Every New Year comes with promises of hope for better things especially in a nation like ours where majority of the masses engage in daily struggles for survival as if they are living in a war front.
As we confront the stark realities of a democracy that has only yielded dividends for the ruling elite; the venal rich who control the levers of state power and the vast resources, most Nigerians traditionally pin their hopes on divine providence, not government policies, for better life in a new year.
God rules the affairs of men. As a preacher, that’s a truth I teach regularly; relying on him for divine direction is the right thing to do as we begin a new year. The trouble is, due largely to the superficial knowledge of the word of God people do not often know the distinction between man’s responsibilities and God’s. Beset by seemingly intractable problems, there’s always the tendency for us to abdicate our responsibilities and lay them squarely on the host of heaven or some unseen supernatural forces.
The popular verse, Righteousness exalts a nation (Prov, 14:34), is one of the most misunderstood passages in the bible. The righteousness mentioned here is not about the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ that takes the Christian believer to heaven. It speaks of a forensic rightness; a moral rectitude and perpendicularity in the management of the affairs of men. You may call it good governance in our current political context. Then, the righteousness of Christ that we receive at new birth is what takes us heaven. This does not necessarily guarantee paradise on earth. Very often these two variants of righteousness are used by many people interchangeably, but they actually mean two different things. They point to two different directions: One to heaven, the other to the earth.
Thus a nation, regardless of its religious bias will be exalted if its leaders do the right thing. That is why non-Christian nations like China, Malaysia, and India excel economically even when they are predominantly Buddhist or Muslim; while a multi-religious nation like Nigeria is down the lowest rung of the human development index.
That said, while we pray for God’s mercy in dealing with the complex and explosive issues ahead of us in 2013, we expect a comprehensive projection of government’s policies and plans by the federal government for the New Year just begun, in line with international practice. So far, we’ve seen nothing of such.
The London-based publication; The Economist, publishes special editions dedicated to detailed projections of the Global Political and Economic Outlook of nations every year. In its latest edition of “The Word In 2013” several nations, big or small are showcased. It serves as an investors’ guide and the compass for global leaders in charting the course of action best suited for their policy directions.
The magazine’s brief summary on Nigeria in 2013 makes interesting reading: “Goodluck Jonathan, the president, will pass the mid-point of his term facing many challenges but none that threatens his political survival. Boko Haram, a loosely organised Islamist militant group, will channel northern resentment of Mr Jonathan and the Christian south, obstructing development projects and investment plans. The economy will enjoy another year of 6%- plus growth”. Not cheering news. The logical inference from this brief is that we should expect business as usual in 2013.
The Nigerian government has not told us what it has in store for our people in 2013. A thorough articulation of government policies ought to herald the New Year to reassure the nation and other stakeholders around the world that the short comings of the last year in all spheres would be addressed decisively this year. In the absence of a New Year resolution by government, the stage is usually left for soothsayers or prophets to make predictions on the fortunes of the nation.
What we are served in the media are forecasts on natural disasters, threats of war, air crashes, and impending deaths of prominent individuals, including governors and ministers. Then, Nigerians are implored to pray to avert these misfortunes. Of course, men ought to pray always. However; history has shown that disasters are bound to occur because these are part of the vagaries of nature and signs of the end times.
It is the responsibily of our government to take pre-emptive measures to contain or where possible, avert some of these disasters. Nigeria should not be reduced to a nation like Haiti where voodoo or superstition shapes the people’s world view. We are a civilised nation, with an elected democratic government in place. What is required for our leaders is to live up to their responsibilities.
In Japan, the new government of Prime Minister Shinjo Abe plans a stimulus package of $117 billion dollars to recharge the economy that slowed down last year due to the tsunami, and earthquakes that devastated the country. Mexico’s newly elected president, Enrique Pena Nieto has promised that in 2013, he’d launch a series of political and economic reforms to help achieve three overarching national goals that will improve the well-being of the people.
Britain’s deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg says part of his government’s priority in the New Year is to welcome individuals who wish to make a contribution to his country in the area of trade and investments. And he explained in details what incentives await such class of people. Mr Jonathan, just what are your plans for this country in 2013?