By Musa-Ododo Abdulrahaman

Great and unified nations do not arise by historical accident. They are not the products of mere happenstance but rather the result of conscious statecraft, deliberate planning, and visionary leadership. Nations are created with intent and purpose, and Nigeria is no exception. If we do not consciously strive to create a great nation, we can never build one. This is an eternal, universal principle applicable to all nations on earth, and Nigeria must heed this call.

Exceptional leaders who have transformed their societies and altered the course of history have always combined wisdom and power in their statecraft. Great nations are conceived and born through the visionary leadership of individuals who shoulder the responsibility to father a nation. Nigeria, a nation rich in potential, is waiting to be born anew, and the time must be now.

The Role of Fatherhood in Nation Building
History provides abundant evidence of the significance of fatherhood in the creation and birthing of great nations. From the dawn of civilization to the modern era, father figures have played pivotal roles in shaping societies and guiding them toward greatness.

Ancient Civilizations:
In ancient Mesopotamia, the birth of the Sumerian civilization can be attributed to the leadership of figures like Gilgamesh, who not only unified the city-states but also laid the foundation for a flourishing society. Similarly, in ancient Egypt, the pharaohs such as Ramses II left a lasting legacy by expanding the empire’s borders and overseeing monumental construction projects, symbolizing power and stability.

Classical Antiquity:
The rise of the Roman Empire under the leadership of Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar exemplifies how exceptional leaders can transform a republic into a dominant imperial force. Their political acumen, military prowess, and vision for a unified Rome propelled the civilization to unprecedented heights of prosperity and influence.

Medieval Europe:
During the Middle Ages, leaders like Charlemagne, known as the “Father of Europe,” played a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s political landscape. Through conquest and diplomacy, Charlemagne united disparate kingdoms under his rule, laying the groundwork for the Holy Roman Empire and fostering cultural and intellectual revival.

Contemporary Examples:
Nelson Mandela is perhaps the most iconic Father figure of contemporary times. As the first black president of South Africa, Mandela led the country out of the dark era of apartheid. His emphasis on reconciliation, forgiveness, and unity helped to heal a deeply divided nation. Mandela’s leadership laid the foundation for a democratic South Africa, where the rights of all citizens are respected. His legacy continues to inspire movements for justice and equality worldwide.

Lee Kuan Yew the Founding Prime Minister of Singapore, transformed a small, resource-poor island into one of the world’s most prosperous and orderly nations. Under his leadership, Singapore achieved rapid economic growth, exceptional educational standards, and a high quality of life for its citizens. Lee’s vision of a clean, efficient, and corruption-free government has made Singapore a model for development globally.

Mahathir Mohamad during his tenure as Prime Minister of Malaysia, was instrumental in the country’s rapid modernization and economic transformation. His policies focused on industrialization, infrastructure development, and education reforms. Mahathir’s Vision 2020 aimed to make Malaysia a fully developed country by the year 2020, significantly improving the nation’s socio-economic standards.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan the Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), played a crucial role in the unification of the seven emirates into a single nation. His leadership focused on utilizing the UAE’s oil wealth to develop infrastructure, healthcare, and education, transforming the country into a modern state. Sheikh Zayed’s vision and policies have made the UAE a significant player on the global stage.

Nigeria’s Call for a New Kind of Leadership
Every generation must discover its own mission, they either fulfill or betray it. The generations of Nigeria Founding Fathers, founded an Independent country for us. These men were exceptional, they gave the best to answer the call of their time. But the ultimate call and responsibility of this generation is to create a nation out of this country. Nations are conceived and are born, if we do not consciously create one, we can never build any. This is an established truth!
Nigeria is a nation waiting to be born, and in dire need of a worthy Father Now!

Our dear country is at the pinnacle of the most significant evolutionary transmission. We are faced with fundamental challenges and fundamental challenges of life can not be solved with the same state of consciousness and knowledge level that created them, so we must begin to exploit the inner dimensions of our Intelligence – our innate Wisdom to which GOD Has endowed us.
The call for a Father figure to birth a new Nigeria is more urgent than ever. This leader must possess the vision, wisdom, and strength to unite the diverse peoples of Nigeria, fostering a sense of shared purpose and identity.

The political elite and all Nigerians must recognize the crucial need for such a leader. A leader who will establish a New Order, a Universal Civilization that unifies Nigerians and extends this unity to the broader human family. This leader must embody the principles of justice, fairness, and inclusivity. A Leader that posses the transcendent wisdom to create harmony of diversities, with capacity to harness the collective energy and talents of our diverse country towards a common purpose – creating a society where every Nigerian can thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.
A Leader that can galvanize the people towards a shared vision of progress and prosperity.

A New Nigeria: United, Purposeful, Peaceful, and Prosperous
The birth of a new Nigeria, one that is purposeful, peaceful, and prosperous, requires collective effort and commitment. It requires the political elite to prioritize the nation’s long-term wellbeing over short-term gains. It requires every Nigerian to contribute to building a society based on mutual respect and common goals.

A new Nigeria will be the pride of Nigerians, Africa, and humanity as a whole. It will be a nation that exemplifies the best of what can be achieved when a people come together under visionary leadership. It will be a beacon of hope and progress, showcasing the potential of unity in diversity.

The time for Nigeria to be born anew is now. History has shown us the significance of Fatherhood in the creation and building of a nation, and Nigeria is in dire need of such a figure. The political elite and all Nigerians must rise to this challenge, recognizing the crucial need for a leader who can birth a purposeful, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria. This new Nigeria will stand as a testament to the power of conscious statecraft and visionary leadership, inspiring generations to come.

Musa-Ododo Abdulrahaman
Founder/President,
Initiative for Discovery of Nigeria Heritage and Endowment (IDNHE).
Project Coordinator,
National Policy Dialogue
www.nationalpolicydialogue.org