Dearest Tunde (Pastor) Bakare, what I am
not sure is, if you got a copy of my
appeal to Leaders of Faith Organizations
in Nigeria published last year (2009) on
my blog (http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/2009/06/appeal-to-leaders-of-faith.html)
and on most national newspapers. But
whether you got it or not, your actions
and deep involvement with the Save
Nigeria Group are exactly the responses
solicited from that appeal. After
listening to your speech on the Abuja
rally titled; The Order of Ezra (http://www.latterrainassembly.org/lra/media.html#),
I quickly replayed the speeches (I Have
a Dream and I Have Seen The Promised
Land) by Martin Luther King Jr. Without
doubts, we might have our own Martin
Luther King in you.
I
have had the opportunity of reading
through the State of The Nation
Broadcast by you. This speech is both
inspiring and motivational like your
church sermon(s). I have no doubt, that
efforts of people like you will
definitely yield positive results in
Nigeria. I was glad on hearing that you
were part of the delegation of Save
Nigeria Group that met with Acting
President Goodluck Jonathan. We have no
choice but to save Nigeria. My prayer is
that many more faith leaders should join
you in the crusade to save our
motherland.
Religious groups are in a better
position to mobilize people for change.
Another reason is also because; fewer
institutions are closer to the people
than our churches, synagogues, temples,
mosques, worship centers etc. Therefore,
faith leaders by virtue of their calling
and congregation they lead should not
hesitate to mobilize people for changes.
Quoting Martin Luther King “Our lives
begin to end the day we become silent
about things that matter”. Therefore
every one should speak out and perhaps,
join the crusade to save our country. No
sacrifice will be too much. Enough is
enough.
I
believe in one Nigeria where there is
justice, equity, fairness and good
governance. I also believe there could
be unity in diversity. With togetherness
and determination we can achieve a lot
in saving Nigeria. Fidel Castro of Cuba
once said that, no force on earth can
defeat a determined people. Dearest
Tunde (Pastor) Bakare, I have no doubt
that the Save Nigeria Group, which you
are part of, believes in progress and
prosperity of our country. It is on this
note that I make another appeal to all
pro Nigerian groups both home and abroad
to join your group (Save Nigeria Group)
or Save Nigeria Group will join them. If
Mohammed cannot go to the mountain,
mountain can come to Mohammed. Various
pro Nigerian groups should retain their
identities and focus while identifying
with Save Nigeria Group. Better still
there should be synergy amongst all pro
Nigerian groups.
The
idea is to form a formidable group, with
links abroad that will challenge the
status quo at home. Assuming the heat
generated by Yar’Adua,s sickness settles
down, there will still be a lot of works
to be done to put our country on the
better pedestrian. I would pray for the
Save Nigeria Group, to put pressure on
the National Assembly to pass the
freedom of information bill, removal of
immunity clause on the constitution,
abolition of federal character/quota
system etc.
Coalition and synergy amongst all pro
Nigerian groups will be a step in the
right direction towards challenging our
numerous problems. I also understand
there might be challenges of
coordination when the groups are many.
But consider division of labour. Groups
with interest on electoral reforms could
come together under the larger group,
while groups with interest on anti
corruption could be grouped together
under the larger group. This was the
concept behind my call for a shadow
government/cabinet. I could explain
further as and at when needed.
Punch Newspaper of 2nd March 2010
(online version) reported that Ribadu
and 45 others formed shadow parliament.
It might be a good idea for Save Nigeria
Group and other groups to join Ribadu.
This project (Shadow Parliament/Shadow
Government) will obviously strengthen
the opposition parties/groups which is
the beauty of every democracy. The
planned Mass Action by Save Nigeria
Group on 10th March 2010 is also part of
democracy. I pray many Nigerians to
support this cause.
Furthermore, I urge Nigerians to support
Save Nigeria Group in cash and kind. PDP
raised over N2 billion naira for
Soludo’s election in Anambra State.
Therefore, Nigerians should donate their
widows’ mite to Save Nigeria Group. No
amount will be too small. We should
remember that freedom is expensive,
please read my article on that; (http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/2009/06/freedom-is-expensive.html).
Another idea you and your group might
consider, should be to field credible
candidates during next year (2011)
general election. It should not matter
even if a member of your group wins only
the councillorship or chairmanship
election. That way you can begin to show
Nigerians a true taste of governance.
You can stand for elections yourself.
Reverend Chris Okotie of the Household
of God Church Ministries contested the
2003 presidential elections. It might be
easier to change from within than from
outside.
My
other advice will be for you and the
Save Nigeria Group or other pro Nigerian
groups to produce political messages in
both DVD’s CD’s Cassettes etc, to be
distributed to Nigerians. There is need
to increase the political consciousness
of our people. I call this idea
Political Evangelism. It could be in
form of documentaries or it could take
any form. These political messages could
be produced in various native languages
of Nigeria. Picture effect(s) can do
much in increasing the political
consciousness of our people.
Using the home videos and various
religious evangelisms as a case study,
you will agree with me that many lives
have been shaped through that. Political
evangelisms in DVD’s CD’s etc will have
similar impact on our society. People in
remote areas will be empowered
politically through such messages.
Finally, it’s also important to remind
Nigerians to plant trees or sponsor one
to plant on their behalf. Turn off your
electrical appliances/lights when not in
use. Government and companies should
send less paper work and do more email,
telephone, and sms. May God bless
Nigeria.
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An
activist and leader of “Support Option
A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/
End This Political Crisis Before It’s
Too Late-By
Chinedu V. Akuta
|
