Is change possible in Nigeria? REAL change, that is. Since I became a candidate in the upcoming presidential election (more on that at a later date), I have had all kinds of opinions hurled at me regarding my decision to join the race. While some are congratulatory and salute the courage it takes to make such a move, not a few have considered it foolhardy, convinced that the kind of change I long to see occur in our polity could simply not take place. After all, this is Nigeria! It is a well-rehearsed position, and many of us citizens of this country seem to even put in a lot of effort into convincing ourselves that things will forever remain as they are, no matter what anybody tries to do. We try really hard to make ourselves believe that we are stuck in this mess for good.
Are we, really? Does that perception not have all that is known of science and history pitted against it? The lesson of history, to my mind, is succintly summed up in the conclusion reached by that great sage of old: “What is has already been, and what will be has been before.” There is nothing new under the sun, and human beings everywhere are the same (abstraction made of external, merely cosmetic variations). Nigerians love to think they are a unique specie; it’s not true. We flee from danger, desire to live in peace and security, and are motivated by desires common to human beings everywhere, be they Bantu, Russian, Eskimo or Navaho Indian. The “this-is-Nigeria-and-things-can-never-be-better” position is in reality a cop-out: you absolve yourself from having to work hard to make any impact since you have already convinced yourself that your effort would amount to nothing. So, you devote your energy instead to simply looking out for yourself, being your own local government – providing your own water, electricity, and security; putting your kids in the best schools; ensuring you have money to get you treated in the best hospitals when you fall sick; etc. You conveniently forget to tell yourself that it would actually be better if all these services were available to everyone.
Now, let me argue for my position, which has often been considered “naively optimistic”. What does it cost to espouse it? Absolutely nothing, except for the time wasted being angry, and except for worry, hypertension and wrinkles – since your positive outlook on life means you engage in more constructive endeavours than just eating your heart out over the state of the nation. Does anyone lose anything by believing that things could be better in Nigeria? Why do some people labour so hard to convince themselves and others that it is useless to hope for and work towards a better future for us all in this country? Many Diaspora Nigerians are particularly guilty of this position. And it is true that not everybody who is talking about change is acting the part. However, how could we ever begin to move in the direction of improvement if we refuse to believe that change is possible?
Thank God for the few of us who already are showing serious commitment in working for the good of this nation. I wish to encourage us all to begin to reflect, research and engage our minds on seeking “the tipping point” in whatever sphere of activity we might be involved in. Someone is bound to ask: What is the tipping point? Well, without having to summarize the complete book with the same title, let me quote from the back page of the edition I have (2001, Abacus; originally published in 2000 by Little, Brown and Company): “In this brilliant and original book, Malcolm Gladwell explains and analyses the “tipping point”, that magic moment when ideas, trends and social behaviours cross a threshold, tip and spread like wildfire. Taking a look behind the surface of many familiar occurrences in our everyday world, Gladwell explains the fascinating social dynamics that cause rapid change.” The idea of the tipping point has also been characterised as “a fascinating idea that should affect the way every thinking person thinks about the world around him.” Powerful words.
So, what are we saying here? Quite simply, that change is possible, and it does not have to take forever to occur. And that change occurs when there is a thinking person who takes the time to carefully observe some given trend, recognises it as undesirable, and commits himself or herself to doing whatever is needed to make that trend “tip” in the other direction. A simple idea, but quite revolutionary! If there ever was a society in need of a tipping point, it is most certainly ours. Or are we not sick and tired of all our never-ending woes? Don’t we long for the day when we can sleep in our houses without barricading ourselves inside our self-made prisons? Isn’t it our desire to turn on the taps in our houses and have water run, flip the switch and have the electric bulbs light up, go to the hospital and have all that is needed available, and not have garbage dumps right beside our houses? What needs to tip in this country to make our leaders recognise that they are carting away an unfair percentage of our resources, leaving the majority poor and helpless. It’s time to put on our thinking caps!
