Nigeria Has Not Failed But… ― Onaiyekan

• Insists things can be better for Nigerians
• Citizens must take responsibility – Sheikh Khalid

BY EDMOND ODOK – Despite its mounting Economic and security challenges, the Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan says for now Nigeria is not yet qualified for a failed state tag.

He said contrary to obvious insinuations in some quarters by critics, Nigeria has not in anyway gotten to the point of being called a failed state or will the country ever deteriorate to the failed state level.

The Catholic Priest, who delivered a keynote address at the 70th Anniversary of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), also known as the Pyrates Confraternity, said his belief is that Nigeria does not deserve to be painted in such terrible brush.

According to the Catholic Bishop, it would be totally unfair for one to say or assume that everything is bad in Nigeria, saying; “I cannot say that everything is all bad with our nation. Many people, especially foreigners have been predicting that Nigeria will soon become a failed state.

“I do not believe that we have reached that stage nor do I think that we shall reach that stage any time soon. The flag of the nation is still flying even though it is dirty and tattered.

“I am saying this because basic institutions are still functioning even though not at an optimal level. Bad or weak government is better than no government at all. I do not believe we have reached a state of total anarchy.”

Maintaining that the nation still has a Police force, the Armed forces and other security agencies that are performing their constitutionally assigned responsibilities, the Archbishop Emeritus referred to the proverbial Nigerian resilience, which constantly enables the polity to survive under conditions that ordinarily appear unbearable.

Further expressing his faith in the Nigerian project, Archbishop Onaiyekan said; “We must not forget the many Nigerians who are working hard to plug the holes and fill the gaps left by bad governance.

“Most of them continue to do their duty with little or no recognition or reward. I believe these are those who are still keeping the rickety system standing. We are hearing very wonderful news about our citizens abroad in the diaspora. They are easily now our most important foreign resources and assets, despite our just concerns about brain drain.

“Their brilliant performance gives us great hope that when our nation succeeds in organising itself well, the sky will be the limit for our citizens coming home from abroad.”

He said existing and emerging challenges notwithstanding, Nigeria has great potentials and assets in terms of men and women who sincerely have faith in God, believe in God and do their best to follow God’s will for themselves and the country.

However, while acknowledging that expectations are for things to get better for Nigerians, the Clergy said; “That there are many charlatans in the market of religion in Nigeria should not be allowed to blind us to the positive impact of religion, Christian and Muslim and even our African traditional values in guiding the daily lives of our people”

Additionally, he admitted there may be a few people who are in and outside of government who may be quite happy with the present situation, noting that perhaps this may be because they are personal beneficiaries of the performance of the government.

“But I believe it is true to say that there is large-scale grumbling on the part of the vast majority of Nigerians. The ongoing political campaigns are replete with catalogues of failures of our government, even from candidates in the present ruling party”, he said.

Further noting that the sense of frustrations, dissatisfaction and grumbling in the polity is obviously not without reason, Archbishop Onaiyekan said it certainly poses a major problem if people can no longer trust their government to be looking after their interests.

For him, the government is hard-pressed and must consciously do more to regain the people’s trust and confidence which are necessary ingredients for any government to function and deliver effectively on its promises at all times.

In his intervention at the forum, former Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja, Sheikh Muhammad Khalid said for the country to be better, Nigerians must understand that we need to move from where we are now because we don’t deserve to be where we are now.

“We have to start moving in the right direction and we have a target which is the common good. Nigerians deserve that common good, Nigerians deserve to live a better life and we have all that is needed to be there”, he said

Charging Nigerians on being committed to core values, common good and dedication, Sheikh Khalid said if the citizens are ready to do that, there is nothing that will prevent them from achieving what they intend to achieve.

He said the truth remains that every well meaning citizen should have the consciousness and understanding that nobody will carry Nigeria forward other than Nigerians themselves.

Speaking earlier at the event, Capon of the confraternity, Abiola Owoaje explained that the Pyrates Confraternity, formed with over 60 chapters across the global, has over the years engaged in Servicing Humanity at all given times and opportunities.

He said since coming into existence in 1957, their contribution to national development through various advocacy and humanitarian projects striving for ‘the attainment of a just society’, continues to inspire hope in communities across the five continents and countries where their chapters exist.