Changing gear (for peace)

Ordinarily, it would be a matter which for the sake of posterity should be properly recorded – but President Goodluck Jonathan overruled us all. He insisted that he would prefer history to be the judge.

Anyway, by the time matters were drawing to a close at Magdalene College, Cambridge University, Nigeria’s head of state was a different man. Not only did he charm the audience with his humility, he turned the tables by throwing the gauntlet: “I have not come all the way from Abuja, Nigeria to merely wine and dine. I want action. I want you all to demonstrate that you truly BELIEVE in Nigeria.”

It was that declaration of faith that prompted The Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), His Grace, Most Revd Ephraim Adebola Ademowo, to intervene: “Nigeria needs God’s intervention now more than ever. Pray more for Nigeria. It needs your prayers because things are not going on too well. There is unemployment. We have insecurity and so on. I pray God will intervene and we will eat out of the goodness of God and our country. I urge you all to put your trust in the Lord and surrender all to God. If God says yes, no man can say no.”

President Goodluck Jonathan remained unruffled and statesmanlike even when the national president of the Nigerian Christian Welfare Initiative (CWI), Archbishop Magnus Adeyemi Atilade, called on men and women of integrity to join political parties of their choice in 2015 to save Nigeria from impending disintegration.

“Honest and respected citizens must rise and salvage Nigeria from leadership ineptitude, bribery and corruption, mass youth unemployment and insecurity which are overwhelming the country. Most of the current politicians are self-serving people who are only interested in what they could make out of Nigeria and not what to do for the country to make it a great nation and stamp out poverty and want.

“Nigeria’s wealth is enough for the entire population of Nigerians to enjoy a good quality of life and commensurate standard of living through legitimate and honest endeavour. Nigerians appear to have drawn the conclusion that politics is a dirty game. However, if good people continue to hold this view, bad people will continue to govern the country and impose their will on the entire nation. Any government from whichever party that would emerge in 2015 must be a good one that would restore the innate creativity of Nigerians, ensure security, deepen the inner stability of citizens and tackle headlong the problem of youth employment.

“Those who want to join politics in anticipation of 2015 must be prepared to uphold the virtues of honesty as well as responsibility and exhibit our core social values because only honesty could exalt a nation.”

Ironically, the resounding applause was directed at Mr. President who urged the cleric to pray even more fervently for Nigeria if he really BELIEVES in our nation.

Thankfully, Awodipe postulated that the real culprits were religious leaders who are part of Nigeria’s problems because they have failed to tell the truth to the leaders and officeholders – on account of the little gifts and donations which the politicians give them. According to him, religious leaders should see themselves as the conscience and ears of the nation without ever relenting on the mission imposed on them by God – to tell politicians the truth.

Fortunately, the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, was around. Not only was he celebrating his 83rd birthday, he was also marking the 50th anniversary of his accession to the throne of his ancestors. Even more poignant was the fact that he had been receiving medical treatment at Wellington Hospital in London following an assassination attempt on January 19, 2013. Terrorists attacked the Emir’s convoy in Kano and killed three of his aides. The Emir suffered serious injuries.

To the delight of the audience, the highly respected Emir declared: “Nothing frightens me. In fact, I don’t know what shock is. What do people mean by shock? What I believe is that whatever happens to me on this earth is destined to happen to me by Almighty Allah. So there is no point in showing any fear, as what happens to any person is already pre-destined to happen to him. Therefore, wherever such things happen, whether good or bad, what is required from that person is to thank Allah; if it is for good, exercise patience.”

The president of Nigeria sprung to his feet to shower encomiums and fulsome accolades on the Emir. President Goodluck Jonathan extolled the virtues of the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, saying his wise, competent and diligent leadership had prevented extremists, terrorists and insurgents from establishing firm roots in the ancient city.

The president was warmly applauded for his generosity of spirit and sagacity. However, the sparks started flying when the former United States Ambassador to Nigeria and author of Nigeria on the Brink, John Campbell, volunteered to make a few remarks: “I must warn about the serious implications of complacency of political leaders and the elite over the seeming alienation of the core North. The future of the country depends on the handling of the current socio-political condition of the area which is amongst the most volatile and vulnerable in the country. Leaders at all levels in Nigeria should pre-occupy themselves with serious discussions on how to address exclusion of the North from economic activities in the country. Nigerian leaders should address the highly sensitive and awesome challenges in the Niger Delta, the Middle Belt and the core North now lest the 2015 elections would face serious political dangers.”

President Goodluck Jonathan was quick to rise to the occasion by directing that Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Ade Adefuye, should exercise the right of reply but before then, Ambassador John Campbell should be allowed additional time. Wow! The audience went wild with a standing ovation for Mr. President. Goodluck Jonathan won more kudos when he declared that from the commencement of his tenure first as acting president and later full president, the Rule of Law and Freedom of Speech (and of the Press) were his anchor sheet and guiding principles.

Randle is a former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and former chairman of KPMG Nigeria and Africa Region. He is currently the chairman, JK Randle Professional Services.

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