Pat Utomi, a former presidential contender, has bemoaned Nigeria’s abandonment of intellectual leadership.
Utomi said during an appearance on Arise Television that Nigeria’s issue stems from the 1999 end of military rule in the nation.
He claimed that public life has been poisoned and democracy has been hollowed out by the rejection of ideas in favor of naked force.
When asked what he had learned about Nigeria from life that he wishes he had known sooner, Utomi replied that the nation’s fight should be seen through a long historical lens.
“I was reminded of Socrates by Reverend Father George Ehusani a few days ago,” he remarked. He attempted to reassure me that I shouldn’t feel guilty if Nigeria hasn’t yet been shaped by the lessons I’ve taught for the most of my life. Although Socrates was urged to consume poison, his ideas served as the foundation for Western civilization. Therefore, in a sense, I should take solace in the thought that Nigeria might rise to greatness as a result of the ideals I shared after I am gone.
Utomi insisted that Nigeria has a special historical duty and stated that he still wanted to see development within his lifetime.
He declared, “I think Nigeria was a gift to humanity to redeem the crushed dignity of the Black man and to reverse the road to serfdom paved by colonial oppression and slavery.” “We could leave with the impression that we contributed to making Nigeria the catalyst for that redemption if we concentrate on being a generation that is redeeming.”
“People stopped appreciating ideas at one point in our history. Obafemi Awolowo was a deep philosopher while he was in his 30s and 40s. He continued, “Fela Anikulapo Kuti was one of the greatest philosophers of all time if you listen to him.”
He claimed that military control and oil revenue brought about the final break.
Utomi cautioned that power devoid of principles causes long-term damage.
