A Great Nation: Beyond Basic Social Amenities...

If we are going to successfully build a GREAT nation, then it's imperative for us to constantly remind ourselves that the call for good governance & leadership transcends good roads, hospitals, infrastructural development, and so on.

A lot of politicians are fast coming to the realisation that the provision of BASIC social amenities is a "perfect" cover for their sheer lack of sound leadership skills and qualities and the understanding of fundamental leadership principles.

Traditional politicians know that because the nation has been in lack of basic social amenities for a long time, the citizenry gets over-joyed and carried away with some laudable projects which they (Govt) embark on, it gives them the status of a 'Gulliver towering high over little Lilliputians' coupled with their smooth talking skills. More attention is thereby given to praise-singing than to at least evaluate and analyse the budgets, expenditure, and actual value of these supposed 'olympian projects'.

I am aware of the differing opinions which this issue usually raise and as such, I consider the issue as one of the numerous challenges which we have to contend with considering where we are coming from as a nation. However, one thing that must be taken very seriously is for us not to lose sight of the GREAT NATION which we desire to build. We must understand that it can't be built even by the fulfilment of political manifestos constructed with spurious bricks of promises such as "I will build schools", ""I will create jobs", "I will do this", "I will do that" and so on. To build a great nation, there must be a good FOUNDATION.

It is a VERY good thing to have political leaders who are now putting in place things that are basic and crucial but have never been paid so much attention to, but there's a lot more to be done. We as a people need to grow and go beyond putting our thumbs down on the ballot paper based on promises of BASIC SOCIAL AMENITIES. We owe it to generations hundreds of years ahead to raise the bar for what passes as "outstanding performance in government" in Nigeria. Beyond their smooth talks and hyped promises and performances, we must begin to look out for the qualities, skills, moral conduct, track records, values, and so on which both aspiring and incumbent public office holders possess.

Doing this, will hopefully cause "traditional politicians" to gradually shrivel into irrelevance and pave the way for men of substance to step into the political scene. It definitely won't be as easy as it sounds, but I agree with the saying that "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single THOUGHT".

Mayple