Many people love to talk but they do not much care to listen. They like to dream but resent waking up. They are keen to bring about change but happy to leave things just as they are. We all fail to see 'the other side' of certain arguments... and processes. We all have selective memories and carefully edited ideas about what our future and the future of our country holds. We are all a little insensitive. We all sometimes say one thing and do another. We all make mistakes. With this in mind, let us look at our big issue this now. It involves a need to communicate clearly with someone or some persons we dislike or disapprove.

Let us all learn to make allowances but not make a fool of urselves.
Before we judge a person, we should first walk a mile in their shoes. We know this... but for all that, we strive to be wise and sympathetic, to show intelligence and understanding, we find it easy to take one look at someone and say 'Honestly! What a fool.’ Of course, sometimes, the assessment is appropriate. However, a little extra tolerance sometimes will help to heal many counter-productive rifts. In life, we must learn to be flexible in our dealings with others. At the same time, be determined in sticking to our own plans and beliefs. Especially, when we have already made a decision that is worth staying with. Who makes the rules? Who says whether they can be broken? Who runs this planet? Whoever it is... it is not you or I... and nor is it anyone else we know! That is a point worth keeping in mind now as we assess what is or is not possible... or permissible. Let us be aware too, that most of Nigeria’s most potentially explosive problems have, somewhere near their epicenter, a communication failure of some kind. Let us be more willing to talk and listen. Despite recent and current difficulties in our country, we could yet manage to attain a very profitable form of progress.

OUR CONFIDENCE IN THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE

Policing affects us all. We rely on the police for our safety and have increasingly high expectations of the service. Nigerian Police are expected to tackle local, national and organised crime as and when they arise. Nigerian Police (Not the UK Metropolitan Police or government) should be committed to meeting these expectations with integrity and professionalism. The federal government must make sure that the Nigerian Police salaries are paid and nothing is owed. Our government should be able to deliver the commitments through clearer and stronger arrangements by holding the Nigerian Police and other responsible agencies to account for their performance in tackling crime and ensuring community and national safety. A requirement on the Nigerian Police and other agencies to work directly with local people to identify the problems that are most important to them –
giving people real opportunities to have a say in local policing priorities AND Introduction of a new mechanism to trigger a response by the police and other responsible agencies to particular or persistent local and national problems of crime or organised crime (e.g. 419, Child trafficking and prostitution, Blackmail, Conspiracy to Defraud, Conspiracy to blackmail, murder by any means, conspiracy to commit murder etc).

A particular role within local councils for advocates to support the Nigerian public and ensure their voice is heard on community matters or safety issues. Nigerian government should be committed to the public by believing that Nigerian citizens should be and feel safer in their homes and communities. Also, the public should be clear about the level of service they can expect from their local police by understanding that the police cannot do everything themselves, but know what to do if the standard of service the public receive does not come up to scratch. The public should be treated better as victims or witnesses to crimes, and have greater confidence in the Nigerian Police. The public should also be able to have confidence in that, the Nigerian police force and other agencies are working on their behalf in keeping their communities safe and are aware of and satisfied with their overall performance in doing so. The public should also be made aware of the part they can play in keeping themselves, their families and their communities safe. Nigerians should be treated professionally, fairly, and with respect and integrity by the police and know how to complain if this is not the case, and see a police service which is truly and honestly representative of the community it serves. A sense of duty is a laudable thing. It takes a special and God-fearing person to give their all, even when they feel they have nothing left to give. However, when we go the extra mile for people we care for, a profession we cherish or a cause we support, are we truly making a futile gesture? Is the universe laughing as it watches us struggle to do the right thing? It can seem that way at times. Effort made out of a sense of sincere generosity and duty is never wasted.

BE NOT PURSE-PROUD NOR VAIN-GLORIOUS IN THE MIDST OF YOUR FORTUNE

Wisdom governs structure. If something has a framework, a border, a plan, or a clearly defined outline, it is “wisdom.” I am easily able to see the difference between substance and style, plot and padding. The facts and the basic building blocks. However, that does not mean that I am only ever interested in the practical. This is the more reason why I pray that life brings the beginning of a great adventure involving much change in the fabric and colour of our daily routine in Nigeria. In addition, for God our creator to make our beloved nation, a nation no longer deserted. Here is the greatest single problem and danger facing our country. The big challenge and threat, the gap in wealth and health that separates rich and poor. This growing divide between wealth and poverty, between opportunity
and misery, is both a challenge to our compassion and a source of
instability. We must confront it. Our leaders must do something about it.

We need seasoned, experienced, charismatic, understanding, and compassionate leaders in Nigeria. Leaders blessed with big ideas. Nigerian leaders should be able to link ideas into action and power. We need leaders who are consummate listeners and synthesizers of ideas. Nigerian leaders should be able to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of youths, earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, they must be able to find the best in others, work towards making Nigeria the most productive garden of peace and appreciate the contributions of our past leaders and heroes. Nigeria currently lack inspirational leadership, good management and politically, one of our problems is that, we always think we know so much and yet in reality we understand precious little, this unnerves me and makes me feel insecure, that I find myself unable to bear the thought that, we might be living in a world that makes no sense. Thus, we make it make sense and persuade ourselves that we can see rhyme and reason in the silliest situations. For a while, funny enough we always maintain the comforting illusion but eventually it falls apart and
such times, we grow much closer to the truth. It is very sad that the only people who know all the right answers are the ones who are asking all the wrong questions. Why can we not live our highest vision and reignite ourselves? In Nigeria, we have some people who know how to make things look good and have natural talent for positive presentation. Sometimes though, they end up using that to fool themselves! My only prayer is for God to bring a rethink, followed by a great relief.

D.AKINSANYA JULIUSON
Cultural & Public Diplomacy Practitioner and Specialist Investigator