Today’s leaders have not met past standards – Olusi

Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi  was member of the House of Representatives  in the Second Republic and former National Vice- Chairman (South-West) of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, now All Progressives

Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi

Congress (APC). He is one of the youths who took active part in the realization of Nigeria’s independence in 1960 under the tutelage of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. In this interview with SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI, he speaks on Nigeria at 54, current challenges, and the way forward. Excerpts…

Nigeria marks 54 years of Independence as a sovereign nation.  Do you really think it is worth celebrating?

Everyday is important in the life of a person and it is worth celebrating. As long as you sleep and wake up hale and hearty, you have to be thankful to God for the gift of life. For me, as long as the entity of Nigeria exists, we have to celebrate and thank God. But the truth is that Nigeria has not gotten it right and unless that is done, things cannot be in proper shape and what it ought to be. What is important in Nigeria is the agreement for existence, the platform of coming together of all the various components, race, tribes or ethnic nationalities. Let us borrow an example from the United Kingdom where we have Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. Despite being one single entity, they still have frictions. If they can have frictions in Britain, an advanced country, that tells us that the basis of our own union must be cemented. It must be such that will enable us to be together for a very long time.

What are some of the events that you can recollect about Nigeria’s independence?

I can recollect the joyous mood of the nation in September 1960 when we were ushering in independence. That joyous night at Tafawa Balewa Square, Race Course when the British flag, the Union Jack was lowered and replaced with the Nigerian flag. That was a special occasion for those of us who were young and for our leaders who fought for our independence and laboured so that Nigeria can become an independent nation. So, as a young man, I was actively involved and I witnessed the events before and during October 1 1960 when Nigeria became an independent nation.

What were the dreams of the founding fathers who agitated and fought for the country’s independence?

To the best of my knowledge, the founding fathers were men who were dedicated to the development of Nigeria. They were determined to build a prosperous and united Nigeria. One nation under the federal system of government where even though we are divided by ethnicity and language, we will take ourselves as brothers and live together under the entity called Nigeria as one nation. And it was common in those days to find leaders of people say ‘One Nigeria, One People, One Nation, One Destiny.’ Also, it was agreed that they should practice what they called Unity in Diversity. So, they realised that we are of different background and that Nigeria is made up of different ethnic groups, but in spite of that, Nigeria having been created and declared an independent nation, must survive. So, that was their dream and one needs to add that because of the diversity, they agreed that we are going to have regions. Each region will be made of different tribes. There used to be Northern region in the North you have Hausa, Fulani, Berom, Anga and the Kanuris and so on. These are different ethnic tribes but they were ruled under the leadership of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Sardauna of Sokoto. He led a unified populace and it has to be remarked that there are also  Christians in the Middle Belt, people like Joseph Tarka and so on, and they still submitted to Sardauna’s leadership. And these founding fathers not only have dreams, they also worked towards the development of these dreams. Chief Awolowo developed the Western region and this was seen in the building of the Liberty Stadium, First television, Cocoa House etc. Even in the East, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Michael Okpara also did their very best to improve Port Harcourt, Orlu, Enugu and a host of other places. That was the dream of the founding fathers to have a united Nigeria based on a federal system of government that will allow them develop at their own pace and ensure that no section of the country will lord things over another. For example, for a very long time Chief Awolowo prescribed that Federalism is the best form of government even before he held public office. I remember he wrote a book, “The Path to Nigerian Freedom” where he enunciated that Nigeria can only be ruled successfully and meaningfully through the Federal system of government. He made reference to what happened in some other European countries where you have the Federal system, I think Switzerland or so. Above all, his sole principle is to minister unto the needs of the people that is where you have Welfarism and Democratic-Socialism. Socialism aims at improving the lots of the common man, to uplift them from the lowest ebb, give them meaningful education. Now coming to the Nigerian we fought for, the Nigeria of our dream. Certainly, we have not reached the Promised Land. I repeat; we have not reached the Promised Land. But having said that, we have to accept the fact that a necessary foundation has to be laid. Our founding fathers laid examples; they set standards, which have not been met by any present crop of leaders today. Though I must admit the fact that we have others who have made tremendous impact, people like Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the incumbent governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) – they are all watering the foundation laid by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. But the truth is, we still have a long way to go. I do not belong to the group of persons who will come out with wholesale condemnation. The Yoruba will say, ‘If there is no yesterday; there will not be today’. If there is no foundation, you cannot have a building standing. The foundation has been laid by the founding fathers of Nigeria; it is left to us to continue where they stopped. I believe with devotion, determination, and seriousness, we can have the Nigeria of our dream.

As a young man, can you say that that dream has materialized? If the founding fathers happen to be alive today, will they be happy with the present situation of the country?

The answer is capital no. From my experience, it has been a sad one. I was brought up in Lagos, which then was a mirror of Nigeria. All Nigerians will flock to the city of Lagos. They earn their living here. Most of the eminent Nigerians back then trade, work ,and live on the Island of Lagos. The great Ojukwu family had a house in Epetedo in Lagos Island. Dr. Azikiwe was at a point in time living in Sabo. Lagos was a peaceful place that was secured for living. Take for instance in those days, people can walk from the Island of Lagos to Agege at night unhindered, without any fear of harassment and molestation from any marauder or armed robbers. And so therefore, if you look at that time and compare with Lagos of today where we are not even secure in the innermost chambers of our houses, then you can imagine what we are talking about. And that is the general position in the whole of our country today.

So, what do you think is the way forward if Nigeria must return to the good old days?

The way forward, like I said, is that we have to pray to God to show us the way and bring back the lost glory of our country. Not only prayer, because that prayer must follow with the word ‘change’. A change of our vision, a change of our life, a change of our attitude and a change of our attitude. Because today, in this country, corruption is at its highest. Most of us are greedy. The elite in this country wants to have everything to themselves. Everywhere you turn, you see avarice and insatiable appetite for wealth on people’s faces. You see people looting the treasury of the country with impunity. Only few days ago, a political group made an accusation that the crude oil of the country is being lifted illegally and being sold by some powerful people. These powerful people are the greedy ones ruining this nation today. Having said that, those of us who are followers, ordinary citizens, police, Army, civil servants, artisans must have a change of heart and a rededication to live an honest life. A policeman must be able to perform his responsibilities with all sense of commitment, dedication and honesty without taking bribe, without miscarrying justice and killing people unjustly. So, all of us must change to follow the path of honour, change to follow the rule of law not by words alone, but in our deeds and also to eschew corruption and greed and ensure justice and equity. All of us must decide to depart from our evil ways and decide to earn a decent living. A person earning a decent living will not engage in robbery, kidnapping, illegal oil bunkering, drug pushing and the likes. Most of our people today are living a life of parasite. People hang on to those at the corridors of power all in the name of getting their share from the national cake. Nigerians must begin to see themselves as persons, creature of God who has the right to live a decent life. The Bible, Quran and even the religion of our forefathers emphasize the dignity of labour and earn our living honestly and God will help us. That is the only path that we can follow to change our country and return it to the path of glory. There are no two ways about it.