Leadership Gone Rogue

A lot of things have been said, and a lot of books have been written about the 'not-so-right' sociopolitical situations in this country. Many of those books have stated what might be considered the 'bitter truths', truths nonetheless that many could not swallow because they are just too bitter for them to swallow. Sadly, it seems many ... people don't like to hear the 'hard and sincere' truth. We prefer to listen to the sweet and soothing words and rhetoric of those who use high sounding words and religious semantics to deceive and steal our collective patrimony from us. If that is what you are looking for, then this book is not for you. We cannot deny that our people's poverty and, of course, their religious and ethnic sentiments too, have been consistently manipulated by the elites across the board. The northeast is a typical example of this. While I do not a hold brief for the 'northeasterners' or speak for the government, nevertheless, from my frontline experience as a soldier (and a 'defender' of my nation), I can say without mincing words that, if the politicians had not exploited the poverty and ethnicity of the people and the religious elites had not fed on their strong but, unfortunately, naive religious sentiments, there probably wouldn't have been the sad and agonizing 'phases of Chibok and Sambisa' in our experience as a nation. But it happened, because they did exploit people sentiments, the rest is now history. Thus, it is refreshing that the author in this book is bold enough to clearly point out the hypocrisy, abuse, misuse, and misapplication of religion in Nigerian political terrains without any disrespect to the faith of the people. Lieutenant Christopher O. OdeluyiThe writer of this book, Femi Emmanuel OWOLABI, shows his proficiency as a well-informed Nigerian who chose the pathway of being blunt and pragmatic giving a birds-eye-view of the Nigeria situation. Tested with an unbiased approach to the reality and ills of a nation so blessed and endowed with innumerable resources by Mother Nature, but living beneath her best; bedevilled by the ills of politics and the "necessary evil" called religion. It exudes originality, clothed with depth and apt presentation in an uncompromising manner, outlined obvious realities as they are in present-day Nigeria. It succinctly presents an unbiased approach to events as they are. If these ills, as articulated in this book, are considered and the 'remedies' suggested are given heed to someday, 'soonest' the new dawn of a better, progressive and freer Nigeria will overtake us. The author's treatment of the subject is no doubt philosophical and will definitely provoke statements and comments and even misunderstood. Nevertheless, when and if the recommendations put forward are taken to heart they will have far-reaching consequences that will propel this blessed nation forward and take its rightful place among the committee of right-thinking nations of the world. I recommend it for all to go through it with an open mind and scoop the best it has to offer us all. Cyril Dase Basikoro (Rev. Fr.)