National Unity and Values’ Orientation: A Minister’s Clarion Call to Save Nigeria (1)
By Arthur-Martins Aginam, PhD
The 2023 general elections in Nigeria have long come and gone and like with every contest, there are winners and ‘losers’. Regardless of the lingering hard feelings for some about the process and ultimate outcome of the elections, it is about time to heal and move on as a nation. Moving on means transiting from politics to governance- to do the important business of the people with honesty, diligence, transparency and humility- all of which, unfortunately, have been lacking in our political governance culture. Moving on demands the recognition among the arms and tiers of government that Nigeria is in dire straits and requires bold ideas, uncommon courage and visionary leadership to fix the many problems that ail her; top among which are endemic corruption, pervasive poverty, and widespread insecurity, among many others.
Virtually at a nadir in her development trajectory, this is no time to grandstand or raise the roof as the only thing worth honouring is the fact that Nigeria has remained a country despite all the challenges of the past decades, some of which are existential in nature. Yes, the appreciation that even on buckled knees Nigeria did not completely crumble under the weight of her problems. At this critical juncture in her history, the great urgency of the moment requires that political governance in Nigeria should no longer be business as usual; as the country is dire need of transformational political leaders; heroes in the mould of Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, among others, who midwifed the rebirth of their nations and are today acknowledged as messianic figures globally.
That opportunity beckons for our political leaders who could write their names in gold as the architects of a new Nigeria. Yes, our beleaguered country is in need of heroes, especially in the political governance sphere; visionary leaders who Nigerians of diverse ethnic backgrounds can finally and with some degree of unanimity acknowledge as huge difference makers; folks who stopped the rot and put the country on the course of greatness. That, in my humble opinion, is not too much to ask. It really boils down to the legacy we want to leave behind for future generations, the memory we want etched in the consciousness of our compatriots, which in the end, is all that truly matters.
In the light of the recently concluded elections, this transformational challenge of leadership should not be limited to the party in power; even if much of the responsibility lies with it. Indeed, good governance is everyone’s responsibility from the leadership to the led. This includes political parties who lost out in the elections who should properly constitute themselves into formal opposition to constructively hold the government accountable. This includes developing and showcasing policy platforms as government-in-waiting, similar to what obtains in established western democracies. Similarly, it is incumbent on the electorate to constantly ask questions of those in political leadership, especially with respect to failed electoral promises and the impact of policies on citizens. In this regard, Nigerians must end their apathy towards government by recognizing that public officers, whether elected or appointed, hold the position in trust for them (the people). Further, citizens’ indifference to the conduct of state affairs can only encourage public officials to take liberties with their work, making them less responsible and attentive to the needs of citizens. Basically, an informed and engaged citizenry is indispensable to democratic governance.
This brings me to the main subject of my discussion; an issue which I believe is foundational to the Nigerian project, especially in the light of the just concluded elections – the vexed question of national unity and values reorientation; which the amiable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has resolutely championed since his appointment roughly 4 months ago.
National unity and values reorientation are the bedrock of any country without which none of its aspirations can be realized. People must first believe in their country and her ideals to commit to work for her development. That, intrinsically, is the essence of citizenship; the acid test of political governance that engenders trust between the leadership and the led.
In an October 16, 2023 interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Minister revealed that President Tinubu renamed the Ministry of Information and Culture to the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to facilitate the reorientation of Nigerians to recover their sense as a nation. As the Minister explained, the President explicitly mandated him to promote patriotism, honesty and transparency as the core values of his administration in order to move Nigeria to enviable height and change the negative narrative about the country.
On October 19, 2023, while fielding questions from State House Correspondents after meeting behind closed doors with the President, the Honourable Minister noted that the belief in the concept of nationhood and patriotism had broken down in Nigeria, saying the president had given him marching orders to initiate a programme to reconstruct it. In his words- Mr. President, gave me a marching order to see that Nigerians believe in this country once again. We’re coming up with national discourse on orientation or reorientation so that Nigerians can believe in their country…You know that people don’t even believe leaders that they themselves have elected.
Flags are not flying anymore… even in public buildings… we are bringing back this concept of discipline that Nigerians should have. Patriotism. Belief in the nationhood that our founding fathers have told us…So it is going to be a new ministry of Information and national orientation and national orientation is going to be at the centre of it.”
