The feeling that the rules do not apply to all is sometimes the greatest issue in a nation even though the resources and talent are Available.
The one law, which I could establish in Nigeria today, would be a law that is constructed on the basis of authentic and practical accountability of leadership.
And not the type of accountability our politicians talk about in speeches or campaign pledges, but the one that does have consequences.
Real consequences.
When you are living in Nigeria, you soon get to understand one thing, the nation is not poor in potential. And we have smart folks, industrious business people, youngsters with talent and natural resources most countries would kill to have. But even with that being said, progress seems to go at a slows pace.
Throughout the years, the question that has been plaguing the minds of most Nigerians, has been the question of why it seem the system is hardly answerable to the people?
I always had it in my mind that being a leader meant responsibility. And this is because, when a person is entrusted with the authority to control communal resources or even a decision that will impact the lives of millions, they must be at the top morally.
Reality however, usually has a different tale.
Our society is too frequent with episodes of actions that are less visible to hold any responsibility in the future, such as those that influence the economy, infrastructure, education, or the social good. Mistakes incurred lead to endless investigations, roles become inseparable and in the end individuals move on without any tangible solution.
It is a very frustrating outcome.
It slowly erodes trust.
And trust is among the greatest currencies within a society. When people cease to believe that the system functions in a just manner then they start concentrating on surviving in the system instead of making it a better place.
That is why my law would entail open responsibility of the government officials and decision-makers in and out of office.
When an individual is in control of state finances, or is making significant decisions on a national scale or even is in a position that touches the lives of millions of people, they need to have obvious mechanisms of checking on such decisions and imposing accountability where it is needed.
It would not be an issue of punishment.
It would be more about restoring balance.
Accountability safeguards common people, yet, accountability safeguards the good leaders who are sincere to serve. Transparency of the system makes it unnecessary to have people with integrity sharing the same reputation as those with the misuse of power.
And the fact is that, Nigeria is not short of smart leaders or smart minds. The thing we rather do not have is a system where responsibility is always implemented.
It is powerful when accountability becomes normal.
Making of decisions is more considerate.
There is a more careful management of the public resources. And slowly, the citizens start believing once more that there is a system.
Nigeria cannot resolve all its problems in a single law. We have a complicated problem that is entrenched in history, politics, and social systems.
However, making accountability more potent would be a strong move.
The reason is since when leadership realizes that power is real responsibility, then what it gets is not a post but rather a responsibility.
and perhaps that is the sort of change a nation such as Nigeria is indeed in need of.
Not only improved policies, but a superior culture of responsibility underpinning them.