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Gen. Obasanjo opens NIPSS SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, GENERAL OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, HEAD OF THE FEDERAL MILITARY GOVERNMENT; COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED
FORCES AT THE OPENING OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR POLICY AND STRATEGIC STUDIES KURU ON MONDAY, 3RD SEPTEMBER 1979.
Mr. Chairman,
Members of the Supreme Military Council,
Members of the Federal and State Councils,
Your Highnesses,
Board Members of the National Institute,
Distinguished Students,
Ladies and Gentlemen
On several occasions, I have stated, as a matter of
belief and fact, that Nigeria could be a better society. I also believe that it is the duty and responsibility of the leadership to evolve a framework that can bring about such a society. In our own approach
we have identified two basic broad objective of evolving a sense of direction in our socio-economic programme and policies. At this point in time, I believe we have laid down the basic infrastructure that
could bring about a stable political order. The way and manner in which we have been conducting our national affairs up to now and since the ban on political activities was lifted, has, moreover, convinced me that
we now have a stable political foundation.
All leadership groups-potential and real- need to be constantly aware of the fact that progress in this country will only come about when we are able to continuously
identify and amicably resolve those internal political and other problems which had frustrated our efforts in the past, and which may still frustrate our efforts in the future. Thus, the energy of this
administration has been directed towards evolving such mechanisms in order to achieve a new and better political order. Our pre-occupation has been to devise political formulae in which it would be possible for
Nigerians to meet, discuss and arrive at appropriate solutions to national issues in order that our nation can march in unity and strength towards a better society. I am confident that we have now got such
mechanisms; what is presently required is a new attitude of mind among all leadership groups to sustain this new political order.
NEW POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ORDER
On socio-economic directions, I am
convinced that the meaningful development and transformation of our society can only be achieved through a self-reliant and self-sustaining economic programmes and policies. I emphasized in my Jaji speech that the
familiar political labels and"isms" cannot adequately describe our perspective in this sector. This is because our own circumstances and conditions bear either little or no resemblance to the prevailing conditions
in which such labels were evolved. Although the innate instincts and desires of man are basically the same, environment has a decisive effect on the character and outlook of a man. We must, therefore,
evolve certain principles of organising our society, based upon our own native values and ideas and nationally accepted norms and virtues. The idea of a self-reliant and self-sufficient nation is something which
must be pursued. What is required is to translate this into an organisational framework in order to realise a self-reliant economy. Such a framework must be capable of harnessing the human and material
resources of our nation in order to march forward in progress. I am confident that with meaningful economic direction coupled with stable and vibrant political order we should be able to evolve a better
society.
I have dwelt on these two dimensions of politics and socio-economics because they form the very basis of our attempts to evolve a new society. The basic values which should underpin such a society
are fair play, justice, discipline, humanness and of course, industry. These are virtues that have basis in our native African culture. They are virtues which can guarantee the happiness of the individual
and encourage him to care about and give of his best for the interest of the large society.
The inability of the past governments to effect such society has been due partly to a wrong attitude of mind. An
attitude which was conceived within a narrow socio-political framework. Consequently, they were unable to evolve national norms in which the interests of the nation are greater virtues to pursue than the narrow
and selfish interest of the individual or sections of that society. I am aware, of course, of the prevailing conditions in which past governments had operated. I am equally aware that building the new
society, whose virtues we have already identified, is not an easy task. I believe however, that we have to move ahead by providing certain mechanisms that should bring about the achievement of a new society.
It will be the responsibility of the subsequent leadership groups to sustain and improve upon our performance. To do so successfully, they would have to acquire a new attitude of mind, an attitude which is
different from the selfish and sectional interests of the past years. It must be an attitude that is totally committed to and supportive of the welfare of our society and all our people. Of course, this
presupposes that we have the relevant institutions which our leadership groups can focus their minds to bring their experiences to bear on issues of short and long term effects, which continuously face our society in
its path towards progress.
REALISATION OF NATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Within the Nigerian society today can be identified three elite groups: the intellectual, the public services, the commercial elites all
of them unintegrated, and disjointed in their approach to national issues. The contribution of the intellectual elites to our society lies not only in teaching and training of manpower and research but also
in deeper involvement in nation-building. The contributions of a great proportion of this elite in their fields have not been of much practical value in solving the problems of development facing our
nation.
The Public Service elites are those individuals who seem to monopolise power and knowledge. They tend also to enjoy the advantages of the good things of life which accrue from holding
public service positions. They are looked upon with respect not only because they had some mystique of power, but also because they were involved in the decision-making process of Government and, of course, they
are the instrument of execution of these decisions. They have contributed in some ways, to the progress, or lack of it, that has occurred in our society. Unlike the other two groups whose power derives from
their educational attainment and the subsequent positions and opportunities which education confers, the commercial elite is varied in its composition and cuts across both education and age barriers. By and large,
most of them enjoy what wealth and affluence confer on them.
