There’s no easy way to look at it-‘the
Nigerian people are losing confidence in their government’. One might reckon that this is a rhetorical cliché
that plays its self out routinely in recent time. Much
like the public standing amorally opposed to the government and ranting away
with demands: Demands that even if won, will trade off surreptitiously with
another desperate need awaiting the call for another standoff.
In truth, history’s retrospect has
been a faithful partner that we obstinately refuse to acknowledge. We continue
to learn no lessons from her.
Yesterday at a cafe in my
neighbourhood a friend commented about the air crash in a suburb just outside
the airport vicinity (a NEMA source says it was within the airport perimeter);
he mentioned a friend’s name that i didn't know was in it. It was very heart wrenching sad news, but up to that time i didn't realise i actually new someone in it quite
well- it became personal to me. I tried
to taper down the cascading emotions that overwhelmed me. It had a real human
face at this point. ‘These needless crashes and avoidable social perturbations
had to stop’, i almost yelped out! We’d
heard uncorroborated information about the crash; the conflicting figures of passenger
and crew, allegations of extra admissions to the flight and administrative
confusions etcetera even a survivor account on a ‘crack’ sound from a tail
section of the plain before takeoff. I couldn't help thinking ‘we've don’t it
again’. Even without the facts, one is tempted to point fingers given the usual
accompanying messiness and lack of organisation.
The fact is that the time has come
for action to be taken, not just in aviation but with all government
institutions. It is time to demand for technocracy and competency. It is time
for government to eschew reforms that does not have real practical (and structural
considerations) and will not get real political muscle to back it up.
This last crash again opens up a
lot of concerns and even though we don’t have the details it is safe to say that
the fact may never be clear to us, just like in previous incidents. Why? Well like
in all things we are known for, we failed to have a clear commitment to get to
root of it, we don't have any structural intelligence gathering, and we don’t have institutional guidance
and capacity overall. So we can’t safely say we know what to do with what we will get
from this crash. If there will be anything left after the looters and the local
miscreants popularly called ‘the area boys’ have had their pick from the hapless
bodies of the deceased victims, they will be soiled clues and evidence.
The fact of the matter is that the accident
site has been totally decimated and has more of contamination than evidence (or clues). Different agencies spent invaluable time
mudslinging on one another’s duty prescription instead of cordoning off the
site immediately (since it’s technically a crime scene). And clearly more significantly, there was a
total absence of methodical emergency coordination or response.
The story of this incidence is the
story of us, of Nigeria. It is not different from what happens in the government
hospitals (even private hospitals), it’s not different from what is happening
in education. It is not different from what is happening in the police or any
other part of governance or of our country- it is I shamefully admit, ‘our
story so far’. It doesn't make us bad people but it just shows it’s time for progress
and demands.
That is why we have to be persistent in
pushing reason onto the table of discourse without relenting. Someday, it will be heard. According to Oby Ezekwesili, “there are no
silver bullets” but “we will not dignify nonsense” –we must continue to demand
realistic reforms from government, we must continue to insist that it be backed
by qualified political will. The long standing attitude of nonchalance, jejune bickering and half pitches from our leaders must stop! We must continue to insist on competency while expecting gradual but consistent change.
Any political leader who promises
any change without a detailed time line on how they plan to deliver on it is
not just lying but may also be totally ignorant of the reality. Because change takes building institutions,
and structure within that institution to make it sustainable; there must be planning,
development and implementation. All these take resources, time and proper
leadership to see through.
Our number is
our advantage only in the hope that governance affects the ‘common man’ and
empowers them; it can be an adversary in hopes dashed. We cannot wish away these situations around
us. This is the time of reflection once
again- we can yet take this early lesson that may help us avoid an impending
social ‘crash’. Oby Ezeks again said....”Our
population may be a comparative advantage but it is not a competitive one.....”
Only in peace and sufficiency can size
be a source of strength.
The
voice of reason is soft but it is very persistent
~Sigmund
Freud
Great write up. Good read.
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