OPINION: ICHABOD: Because The Glory Has Departed From Nigeria

By Steve Osuji

President Bola Tinubu immediately reminds of someone suffering what could be called the Ichabod syndrome. It’s a state devoid of glory and grace.

The Bible in 1 Samuel 4: 21 -22 tells of the fall of Israel from glory. King Saul had sinned almost irretrievably and came short of God’s glory. The Lord, therefore, left him and his kingdom to the wiles of the enemy. Not only is he and his son killed in battle,  the sacred Ark of God fell into the hands of the enemy.

This may well be the story of Nigeria today. Under the dodgy mandate of President Bola Tinubu,  Nigeria has lapsed into a state of gracelessness. Nigeria’s president virtually spends his day and night seeking validation and legitimacy even in some odd places. The other day, he was in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and he could only interact with mere ministers. As his propaganda machine was making bogus claims about Saudi Arabia’s plans to build refineries in Nigeria and hand out  basketful of dollars to us to shore up our plunging naira, Immigration officers were turning back plane-loads of Nigerians at the entry point into Saudi Arabia. They would show no respect to their guest, President Tinubu.

It was the same faux pas in the UAE many weeks ago where false representation was made to Nigerians about President Tinubu’s  meeting with top officials of the UAE. Bilateral air agreement had been restored, we were told by  talking heads. We did no such thing, said UAE officials.

NIGERIANS TAKE VICARIOUS PUNISHMENT:
In all of Tinubu’s dark aura,  poor Nigerian citizens take the heat. Tinubu’s forgery brouhaha has pushed the world to impose a punishing scrutiny on documents presented by Nigerian immigrants. Travelling Nigerians suffer severe scrutiny at check-in counters today more than at any other time.

The Super Eagles which is supposedly made up of an assemblage of the best in Africa can no longer get the better of even the least football team in Africa. Nigeria missed qualifying for the last World Cup tournament. Here we go again. Even football that brought a bit of joy is now a source of serial sorrow.

TINUBU CAN’T LEAD:
This column has made this point for the umpteenth time and in different ways. The harsh truth here which many Nigerians don’t want to hear about is that President Tinubu cannot lead. He may be an expert at ‘managing’  elections but he is neither a manager nor a leader. Unfortunately, many Nigerians don’t seem to know the difference between the dark methods required to grab an election victory and the acumen needed to lead change and transform society. The processes of managing man and resources sustainably over a stipulated time frame, is the true test of leadership.

NOBODY SEEMS TO BE IN CHARGE STILL:
But in this instance, vision is hoary, energy is very low and there’s a near physical and intellectual vacuum at the very pinnacle of power, six months on. The next level of authority which may be described as the buffer zone lies in the offices of the Chief of Staff, the Attorney General and the Head of the Economy. But the lacunae here are that they don’t seem to understand the magnitude of the situation; they cannot see that we are already in dire straits. They therefore, do not know that they have to take charge. Though they are not particularly great individually, but in concert, and getting the right support, they might rescue a bad situation. Can they achieve a meeting of minds? Are they possessed of the prescience to rise to the moment and take initiative,  being errand people who normally await orders?

The point therefore,  is that nobody is in charge here yet. This explains the daily flip-flopping and the lack of direction. They speak glibly of reform: And we ask:  What is the thrust? What is the grand idea? What are the high points? What are the timelines? What are the milestones and deliverables using human development indices?

STENCH OF CORRUPTION RISES TO HIGH HEAVENS:
We can hardly breathe. Every day Nigeria’s atmosphere is filled with the rank stench of malfeasance. Corruption of the shade and magnitude unknown before now. Mother of all corruption is what we seem to have now. One instance: can someone explain the ENI-OANDO deal to Nigerians?

ALL IS FAIR IN WAR… AND PROPAGANDA:
After virtually levying a war on Nigeria and Nigerians to grab power, the Tinubu presidency doesn’t seem to know the next steps to take. It now thrives on propaganda and outright lies. Work is tough but talk is cheap. Photo opportunities, cheap talks and fake promises, are what we are left with now.

WHAT CAN BE DONE:
Since President Tinubu seems to have forgotten his campaign manifesto already and appears to be in a pitiable quandary as to the next turn to take, this column reiterates below, some of suggestions that have been presented here many times before:

First, this government must get refineries working! The same way the President grabbed the mandate, he could also apply same machinations to get the damned refineries working –  by hook or crook! He could become a hero already if he stopped Petroleum products importation by first anniversary. Especially if he manages to bring down the prices of PMS and diesel.

Second, he must get his agric minister to get Nigerians farming immediately. If the fellow is serious, we could be harvesting our next coop maize in March and cassava in September. These two commodities can provide immediate jobs, huge harvests and mitigate poverty down the value chain.

Third, he can fix power supply incrementally in the quickest possible time.

If the president focuses energy, time and resources on these three and get them right in two years,  that would be the real reform.

Otherwise, this place is currently devoid of grace and glory.

There’s no joy in the land anymore and many more citizens like sheep, are grazing in the valley of the shadow of …

Osuji, an accomplished Journalist and Columnist, was the Special Adviser, Media, to former Imo State Governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha