Written by Prof. Mannixs E. Paul, PhD, FCFIP, FCIML, FCECFI, FFAR
Nigeria stands at a defining crossroads. The insecurity confronting our nation is no longer an enigma; it is the direct result of forces operating both within and beyond our borders. The violence, fear, and instability we witness daily are sober reminders of how vulnerable a nation becomes when institutions decay, and public trust erodes. These are the early warnings of a country losing its footing—but these warnings are not destiny. Nigeria can still reclaim its stability and strength if leadership chooses truth over politics and courage over convenience.
Ours is a nation blessed with numbers, talent, and abundant resources. Yet these gifts are consistently overshadowed by disunity, weak coordination, and a painful deficit of patriotism. Nothing destroys a country faster than leaders who mistake public office for private enterprise and governance for personal gain. A quiet but powerful network of corruption thrives in this environment—rewarding betrayal, glorifying greed, and reducing national responsibility to a mere transaction. When power becomes an instrument of wealth rather than a platform of service, the nation becomes defenseless—vulnerable to internal decay and external influence.
National security is not achieved solely through the use of weapons. It rests on strategy, discipline, and the moral character of those entrusted with authority. No nation can defeat insecurity when individuals responsible for protection are willing to compromise it for profit. And no nation can progress when loyalty is dictated by tribe, religion, or personal interest instead of shared purpose.
If Nigeria is genuinely committed to survival, then those in authority must rethink how power is assigned. Leadership should not be a reward for friendships or political debts—it must be entrusted to people of competence, integrity, and proven courage. We need patriots who are ready to serve, not opportunists eager to harvest the system.
Our persistent divisions along tribal and religious lines continue to hold the nation hostage. It is nearly impossible to build a stable future when citizens view one another as competitors rather than collaborators. Nigeria will continue to strengthen visible threats while fighting invisible ones until we learn to see ourselves first and foremost as Nigerians.
This is a moment that calls for deep reflection. Every leader, every stakeholder, and every citizen carries a responsibility. Integrity must replace greed. Empathy must overshadow selfish ambition. National interest must ultimately take precedence over personal gain.
To each individual: guard your life, your peace, and your purpose. The world is unmercifully quick to move on; when tragedy strikes a person, life continues, and memories fade. Value your time, your safety, and your mission.
Peace is not weakness. Unity is not ignorance. Integrity is not outdated. These values form the backbone of every nation that has survived turbulent times.
Nigeria can still rise—but not if corruption becomes our national language, betrayal our method, and money our ultimate god. Our rebirth will require a radical shift in mindset, a reordering of priorities, and a renewal of conscience.
A simple but urgent reminder:
Choose peace. Pursue unity. Hold firmly to values that will outlive you.
Our future—collectively and individually—depends on it.
Courtesy of MEFoundation