The  Era Of Complacency Has Come To An End

By Mondy Gold*

We are compelled to write this letter out of deep concern and urgency. Our beloved country is at a crossroads, facing significant challenges that threaten our very survival. Each day brings new challenges that threaten to erode the fabric of our society. At this critical juncture, we must not avoid confronting the harsh realities that await us. Instead, we must summon the courage to face these challenges head on, demanding nothing less than tangible and meaningful change from those who lead us. Our future is dependent on the courage of our actions and the firmness of our resolve.

1. Address the main issues: corruption, exchange rate, and poor leadership. Given our country’s dire economic situation, the current rate of 1470 NGN is simply unattainable. The underlying causes of this economic crisis, namely rampant corruption and ineffective governance, have yet to be adequately addressed.

2. Many Nigerians and friends believe Mr. Bola Tinubu is incompetent and incapable. With an inflation rate of around 44% and reports indicating that a staggering 65% of Nigerians have encountered corruption in dealings with public officials, it is clear that the rot runs deep within our institutions, owing directly to ineffective leadership.

3. Our nation urgently requires revolutionary actions and transformational shifts. The time for waiting has ended.

4. Corruption is used by the ruling elite to undermine law enforcement and economic development. It impedes the protection of fundamental environmental, economic, human, and civil liberties, perpetuating poverty, social unrest, insecurity, and political upheaval. Despite the introduction of numerous anti-corruption measures at both federal and state levels, the malignant growth of corruption remains unrestrained.

5. Regrettably, the current administration lacks the capability and resolve to effectively confront this persistent and crippling issue, as they are complicit in its propagation. This entrenched corruption has hindered our strides towards enhancing agricultural productivity, establishing a competitive manufacturing sector, and tapping into Nigeria’s technological and innovative capabilities.

6. We are convinced that Mr. Tinubu has elevated corruption to a formidable level and is using it as a weapon on both the national and global fronts, on a scale unprecedented in previous administrations. A revolutionary shift in governance, especially in financial management, is imperative. We must insist on accountability and transparency from these corrupt leaders, and hold them accountable for their deeds. We cannot endure a system where the elite enrich themselves while the masses suffer. Under no circumstances should we permit Mr. Tinubu or any other figure to institutionalize corruption as a national strategy.

7. While the recent streamlining of ministries and agencies may appear to be a positive step, it is merely a tactical maneuver to sidestep the undeniable necessity for comprehensive restructuring. What we require is decisive and bold action, not superficial measures aimed at pacifying the public while preserving the status quo. The Nigerian Diaspora, endowed with resources and expertise, adamantly refuse to be purposefully excluded from the nation’s developmental endeavors.  Therefore, any successful reorganization of ministries must include the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of the Nigerian Diaspora.

8. We must express our profound disappointment in Mr. Bola Tinubu, whom many had hoped would be a champion for change. Instead, his actions have shown him to be nothing more than a coward, unwilling to confront the deep-seated corruption that plagues our nation.

9. It is time to dismantle the legislative system as it currently exists. We do not need the bloated bureaucracy of hundreds of federal legislators, who brazenly and obscenely allocate billions to themselves, while honest and hardworking taxpayers continue to struggle. Instead, we should have no more than 37 part-time representatives tasked with the formulation of laws for Nigeria.

10. We demand an end to all foreign trips for appointed and elected officials, as well as their family members, until the exchange rate is stabilized at 1 USD to 100 NGN. Our public officials should not be gallivanting around the globe while our economy suffers. We have ambassadors in all countries of the world who are capable of dealing with our needs internationally.

11. We demand an immediate cessation of all international meetings, including those held at the United Nations, until further notice or until our economy experiences substantial improvement. This directive applies to all government officials, including Mr. President of Nigeria. As earlier stated, our ambassadors are eminently qualified to represent us at the international stage until we have achieved a guaranteed 24-hour electricity supply, implemented a ban on the importation of generators, and ensured the full reactivation of all refineries and seaports. It is imperative that we prioritize addressing these fundamental issues before engaging in any further international commitments.

12. We must strive for greater diversity in political appointments, welcoming more women and members of the Nigerian Diaspora into positions of power. These individuals can disrupt the corrupt networks that manipulate our systems and structures, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the table.

13. But perhaps most importantly, we need a revolutionary government led by someone with the courage and capacity to arrest, prosecute, and jail all those who have stolen from Nigeria since 1999. We must dismantle the networks of corruption that have crippled our country for far too long.

14. We know the Rowlings of Nigeria and the Tokyos of Nigeria who can lead us out of this darkness, but they need your support and leadership. There can be no development without the destruction of corruption. We must win the war on this terroristic corruption that has held us back for far too long.

Fellow Nigerians, the time for complacency is over. We must rise up and demand the change we deserve. Our future depends on it. The time for action is now. Our people are suffering, and they are looking to the Nigerian Diaspora for leadership. Will you rise to the occasion and be the agent of change that Nigeria so desperately needs?

Yours in solidarity!
*Prof.(Amb.) Mondy Gold is the Founder of the Global Nigerian Diaspora Forum and the Coordinator, African Diaspora for Good Governance in the United States of America