* As ALG discuss strategies for making  Nigeria a functioning country

Amid a deepening economic crisis, rising insecurity, and other challenges in Nigeria, Professor Mojubaolu Okome, an International Political Economist, disclosed on Thursday that there is a need for a well-functioning democratic system if we want a functioning country.

She noted that citizens must also be ready to make the necessary demands from the government, saying that they are not engaging enough. 

She emphasized that democracy is not just a spectator sport but an avenue to be inclusive and tenacious.

The university professor gave this charge during a program organized by the Africa Leadership Group (ALG) as part of its Nigeria Leadership Series.

The program, hosted by Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, the president of ALG and lead pastor of Trinity House Church, Lagos, was themed “The Agenda For Nigeria.”

Okome, who is also a professor of Political Science at Brooklyn College, in America spoke on the state of affairs in Nigeria during a conversation that had notable Nigerians in attendance. 

She said one of the primary duties of a state is to protect its people, and any state unable to do this is a weak state. “Nigeria in that context is a weak state because the level of insecurity that we have now did not exist in the 70s.

“Nigeria has everything it needs to be a great nation. We can see this in the size of our natural resources and values. We can also see this from Nigerians who travel abroad and thrive, but we are wasting a lot of the potential we have, and it is tragic.

“We need to plan to meet people’s basic needs as well as provide human security, which goes beyond material things. When I look at the slums in Lagos and the statistics of poor people, it does not show that we value people.

“If we get our acts together, we can feed ourselves and even feed some African countries.”

Speaking on the possible ways to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams, Okome said there is a need for civic education among the citizens. 

She noted that the important conversation organized by Pastor Ighodalo is part of what needs to be done to have discussions and deliberate on our priorities without relenting.

“The women fighting for equal rights in America have not relented, so we must not relent. That is why I admired the EndSARS movement, although they seemed a little misguided. Nigeria is a very male-dominated domain, and it only shows we are not inclusive. If we include all groups, including people with disabilities, things will begin to change. 

We need to understand that to build a great nation, all hands must be on deck.

“Sectors like education and infrastructure should be worked on. We need a new constitution; what we have now is an elite democracy that works for them alone. We also need to see ourselves as agents of change, and we need to do more recalls like it was done by a group of youths a few years back. When the legislators we elected are not doing what they are supposed to do, we can recall them.

“The kind of democracy that is important is one that has the interest of the electorate, and if we are not doing that, we are not doing it well. There is a role for the citizens, government, and civil society organizations to play to make the nation grow.

“The state of education in Nigeria is abysmal; we need to revamp our educational system. The lack of infrastructure in the country is inexcusable; we need electricity for businesses to thrive. Insecurity is also inexcusable, and I think nobody is supposed to be bigger than the government like the terrorists are being portrayed.

“If Nigeria is going to be fixed, it lies in our hands. We owe it to ourselves and the coming generations to begin to have incredible change. We can also support good people who are hopeful, upright, relentless, and tenacious into office. Not only to win but also to ensure they are working while in office.

“We also need more women and Nigerians in the diaspora.”

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, in his submission, also agreed with Okome that the system in Nigeria is only working for the political class as the constitution was drafted in such a way to favor them.

He added that since the constitution is designed in such a way, there is no way they will want it to change.

“The change must be pushed for by the citizens, especially those who are not looking for political gain.”

He said many people who can likely change the agenda and make Nigeria work the way it should are not interested in politics, stating that it’s only when they get into politics that they can change things.

Notable Nigerians who shared their thoughts during the conversation include Mrs. Yemisi Kuti, Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi, Kunle Lawal, Mr. Sunny Enebi, and Pastor Funke Awolowo, among others.