Beyond the season of letters

For Nigeria and Nigerians, 2013 comes to an end with discourse, reactions, condemnations, mockery and cynicism over the exchange of letters between a Yesterday’s leader and a Today’s leader. The former ‘tutoring’ the latter on the canons of democratic governance, while the latter denies any wrong doing, as Nigeria’s woes can be traced to long period of misrule.

In the spirit of a new beginning that comes with  the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one, our leadership class comprising leaders of yesterday and those of today can be excused and given a clean slate to begin to set things properly, put the house in order and provide better and inspiring leadership for Nigerians.

Buck passing is usually the pastime of either those who adopt a holier- than- thou attitude or those who are not courageous enough to accept a share of the blame or take up the challenge to get things done. Such trait should not be found in leaders.

2014 will no doubt be a decisive year for Nigeria. The future direction of the country can still be influenced by the character of the leadership class, their desires and their goals.

Being a year of expected intense political rivalry, campaigns and manoeuvre, 2014 offers the opportunity for the current leadership class to reassure Nigerians that they are still relevant through exemplary service. For those who desire to take up leadership, the coming year means a lot for them as they have to clearly show that they can make a positive difference. This is beyond any form of grandstanding or gerrymandering.

It is instructive that Increasingly many Nigerians are beginning to see that what essentially drives our entire political class is the desire to remain in the corridors of power largely for pecuniary reasons. Not for the good of Nigerians. With this evolving understanding, it will certainly not be an easy ride for any divide of the political class, all things being equal.

Many well meaning Nigerians want to see a 2014 that will give the current leadership class the opportunity to deepen the evolving transformation in the power sector through hands-on regulation, continue with greater speed necessary infrastructural developments, allow the changes in the agricultural sector to transform the living standard of Nigerians, and let the quality of lives in the country agree with the positive growth and GDP figures posted by government agencies.

Nigerians would like to see a zero tolerance to public sector corruption, waste, leakages, not by cheap talk but by decisive actions.

These can only be realised if the focus is not on politicking but on proper governance.

True leaders are known by the obsession they have for  the pursuit of the common good, and the tangible things they deliver through such pursuit. These will be their long lasting defence and testimony.

Let this season of open letters and buck passing not spill over into 2014. Let the deeds speak, rather than the talk and letters.

By: BusinessDay