders of the club, both in character, education and nationalism.
In apparent recognition of Nigeria’s current political, economic and social situation, the organisers carefully chose a theme that is not only relevant to our situation but also strategic in helping to motivate Nigerians to positive citizenship.
The theme; “Where are the Nigerians: A Study of Patriotism and Citizenship” presents the speaker with an opportunity to, not just discuss the problems of Nigeria, but also proffer practical and self-help solutions to addressing these seemingly intractable problems.
Like Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation proclamation and Winston Churchill’s iron curtain speech, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma used his speech to reinvigorate the spirit of nationalism in millions of Nigerians who listened to the speech and those who would have access to the rich lecture.
He was bold, audacious and passionate, touching on issues that are clearly germane to resolving Nigeria’s numerous challenges.
To be able to proffer solutions to a problem, one would have to be able to identify those problems, and this was exactly what the governor did, by establishing the following as the key issues militating against Nigeria’s match to a prosperous and peaceful country; lack of patriotism, mediocrity, nepotism, injustice, inequality and corruption.
Of course, he pointed out that Nigerians need to take ownership of their country, as a fundamental step towards attaining our national goal for a prosperous and secure nation.
He emphasized the need for merit to be upheld in running public institutions, including in the admission of students to schools.
He made it clear that Nigeria cannot make any notable progress while injustice pervades the system, hence, his recommendation for everything to be done to ensure that everyone has a sense of belonging in the Nigerian union.
Quoting George McGowan words thus; “The highest patriotism is not a blind acceptance of official policy, but a love of one’s country deep enough to call her to higher plains.”, he made it clear that he is not one of those leaders who would demand blind loyalty from her citizens, but understands the role of government in putting the necessary conditions in place to motivate the citizenry to productive patriotism.
MAY NIGERIA PREVAIL!
