The Catechism in a Year in answering the question (409), “Where can one find the most complete realization of the common good?” says “The most complete realization of the common good is found in those political communities which defend and promote the good of their citizens and of intermediate groups without forgetting the universal good of the entire human family.”

Can we still define our democracy as ‘government of the people by the people and for the people?’ Do our President and his team see the importance of promoting the wellbeing of Nigerians? They increased their salaries and allowances and close their eyes to the economic hazards overwhelming the electorates.

But we the electorates also need to contribute to the common good of our nation. 

The Catechism in a Year in answering the question (410), “How does one participate in bringing about the common good?” says, “All men and women according to the place and role that they occupy participate in promoting the common good by respecting just laws and taking charge of the areas for which they have personal responsibility such as the care of their own family and the commitment to their own work.

Citizens also should take an active part in public life as far as possible.” Have we been doing all that sincerely? We spend our time trying to meet our needs at all cost just to survive, irrespective of whether or not we hurt others.

A farm left uncultivated will naturally grow undesirable weeds. The politicians make us the foot mats of their doors on which they wipe their feet because we refused to fight for our rights. “In Nigeria we do not have heroes and heroines who can break through all the regions. We all get angry at the same time and foam in the mouth and go home without concluding our discussion. 

In Nigeria, we unite by dividing, to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.” Archbishop Matthew Kukah made these provoking and intellectual thoughts (among other things) on NTA in 2012.

Those who fought for our Independence were in the habit of walking; so they walked with many. Those who took over from them came in uniforms and were running with just a few for a very long time. And those leading us now fly and fly alone without fear; protesters cannot even stop or embarrass them in any form.

The biggest mistake we Nigerians have made is letting corrupt leaders rule us longer than they deserve. Our society has failed to be driven by the public good, equity and fairness. But we can still rise from our fall and make our giant nation to make giant strides now that God has not abandoned us. 

Children who are traumatized by crisis can be problematic to the society. If a child witnesses the murder of his parents he can revolt to any extent hence our youth had to go on hunger strike and in the process, some of them were killed. A good leader knows when to say sorry. And saying sorry does not reduce you. But our leaders did not show any remorse when some hunger protesters were killed unjustly. 

So, wait and see more rising to the forum soon! You can fool all the people for some time but you cannot fool all the people all the time. Correction can start from us, the elders. If a child observes that you don’t have anything he can emulate in you, he will not take correction from you.

Nigeria is 64. What have our leaders done to Nigeria and what will they do for Nigeria? Countries which have done successfully well in the last two decades are those who dance to their own drummers and music. Are you a bridge builder? Are you sent by God to lead His people out of bondage or a messenger to save souls?

A leader is one who has a vision and passion. A visionless leader cannot lead well. A leader who does not have passion for leadership and the people he is leading is not a good leader. We should not follow a leader who has no vision, no focus, and no passion. As the saying goes, “Where there is no vision, my people will perish.” True leaders see from the eyes of the mind. What you allow is what will continue.

If you give your enemy a foothold, he will multiply it to a stronghold and the end will be calamity. This is the reason why our leaders are having private jets, universities, many private exotic bulletproof cars and expensive properties within and outside Africa.

The politicians of today stay put and insist that their children inherit their seats. Surprisingly, the electorates willingly say, “Amen!” to all these. If you say, “The voice of men is the voice of God” why then do we blame God after all. Oh Nigerians, why do we allow these people to manipulate us so easily? We need men of God to help us locate our true compass for redirection.

Mrs. Fashola once said, “There is need to restore the country to the glorious path of the past which was full of righteous, godliness and love of the human person.”

Nigeria has a population of over 200m, but how many innocent and righteous people have we to present to the Lord that He may not allow our Nation to be destroyed? Abraham said in Gen. 18:32, “Please don’t be angry, Lord, and I will speak just once more. ‘What if only 10 righteous are found?” And the Lord said, ‘I will not destroy it if there are 10.”

Dear readers, how many righteous people do we have among us today? As Christians, let us braze up to live righteously for our common good to bring about a better Nigeria. Do not allow our economic hardship and insecurity to misdirect us in anyway and say, “God will understand!”