When opportunity comes calling

The following statement caught my attention while reading John Maxwell’s Think on these things (Beacon Hill Press 1979, 1999) recently: “The greatest waste of energy in our world is not that of electricity or fuel. The greatest energy shortage today is the unused potential within the lives of people.” I immediately added in my mind: Or of nations. But really, it boils down to the same thing. For what makes a nation if not its individual citizens? Once the citizens realise their individual potential, the nation follows suit.
So, what prevents both individuals and nations from realising their potential? A key reason might be the failure to seize the opportunities which present themselves. One of the definitions of ‘opportunity’ is: “a combination of circumstances favourable for the purpose”. But one might ask, for which purpose? Ah, that is where the major trouble lies, for many people often have no specific purpose in mind – that is, beyond the common purposes of remaining alive, seeking food, clothing, shelter and general well-being. The truth is, when you aim at nothing in particular, you’re sure to hit your target right at the centre! But when you aim at something, you are constantly on the lookout for that moment when circumstances combine favourably to deliver into your hands that which you desire.
Is there anyone out there who can declare with certainty what purpose we are currently pursuing as a nation? Beyond the administration’s declared war on corruption and the ongoing assault on Boko Haram, it is not clear what objectives are being pursued in a manner that ties all together holistically. Calls have gone out concerning the need to give the nation a clear orientation regarding our economy. Even in the past when we had government policies like the seven-point agenda, in reality they seemed more like points written on paper rather than a deliberate commitment to steer the country in a particular direction, based on a clear understanding of where we were and where we should be headed. We often seem so blissfully unaware of the opportunities which are ours for the grasping at given moments in history. Right now, there truly is a coming together of circumstances which, if seized, would drastically transform our reality.
For example, it was quite an opportune development, I believe, that Nigeria, the most populous black nation in the world, successfully resisted, upon our return to a civilian form of government, the third term bid by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, thereby suggesting that we were truly interested in establishing a firm democracy. Indeed, it is important that this happened before the election of Barack Obama as the first black president of the United States of America. It was as if things were being set up for Nigeria to clearly emerge as the leader in Africa – and along with the coming of Obama to herald a new era for black and African people in the world. Unfortunately, the importance of that moment eluded us, and we allowed the opportunity to waste.
What would have been required, after that apparent demonstration of how serious we seemingly were about true democracy (that is, in rejecting its truncation through a third term for Obasanjo) was for a political leadership to evolve which would further confirm that seriousness. But what did we instead settle for? The institutionalisation of corruption, mediocrity, cronyism and impunity, even within our democratic set-up. As things are now, one can hardly keep up with the revelations of scandals trailing our political leaders and of the mind-boggling level of corruption they have engaged in – from the diversion into private pockets of billions of naira intended to equip our army in the war against Boko Haram to the recent revelations in the Panama Papers. Even while this piece is being written, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, is being tried before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for false declaration of his assets, and he has refused to relinquish his position, even while his trial is ongoing.
Just how can it be that our eyes have refused to see, with all that is happening around us, that the 21st century is supposed to be Africa’s, and that Nigeria is expected to lead the way? Is it not clear that history is inviting Africa to step up to the scene and have its own act? Should the upheavals racking the so-called developed world not communicate to us that our time has come? Think of the near-collapse of social institutions in the West, the slow-down of China’s economy, the serious refugee problem in Europe coupled with the economic challenges being faced by nearly all of those countries. It should be obvious that we are the next World waiting to manifest! When will we begin to exploit our rich resources to our advantage?
People often say that an opportunity once lost cannot be regained. Granted, the exact set of circumstances might not present themselves in like manner on another occasion; however, a second chance often comes around. Were there no second chances, where would most of us be? Many have passed an examination at the second sitting. As a nation, we have lost several opportunities before, but just how long will that continue to be our story? We stand now before an incredible set of favourable circumstances; we stand at the threshold of Opportunity. The time is ripe for Nigeria. Let’s get cracking!