A future without oil

“Some countries are so poor, all they have is oil” – Gbenga Adebambo
“The best way to predict the future is to design it” – Abraham Lincoln

WE need to plan for a future without oil. If there is anything that will bring this nation to its doom, it is not negative prophecies or external influence; it is going to be our overly dependent attitude on oil! All the negative prophecies, threats, external manipulations are not enough to break this nation, the only thing that might eventually break-up Nigeria is our attitude to the Nigerian oil.

Life is full of phases but it is very hard for Nigerians to acknowledge that the era of oil is gone! If Nigeria will eventually become extinct (God Forbid), it will definitely be our overly dependent attitude on oil. The easiest way to make something extinct is to make what they depend on to be extinct. Oil is becoming an extinct commodity. I pray that our great nation will not become extinct with it. The oil fortune is gradually turning to a misfortune! Our dependency on oil had killed a lot of novel initiatives and ideas; it has relegated Agriculture to the background. It has brought unimaginable corruption. Till today, the 20 billion dollars oil fund that is missing hasn’t been accounted for!

Our economy is oil dependent, oil accounts for over 80 per cent of government revenue. In most Arab countries; the oil has been used as a source of development but the prevalent level of corruption in Nigeria has become an Anathema to the “black gold.” We need leaders that can see beyond the ‘mirage’ of oil! We need leaders that can prepare and take this nation to a future without oil. We need leaders that will provide a platform for diversification of the economy.

The oil fortune is gradually turning to a misfortune! Our dependency on oil had killed a lot of novel initiatives and ideas; it has relegated Agriculture to the background. It has brought unimaginable corruption. Till today, the 20 billion dollars oil fund that is missing hasn’t been accounted for!

One of the most astounding stories of national revolution happened in Switzerland in the 16th Century -Switzerland is known for its extra-ordinary banking activities; a country that is devoid of mineral resources, what Switzerland lacks in resources, they have it in ‘preparation.’ Switzerland has become synonymous with sophisticated and discreet banking services.

The emergence of Switzerland as a power house for banking activities started with a great reformer called John Calvin, born on July 10, 1509. Calvin prepared Switzerland for the position they have come to occupy today as the bank of the whole world! Despite a dearth of natural resources, Switzerland is one of the world’s most advanced and prosperous nations; a position that came not by coincidence but through adequate preparation. Calvin pioneered the granting of loans with interest – albeit tied to high moral standards, he created a strict system of discipline and enforced it unremittingly. He also worked to separate the church from politics in an attempt to return to purity within religion.

It is often said that banking confidentiality and secrecy has its root in Calvinism. Switzerland uniquely chose and prepared their banking sector as their primary focus and made the best of it, Swiss banks have enjoyed the reputation for quality, reliability, private banking and stability. When every other economy focused on depleting their mineral resources to boost their economy; Switzerland focused and prepared just for one thing – banking – and it has brought it fame and glory. The Swiss economy has proved to us that it doesn’t matter what you lack if you don’t lack preparation.

Our economy is oil dependent, oil accounts for over 80 per cent of government revenue. In most Arab countries; the oil has been used as a source of development but the prevalent level of corruption in Nigeria has become an Anathema to the “black gold.” We need leaders that can see beyond the ‘mirage’ of oil! We need leaders that can prepare and take this nation to a future without oil. We need leaders that will provide a platform for diversification of the economy.

The only thing that will keep Nigeria together is for all of us (from the North to the South and from the East to the West) to design a future where the control of oil on the affairs of this nation will become negligible and irrelevant.
Welcome to the dawn of a New Nigeria. A Nigeria without oil! Let us debunk the elitist myth that Nigeria cannot exist without oil. Is there anybody that will love to join this great movement? Nigerians deserve a future that is more than oil! Let us rise up and show the world that we are capable of more.

• Gbenga is Editor-in-chief of Maximum Impact magazine and dean of Schools at Educational Advancement Centre, Ibadan. 45, Awolowo Avenue, Bodija, Ibadan.+2348053139316, gentletouch927@yahoo.com