Hottestgistnaija.com
A non-political group, Take A Stand, at the weekend called on Nigerians to go beyond ordinary complaints and carry out revolution by voting for the right candidates during the forthcoming general elections.
The group’s Coordinator, Mr. Adebola Odu-Onikosi, made the call through a paper presentation titled ‘Nigeria of Our Dreams’ at a one-day roundtable discourse in Abuja.
Stressing that having a dream was not enough, he urged all eligible Nigerians including the elites to really come out to vote for the leaders that will take the country to the Promised Land and not just stand on the fence complaining about poor leadership and governance that bedeviled the country since independence.
He said: “As Nigerians decide on who would be their leaders at the national and state levels, it is time to ponder on why our potentials continue to translate to so little, albeit insignificance.
“There have been many diagnosis of Nigeria’s problems, particularly its leadership, but the main problem facing the nation and its people is not really its leadership but the followers who continue to allow themselves be taken for granted and don’t hold the leadership accountable. We are trampled upon daily as we trudge along “suffering and smiling” (apologies to Fela Anikulapo-Kuti) while our leaders compete in buying private jets and homes in exotic parts of the world.
“For the potentials of the nation not to be totally wasted, the followers need to wake up across the length and breadth of the country and demand a say in the way we are governed. This is the set time for every Nigerian to wake up to his/her identity and be the master of his/her fate. After all, Nigeria is a democracy and not a monarchy.”
“We each have a basic right to good education, infrastructure, healthcare and security. The leadership is vested with the responsibility to deliver these dividends to every Nigerian.”
He went on: “This is not the time to sit in our homes and complain about how terrible our polity is, rather this is the time to “take a stand” for Nigeria’s future. Nigeria is what we make it to be, let’s stop giving our powers away and pointing fingers at failed leadership. Let’s exercise our power to realize the promise of a great Nigeria. Let’s move to what could be and leave has been and what is behind.”
“This is the time to come together and craft a worthy future for our children that will enhance their destinies and voice in the comity of Nations. We can only do that if we “take a stand” now!”
“I am a Nigerian and I choose to “take a stand” for Nigeria. And I start by choosing to vote to elect credible and purposeful leadership for my country. I urge you to arise and “TAKE A STAND” with me.” he stated
Other participants at the round table discourse spoke out on the need to a just society with values for human dignity. Speaking on the issue of implementation of policies, a one-time presidential aspirant Mr. Salim Malami said there have been several conferences, workshops and government sponsored fora that have produced very good documents but regrettably most of which have been left in one corner to gather dusts. Mr Malami said the best solution to Nigeria’s problem is attitudinal change.
The event which was moderated by a psycho-analytic coach, Lanre Olusola sought to find a solution to some basic challenges the country is facing at the moment. Participants are drawn from government and professional groups.
At the end of the discourse, participants jointly take a Stand for Progress; Prosperity; Peace; Unity; Justice; Equity; Hope; Love ; Values; Family and Education.