In Nigeria today, all the groups are not related enough to one another in their concern about national problems; neither do they share the same concern
about the fate of our entire society. Today, these three elite groups relate, to say the least, in an atmosphere of mutual suspicion, rivalry and antagonism to the extent that the common denominator - our people and
society-in which they live-tend to be neglected. Not surprisingly therefore, these groups have been working in a vacuum and have become unnecessarily critical of each other's role. Thus, the benefit of
criticism that is an immediate improvement in past performance tends to be lost. In such an atmosphere, decisions are often arrived at without all the relevant inputs and consequently the nation, rather than any
of these groups or the individuals they consist of, tend to suffer most. It is therefore important, for the progress and peace of this nation that the three broad groups should continue to draw their strength from
the same national source and aspiration. In the performance of their various roles, the elite groups must recognise the wholeness of our society as well as direct their efforts towards better realisation of
national objectives. Nigeria rightly belongs to us all and we individually belong to Nigeria and by holding her dearly, we can pull our national resources together in order to achieve a better organised and
functioning society.
It is against this background, that we find it necessary to create permanent forum in which all our elite groups can meet in an atmosphere of mutual understanding, to consider the problems
which continousely face our society in its march of progress. In order to integrate the economy and harmonise our development, there must exist certain institutions whereby people of different shades of ideas and
individuals from different elite groups can meet and interact with each other to deliberate mainly on national issues. Such institutions should not await crisis situation, neither must we wait for natural
calamity before leadership groups can interact to apply their minds to issues which continuously face our country, our continent and the society at large. I am sure that part of the frustrations which we
have encountered has been due to the absence of an institution in which individuals, with different career experience, can meet and exchange ideas on short and long term national and international issues as they affect
the interest of our country. Even where there has been such exchanges they have been limited and of little impact on policy making. Much more importantly, such avenues have been rather adhoc and of momentary
value to national progress. I believe the time has come when we should an institution on a basis in which ideas and issues can be continuously exchanged, digested and resolved for the larger and greater
interest of the nation. If we are to continue to maintain, and indeed, make greater progress towards a better society, such an institution is imperative.
At this point, let me exemplify my conception of
this institution. Perhaps, it is easier to say what is should not be. It should neither be a university nor a military institution. Such institutions have already made their impact on our society and
as the need arises, more of them can be created. Again, interests and fields of this National Institute should be narrowly defined in those other institutions. Rather, its scope should span larger national
interest, interests which have not been adequately represented in the university, the military institution or any management training institution in the commercial sector. I have in mind an institution in which
the individual who has had and who may have an impact in the decision-making process in all sectors of our national life as well as the individual who has ideas that could continue to sustain and transform our progress
for the benefit of our people, can meet and interact to discuss problems. It is an institution which opens its facilities to those people and society fairly and justly, as well as those individuals who aspire to
high leadership roles in order that they can meet to learn from one another through exchange of ideas, and find solution in which all those who have attained positions of responsibility in all professional fields, and
on a national plane can bring their experiences and ideas to bear on all issues as they affect our ever-changing society and the well-being of Nigerians are given the opportunity to exchange ideas in an atmosphere free
from mutual distrust.
As the highest institution in our land, this National Institute should, with information input from both public and private organisations, be in a position to advise on the best policy
options in the overall interest of our nation. Again, its research goals should be action-oriented, perceptive and independent, such that it would be capable of giving reasoned opinion to the Government and the
public on short and long term issues.
A NEW WAY OF LIFE
Ladies and Gentlemen, I have continuously stated my belief in, and hope for a greater and better Nigeria which can make positive and
significant contributions to our continent and our world. I have stated that in order to create such a society we must necessarily create new economic and political structures based mainly, no doubt, on our native
values and ideas. All long, we have been motivated by this belief. Very soon it would be the responsibility of the future leadership groups to continue the task. By creating the National Institute, this
Administration has created one more venue for the various leadership groups to meet, discuss and seek resolution of issues that relate to the continuing development and transformation of our society. The objective
of such exchange of ideas would be to bring about a new and distinct way of life that can ensure happiness and contentment for all Nigerians. I share the optimism of many Nigerians that we can achieve this new
ideas, new options and new attitudes. If every student who arrives at this institute at the beginning of a course or research assignment believing in only one solution to a particular problem, or any problem for
that matter, leaves at the end convinced that there are other possible solutions to that same problem, the objective for the founding of this Institute would have been realised. Distinguished students and staff of
the National Institute, your aim throughout this course and your assignment now and thereafter must be to make Nigeria a better society.
Thank you and God bless.
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