At same briefing, the minister revealed that plans were underway to revive the information offices in the 774 local government areas of the country with trained personnel to effectively implement the new reorientation drive.
Speaking during an October 17, 2023 visit to the National Orientation Agency (NOA), a key agency under his supervision, the Minister stressed the need for Nigerians to return to old values and remember symbols like the national flag that fostered national unity. According to him, “It is important for Nigerians to go back to the old ways, remember those symbols that helped us keep our country together and remind us of the direction that this country should be moving towards… There is going to be national conversation around this value orientation or reorientation and I think that is the starting point”.
It is noteworthy that the Minister has used virtually all public engagements since his assumption of office 4 months ago to harp on national unity and values reorientation, underscoring both as top priorities of the Tinubu administration. It is equally interesting that he recognized the huge trust deficit between citizens and elected officials and the urgent need to address that in the interest of the country.
An astute entrepreneur and consummate communications man- journalist and distinguished Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)- among other fitting caps, the Minister is undoubtedly best suited to lead this effort, which I maintain is crucial to the Nigerian project.
Yet, it is not as if past governments did not take the issue of national unity seriously. For example, we have had both the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) and Unity Colleges, among several initiatives since the civil war ended in 1970. Same applies to national orientation which the aptly named National Orientation Agency (NOA) is primarily responsible for. Prior to NOA, there was the Ethical Revolution program of the second republic government of President Shehu Shagari as well as the Mass Mobilization for Social Justice, Self-Reliance and Economic Recovery (MAMSER) set up in 1987 by the military regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, which in 1993 was renamed National Orientation Agency (NOA). During the immediate past government of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo often talked about a new tribe of Nigerians to drive the country’s rebirth. However, there were no concrete effort by way of programs to birth and nurture this tribe which remained illusory for the 8 years of the administration.
Despite the laudable goals of past efforts at national unity and values orientation, we have often failed to interrogate, with empirical evidence, why these initiatives either failed or recorded only modest successes. That is really a good place to start to ensure that we do not, in this current effort, repeat the mistakes of the past; just like “the labours of our heroes past” which now appear to be in vain given the very troubling and growing lack of patriotism among Nigerians.
As mentioned earlier, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), is the government entity primarily responsible for issues of values orientation and national unity. It has as its Mission. To consistently raise awareness, provide timely and credible feedback; positively change attitudes, values and behaviours; accurately and adequately inform; and sufficiently mobilize citizens to act in ways that promote peace, harmony; and national development; and the Vision To develop a Nigerian society that is orderly, responsible and disciplined, where citizens demonstrate core values of honesty, hard work and patriotism; where democratic principles and ideals are upheld; and where peace and social harmony reign.
The Agency’s Objectives include-
Instilling in the citizens a sense of loyalty to the fatherland; Establishing appropriate national framework for educating, orientating and indoctrinating Nigerians towards attitudes, values and culture which project individual’s national pride and positive national image for Nigeria;
Awakening the consciousness of Nigerians to their responsibilities to the promotion of national unity, citizens’ commitment to their human rights to build a free, just and progressive society;
Developing among Nigerians of all ages and sex, social and cultural values and awareness which will inculcate the spirit of patriotism, nationalism, self-discipline and self-reliance;
Promoting new sets of attitudes and culture for the attainment of the goals and objectives of a united Nigeria State.
A quick critical review of NOAs Mission, Vision and Objectives clearly indicate that the responsibility for national unity and values orientation is heavily placed on citizens; with little required of leaders other than a brief reference to “leadership by example”.
Yet, decades of bad governance, which seem to progressively get worse, is unarguably the primary reason for the distrust between government (at all levels) and citizens, who have increasingly become disillusioned about their country.
Real patriotism is neither manufactured nor contrived. Rather, it emerges from conviction and deep seated belief. The Abacha years introduced the idea of “renting” crowds to attend rallies; a practice that has continued today. I often wonder if the renters of these crowds genuinely believe their presence at rallies is a true indication of love and support for them. I guess if you are delusional as some in the political class do, you will.
Fix Nigeria’s governance problems by way of policies and programs that positively impact the lives of people and the patriotic fervour of citizens will gradually begin to return, along with trust in their elected leaders. This is the urgent challenge before President Tinubu’s administration, which it can and should meet head on to birth a new Nigeria. Hope springs eternal!
NB: In Part 2, I will address some of the intricacies of fostering national unity and values orientation in Nigeria.
