By Emeka Nwokocha

In the face of the plethora of troubles entangling our dear country, Nigeria, it is pertinently obvious that one does not need esoteric knowledge to know that the once prided image of our country is in tatters.

The signs are ominous; our country is drowning, just as her image is badly ruined before the prying eyes of the international community.

There is no beating about the bush this auspicious time, as the reasons for our country’s messy image are not far-fetched; the relics of systemic graft starkly stare us in the face.

Interestingly, for a few of us who are unrepentantly patriotic and have sworn to speak truth to fact, not minding whose ox is gored, we do not feign ignorance of our country’s ordeal. We could see a bleak future if the inherent wrongs trailing our country’s chequered democratic history are not timeously cured.

Suffice it to say that our country had unfortunately gone through a disaster kind of governance in her post-independence democratic journey, and the attendant rot in the governance system has evidently gone through phases of metastasis with devastating consequences on the economic and social wellbeing of the citizens.

Worried by the chronic corruption defining our country’s leadership system, one is constrained to ask, “Which country under the sky would still be ‘alive’ when more than 60% of its resources had been stolen, squandered, misappropriated and looted by those saddled with the responsibility of governance?

Just recently, the integrity of our country took a nosedive, occasioned by the Canadian embassy’s refusal to grant the visa application of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa and other top army chiefs.

Ideally, it is normal for patriotic Nigerians to defend and protect the integrity of their country against any ploy or attempt by foreign countries to rubbish the prided image of their great country. In that circumstance, such an affront could trigger a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the erring country. Surely, no country toys with the sanctity of her image, not at all.

In that vein, there have been a plethora of reactions from Nigerians, mostly by the institutions of government condemning the Canadian Embassy for the embarrassing treatment meted out to the CDS and other army chiefs.

Recall that the Chief of Defence Staff and his team were billed to attend an event to honour war veterans in Canada, but Canada’s Embassy bluntly turned down their request for visas.

Truth is, while it may be right to condemn the Canadian Embassy for that slight, but on a second thought, the Embassy’s decision could be reasoned as a fall out of our country’s diminishing dignity resulting from the putrefying corruption that envelopes the Nigerian governance system over the decades.

As a patriotic Nigerian, bearing the scars of bad governance that thrives on looting and plundering of public funds, l don’t think a country that was frantically described as fantastically corrupt by a UK Prime Minister, David Cameron (2020-2016), will earn much respect and honour from any decent and focused countries in the class of Canada and other progressive countries across the globe.

It is pertinent to say that while our public office holders tenaciously cleave to corruption with penchant to loot and squander our common patrimony to advance their luxury lifestyles, the international community in their resolve, keenly watches them and takes record of their callousness and corrupt tendencies, and patiently waits for an opportunity to express their disappointment over their malfeasance.
Without mincing words, that is what Canada’s government has subtly brought to play in denying the CDS and his team visas.

Recall to mind, the David Cameron’s open disgust for corrupt Nigerian leaders during his tenure as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK). It was glaring that Cameron could not ignore the festering corruption in the Nigeria governance system anymore. He courageously launched the salvo and ascribed to Nigeria the ignominious status of a fantastically corrupt nation.

One could imagine what had popped up in Cameron’s fertile mind upon his knowing that President Muhammadu Buhari was coming to London to participate in the UK anti-corruption summit that held in 2016.

Cameron, while in a conversation with the late British monarch, Queen Elizabeth, at Buckingham Palace at an event to mark her 90th birthday, which was attended by political leaders and other public figures, talked about the UK anti-corruption summit, and said, “We’ve got some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries, coming to Britain…Nigeria and Afghanistan, possibly the two most corrupt countries in the world.”

Not long, after he made the statement, media feasted on it and made a wide broadcast of the statement, thus causing President Buhari and Nigerians serious emotional torture. Though, President Buhari expressed shock at the statement but it never saved the day!

Suffice it to say that as torrents of criticisms continue to trail the Canadian Embassy’s action, the reaction of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu that, “Canada can go to hell” attracted my attention.

So, my question to Nuhu Ribadu is, “What does Canada stand to lose by your sarcastic reaction?” For me, l am of the view that the corrupt leaders of our country, whose nefarious and deplorable activities have brought us shame this time, should ‘go to hell.’

Beyond doubts, Nigeria is very much a blessed nation, to the extent that one is tempted to say that God was biased in giving Nigeria plenty of wealth. But the country’s trumpeted wealthy status has since become a paradox, as majority of Nigerians are suffering in the midst of plenty!

Let me quickly ask those who are urging the Nigerian government to reciprocate the treatment Canada has meted to our CDS and his team of top military officers. “What would Canada lose if Nigeria slams her with sanctions?”

Truth is, Canada will not feel any pinch of harm if the Nigerian government chose to reciprocate the ‘treatment’ meted to the CDS and his team.

However, should there be a diplomatic row between Nigeria and Canada over the visa denial imbroglio, Nigeria and Nigerians will lose a lot if Canada decides to roll out stringent policies against Nigerian government and its citizens.

When Canada takes that action, a multitude of our nationals seeking greener pasture in Canada as a result of a near failed state status of Nigeria, will have to bear the heavy brunt as they will be repatriated to Nigeria without wasting time.

No doubts, I understand how disappointed and surprised the Chief of Defence Staff and his team would feel about Canada government’s disdain for Nigeria. Truly, the development calls for sober reflection. But I urge them to take the embarrassment with equanimity and direct their displeasure to the corrupt politicians for ruining our country’s image and reputation before the international community.

In a nutshell, what has just played out between Canada and Nigeria is another reason for the government of Nigeria to make the country work, by shunning corruption and prudently manage the resources of the country, to grow the economy, improve the country’s infrastructure and prioritize the welfare of the citizens.

When decisive measures are firmly and purposefully taken to fix our country, it will definitely restore the good image and dignity of our country in the eyes of international community.

It is a known fact that the opportunities for our country to be great are still open. Our political leaders can save the day with the right mindset!