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The Role of Nigerians (Africans) in Diaspora
- in Nation Building.
Being The Keynote Address
By Oliver O.
Mbamara
at the Second Annual Nigerian Leadership Summit in
New York
- August 2011
We are now living at a time when the globe is connected
more than ever through instruments of technology that leave little room
for individual privacy or isolated national and socio-political means of
living and administration. These days, individual decisions at one end of
the world could have implications in major arenas thousands of miles away.
The ongoing wave of demonstrations against government administrations in
parts of the world is an example of how a singular event in one place
could trigger a chain reaction across the world. No nation or government
administration seems spared. The trigger could occur anywhere anytime, any
day. The common trend is change. And being the only thing that is
permanent, once it is due, change will occur when it will occur and no
force can stop it. One prudent thing would be to positively
ride the wind of change or be swept away into the annals of that which is
sidelined at the dawn of change. To that extent, Nigerians and Africans in
Diaspora cannot afford to remain isolated from socio-political and
economic activities in their continental homelands. Days are gone when
those in Diaspora would sit aside and watch from the sidelines as things
unfold in their home countries.
The Call: In line with the trend of national and continental, political,
religious, or societal developments, the call continues to go out for
Nigerians and other Africans in Diaspora to return home and contribute to
the growth of their various countries in particular and the African
continent in general. The building and sustenance of the various countries
in Africa need not be strictly separated from the building of the African
continent for it is the character of all African tribes to be their
brother’s keepers and to build together in brotherhood as well as help the
sustenance of close and extended relatives and neighbors. Many are already
answering the call while some are still arming themselves with the
necessary tools required to effect some change in a continent dogged by
political, religious, and social upheavals despite its blessings in many
areas. Of course, there are some who have relegated their countries to the
background as secondary societies that they may never again return to or
even visit again. The latter category includes some critics and believers
in the barrage of negative criticism leveled against Africa and Africans.
Background: These days more than ever, Africans especially Nigerians are
subjected to special scrutiny when they travel abroad. One reason being of
course, the fact that some of us have drawn the attention of the world’s
terrorist watch to our countries by recent engagements in various levels
of terrorist activities. Regardless of the excuse for such activities they
paint the image of the people and the country as being involved in
terrorism when the majority of the people are indeed peaceful and
law-abiding people. Yet, there is another side to the image and scrutiny
problem - corruption at political and leadership levels. Nowadays the
scrutiny even extends to our government officials which erode the respect
they would otherwise command when they travel abroad. In fact there have
been reports of several arrests and searches of homes associated with top
government officials in some of these Western countries. We have also
heard of the successful prosecution and even incarceration of some of
these leaders abroad.
Some observers see this as a welcome development since government
officials now have some kind of sense of accountability and
responsibility. It is no longer a case of “do whatever you like and nobody
will ask.” Regardless of what position one takes, the fact is that most
officials are now been made to realize that leadership is not a license to
the abuse of power and irresponsibility nor does it mean that one is above
the law. There is now hope that one day the corridors of power would be
filled by men who have the interest of the people in mind powered by a
sense of accountability, and not men who see governance as a tool of
control, oppression, victimization, and self-aggrandizement. It is a tough
journey but one that is somehow on course towards better nation building.
The Question and Some Answers: The pertinent question then is; what is the
role of the Nigerian (or the African) in Diaspora? Is it to contribute to
the down trend in the respect and honor accorded our country, or is it
take up the mantle and be a channel for the manifestation of that hope
harbored by many of us who continue to dream of a nation dominated by
responsible and selfless leaders. Men who climb the podium of leadership
with a pure intention to lead by service and example rather than those
lured by pride, power, and material greed? Unfortunately, some of us who
believe that they are more devoted than others in their tribal and/or
religious beliefs have not helped matters by their continual commitment to
riot and kill fellow countrymen at the slightest provocation, but there
are also many honest and patriotic citizens as well as particles of good
intentions in the leadership today. Those in Diaspora can help the growth
of responsible leadership especially in this era of global socio-economic
evolution.
Having been exposed to a different way of doing things abroad, those in
Diaspora are expected to know better for they have the advantage of
exposure and a basis for comparison and evaluation. By that same logic,
much is expected of them in nation building. However, while some actually
return to help improve things as we are beginning to notice in some
sectors, others simply return to get sucked in and influenced by the
pending disrepute alleged by critics. They go ahead to jettison whatever
little experience they have been privileged to gain abroad, and carelessly
dash the hopes of those at home who have hoped that these returnees would
make some difference.
This piece does not suggest the importation of foreign culture contrary to
essential rudiments significant in the homeland society. The point is that
one who has lived abroad has the exposure to realize that certain things
can comparatively be done better in the homeland. He now knows that
constant electricity is a possibility and that police security could be
more efficient and essential towards maintaining law and order in the
society which in turn would encourage peace of mind, attract tourism, and
foreign investors. He now knows that the judiciary can function more
independently and that government functionaries are subject to the same
laws and almost the same privileges as the ordinary citizen. He knows that
lawmakers always have their mandates in mind at the legislature and that
government officials are always held accountable by the system. These and
many more are the tenets and roles expected of the Nigerian (or African)
in Diaspora who decides to answer the call of nation building.
The Nigerian (or African) in Diaspora is expected to deliver by exemplary
ways for he can now compare the two worlds. He stands in a better position
to apply what would work in effective and progressive nation-building.
Anything less would be a disappointment and a betrayal of those African
principles of brotherhood, extended family system, and care for one’s
neighbor.
Points for Nation building: An open Paper by Oliver
Mbamara
Thank you.
Oliver Mbamara, Esq. © August 2011.
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR: Oliver O. Mbamara is an Admin. Judge of New York State.
He is also a filmmaker and a
published writer, poet, and playwright. For
more on Oliver Mbamara, please visit www.OliverMbamara.com
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