ince Nigeria obtained its 'Independence' from the British Colonial administration, Nigerians have been very unsatisfied with their leaders' performances. The founder fathers of Nigeria inherited several nations, the Kanuris, Fulanis, Hausas, Igbos, Yorubas, Ijaws under the umbrella of Nigeria. Since then it has been very challenging to any Nigerian Leader that emerged to Captain the Ship.

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Dr. Nnamidi Azikwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Mike Okpara, among others worked relentlessly to keep the spongy Nigeria together. The unsatisfactory performances of the civilian administration heralded the Military intrusion into the affairs of the spongy nation called Nigeria. Aguiyi Ironsi's experiment on the Unitary Government did not make it. Yakubu Gowon walked Nigeria through the Civil War with 'Go On With One Nigeria'. Murtala Mohammed Civil Service reforms met with deadlock and claimed his life. Olusegun Obasanjo succeeded Murtala Mohammed and relinquished power to the Civilian administration of Shehu Shagari.

A highly respected humble Shehu Shagari struggled with the transition from Military to the experimented Civilian Presidential system of government was met with another Military interference. A well disciplined incorruptible Mohammed Buhari and his second in command, Babatunde Idiagbon, came with its 'War Against Indiscipline'. The division among various Nigeria 'nations' continued to show its ugly head and Ibrahim Babangida craftily took over power from Mohammed Buhari.

For one thing Ibrahim Babangida conducted one of the best elections in Africa for a transition to a true civilian administration. Unfortunately that stigma on Nigerian leadership surfaced again with the annulment of the election and Ibrahim Babangida stepped aside for Earnest Shonekan as an interim President.

The vicious circle brought in Abacha. Oh my goodness, I forgot his first name. His dream to be Nigeria President for life was cut short by the message from God that brought in Abdulsalam. In his wisdom Abdulsalam felt that it was time for the Military to go back to its Constitutional responsibilities and he handed over to a supposedly elected President in person of Olusegun Obasanjo. God spared Obasanjo's life for a second chance to manage the affairs.

Each of the past Nigerian leaders did 'something' in their respective administrations. I would imagine that some of Nigerians leaders are genuinely concerned about the affairs of the country. Possibly, the weak connecting valves with Nigeria nations prevented them from moving forward, because, most Nigerians could be as bad as they made their leaders to be. In 1999 when Obasanjo came on board for the second time, Nigerians were in a hurry and would not tolerate poor governance any longer. Nigerians could blame bad leaders, JUST FOR ONCE; they should see some goodness in some of them.

The irony of life, to some Nigerian leaders, is for you to find out that your efforts to make life better for humanities is always met with some strange unpalatable comments, reactions, innuendos, and name calling. JUST FOR ONCE, some affluent Nigerians should start thinking of what their life would be like if, and what they cherish vanished at the twinkle of an eye.

Looking back at the History of Nigeria it has been about CORRUPTION, as an incurable cancer in the Nigerian society that has plagued her to be on the top ten lists of the most corrupt nations of the world. Since the time of independence Nigeria civil services have been marred with corruption getting worse at each administration.

The Nigeria Military coups were staged to fight corruption. Regrettably for Nigeria, Corruption was highly promoted by the Military. Regardless what people might say about Obasanjo; despotic ruler, crooked leader, vindictive person, that man has laid the foundation for a better Nigeria.

While struggling within himself Obasanjo has no choice but to use some unorthodox policies to manage Nigeria affairs, especially the fight against corruption. Obasanjo is a Military man to the core. Rule of law, babu! However, he did what he did because it was necessary. He could be too harsh in some areas.

The immoral practices in the Civil services, the corrupt government aides, advisers, officials, hiding public funds away in their private accounts, inflating contracts, bribes taking among government agencies were those vices that Obasanjo dealt with while in office. These are some of the teething problems Obasanjo faced in fighting corruption in Nigeria. Obasanjo is human. Either we like it or not, Nigerians mindset has to change for good, especially in fighting corruption in Nigeria and beyond. How could some Nigerians be protesting, or going half-naked, against the arrest of an ex-Governor who allegedly stole public money?

