Opportunity. Noun. 1. A combination of circumstances favourable for the purpose.
2. A good chance or occasion.
The following statement caught my attention while reading John Maxwell’s Think on these things (Beacon Hill Press, 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 does so as well.
But then, what prevents both individuals and nations from realising their potential? I believe a key reason is the failure to seize the opportunities which present themselves. As seen in the definition above, opportunity is “a combination of circumstances favourable for the purpose.” For which purpose? Ah, that’s where the major trouble lies, for often there is no specific purpose in mind – that is, beyond the mundane purposes of remaining alive, seeking food, clothing, shelter and general well-being. The truth is: if you aim at nothing in particular, you’re sure to hit your target right in the centre! But when you’re aiming at something, you’re constantly on the lookout for that moment when circumstances combine favourably to deliver into your hands that which you desire.
There is an urgent need for us as a nation to immediately identify and agree upon some specific goals which we could collectively pursue as a nation. Even though the current administration was swept into power under the banner of “Change!”, still it is not very clear as yet where we are headed as a nation apart from the fact that we seek to put an end to insurgency and also wage a spirited war against corruption. And yes, we have equally been mouthing the diversification of our economy, given the loss of revenue from oil. But are these sufficient goals for a nation to pursue if it seeks to expand its horizons and bring its citizens into a life of prosperity? One had thought that there was a coming together of circumstances some years ago which, if seized, could have drastically transformed our reality. Unfortunately, we either were blissfully unaware of them or just could not muster the required ability to seize the opportunities which were ours for the grasping at that moment in history.
For example, it was a most opportune development, in my estimation, that Nigeria, the most populous black nation in the world, successfully resisted the third term bid by former President Obasanjo, thereby making it clear that we were truly interested in establishing a firm democracy. And 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 us to clearly emerge as the leader in Africa – and along with the coming of Barack Obama to herald a new era for black and African people in the world.
What would have been required, after that apparent demonstration of our seeming seriousness regarding democracy (that is, in rejecting its truncation through a third term for President Obasanjo) was for a political leadership to evolve which would further confirm that seriousness. But what followed? Scandals upon scandals trailing our political leaders; revelations of mind-boggling levels of corruption culminating in the near-total emptying of the Nigerian treasury for the last elections, such that infrastructural development in the nation practically ground to a halt, while several months’ arrears of salaries are being owed workers.
Just how can it be that our eyes have refused to see, with all that is going on around us, that the 21st century is supposed to be Africa’s, and that Nigeria is supposed to lead the way? Is it not clear, from the circumstances prevailing in the world, 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 (collapse of social institutions coupled with serious economic problems) not communicate to us that the time is now ripe for us? There are serious challenges in Europe right now: Greece and its economic woes; what to do with the hundreds of thousands of migrants escaping the war in Syria – to mention just those two issues. A slowing down in China’s economy is also being reported. Are we not the next world waiting to manifest?
It is often said 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. If there were no second chances, where would most of us be? (For example, an examination can be passed at the second sitting.) As a nation, we have lost several opportunities before, but just how long will we allow that to be our story? For how long will we remain at the level of potential greatness? I believe that with the new dispensation in the land we stand again before an incredible set of favourable circumstances; we stand at the threshold of Opportunity. We have been promised that it will no longer be business as usual in the country; I wonder, will this translate soon into tangible reality, or will it end up being another missed opportunity?