Nigeria is gradually morphing her way out of being a pariah nation to an economically secure, and politically vibrant nation among the comity of developed and developing nations. The international events in the last few days concerning Nigeria attest to the progress being made by the administration of Buhari to return Nigeria to decency and transparency.
“If you want to gather honey, do not step over the beehive.” President Muhammadu Buhari seems to be walking a fine line in the western hemisphere. A true disposition without ulterior motives, something previous leaders in Nigeria lacked. The recent visits of the world leaders to Abuja were a great sign of the true rebranding of our fertile national identity under the administration of Mr. Integrity. It is heartwarming that the vintage Buhari is not getting carried away by the euphoria of current jostling for Nigeria’s attention in the international community. Res ipas loquitor (fact speaks for itself). Buhari’s action is speaking for itself! The absence of corruption in the political and economic wellbeing of a nation is a clean template. This template will work commensurately with the nation’s transparency to advance a national development.
While some of the citizens are welcoming the world to our rich but poor country with doubtful imaginative stances, we must be cautiously optimistic about the transformation of infrastructure going on in Africa. China in particular has increased its participation in the boisterous economies of Africa. China sees itself as economic umpire amongst the West, and it has also positioned itself at an unprecedented advantage to mutually benefit from the economic prosperity of Africa. We can obviously see this transformation in the economy and infrastructural development of Rwanda. Paul Kagame is an envisioned, transformational and political leader of Rwanda. Kagame capitalized on the robust reconciliation of the war-ravaged Rwanda to leverage his country’s comparative economic advantage; and in partnership with China. Rwanda is now a nation on the shining hill reinventing herself amongst the comity of prosperous nations.
Africa is a land of untapped opportunities. The continent has not fared well in the last five decades. It has wasted her resources for hedonism, pittance, stick and carrots, and manipulation of the west. The age of information dissemination is reawakening the people of the continent of Africa. Through African hedonism and “mugulification” of her leaders (to borrow the word from Professor Patrick Lumumba of Kenya), Africa had allowed the western world to play to the gallery in the past, but the evolving leadership in the true partnership with the rest of the world will open a new vista of opportunity for African continental development. Africa must not allowed itself again to be weaponized as a tool to advance only the interests of the Western world.
The process of reinvention, and the African renaissance being championed through the quintessential abilities of Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa must be sustained. These leaders are the true representations of the impending progress of Africa. In the 70s, Malaysia, Singapore and United Arab Emirates were trailing Nigeria in terms of infrastructural development, the etching of Africa into locust years nearly sent Africa to medieval periods. How Africa underdeveloped Africa is very important to how her continental citizens should etch out of her self-inflicted conundrums.
China’s $60 billion investment across Africa is another wake up call for Nigeria to regain her leadership role in the continent of Africa. This huge loan from China to Africa, through investment must be seen as a rebirth for continental reconnaissance. In this 21st century civilization, it must not be seen as recolonization of Africa. It must bring a surge in the economy of Africa and leverage African renaissance. United States of America is a number nation in the world who is heavily indebted to China. China and US interests are not mutually exclusive and independent of each other. The confluence and current trade war is a camouflage and economic abracadabra. The two countries cannot afford to encumber themselves, as the consequences will spell doom for the two countries and the rest of the world.
President Buhari visit to Beijing must be seen as a renewed partnership to transform Nigerian infrastructural amenities. The fundamental parts of Nigerian economy are: Good road, power (electricity), employment and empowerment, security, reduction in corrupt practices and transparency in government. When all these fundamentals of our economy are tackled, Nigeria will be an El Dorado or a road to the promised land.
Meanwhile, while signing the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU), President Muhammadu Buhari must take into cognizance that the interests of the working population in Nigeria is number one priority on the mutual agenda on the table. China’s investment in Africa via Nigeria must not be seen as another recolonization of Africa. It must be a kind of 50-50 mutual interest. The Nigerian citizens must be made to actively get involved in the impending commencement and transformation of Africa and Nigeria. The human capital development of Nigeria cannot be underestimated. This is the period we must reinvent ourselves and showcase our intellectual capital, energy and natural resources. While China is exploring the buoyancy of Africa nay Nigeria, Nigeria must take advantage of the China’s technological-know-how to leverage her own technology. Our graduates’ professional acquisition must be put to commensurate with work to avoid mismatch between their profession and the available jobs in their fatherland. While China expertise do their jobs, Nigerians expertise must not be subjected to inferiority complex or inhumane treatment in their own country. Nigeria must also be proud of her intellectual acuity.
In spite of the Nigerian past deliberate mistakes and the disgruntled attitudes of some Nigerians, the future of Nigeria is imminently rosy! Nigerian is on the road to reinvent itself and put behind her the misfortunes of the past. Are we ready for the new normal? History is bunk! It will surely tell!
