According to the report from the Vanguard, Former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswan, has called for a reevaluation of Nigeria’s value system and leadership style. Speaking at the launch of three books—Beyond Ethnic Grievance, The English Language and Its Disconnects, and Leadership: Leading Africa out of Chaos—authored by Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, Suswan reminisced about Nigeria’s past and compared it to its contemporaries from the 70s and 80s.
He noted that countries like Brazil, Venezuela, Indonesia, and South Korea, which were once on par with Nigeria, have surged ahead due to their intentional leadership. "What he’s trying to do is to direct the country for us to reevaluate our value system, what has pinned us down, why we can’t develop," Suswan said, referring to the author’s message.
Lamenting Nigeria's current state, Suswan warned that the country is "almost at the precipice of a failed society" and urged introspection to identify what is leading the country in a negative direction. He insisted that young people must be given a new orientation about the nation’s value system and cultural norms.
Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, the author of the books, explained his motivation for writing. "Our rural people are suffering, there’s too much poverty in the land. We need leaders who will look at the plight of Nigerians and become very angry, not sit comfortably with pecks on the face and be complacent because they are receiving a lot of money from public offices and lording it over the people," he said.
Hagher argued that democracy, as it currently functions in Nigeria, can be oppressive. "It is not enough for a country to claim that it is democratic. Democracy itself is oppressive; it’s a government of the majority. So, the majority can oppress," he stated.
He emphasized the need for a redefinition of Nigeria's democracy, pointing out the disparity between citizens and subjects in the country. "Here, the citizen is less than the subject; it’s like a cattle," he added.
Hagher called for a broader mindset and unity beyond tribal affiliations. "We must redefine how we are going to live together. Apart from that, we must resist ethnic racism or religious racism," he urged.
Highlighting Nigeria's unique religious composition, he noted, "Nigeria is the only country in the world where the number of Christians and Muslims is almost the same. We can teach the world how we can accommodate two religions without having to fight each other."