In every nation, both ancient and modern, there is always a known or an unknown ‘’worrier. The word ‘worrier’ is my own creation. It sounds close to the word warrior which we all know and which means something else entirely from worrirr which is derived from the common word called worry. To worry about something is to be excessively concerned about something which means a lot to you.
‘The chief worrier’ of a nation is, therefore, a citizen not usually by adoption but necessarily by birth. And because of the nature of his birth , he is one who worries more than many other citizens about the state or fate of his or her nation. He is, in most cases, not formally appointed into a particular office. But in case he is, such as may be an opposition leader such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo whom we shall mention in the course of this article, he is not formally designated Chief Worrior of the Federation and by implication tasked to expend his time worrying, sorrowing and lamenting about how things are deteriorating from good to bad and bad to worse in the federation.
He is just some one who by virtue of his own citizenship, education, self -belief or self-motivation is naturally or divinely inclined to feel more intensively conscious or concerned about the affairs of his nation. He is one who seems to pray daily that no harm or misfortune should come upon his nation. Rather, he wishes his country should prosper and become the most prominent among the nations of the earth.
In Ancient Rome there was one such man. His name was Senator Cato the Elder who famously said ‘’Carthage must be destroyed’’ (Carthago delenda est or Cetererumcenseo). In primary school we were taught that his daily warning in every senate speech was that line to the leaders and ordinary citizens of Rome that they must be conscious of the rising profile of an African power called Carthage. He kept singing it into the ears of all that if they were not careful Rome shall be destroyed by Carthage. He sang this war song until the day Carthage was eventually destroyed.
The whole work schedule of the Chief Worrier of the Federation of any nation is worked out by himself and for himself. if the ship of state is not sailing well, when the ordinary people of the nation are not faring well, when the vital institutions of the state are not working well in harmony with one another, the chief worrier will sound the alarm bell.
Is there such a person for this country right now? If there is one, where is he right now? Is he comfortable with the state of affairs of the nation right now?
Does he want this nation to collapse on his head? Nigeria right now looks to me like a car which is still on the road but its engine looks like it will knock any moment from now. Is there anyone observing that? Is no one alarmed about the knocking sound of our national engine?
Awo was a well known opposition leader in Nigeria. He was not commanding a military force but every president both military, civilian or whatever feared Awo. Whatever you were doing in Dodan Barracks or the Presidential Villa you were aware that if you did not plan your policy well, it is likely not to succeed and that Awo will notice and not keep quiet about it. it. That he will take up his pen dissect your policy or plan. He will not keep quiet about his usually well researched findings. That he will type it, call a world press conference, tear your policy or plan to shreds. He will lampoon you and point out a better alternative plan of action. You yourself will read what he has said about your own plan or intended course of action and agree with the force of his logic. You will agree with yourself that that you are wrong and that Awo is right.
Unfortunately, since Awo’s demise in 1987 others such as Gani Fawehinmi came unto the scene, acted briefly and not quite effectively as Awo and went the way of all men. Since then the role of the chief conscience of this nation has been sorely missed. Tell me, in your opinion, who can now be held as the chief worrior of the Nigerian Federation? Is there anyone, man or woman, who fits this description?
Is there anyone at all who is worrying about mother Nigeria today? Is that person worried about the performance of our elected politicians at the various levels of governance in our nation? Can he give kudos to the politicians, the civil service, the judiciary or any other set of public servants?
Is he happy with the police, the army or any other set of public servants in uniform or out of it? If he is not, why is he or she not talking?
