*Photo: Prof Adedimeji*
Vice Chancellor, Ahman Pategi University, Patigi, Kwara State, Prof Mahfouz A. Adedimeji has said Nigeria is currently at a crossroads but cannot again afford to turn in the wrong direction, as was her case in the past.
Adedimeji gave the warning on Saturday in Lagos, as Guest Lecturer at the National Conference Public Lecture of The Companion ,( an association of Muslim men and women in business and the professions), with the theme: Building Nigeria That Works For All: Prospects And Challenges.
The Professor of Applied English Linguistics said “Nigeria can only work for all if strong institutions replace our weak institutions,” adding that “A situation in which policies and programmes revolve around only those who are in power is not healthy for the development of the country. Leaders must make institutions work regardless of who is in power. “
Commending the association for the topic of the Public Lecture which he said was both apt and relevant, he noted that “It is the beginning of a new Administration in Nigeria anchored on renewed hope, an admission that our hope had been dashed before. This renewed hope engenders a new beginning and the expectation is that the new Federal Government led, by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, will build a country that works for us all, not just those who can send prayers to email addresses. It is an opportunity for Nigeria to make a fresh start and a new beginning in the cause of nation-building, which is a collective responsibility.
He added that”The National Conference also coincides with the beginning of the new hijrah year. The implication of this is that just as there is need to build a Nigeria that works for all now that a new Administration is on board, it is also imperative for us as Muslims to commit ourselves to re-building our faith.
“There are many distractions that dog the path of believers and the new year 1445 A.H. offers us a new opportunity to re-dedicate ourselves to the Straight Path.”
Prof Adedimeji recalled that ” The quest for nation-building or to build a Nigeria that will work for all has been the aspiration of the successive governments of Nigeria but the reality is that Nigeria is currently for the privileged few.”
He however counselled that “It is in the interest of the all-important Nigerian project that everyone contribute their part towards its success.”
He argued that “The government carries a heavy responsibility because leadership is everything. But the government cannot do it alone without the sincerity, support and sacrifice of the followers.”
The university don while stressing that Nigeria cannot develop beyond the quality of Nigerians pointed out that “It is in this regard that if Nigeria must work all, every Nigerian, especially Muslims, must work towards personal development. To succeed, it requires a lifestyle, a set of attitudes or a worldview that make individuals stand out.”
He said there are at least five p’s that can transform Muslims especially and everyone in general from the abyss of ordinariness to the pinnacle of glory.
These, according to him are:
“One is prayer. The human mind is a powerhouse of tremendous energy which can be accessed through the power of prayer and meditation. Prayers work but unfortunately many people have confused to the point of making the first last. If you make it a habit to ignore the cacophony of daily living and the hurly-burly of contemporary lifestyle to devote time to prayer and meditation everyday, you will discover inner peace, alternatives and options that clear the fog and show the way. As a matter of fact, prayer helps us to achieve self-understanding, to reduce your pain, lower your stress, connect better, improve focus and minimise brain chatter. This life is full of mysteries, mishaps and disappointments, so everyone needs some divine insurance. We are not just physical beings, we are also spiritual beings. Prayers are powerful and through them, you earn divine guidance on the steps to take.
“Two is Planning. It is said that proper planning prevents poor performance. The Prophet (SAW) encouraged us to plan and Allah commands us to prepare. As individuals and a country, we cannot achieve our goals on the basis of heedlessness. If one does not know where one is going, any road can lead one there. As a nation and as individuals, we must plan and this planning includes empowering self and others educationally, economically, socially, physically and in all ramifications.
“Three is practice, which is acting on the plan made. After praying and planning, we must act, execute what is planned or walk the talk. Without practice or action, all learning is useless; without action, all education is wasted. Purposeful action gains traction with time and such efforts create results. Without hitting a tree with a machete or firing an arrow at the palm top, you cannot open your mouth under the palm-tree and expect palm juice to drop! It requires some prior effort, nothing happens for nothing. Students should study, workers should work and everyone should act by doing something meaningful and impactful to achieve success because no pain, no gain.
“Four is patience. When action is taken, it isn’t a once-and-for-all process. It is repeated or done habitually. This is where patience comes in with its associated determination. You should not waver of falter even when you do not succeed at first. Rather, you resolve to be patient as you continue push, to work, to strive and to toil till success is achieved. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Also associated with determination are discipline and patience. With discipline, you exercise self-control and self-restraint as you keep your eyes on the ball and avoid distractions. With patience, you appreciate that success is not often achieved immediately. We don’t harvest immediately we plant. Rather, we tender the crops, patiently weed the plants, water the farm and wait for bumper harvest later. Challenges are bound to dog the path of success. With patience and determination, one overcome the hurdles and attain your goals.
“Five is persistence. The previous processes are not to be done on a once-and-for-all basis. Rather, to like a meaning life as an individual, persistence is key and prayer, planning, practice and patience have to be persistently repeated and recycled. While persistence subsists, it also gives room for reviewing each of the P’s to determine where modifications are necessary. At each point, you determine where you are coming from, where you are and where you are going to determine the need to review prayers and actions. A Turkish proverb says, “No matter how far down the wrong road you’ve gone, turn back.”