Nigeria is a blessed nation. God is not owing Nigeria anything. He has already blessed this country beyond measure.
Few nations in the world possess the combination of natural and human resources that Nigeria has. We are richly endowed with crude oil, natural gas, gold, lithium, uranium, tin, columbite, iron ore, bauxite, limestone, and vast deposits of clay suitable for ceramics and manufacturing.
Our agricultural potential is equally remarkable. We have millions of hectares of fertile land capable of producing enough maize to feed much of Africa. We have extensive rice-growing areas, abundant cassava, yam, cocoa, palm produce, and one of the largest sugarcane plantations on the African continent. The land is not our problem.
Neither are our people.
In virtually every profession, Nigerians continue to distinguish themselves. Our accountants, doctors, engineers, scientists, lawyers, academics, and technology experts compete with the very best in the world. Nigerians occupy important positions in leading universities, multinational companies, research institutions, and hospitals across the globe. Wherever excellence is demanded, Nigerians are often found delivering it.
Nigeria is not a poor country.
Our greatest challenge is not a lack of resources or talent. Our challenge is leadership and the systems that have allowed a small group of people to concentrate enormous wealth and influence in their hands. They continue to succeed because many of us have failed to understand the game being played.
Every election season, familiar strategies are employed. Ethnicity is brought to the forefront. Religion is weaponized. Historical grievances are revived. Suspicion is stirred among ordinary citizens. While we argue among ourselves, those who benefit from our division quietly consolidate their power.
The real tragedy is that those who suffer the most are often divided against one another. Instead of speaking with one voice for justice, accountability, and good governance, we allow ourselves to be separated by tribe, religion, and political sentiment.
The late Chinua Achebe wisely observed that when two brothers fight over a piece of land, a stranger harvests the crop. That lesson remains painfully relevant today. While Nigerians quarrel among themselves, others continue to enjoy the benefits of our disunity.
Let me say this clearly, and let it be on record:
The day those beneath the table decide to stand up, those feasting at the table will realize that their comfort depended on the people underneath.
Those who manipulate the system understand exactly how to divide us. The question is whether we will continue to allow ourselves to be divided.
Permit me to end with a simple illustration.
Imagine you are travelling through a lonely forest, and your car suddenly breaks down. You desperately need a mechanic. At that moment, you do not ask the mechanic which tribe he belongs to. You do not ask his religion. You ask one question:
Can this person fix my car?
What matters is competence. What matters is integrity. What matters is the ability to solve the problem before you.
Nigeria is that broken car.
At this critical moment in our history, our primary concern should not be where the person comes from. Our concern should be whether that person has the character, competence, vision, and courage to repair this nation.
If we continue to choose leaders merely because they come from our village, our ethnic group, or our religious background, we may remain stranded on the same road for many more years.
Nigeria has everything it needs to become one of the greatest nations on earth.
The question is no longer whether God has blessed Nigeria.
The question is whether Nigerians are prepared to rise above division, choose competence over sentiment, and build the nation we all deserve.
Dr. Michael Udam serves the church of Christ meeting at Ukpagada Ogoja Nigeria.
Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Mike Udam and does not represent Theluminenews, its agent or the organisation the author works for/with.