Towards Building a New Nigeria: National Re-Orientation or Transformation?

Towards Building a New Nigeria: National Re-Orientation or Transformation?
By Professor Julius O. Ihonvbere
Being the Text of a lecture  delivered  by Professor Julius O. Ihonvbere, OON at the Workshop on “Towards Building A New Nigeria” organized by the SSPA, Best Western Homeville Hotel, Benin City, 8-9 July, 2011
 
I thank the organizers of this timely Workshop for inviting me to lead a discussion on this critical issue of national re-orientation.  Every nation should be concerned about the issue of orientation.  This, in reality, is a contemporary way of talking about a national ideology or national philosophy.  There must be a set of values that are collectively endorsed to guide, direct, condition and shape the processes and patterns of production, exchange and accumulation as well as socio-political and economic engagements in a direction that improves on the living conditions of the majority, promotes sustainable development and ensures national stability and security.  At the heart of such an agenda is philosophy and process that goes beyond just compelling people to sing the national anthem, recite a national pledge and talk endlessly about patriotism or unity.  These things have only ephemeral value if they are not grounded in common beliefs, commitments, and institutions that people collectively accept and agree to defend and promote.