How I look forward to the 2015 version of May 29! A date institutionalized in Nigeria’s democratic timelines as the renewal point of a four-year-term sovereign mandate to govern. It is tagged the Democracy Day.
Interestingly, my generation has experienced only four of this symbolic juncture. This fifth remains the highlight of all the handing over ceremonies. It is the first time Nigeria’s presidency will be changing hands from an incumbent to an opposition leader. This is a rarity in Africa. It is also happening in a year when some neo-political clairvoyant predicted Nigeria’s disintegration on the account of election dissent. Though events heading to the elections almost provided validation, the mostly peaceful exercise and the magnanimity of President Goodluck Jonathan in defeat ensured that we shamed the doomsayers.
There is no gainsaying that global attention will be on Nigeria on that symbolic day. World leaders, global media and wires, international political analysts, chief executives of multinational companies and foreign investors will prioritize paying full attention to goings-on in Nigeria on that day.
It will be our moment of glory under sun. The handlers of the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB), must seize the moment for its public relations value. I have enumerated my thoughts on how the day could be leveraged to showcase Nigeria to the world as Africa’s leading democracy and the most desirable business destination:
Create an ambience at the venue that depicts world-class
The global audience watching the inauguration can only view Nigeria and may sum up their perception about the country from the images that are projected from the venue. It is therefore critical to create the right ambience at the venue of the ceremony. World-class decor, lightings and props would help portray the country’s creativity and capacity for seamless organisation.
I expect an inexpensive but first-class event management. The event manager should make bold deviation such as securing a leading Nigerian artiste of global standing to recite the Nigerian anthem rather than a jejune police band. I will like to see children play symbolic roles. Let us see the Nigerian creative culture expressed through fashion.
A speech that clearly signposts policy direction
The hallmark of a presidential inauguration is the post swearing-in speech. The audience will rummage for policy statements in alignment with individual inclinations. I expect GMB to go beyond the one-minute silence for the victims of election violence to palliative compensation.
I expect the new president to make a definite pronouncement on prosecuting proponents and perpetrators of electoral crimes. Most importantly, I expect to hear our historic president give a strong hint on a more robust electioneering reform.
The antecedent and posturing of GMB on corruption is well-known. We liked it when he said he would ‘give corruption a bloody nose’. This is the time for intimation on practical steps. It would effectuate goodwill if His Excellency tells the world which institutions he would target for enterprise process review and financial probe. Would it be the NNPC, Customs, Police, Military, Immigration Services, Aviation or the Nigerian Ports Authority? What would become of the once-dreaded EFFC? The world would be yearning to know the plans of the government in this critical direction.
One of the many criticisms of the out-going government will be the poor handling of foreign and diplomatic issues. The cases of Morocco and South Africa come to mind. Nigerians and their businesses are being singled out for recrimination and attacks in other African countries. The president-elect needs to put the word out there that his government would place the interest of a Nigerian above any other stakes in diplomatic dealings. I expect this stance to evoke national pride whilst eliciting respect for Nigerians living abroad. However, the government must emphasize peaceful and lawful coexistence with other nationals at home and overseas.
A show of force to demonstrate sovereign might
The impact of Boko Haram’s devastating hostilities in the northeast of Nigeria has seriously dented the country’s reputation as a regional power. These dreaded rag-tag insurgents not only held their own against Nigeria’s well-drilled army, they even captured parts of the country’s territories. Though now liberated with the help of neighbouring national armies, suffice it to say that the Nigerian Army’s reputation as one of Africa’s most potent fighting forces has been tainted. The new government needs to restore that national image. I believe there is no better stage than the inauguration to exhibit our lethal military hardware, aerial combat capabilities and smart fighting effectives through a spectacular military parade. This should act as deterrent to Boko Haram’s affiliated ISIS terrorists, whose African base in Libya is just 3,887 km to Boko Haram’s enclave in Nigeria. That is just twice the distance from Lagos to Maiduguri. It also signals to the global investors that the new government will prioritize security, a critical factor in foreign direct investment decision.
In conclusion, I look forward to a masterpiece event that within a reasonable budget can leverage international attention to market the Nigeria brand to all and sundry.
Odion Aleobua
