by Isaac Oladipupo

It’s almost certain you aren’t comfortable with my seemingly negative title. Of course, I’m not a prophet of doom neither do I desire anything less than great for my motherland, Nigeria. But outside our habitual tradition of professing positivity and hoping  (in futility) to reap oranges from our lemon seeds, I think its high time we stopped fooling ourselves and stayed true to our future, if we really desire to have one.

Contrary to widespread belief, the long overdue transformation of this under-developing nation into a developed one is not an impossible task, but for the unfortunate circle of sturdily self-centered and greedy leaders our system keeps attracting.

Until we are able to create a system that attracts dangerously passionate and intellectually proven leaders of integrity who would align themselves with the same simple but proven principles that have transformed the economies of nations like Japan, China, South Africa, Ghana and the like into enviable ones, our 51-year-plus journey to independence has yet to start.

A key government official recently told me our President is truthfully a man of integrity. Well I do not doubt that fact but, truth is, it takes much more than integrity. You never succeed as a leader just by sheer integrity, no matter the degree at which you possess same trait. 

Mind you, I’m not writing this piece in an attempt to join the league of those dedicated to laying blames on leaders, as I believe what Nigeria demands from us all is responsibility and not just criticism. However, it’s crucial to understand that, with the present cadre of power-struck positional leaders that fill our public offices, we sincerely aren’t ready for that true, lasting change we seek anytime soon. It is in view of this that I’m pointing the very few but major reasons why this country might just remain where it is, if not worse, in the nearest future.