News, Commentary & Social Media from African Perspective

Obama: Nigeria must Change or Collapse

9 comments

Posted by: Guest Author on November 7, 2008 Under: Africa, Community Report, Nigeria, Opinion, Politics & Policy



This election in America will change the world and it will be a new world less tolerant of corrupt men of power and those who seek power but lack the knowledge to put forward a vision of a robust change in which the people are connected to their leaders who care for them and serve them selflessly.

As America will be renewed and reinvigorated in its role as a preferred partner in building a just and prosperous new global order by this election outcome, I thank the United States for showing the light and pray that all will see through the darkness that will holds part of the world hostage.”

I believe that transparent governance is also possible here and so Nigeria must now change or collapse.

So, as we celebrate the great triumph of America’s democratic ethos, we must challenge the Nigeria spirit to rise to the fact that true democracy can give us leadership that can transform Nigeria for the good of all Nigerians whether they live in Birnin Kebbi, Oloibiri, Ihiala, Awe or Gboko, or whether they be young or old, animist; Christian or Moslem.

Just as Americans responded to Obama’s vision of a fair and prosperous economy in the face of economic melt down, Nigerians should tackle poverty, job creation, and rapid economic growth that are evenly distributed.

All political engagements at local, state and national level must confront, through ideas and clear action plans that are measurable, and for which political actors can be held accountable.

Obama’s victory is not only a historic moment and comparable, in my personal experience, only with Nelson Mandela walking out of prison; it is a testament to the extraordinary nature of the American spirit.

For us, I urge all, whether they profit from the current suboptimal system that makes poverty the dominant condition in a country so richly endowed in talents and other resources, or they be victims of our challenged enterprise at nation-building, to reflect on the lessons from the elections.

It is important we note that unless people can locate their self interest in the context of the Common Good, what apparent gains they assume will come to them as individuals taking advantage of the system and can not be sustainable and will be a sabotage of their own long term best interest.

I call for enlightened self-interest to move us towards issues based politics and away from do-or-die, violence-infested politics that becomes a scramble for the booty of war rather than opportunity for service.

I also urge young Nigerians to learn from their American counterparts and recognize that the idealism and passion of youth breaks the old obstacles to progress and nation-building.”

I congratulate President-elect Obama on his remarkable campaign and I congratulate the American people for exhibiting their country’s remarkable capacity for self-correction and reinventing itself.

I hope to be in Washington on January 20 when Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States said that all Nigerians should be able to say, we too can, so let hope arise.

By Pat Utomi. Utomi was African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate in the Nigerian 2007 polls.

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9 comment(s)

  1. Geir | Nov 8, 2008 | Reply

    I’m sorry, but I find the title of your article a bit misleading. As it stands, it seems that Obama calls for transparency in Nigeria. The outcome is that Obama’s election challenges democracy in Nigeria, something I agree with of course.

    A second thougth: How much has Obama really gone out with his African allegiance? He’s seen his father once, and been to Kenya one time. What has he stated in his communication? Does he have a special concern for Africa? Or is this an expectation built up from within Africa?

    I really hope Obama will prove a real wind of change for Africa and the whole world, and I rejoice with the elections as most Africans do. But I need an answer to my question before I go full force with my jubilations.

  2. Omotaylor | Nov 8, 2008 | Reply

    Obama by being elected the first African-American president of the United States has already proven to be a real wind of change for Africa. We are not just talking about Obama the personal person here but Obama, his victory and what it means for the whole world especially Africa.

    I do not see how Obama’s African allegiance can be rated because he ony saw his father once etc. What do we know about his very personal life to comment on it.

    I do not believe the Onus is on Obama the President elect/President of USA come 20th Jan 09 to prove the wind of change for Africans. Obama will carry on with the job at hand within America (economic) and with the Middle East (Iraq, Alkaida etc) and then of course his political rating will include his other foreign policies, his reaction to world poverty (not just Africa0 etc.

    The Onus is really on we Africans to prove that this wind of change that has commenced with the election of Obama IMPARTS on our political, economic and socio-cultural lives. We have a lot to learn from the free and fair elections, Obama’s campaign methodology, his responses to the opposition which did not include giving mud for mud, and hsi likeability worldwide.

    Any leader to be in Africa can borrow many a leaves from Obama’s books. Obama’s election challenges the need for true democracy in Nigeria for there is no democracy yet in Nigeria.

    Well I do agree that the title of the article is misleading, and as much as we want attention called to our posts we need to be mindful of what we are doing. When I saw the article, my first thought was;
    WHEN DID OBAMA HAVE TIME SO QUICKLY TO CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY IN NIGERIA. But then maybe the only thing missing is the Obama effect i.e. the symbolism.

    Peace

  3. Geir | Nov 8, 2008 | Reply

    I appreciate your comments, Omotaylor. I hope you noticed that my comments are formed as questions, and not as statements. I am just very curious because I really don’t know what Africans thing about this, and I know too little about Obama’s own stands.
    But your comments were very thougtful, and gave me a new dimension to my thoughts.

  4. Omotaylor | Nov 8, 2008 | Reply

    Hi Geir

    Thanks for your comments. Its early days yet, and I guess only time will tell. I really keep my fingers tightly crossed for Obama’s success in America and worldwide. A lot is being expected of him, and so many people, especially the opposition (he had) will want to tear him to pieces, so we need to do our bit all the time to build him up.

    Regards :)

  5. Clifton Hill | Nov 9, 2008 | Reply

    I am wondering what the world thinks Obama is going to do to resolve problems and issues outside the United States of America, especially things that can and should be resolved from the bottom up. I was in Nigeria last month and I recognize that certain things will never change no matter who is in power if the people’s mindsets don’t change and aspire for better.

  6. Geir | Nov 9, 2008 | Reply

    I think there is one issue were Obama’s presidency might mean a departure from olden ways. Africa has stopped listening to the West, and turned its head towards China. With an African-American leader, maybe African leaders might start having a dialogue with the West again, and this time with someone who has something new to bring into the discussion: an equal dialogue and not one of paternalism.

  7. Omotaylor | Nov 9, 2008 | Reply

    @Clifton Hill, valid reasoning, but how in Nigeria can anything be resolved from the bottom up, stopping short of a revolution. The mindset of the people is daily thwarted by the top down. I was of the same opinion that the people need to change their thinking and behaviour(s). This is still true but honestly, when the mindset from the top changes, when there is leadership by example, when the people have some of their sufferings aleviated; we can then turn to their mindsets. Let me give an example, simple but proves a point – Fashola I am told doesnt go about using the BLT lanes, he doesnt throw his weight around anyhow and for this a lot of people have changed their orientation a bit. This is exemplified in his involvement in the NAVAL HORSE WHIPPER affair. Let us say many and not just the odd few of our leaders have the right mindset, leadership by example will win the day and change the people better. Well, time will tell for things must change in Nigeria. Peace.

  8. Ola | Nov 10, 2008 | Reply

    I want to believe what omotaylor is saying is that, a change have come to the africa as a whole. As many who have understanding will pick up and work toward it. The era of tradition (aged politics) has passed, we are at the age of IT (young people). I want some to help me decode this. Nigeria will not be left out. We need good and well behave political mentors.

  9. Omotaylor | Nov 10, 2008 | Reply

    And by Jove we shall get these political mentors in Nigeria. Even if we dont want to do it for ourselves, why not for posterity? I believe many fought in the past to give us a chance in Nigeria. I believe that some others helped in messing up these chances. I believe it is left to us (the people) to help achieve this much needed change and prove that even in Africa, I mean Nigeria:

    YES WE CAN.

    Peace :)

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