THE constant closures of academic institutions over the last several decades, through arbitrary actions on the side of government as well as of students and academic unions incessantly going on strike, has not helped the situation any. Permanent institutional constructs must be put in place to overcome this endemic dislocation of the academic system.

Ironically, and perhaps a bit cynically, the plethora of private primary and secondary schools that have emerged in the wake of this institutional decline, schools whose fees are well beyond the reach of all but the most privileged, may be contributing to the neglect of public schools that once were the top of the line.

The ability of smart children from anywhere, even isolated villages, to enter fine educational institutions to acquire excellent knowledge and skills is how Nigeria created so many well-educated people and enabled the genuine social, regional and class integration and legitimate upward mobility that formed the social infrastructure for building one nation, one people and fuelled the great strides we made in the early decades of our independence.

Worse than the condition of the academic institutions, and perhaps a collateral result of the same, the sight of university graduates, even young people with postgraduate degrees, being unemployed and unable to find work, is awful and constitutes a socio-economic disaster in the making.

This has begun to serve as a disincentive to young people to seek to go  to college because some do not see the point of doing so. The result of this is also  the unmitigated push for all unemployed people to go into business for themselves. This universal entrepreneurship policy which is just frankly an escape mechanism from having to seriously address the massive unemployment challenge, is fraught with tremendous dangers and potential for massive disappointment.

The rapidity with which a crude and dangerous social stratification is taking place in Nigeria is frightening. The frenetic effort to create an artificial upper class with the heady acquisition of all the accoutrements that mimic wealth and power, and the well-advanced frantic competition for who will own the biggest marble mausoleum, while seemingly exciting, is patently reckless, especially in the face of so much deprivation by even those who by education and training should be part of a healthy middle class, not amongst the poor.

Limitless opulence in the face of abject poverty is a trusted recipe for anger, violence, social unrest and often spontaneous violence. Trying to distinguish yours as the rich family in a community or society in which all others of common or similar upbringing, education and competence remain dislocated, especially when the path to such wealth is unclear and questionable, only breeds the sort of resentment and hostility that leads to organised kidnappings, protests, social unrest, and possibly worse.

This cautionary observation is not intended as a criticism of legitimate wealth or of the right to enjoy the benefits of well-earned riches. It is about social responsibility, good judgment and an understanding of, and commitment to, the critical importance of building and sustaining a wholesome society in which the dreams of most are achievable, the basic needs of all are met, and equity and fairness prevail,  advancing peace, security, stability and common purpose.

Wealth is a difficult asset to enjoy in an atmosphere of widespread anger, hostility and instability. History is very clear and instructive on the risk and consequences of such a social scenario. On the other hand, when most people are reasonably well situated and able to pursue their dreams, few really care who has extraordinary wealth. All are able to live together, enjoy each other’s good fortune, look out for each other and wish each other well.

The state and quality of Nigerian politics and the style and conduct of its practitioners have come to be the single most common subject of Nigerian public discourse. Unfortunately, the public opinion is that a good deal of it has been below par, some of it rather disturbing and disconcerting, and a not insignificant portion of it outright reckless and dangerous.

The political profligacy that has reared its head in some manner or the other at most branches and levels of governance, executive, legislative and judiciary, federal, state and local, has given politics a very bad name and undermined the good work of many who serve with seriousness and dedication. It has also complicated the serious business of managing the safety, security, peace and development of society and the people who belong in it.

It goes without saying that unless we restore prestige and respect to the institution of governance and the role (not profession) of politics, Nigeria and Nigerians risk the consolidation of an even wider gap between government and the people, and the disinclination of the more competent and more desirable to engage in public political service.

Such a gap, which will deepen rather than reduce the public distrust that threatens to become endemic, will be unfortunate as it will deprive our country of the enthusiastic engagement of the best of us and indeed most of the people in the design and prosecution of national ideals and objectives, and the common good of the nation and the people.

Fortunately, there are encouraging signs of the beginning of soberness in the political arena. This  appears to be a product of the combination of a restored urgency and firmness in the public voice, the growing return of the independence of the judiciary, the stridency in public advocacy in matters of civil rights and constitutionality, the growing seriousness in the legislature and the almost unplanned reduction in the erstwhile seemingly almighty power and influence of a small group of political leaders.

The growing disempowerment of what has been more or less a cabal is thanks in part to the growing rivalry between them, and the devolution of effective political power from the centre to the state. All of these together raise the hope that the people may be poised to regain their authority over their own  governance if they consolidate these early gains and strive relentlessly to retake the grounds they lost to politicians, both military and civilian, over these many years.

Having a good number of publicly acclaimed heroes, elder statesmen and champions to emulate is an important component of national aspiration and self-actualisation.

Men, women and sometimes even young people who by their intellect, talent, excellence, or exemplary ideas, conduct, actions and performance represent the ideal of what the people genuinely aspire to become provides he people, especially the young, and society-at-Iarge, a model against which they craft their own dreams and pursuits.

They serve as an inspiration for the people and a source of strength, resilience and fortitude when the struggle to excel becomes rather difficult, as it of necessity does ever so often. Such heroes and models need not necessarily be political figures.

Mr. O Joseph OKPAKU is President, Telecom Africa Inter. Corp., New York, USA.