The Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe, has issued a stern warning to Nigeria’s political class about the damaging effects of corruption, likening it to “milking the country dry.” The monarch expressed grave concerns about the future of Nigeria, cautioning that if the current trend of self-serving leadership continues, the country may face a collapse. His comments were made during a public presentation of the book Bold Leap, authored by Senator Chris Anyanwu, in Abuja on Monday.
Achebe, one of Nigeria’s most respected traditional rulers, urged the political class to put the country’s interests first, rather than pursuing personal gain. He emphasized that this mindset shift is essential for the nation’s survival and progress. “We must place Nigeria above everything else,” Achebe declared, warning that the failure to do so could have dire consequences for the country.
The Obi’s comments were particularly pointed, as he compared Nigeria’s current situation to a cow being over-milked. “Should we continue milking the cow, it will die,” Achebe said, underscoring the unsustainable nature of the current state of affairs. He noted that since Nigeria’s independence, there has been endless talk about reform and improvement, but little action has been taken to address the root causes of corruption and mismanagement.
Achebe went on to reflect on the dangers of sectional and personal interests dominating public service. “In this country, since independence, we’ve been talking and talking and talking and talking and talking,” Achebe lamented. He pointed out that many people who enter public office do so not to serve the public, but to further their own interests. This, he argued, has created a political system that fails to prioritize the country’s welfare.
The monarch emphasized that Nigeria is at a crossroads and has two possible futures. “We have two alternatives,” Achebe stated, laying out the stark choices facing the country. “Either we keep doing that and milk the cow to death, or we do the opposite and place Nigeria above everything else,” he said, urging the political leadership to choose the path of national interest over personal and sectional agendas.
In his closing statements, Achebe reiterated the urgency of the situation. He urged Nigeria’s leaders to act before it is too late, stressing that the future of the nation depends on their willingness to prioritize the greater good over individual or group interests. His message resonated strongly with many in attendance, as the public presentation of Bold Leap served as a platform to highlight the pressing issues facing Nigeria today.
