MUSA-ODODO ABDULRAHAMAN
Existence is indeed a grand school, and Nature is the supreme teacher. The curriculum is Life itself, and the lessons are endless. However, there’s a crucial requirement for success in this school: Attention.
Nigeria, a nation blessed with abundant human and natural resources – oil, gas, fertile land, a vibrant youth population, and a rich cultural heritage – stands as a paradox. How can a country so endowed remain stunted in development, trapped in cycles of poverty, corruption, and underachievement? The answer lies in our collective failure to pay rapt attention to the lessons of life, the wisdom of Nature, and the foundational principle of all true progress: “Know Thyself.”
The Timeless Wisdom: “Know Thyself”
The ancient dictum, inscribed at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, holds the key to Nigeria’s redemption. A people who do not know themselves will never realize their full potential.
- Self-Knowledge Leads to Self-Mastery
- Nigeria’s greatest problem is not a lack of resources but a lack of self-awareness. We have failed to understand who we are, what our strengths are, and what our true destiny should be.
- Nations that have risen to greatness – China, Japan, Germany – did so by first understanding their identity, culture, and historical purpose. Nigeria, however, remains trapped in colonial mentalities, ethnic divisions, and borrowed ideologies that do not serve her true interests.
- Ignorance of Self Leads to Dependence
- A nation that does not know itself will always look to foreign powers for direction. Nigeria’s over-reliance on imported goods, foreign loans, and Western political models has stifled indigenous innovation.
- Nature teaches self-sufficiency. The bamboo tree takes years to grow roots before shooting up rapidly. Nigeria, however, seeks quick fixes – corrupt leaders, unsustainable policies – instead of deep-rooted, organic development. Nature as the Best Teacher
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. The ant gathers in season, the eagle trains its young to fly, and the river carves its path with persistence. What lessons is Nigeria ignoring?
- The Law of Cause and Effect
- Every action has a consequence. Decades of corruption, poor leadership, and neglect of education have led to systemic failure.
- Solution: Return to natural principles – meritocracy, hard work, accountability. Nations that enforce these thrive.
- Adaptation and Evolution
- Nature rewards those who adapt. Japan rose from the ashes of war by embracing technology and discipline.
- Nigeria’s Failure: We resist change. We cling to outdated systems, tribal politics, and a rent-seeking economy instead of innovating.
- Unity in Diversity
- A forest thrives because different trees coexist. Nigeria’s diversity should be a strength, but tribalism and religious division keep us weak.
- Solution: Learn from Nature – different elements working in harmony create balance and growth. The Way Forward: Paying Attention to Life’s Lessons
- Reclaim Our Identity
- Nigerians must rediscover their cultural roots, values, and indigenous knowledge systems. A people without a sense of history have no future.
- Education Revolution
- The current system produces certificate holders, not thinkers. We need an education that teaches critical thinking, creativity, and self-reliance – just as Nature teaches survival and innovation.
- Leadership by Natural Law
- Leaders must emerge based on competence, not connections. Nature does not favor the lazy lion; only the strong and wise lead the pack.
- Economic Self-Sufficiency
- Invest in agriculture, technology, and local industries. A tree that depends on another for sunlight will never grow tall. Conclusion: Awakening to the School of Life
Nigeria’s stagnation is not destiny; it is a consequence of inattention. The school of life is always in session, but we must be willing to learn.
If we heed Nature’s lessons – know ourselves, adapt, unite, and persist – we shall rise. But if we continue in ignorance, we will remain at the lowest ebb, despite our blessings.
The choice is ours. Will we Pay Attention Now, or will we keep failing the test of Life?
O Nigerians, Awake! The world is moving forward. Will we remain behind?
“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower
Yours for Nigeria as a Global Leader
Abdulrahaman is the Founder, Initiative for Discovery of Nigeria Heritage and Endowment (IDNHE).
Chairman, National Policy Dialogue.
www.nationalpolicydialogue.org