These past few weeks in the country have been nothing short of dramatic. The media is saturated with news capable of perplexing the average Nigerian and eliciting the question, "What kind of country is this?" Such expression of bewilderment is permissible and forgivable, if it is alleged to be pregnant with pessimism. Well, the status-quo predominantly reflects the quality of mentality that is widespread in our nation's space, and justifies my prequel to this present article which underscored the danger of addressing Nigeria's challenges almost solely from without to the neglect of a within approach. As a sequel, this present piece reiterates the fundamentality of mental restructuring as a proactive way out of Nigeria's current impasse and an antecedent to political restructuring.

In a space of just three weeks, we have been greeted with the saddening news of massacre of unsuspecting worshippers in a church at Ozubulu; brazen sharing of money by the present commissioner of information in Boko-Haram-ridden Borno State; unabashed display of dishonour by a good number of honourable members in the Edo State House of Assembly; collapse of a certain building in Owerri that untimely ended the life of a corps member among others; and most recently, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike that has interrupted the rhythm of majority of higher education programs in the country. These happenings are not happenstances. Their causes have a sufficient degree of deliberateness. Clearly, they are symptomatic of a distorted mental paradigm that is operational in persons, unfortunately Nigerians, that are either directly or indirectly responsible for these misfortunes.

A Nigerian that isn't poor in mind and clueless of propriety wouldn't condescend to spraying bullets on others of his extraction out of frustration, questionably doling out monies that are arguably his people's, desecrating the law-making center of his state in order to quench the thirst for political power within, feigning knowledge of building construction or opting for substandard building materials, and defaulting in the fulfillment of agreements reached with education sector's stakeholders for the enhancement of its efficiency. Human actions are inseparable from the intellect wherein one's values inhabit. When bad and misplaced actions are dominant, it follows that something is wrong upstairs. All is not well with the prevaliing mental disposition of most Nigerians. It would be logical for government to channel a significant part of her energy in concerted mental reorientation of the citizenry through what I christen Values Education, and that should have the collaboration of Nigerians (you and I).

But what about the marginalization of Igbos, Niger-Deltans and seemingly unfair treatment meted out to them? Wouldn't the realization of Biafra bring an end to this? Don't you reckon that unreserved activation of devolution of powers would make Nigeria more progressive? The issues of marginalization and an overly powerful central government can be adequately addressed when Nigerians (including those in and outside government) are mentally re-conditioned to absorb values that are patriotic and conscientious. Its thorough implementation would minimize lopsided allocation of resources, appointments, projects in the country, and present us with leaders that are inclined to the considerable financial independence of their jurisdictions. Candidly, carrying over this selfish, nepotistic, and oppressive mindset stunting Nigeria at the moment to Biafra would be a continuation of the woes that undergirded its agitation in the first place. To avoid such a disaster, suffice it to say Biafra is not mature for delivery.

In as much as this may not sound melodious, it is sayable that the litany of unpleasant occurrences in the country (not too long ago) mirrors the mental decadence that is commonplace herein. Menace of tribalism and corruption cannot be curbed just from without through anti-graft and security agencies, rather it can be done with a measure of proactiveness by focusing on the source of those nation-undermining behaviours. This is the Lonart and Coartem for the malaria of marginalization and governmental complacency. Reason, humans' doctor, recommends that it is religiously taken by us, for a nation's mental health is her wealth.


Kaycee Naze
(Rational Pen)

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CC:LALASTICLALA, front page material.

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Supported this is actually Where the change should start fornn

leofab:
Supported this is actually Where the change should start fornn

I just hope Nigerians and government of the day would be attentive to this novel approach that has lots of promise in paving way for proactive solutions.