Lessons for Nigeria from Ghana

Introduction
Relationship between Nigeria and Ghana dates back to millenia however in the last 100 years various dimensions of this relationship has presented important signposts for closer interaction of mutual benefits. Despite disparity in territorial and population size, both countries have been marked with inevitable mutual dependence. However there is reason to question how much one learns from the other and how much one ignores excellence in the other.

Events

The colonial imperialist enterprise opened up avenues for greater interaction and many Nigerians found Ghana favourable economic, cultural and political landscape before the final 'assault' on their homeland. Notable Nigerians who experienced Ghanaian hospitality include but not limited to Nnamdi Azikiwe, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Murtala Mohammed and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. 

In the bigger scheme of things their politics towards independence provided useful template for insight into contrasting lead politicians' worldviews, attitudes to geopolitics and attention to meaning of independence. To an extent Ghana took the leadership on certain issues such Pan Africanism with sustained panache. On many levels, Ghana in Kwame Nkrumah, displayed astute awareness and incredible foresight in  realistic challenges of independence for Ghana and the rest of Africa.

Comparatively, Nigeria's pre-independence leaders never appreciated the concentration of external forces working actively against their unity. Internal rivalry and primacy of regional patrimonies sedimented their myopia to confront strategic intentions of the colonial master. It was a decapitated political enterprise. No lesson was learnt from Ghana with unfolding consequences.

When military rule became the new African political evangelical, Ghana suffered numerous abuses and retrogressive governance until she finally stepped out its shadows with Mr. Jerry Rawlings trading centralised command for negotiated plural political capital. Since his departure from office, Ghana has maintained consistent attention to pluralistic political development with elections accepted as active norm without resort to illegal compromises. National governments have been voted in and out of Osu Castle with elegance of maturity and endurance of utmost confidence. Lessons are yet to be learnt in Nigeria.

Last month, Prof. John Mills, President of Ghana died in office. Ghana's politicians of different parties and affiliation rose to the challenge to plug potential power vacuum and potential infringement on national security. The machinery of politics and governance working through elected representatives, political parties and institutions invested in an immediate seamless transfer of executive powers to the erstwhile vice-president. An impressive display of political maturity and confidence of citizenship! Unfortunately there is no evidence that Nigeria will learn any lesson here.

Conclusion

In the matters raised above the proverbial 'giant' of Africa has failed miserably to rise to the challenge of maturity rather continue on the despicable path of huge retrogressive malfeasance and waste reclining in the bosom of remaining only strategic potential with no sight of violent abandonment of indignity for the dignifying garb of real excellence. In the mean time Ghana cannot be envied for taking the lead ahead of the tiny 'giant'.