A communication specialist and youth advocate, Seun Awogbenle has launched a new book entitled “The Urgency of Now: Why Nigeria Needs A vision of Prosperity, Protection and Liberty.”
The book, which foreword was written by The Founder/CEO of Cable Newspapers, Simon Kolawole, has 10 chapters that harped on the imperative of visioning, leadership, youth participation and active citizenship.
Kolawole described the book as a very important book, seeking to infuse vision, passion, and common sense into the quest for Nigeria’s greatness.
In a statement released in Lagos by the author Seun Awogbenle, he disclosed that he decided to write the book after years of introspection on how he thinks Nigeria can pull back from the brinks. He said in the face of the present uncertainty and endless agitations of secession, he is convinced that what Nigeria needs is a Vision, not secession or division.
He said, “In the book, I have taken a philosophical approach at reimagining Nigeria and its future. I argued that Nigeria has struggled with development over the years because of the absence of a binding national vision, which is the minimal and irreducible promise of country to its people regardless of their identity, creed, ethnicity, circumstance of birth and social status. For some countries, the vision was the result of a well-thought-out decision, for others it was circumstantial, but at some point in their evolution, there were either defining words of promise or events that have shaped the evolution and progression of most nation.”
The author added that he is convinced that Nigeria can reinvent itself if the country can agree on a common vision for every of its citizen, noting that the promise will form the basis for patriotism and nationalism.
“I have proposed three planks (prosperity, protection, and liberty). I believe that for Nigerians to have a connection with the country, beyond their certificate of birth, ancestry and origin, there must be a state promise that guarantees citizens prosperity, protection, and liberty,” he said.
The book goes further to locate a youth agenda, by putting a strong argument for young people to lead Nigeria’s new vision.
Awogbenle added that the book, most importantly, put the work of change in the hands of the people, noting that history has demonstrated over again that to change your own situation you must take responsibility. To therefore fix Nigeria, the people themselves who are mostly affected by the consequence of leadership and government action must take ownership, responsibility and lead the frontiers of change.
The Informant247 News Nigeria