THE major constraint Nigeria has as a nation is not how to find solutions to her political, economic and social problems but her leaders having the will to act decisively in applying solutions to our problems when found.  A scholarly assessment of the various pronouncements and published opinions in the dailies and debates by well informed citizens shows that Nigeria does not lack the intellectuals who can formulate public policies that can bail us from the woods.  What we really lack is the will to apply well found solutions to our national problems.  Our leaders know what is good for the country but the will to act is where they are found wanting.  Here is an example well known to many people.
Corruption is killing our country.  The Federal Government, therefore, thought it wise to stamp it out from our land by establishing EFCC and ICPC as the watch-dogs. As reported, EFCC launched its information gathering arm- Anti-Corruption Revolution Campaign (ANCOR) - in Abuja on December 10, 2008 declaring, "The thrust of the anti-corruption revolution is to encourage the prevention of corruption as well as facilitate its detection and investigation by encouraging Nigerians to become watchmen against corrupt leaders and citizens…Under this new phase, Nigerians are being encouraged to say something about anything they see." 
Many commentators agreed that this is a well drafted mission statement-to encourage all no matter their positions in the society to divulge helpful information to EFCC in its fight against corruption. Yet others say that the statement is nebulous.  Their grouse is with how the objective of ANCOR will be achieved when the legal instrument for achieving it, that is, Passage of the Information Bill into law is still kept in the coolers of the National Assembly.  People are asking why the bill is frightening to the legislators.  Are they afraid of enacting a legislation that will become a boomerang to them?  In other words, are they sacrificing national interest on the altar of self-interest? This is where the will to act is lacking and it invariably affects negatively, the effective and efficient performance of ANCOR.  Much is not being heard of it since it was launched.
The creation of EFCC by the Obasanjo administration, many believed, barring any ulterior motive was good but now, the inability of the National Assembly to pass the Information Bill into law surreptitiously undermines information gathering by ANCOR for EFCC operation. 
Some Nigerians have wondered how they will be protected if they open their mouths or write to give information on corrupt practices by any one where there is no law protecting them to the hilt.  They point to the present travails of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the erstwhile Chairman of EFCC who risked his life to bring to book, alleged corrupt citizens in governments and business.  He was at last demoted instead of being given national merit awards. 
Granted Ribadu allowed himself to confirm the dictum, "Power corrupts.  Absolute power corrupts absolutely", while he was the boss of EFCC with Chief Obasanjo's backing, the fact that he was daring in office, which improved our nation's rating on the Corruption Index as compiled by Transparency International and the strong support the US, the acclaimed policeman of the world gave to us, many pointed out, would have saved Ribadu from being declared a fugitive.  His travails are said to be the discouraging signals for any Nigerian who is willing to give information on any corrupt citizen.
The corrupt Nigerians, few in number compared to our large population, are not ghosts.  They are beings with flesh and blood.  They live in our neighbourhoods, work in the same offices and do businesses and contracts with the honest Nigerians.  Let the debate on the passage of the Information Bill go on, many citizens advise, in order to give more sharp teeth to EFCC through ANCOR.  It is such an important duty that our national legislators must have to perform, if their case will not be that of knowing the truth and shying away from it.  They should have the will to act decisively.
jethrojoconsult@yahoo.com