The government wobbles without a leader. Nigeria in its worst moments is saddled with an absentee president and a leadership asleep at the switch. Now in the firm grip of a power cabal, Nigeria wobbles. Just three weeks after the botched bombing incident, two major religious crises occurred in Bauchi and Jos confirming our status as one of the conflictridden societies in the world. Then early March another violent attack of genocidal proportions occurred again in Jos where over 400 people, mostly women and children were hacked to death. Both the government and security apparatus were caught nap- ping. This time, rather than the usual tepid response, the National Security Adviser, Sarki Muktar was fired. From Abuja to London, Lagos and New York there are demonstrations for the ailing President, Umar Yar'Adua to resign and power transferred to Goodluck Jonathan who mercifully has eventually assumed powers as the acting President and Commander-in-Chief. The lawmakers and what is left of the decapitated Yar'Adua cabal alongside some political appointees continue their half clever game about Yar'Adua's health. Nigeria is at best on auto-drive with the undisputable possibility of a fatal crash at some point unless someone takes charge. So, can Nigerians trust Jonathan to take charge and act decisively going forward? Jonathan, an unknown quantity when it comes to political principles, is of the PDP mindset and that in itself is worrisome. A break from the past and the party is the logical option if he has to make an impact in 14 months. But will he? Can He? Nigerians and the world watch to see how this all turns out for Nigeria. Increasingly, Nigeria is becoming the problem child of the continent and the most unpredictable, which of course is bad for any kind of business. Therefore, no matter how good the thinking is, if the product is bad or continues to get bad, there is nothing to sell and nothing to buy. In fact, what you see is what you get at this point. I remember that Japanese automobile commercial which proclaimed, "Good Thinking, Good Product" and how the point was made. We all know that there is no stopping the Japanese auto prowess. Nigeria right now is a good product which is unfortunately riddled with many bad parts and hence a hard sell. With a government either unwilling or incapable of redeeming Nigeria, the burden shifts to the ordinary Nigerians at home and abroad who have through the years bore the brunt of nationhood. Rather than try to sell our government, let each Nigerian sell himself or herself as a trusted professional, a reliable hand, an upright person and a citizen of the world. This way, through the power of individual testimony we can take our country back.
For Professor Akunyili, the good thinking behind re-branding Nigeria is just not going to cut it. What will cut it is a leadership that leads by example and does what a government is expected to do. Until then, I wish you luck; though in the case of Nigeria, not much of it is available these days