Senator Gabriel Suswan, a former governor of Benue State, has reportedly asked for a review of Nigeria's leadership philosophy and value system, as reported in the Vanguard. Suswan reflected on Nigeria's history and drew comparisons to other countries of the 1970s and 1980s while speaking at the launch of three books written by Professor Iyorwuese Hagher: Beyond Ethnic Grievance, The English Language and Its Disconnects, and Leadership: Leading Africa out of Chaos. He made the observation that South Korea, Brazil, Venezuela, and Indonesia had all surpassed Nigeria in recent years owing to deliberate leadership.
According to Suswan, the author is attempting to lead the country to reconsider its values, which is preventing it from progressing. Nigeria is "almost at the precipice of a failed society" according to Suswan, who bemoaned the country's present situation and urged reflection to determine the source of its downward trajectory. He was adamant that the next generation need a reset about the country's principles and customs.
Author Professor Iyorwuese Hagher discussed what inspired him to write in an interview. Too much poverty exists in our rural areas, and our people are suffering as a result. He argued that the current leadership in Nigeria is too comfortable with the wealth they've amassed from public office to feel any sense of outrage at the misery of the people and should instead become furious. Democracy in its present form in Nigeria, according to Hagher, can be repressive.
Claiming to be a democratic nation is insufficient. Being a government run by the majority is inherently repressive; that is, democracy. So, the majority has the power to oppress," he declared. Noting the difference between Nigerian citizens and subjects, he underlined the necessity to redefine democracy in the country. "Here, the citizen is less than the subject; it’s like a cattle," said the politician.
In his speech, Hagher urged people to put aside their tribal differences and work together. How we are going to coexist needs to be rethought. Beyond that, he emphasized the importance of standing up to racism based on race or religion. He stressed that Nigeria stands apart among countries with nearly equal numbers of Christians and Muslims, drawing attention to the country's distinctive religious makeup. The world can learn from our example of peaceful coexistence of faiths.