TURN In Turning Nigeria

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The President of (TURN) Transforming, Uplifting and Reforming Nigeria, Dr. Dele Ogunremi visited Hungary in October from his base in Ottawa Canada. I had the opportunity to meet with him in his hotel over dinner. He discussed his passion for TURN which he believes is necessary to heal Nigeria from its crippling situation.

I usually have my reservations about organizations or movements claiming to fight for Nigeria and Nigerians. Yet I accepted Dr. Ogunremi's invitation without reservation. And that seems to be one of my contradictions about my country – Nigeria. In one breathe I like GOWON and in another moment I prefer OJUKWU.

For those who may not know what GOWON and OJUKWU means in this context, I shall briefly explain. The former was the Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during the civil war that lasted three years from 1967-70. His name is Yakubu Gowon and his surname was coined to mean GO ON WITH ONE NIGERIA.  The latter was the one who led the Republic of Biafra which tried unsuccessfully to break away from Nigeria. His name is Dim Ojukwu – synonymous to BREAK NIGERIA.   

GOWON or OJUKWU? This is one thing I have not been able to rattle through. Those who have been able to take a position over Nigeria do not know how lucky they are...

Sorry for the digression o jare.....

And so it would have been unprofessional, even unethical to reject TURN or its president's invitation to meet with me, just because of my growing scepticism about similar people and their organizations. My doubts actually stems from the fact that most of those claiming to have the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians at heart often do so for self-interest. Of course I know that every action is motivated by gain, but I detest hypocrisy...
I think I would have missed a lot had I allowed my sentiments to cloud my meeting with TURN president. Unless he has mastered the art of fooling people, Ogunremi did not appear to me as someone seeking self-publicity. He was articulate but not aggressive as he put across the objectives and aims of TURN. 

I noticed that unlike me, he has taken a position on Nigeria. He believes Nigeria's population, geographical location and wealth is an advantage to becoming a potential great nation – hence TURN. He would like Nigerians to overcome the accident of history and move forward. He seemed worried that Nigerian politicians are not in anyway accountable to the people.

As TURN president, he always wants Nigeria transformed, uplifted, reformed. The acronym no doubt fits Nigeria. The country and its people must alter in form, appearance, or nature; the country and its people must have high spirits and fill with optimism; the country and its people must be ready for self-improvement in behaviour or morals by abandoning some vice.

TURN In Turning Nigeria