Professor Pat Utomi |
Even though
I am a scholar and practitioner of psychology especially as it relates to
issues of objectivity and life, I choose to follow the media accounts which
have abounded with rumours about you being a ministerial nominee in President Muhammadu
Buhari’s administration.
I
wholeheartedly want to believe this rumour; actually, I do believe this rumour
whether or not these reports turn out to real or unreal. From the point of
rumour psychology, many of us, I especially, want this particular rumour to
play out itself in the truest sense of spreading into our social consciousness
and implanting itself into our national mindset.
Let this
rumour attract godly attention, evoke democratic emotion, incite nationwide
spirit, affect attitudes and actions of the powers that be, and let it gain
transmission in a true psychological and political sense for one reason
only—Pat is now one of our ministers! I still
remember that while addressing a town hall meeting of Nigerians in Miami in
2006 as a presidential candidate, you called on us to return home just like you
did some years ago.
Pat, it was as if you knew this day and time would come with regard to the Buhari Presidency, and, in a visionary mode, issued a Nigerian challenge, asking us to come home with our knowledge, experience and capabilities. Sir, I for one did physically, at least for a while, and in many other ways I am on my way home currently.
Professor,
you remind me of President Barack Obama who, in his inaugural address on the
20th of January 2009, informed Americans and the world that, “The time has come to set aside childish things. The time has
come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry
forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to
generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all
deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”
I also
remember being told of your interactive TV session in London as a presidential
candidate when you stated that next Nigerian President must be a man of
character; competent, committed and compassionate.
Well, you
said these words then, and now your words have come true as the Nigerian people
everywhere believe President Buhari fits your characterisation of a man who
will use the power of the Presidency oiled with commitment and compassion to
bring positive and lasting changes to our nation which, in the due course of
time, will result in joy and happiness, not for just a few people, but for all
people, followed by confidence and security. Sir, I am one of those, as
evidenced by my works and writings on Nigerian matters of policy development,
the people and leadership.
It was not
long ago that you commented on the shameless attitude of some of Nigeria’s
political leaders, and noted that future political leaders could gain from
psychiatric or psychological clearance, the very same issue I raised in some of
my recent published writings, i.e. “Peter
Ayodele Fayose reserves the right to lie about himself but not to the Nigerian
children” and “Let potential
ministers in Nigeria take psychological tests.”
Sir, like
you, as a writer and believer in the psychology of public policy, I am all
about reorientation of our political, social and economic environment using
common sense, governance values and practices to improve the quality of life
for the people and institutions in our country.
I am
passionate about self-sacrifice, national commitment and total service to the
people, having written over 100 articles in the last 20 months pertaining to
Nigeria where I visit often for academic work and training. In one article, I
recently called on the President to continue to practice what I called part of
the “Buhari Doctrine”
Sir, I see
you as a man whose work and deeds have generally represented authentic presence,
basic goodness and commitment to good governance; so let that rumour of
ministerial appointment come true now, as I sincerely want to work with you for
little or no remuneration on behalf of my native home—Nigeria. (punch)
Dr. John Oshodi is a
Florida-based Forensic/Clinical Psychologist, a specialist in
Prison/Police/Social Security matters and a former Secretary-General of the
Nigeria Psychological Association.
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