IBRAHIM RAMALAN reviews ‘A new Nigeria is Possible’, a book that chronicles the ordeals of Nigeria project and the possible solutions that would usher in a New Nigeria Order recently unveiled during a media presentation and public declaration of the New Nigeria Orientation Initiative (N-noi) all of which are under the auspices of Youth Afrique Leadership Forum (YALF)
Nigeria is greatly blessed with unimaginable intelligent people, arable land and mineral resources but the vast majority of its people remain poor. Arguably, the problem is that virtually every Nigerian, with few exceptions, has attitudinal problem which must be changed in order to have Nigeria of our dream.
It is against this backdrop, Youth Afrique Leadership Forum (YALF) recently unveiled in the nation’s Capital, Abuja an initiative that puts together all the necessary orientation tools to engage different categories of Nigerians to move en masse into the moving train of change for the better.
This initiative is called: ‘The New Nigeria Orientation Initiative’ (N-noi), pioneered by its President, Mr. Chris Nwani with a vision to give Nigerians a renewed sense of national belonging, a self governing lifestyle and the willingness to take responsibility for the progress and development of Nigeria.
Also part of the crusade a book called: ‘A new Nigeria is Possible’, the third edition of which was also unveiled at the event. The book is a document that spells out the way forward for Nigeria. It was mindfully put together to awaken Nigerians, who must embrace the positive attitudes that will turn out present challenges into great prospects.
According to the author, the book was written through divine inspiration and godly mandate because it distinctly highlights the root causes of Nigeria’s problems which have given birth to the many ugly consequences that our nation is finding difficult to tackle.
It went further to explain what every Nigerian must do to put Nigeria on her path to greatness. The review of which is presented thus:
The book comprises of two parts. Part one contains the Challenges, while Part two is made up of Chapter 1-4, and the second part is from Chapter 5 to Chapter 8.
Chapter one, (Nigeria – A Nation in Search of Hope and Renewal) This chapter comprises an overview of the nation’s present status, national leaderships and the role which leaders and citizens have played in setting up the present Nigerian ideology.
It also highlights critically, the human/leadership lapses that brought about the collapse of our socio-political and economic structures, and equally showcases the nation’s scorecard after five decades of her independence. Then, there is also a wakeup call to all Nigerians to reframe their mindset and to emulate the virtues which citizens of other great nations imbibed in putting the names of their country in the book of history.
Chapter two, (The Wisdom in Righting Our Wrong), opens up our uncured national wounds and how we all participated in ruining the good names of our nation, and as a result of which we are lacking in character and have become unwilling to take responsibilities for the collective good of our society.
It brought to the fore all that will be required for the rebuilding of Nigeria by Nigerians, while highlighting the roles that individuals would have to play in substantiating the New Nigeria dream.
It also emphasizes the challenges of leadership in the rebuilding process and Nigerians can take responsibility for bridging the gap between the rich and poor in the society. The chapter made special emphasis on sensitive areas such as the need for attitudinal change, the Niger Delta/other youth’s restiveness issues, and who is to blame for the obvious national decay. Finally, it clearly states how the generality of Nigerians have contributed to the challenges in our national and why we must be untiringly provoked to initiate those attitudinal changes that would bring about the good of our society.
Chapter three, (The Importance of Taking Responsibility for Nigeria by Nigerians), started with word of caution: that “we cannot be doing the same thing in the same way and expect a change to occur by itself”. It went further to highlight the ways through which Nigerians can truly take responsibility for their nations. It accentuates the fact of our possessing all the solutions that our nation stands in dire need of, and hinting further that all we need do is to explore the possibilities and exploit them for the fixing of our problems.
It was also highlighted in this chapter the requisite societal behaviours that are necessary for establishing the long awaited roadmap to national progress. Finally, it spells out the roles of citizens in achieving this quest, and the ways through which they can connect back to the nation and take responsibility for the peace and development of Nigeria.
Chapter four, (The National Ingredients that Will Make Nigeria Riser Again), points out those important areas of focus which we ought to have paid compulsory attention to, but have mindlessly abandoned. They are all enshrined in the various National Creeds such as The National Anthem, The national Pledge and the Nigerian Constitution.
Again, the issue of their National Identity which is very fundamental to attaining sincere peace, unity and progress in our nation, was explained in detail to help us acknowledge and re-institutionalize a sincere Nigerian nationality.
The chapter also provides us with the ways of handling the ugly face of our religious differences.
Chapter five, (The Journey to a New Nigeria Begins with You), is another very important aspect of the book. It makes strong and impactful statements on what constitute a real transition from the Old Nigeria to the New Nigeria, while it draws an analogy between the Old Nigerian and the New Nigerian mindsets and the Old Nigerian and the New Nigerian personalities. In simple terms, it tells an individual whether or not he has an Old Nigerian or a New Nigerian status, thereby stimulating in him an in-depth cross-examination and introspection for the correcting of his observed lapses.
It passionately unveils the various aspects of our national existence and strictly points out those things that are expected of every citizen (the President, the Leaders, the Politicians, the Legal Personnel, the Medical Personnel, the Civil Servants, the Tradesmen, security Agents, Parents, youths and others) for the actualization of the new Nigeria.
In chapter six, (The Leadership/ That Will Save Nigeria), the author exposes the reasons for the dearth of leadership in Nigeria and went further to prescribe the leadership characteristics and tactics that Nigerians must embrace in order to close up the current leadership gaps in the various sector as of our national existence. He concisely expatiates upon the Nigerian Leadership crisis and the available solutions under the following headings: Leadership essence, difference between leadership and positions, evidence of leadership (characteristics of a good leader), and who is a true leader and the leader that will save Nigeria.
Chapter seven, (How to challenge the Present and Usher in A New Nigeria), heralds the mandate of God over the destiny of Nigeria and promulgate the consequences of opposing God’s divine mandate over Nigeria. It present to Nigerians how the old Nigerian ideologies will be mystified and phased into extinction because of the realization of the super New Nigeria order that will eventually become the central attraction to all Nigerians. It explains how the emerging New Nigerians will confront the fears and be able to rescue their nation.
The chapter also contains Pascal Enuloe’s (a Nigerian in diaspora) contribution in which he weigh the Nigeria system in relation to the German system and was able to bring out the numerous Nigerian attitudes (Laws) that must be made away with. Also in this chapter are topics like the things we must do, the importance of forgiveness and sacrifice and let’s reconcile Nigeria now)
Chapter Eight, (It is a New Dawn: A New Nigeria is a Reality), is the last chapter and as well the concluding part of the book. It philosophically appeal to the conscience and consciousness of the Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of repentance, youthfulness (the need for unlearning wrong behavior in humility) and the necessity old learning progressive ideologies.
It encourages the youths (and all Nigerians who believe in the change and are ready to implement it) to take responsibility for enforcing it and to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the New Nigeria becomes a reality.
The end of the book is preceded by the verdict – a portion of the book that declares judgment on those who will choose to remain in the Old Nigeria. It further proclaims the certainty, authenticity and in-surmount-ability of The New Nigeria. The most important admonition that this chapter puts forward is the call on all Nigerians to be on the side of the New Nigeria which has already emerged.
