SENATORS shifted their attention to blaming the woes of Nigeria in the past 53 years on leaders – obviously they did know they were part of the leadership that has stalled Nigeria’s development, if only in the 14 years that they have worn democracy as a mantra, without inclination to the development of the country.

“Congratulations to Nigerians on her 53rd Independence Anniversary,” a motion Victor Ndoma-Egba and 11 others sponsored was platform for senators to express their regrets about Nigeria lagging behind Malaysia and Brazil, which they called its “contemporaries”. The bases for the comparisons were mainly emotional contraptions about the promises Nigeria held at independence.

Without an understanding of issues marring Nigeria’s development – among them an intractable federalism, jumbo-sized corruption, and legislators who think only about their welfare – the solutions they proposed were not surprising at all.

Some thought regionalism was the answer to the nation’s challenges. Others spoke of post-independence leadership of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and blamed subsequent leaders for destroying the foundations the trio laid.

Ethnicity, as some said, was not as responsible for Nigeria’s state, as the absence of competitiveness. A country that believes in sharing, rather than producing, a country that would not use its best human resources because of their origins, a country that admits students to its federal schools to complete numbers, not based on intellectual grounding would get worse, when products of these “new beginnings” mature.

Comparisons with Malaysia, Brazil and Singapore often fail to recognise the place of competitiveness and provision of basic infrastructure in improving the standards of living. These in turn generate demands for more goods and services, promote conducive environments for businesses, and create the jobs.

Senators are probably unaware that they are among the leadership that ruined the country in the past 14 years. Did they discuss their role in 53 years of Nigeria? The Senate is not the first attempt, for many of them, in leading Nigeria. What is their record of service?

Whether as local government officials, security officers, governors, ministers or commissioners in the States and various federal agencies, the Senate is populated with many who have made generous contributions to Nigeria’s parlous state. Are they unaware of their contributions to Nigeria, some dating more than 40 years? How could senators, in good conscience, join the lamentations?

These headline-tailored regrets would do Nigeria more harm. Which laws since 1999 did the National Assembly make to ensure Section 14 2b, “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” was actionable?

Nigerians expect the Senate to admit its poor care for Nigeria, followed with a plan for its atonement.
http://infonigeria24.com/53-leaders-blame-leaders/