As a young undergraduate student, one of my favourite courses was Human Anatomy. Apart from the lectures which were expertly delivered by the nerdy Professor Nnodim, the most interesting aspect was our practical weekly dissection sessions with human cadavers. The entire human body is divided into regions - head, neck, thorax, abdomen, upper and lower limbs. So, it was that with scalpels in hand, start dissecting (cutting) the upper limbs, moved to the lower limbs, then thorax, down to the abdominal areas then concluded with the head and neck over a period of two years.
Two things stood out for me in those years as we systematically took the human body apart to enable us understand the structure. One, looking at those cadavers lying on tables, it dawned on my young mind that there is really nothing to be arrogant about in this life. As human beings we are just mere mortals made of dust. All the bravado, material acquisitions - cars, houses, estates, clothes, private jets, money in the bank are all vanity. Secondly, I was able to see firsthand the intricate wiring of the human body by the Almighty creator. The scintillating distribution of muscles, veins, arteries and nerves (deep, superficial and cutaneous) was awe inspiring. In the thoracic region is the chest. This cavity houses vital organs - the heart, and the lungs. At the base of the neck is the shoulder which is held together by the clavicle (collarbone). The shoulder is mobile enough for a wide range of movement of the arms and hands and is stable enough to allow for actions such as lifting, pushing, and pulling. The chest, shoulder and clavicle are like the powerhouse locomotive engines of the human body. Get a crack on any of them and see how vulnerable you would become.
What exactly is this writer aiming at here? Is that your thoughts right now? If yes, wait no further, let’s take the deep dive together dear readers. Every community, society or nation state requires to be close knit within a full chest, shoulder and clavicle for any meaningful development to take place. Take out any of the trio and what you get is a disjointed, malfunctioning, and pathological terrestrial. Are you thinking what am thinking? Our country Nigeria is at a critical juncture of its nationhood. There is a sense of ‘de ja vu’ across its length and breadth. There is a palpable disconnect between the governed and those governing at all levels - federal, state and local governments. The disconnect is almost as if the neck is missing from or the chest is emptied of its content in the human anatomy. In the case of the Nigerian people and those in Governance at the moment, it is a situation of ‘mind the gap’ epitomising a scenario of ‘them’ versus ‘us’. How then can these anomalies be corrected? It is simple.
First, citizens must understand that state power (sovereignty) actually belongs to them and not the other way around. Those in authority superintending over them are servants. They are not meant to be served by the people but are to serve the people. Many argue that the high levels of poverty and hunger in the land would not allow this to happen. Yes, that is a valid argument and true, however a deviation from the status quo is a sacrifice everyone must be ready to take once and for all. Things are hard already and making that final sacrifice to reset the situation would not be too much of an ask.
The start point would be for Nigerians to come out in their millions and do either of these. Troop out enmasse to form a new people’s political party run by themselves and financed by themselves with all and sundry chipping in. On the other hand, where this is not feasible, Nigerians should be prepared to enlist in their millions, join the existing political parties and take over. That way the average Nigerian will have a direct say in the leadership ascension process. Staying aloof, merely watching from the side lines, being armchair critics or commentators of repute constitute the ill wind that has blown nobody any good.
Secondly, the current political operating system (POS) needs to be tinkered. As a country, we really do not need a bicameral federal legislature. Having three legislators from each of the 36 states and the federal capital territory is enough. That will make up a total 109 instead of the current 469. This would reduce the high recurrent expenditure used in maintaining the affluent lifestyles of these politicians. Talking about cost, legislative duties can also be made part-time and pro bono. That way only people with genuine intent for service to the people will be interested. Also, we could tweak our presidential system to a parliamentary type by making the president to pick his cabinet (ministers) from within the National Assembly. These measures will save costs. Similarly, state governors must deliver for their people. They cannot continue to hide behind the curtains of the federal government while they do nothing tangible. Humongous resources filter to the states monthly by way of federal allocations, excluding their internally generated revenue, IGR.
These are radical, drastic changes which can be implemented using relevant constitutional reforms and amendments. These changes can also be trickled down to the state and local government levels. If we do not stop the current high cost of governance in the country at all levels, time would come, when resources meant for development will be used to cater for only politicians in and out of power and their appointees. Considering the voluminous jumbo pension packages, they apportion to themselves after four or eight years in office, a time would come, when 80-90% of our national resources will be earmarked for their selfish and greedy upkeep. Count how many former presidents, ex-governors and their deputies that are being paid from our national purse. There is a general feeling in our polity that political ascendancy is the numero uno ticket to a life of wealth and opulence, that widens the gap between the masses and those in governance. This has to stop.
Finally, for our country to work for everyone, each Nigerian must do his or her bit. Our homes have to ‘imbibe values’, our communities need to ‘value values’ and our institutions have to work to ‘add value’ to human lives. To balance our national anatomy and close the gap, we must all do our part in our national development job to the letter. Yes, we can blame each President that comes into office; however, the onus is on us and the key institutions to function as expected. The police, judiciary military, customs, academia, electoral body, labour, student unions, professional associations, diaspora et al. must be alive to their responsibility. There are examples all around us of nations who were in similar position like ours, but who by a conscious determined effort have turned the tide. Nigeria therefore cannot be an exception. Time is now for all of us to stand firm with our full chest, shoulder and clavicle, optimising the anatomical balance of our beloved Nigeria, and closing the gap by propagating the right values and ethics for our country. May Nigeria succeed. Amen.
Dr Agbons is Lead, Institute of Good Governance and Leadership @www.twin2.org