The current economic meltdown has taken significant toll on the living standards of Nigerians and the mood out there is largely pensive. Despair, depression and melancholy are boldly written on the faces of our dear country men and women. The nation exudes an ominous sign of desperation and we cannot blame the people for their seeming anguish and frustration. The macro-economic indices of the country recently released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) are very telling indicators of the times we are in.

Following two consecutive quarters of negative Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, the NBS officially declared that the country is in an economic recession. Inflation is at an alarming rate of circa 17%; businesses are shutting down, thus further deepening the unemployment pool; and the Naira is at its lowest in history against the US Dollar. With the gravity of the current economic situation, can we genuinely seek courage and optimism from the people? Still, history teaches us that with the right attitude, efforts and investments, nations can rise from despondency and gloom.

From the 1970s to the 1990s Ethiopia was a theatre of internecine wars, secessionist struggles and famine. Today, the Ethiopian economy boasts of a double digit GDP growth, largely propelled by massive capital expenditure on infrastructure development. Between 2007 and 2008, Kenya suffered a combined post-election political, economic and humanitarian crisis that threatened the foundations of the East African nation famous for tourism. Today too, and even in the midst of some sort of anti-terrorism war, the World Bank has described Kenya as one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s fastest growing economies. Similarly, from a harrowing history of a genocide that recorded over 800,000 deaths in 1994, the little East African nation of Rwanda has today become a study in national development efforts. IMF also forecasts the Rwandan economy will see a 6% GDP growth in 2016.  Kigali, the Rwandan capital, hosted the 2016 edition of World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA). It is also instructive to note that Rwanda boasts of a flag carrier airline.

It should be said that the attempt here is not to suggest that these three East African nations have attained bliss; far from it. Rather, the intention is to draw our attention to important lessons in their respective peoples’ resolve and determination to rise above temporary setbacks and set their nations back on the path of growth and development. Given our famed energetic disposition and drive, it is definitely not beyond Nigerians to set our economy back on the path of growth and inclusive development.

By all means, government, as the defining feature of the state, shoulders a great responsibility for the growth and development of the state as well as guaranteeing security and socio-economic wellbeing of its citizens. Given the constitutional powers vested in it and the enormity of resources it controls, government has no excuse for failing in its duty to the citizens and the country. Yet, it is apt to remember that the role of the citizen is equally fundamental in national development efforts.

Nigerians are bold and very expressive people. Nigerians never cease to have a view on national issues, with many often confident that their submissions are the most potent panaceas to our nation’s ills. Public enlightenment and varying perspectives on issues affecting the polity is healthy for the growth of democracy. It is however more effective when the people not only say the right things but do the right things.

So instead of the rhetoric, the animated pontifications on the country’s challenges and beyond our penchant for blaming the government, it is high time Nigerians began to prove their commitments to the good of the country through their private actions. Simply put, our separate actions collectively impact the country. This is why we need to make more deliberate efforts to ensure we do what is right and do things right at all times. Our words are important but our actions are even more potent.

There is a general consensus that corruption is the bane of the Nigerian society. But there is also an unconscious belief that corruption is largely a public sector issue. If we however understand that corruption signposts every form of integrity perversion or moral depravity, regardless of its degree, persons involved or place of occurrence, many of us would realise the import of private wrongdoings. Verbally condemning corruption is not enough, there must be a conscious decision by all of us, as stakeholders in the Nigerian project, to abhor and avoid corrupt practices. We can say all the right things but what impacts on the society are the things we do. The admonition from Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States of America, becomes very apt here:  Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind.

The enthusiasm with which we discuss pressing national issues is a positive thing but we will make more impact on the fortunes of the country if we all begin to apply many of our proposed solutions even at our little spheres of influence. “Let the change begin with us”; starting from our corners; where we reside and in what we do.

The situation of any country is clearly a reflection of the level of moral development of its citizen. Nigeria cannot achieve socio-economic progress without the necessary sacrifice from its citizenry. The American politician, Bob Riley, described “sacrifice” as the “pinnacle of patriotism”. We can only demonstrate our love for fatherland when we are committed to doing what is right and doing things right at all times; no matter the consequence, no matter the situation. The Nigeria of our dreams can become a reality; but we cannot commend the task to the government alone. Each and every one of us must be ready to play his or her part in the overarching objective to develop our nation.

We at Honeywell Group wish the Government and People of Nigeria happy 56th Independence Anniversary.

LET US PRAY

Dear God, we thank You for the immeasurable potential our country harbours. Although we are years away from what we could have achieved, we still thank You for the hope that tomorrow portends. Our ultimate request to You now is for the will and fortitude to be able to make the sacrifices required to translate our famed potential into concrete, positive realities.