Nigerians would not have expected a better approach on how Obasanjo would manage the affairs of the country. For God sake, here is a man that wanted to be a roadside mechanic, and was lucky to find himself in the Nigerian Army, trained as an engineer, possibly to construct roads and bridges. The only training and orientation this man was comfortable with was MILITARY. Some Nigerians would say that is no excuse.

Let us look at the environment that Obasanjo found himself. The challenge in Nigeria was very enormous when he assumed the leadership in 1999. School buildings crumbled, health services were dysfunctional, roads became death traps for the country, domestic Air transportation was almost non-existence, Nigerian Airways was liquidated, Nigeria Railway services were abandoned, the power supply became epileptic and gave birth to pollution from generators, Industries folded up, University Education witnessed more strikes than lectures, Government employees were not paid regularly, students engaged in all sorts of immoral activities to obtain their degrees. Nigeria became a mockery of the entire world, and a country where nothing ever worked.

The 'Evil Genius' could not make positive in-road in correcting the societal ills. Believe it or not Obasanjo has worked to put Nigeria back on the world map. Whatever is happening today (2007) in Nigeria and even for the years to come, it would be as a result of what Obasanjo's administration put in place. JUST FOR ONCE he deserves some appreciation, especially in laying the foundation for fighting corruption in Nigeria.

The saying that a prophet is never appreciated in his home town might fit in for Obasanjo's kin and kith that REFUSED to appreciate him, JUST FOR ONCE. Possibly what likes of Obasanjo in that part of Nigeria should do, is to look straight to God, do what they can do, with the fear of God in mind, and leave the rest to prosperity.

This is what Yakubu Gowon said on corruption, at Yakubu Danjuma's 70th birthday party, December 5, 2007.

"�There was problem of corruption, indiscipline, et cetera, not only in the Army but across the civil society. I tried to do it throughout the country, both in the Civil Service as well as in the Military. But there was so much opposition to it from all quarters, especially the Senior Officers and also some of the civilian authorities. The only way I could do it was to discuss it with Col. Danjuma, who was the 3rd Marine Commando. I said, look, with this problem, if we cannot do it national wide, let us do it within the Military and your Division. If we are able to do it within your Division we can expand it to the rest of the country."

Yakubu Gowon administration was aware of the teething corruption problem that faced his administration, but it was too much for him to tackle. He realized the challenge within the Military, he could not do it. If as a military man, who could not be challenged on his policies, and was not ready for his life to be wasted for stepping on toes, and he abandoned the fight against corruption, how come Nigerians could not, JUST FOR ONCE, appreciate Obasanjo for taking the bull by the horn on the fight against corruption?

Obasanjo stepped on many toes, and not just ordinary toes, BIG and very HUGE toes in Nigeria, domestically and internationally with the revelations from the Siemens bribery scandal, the 2006 Mambila Hydro Electric N850 billion project fraud involving a German firm, Lahmeyer International. Obasanjo stepped on the toes of those that controlled power and Nigerian economy just to minimize corruption in Nigeria.

No human being should be surprised at any negative comments on Obasanjo for fighting corruption in Nigeria, which has become a way of life in Nigeria. Ironically those that might be talking against him were those that were involved in some shady deals and his reforms hit them real hard. He sacrificed his life, because he could have been killed for daring to do that, like an attempt was made on Professor Akunyili's life for fighting fake Drug Dealers in Nigeria.

I hope it won't come to the point when everyone would say, 'Hum, that good Nigerian leader Nigerians never appreciated'; like some Nigerians cried when Chief Obafemi Awolowo died, 'the Nigerian President the Country never had'. I doubt if any leader want to die like a General with no gun salutes, no ceremonies at his grave side. Teachers' rewards are right here on earth and no longer in heaven.

Obasanjo might be rough, crude, with his radical approaches in the transition from adulterated Military administration to a diluted Military administration. He admitted his mistakes especially on Nigeria roads and the epileptic power supply. He may not be perfect. Where are "Mr. Perfect" and Saint today? Nigerians should comprehend some merits in some of Obasanjo's reform policies. Obasanjo would not and could not solve Nigeria mega problems within those eight years, even if he were given the mandate for another four years. History would possibly judge Obasanjo.

Obasanjo and Yar'Adua are two separate remote personalities when it comes to combating corruption. Obasanjo may be too raucous about it, while Yar'Adua could be walking like that dangerous reptile. All the same, Obasanjo started real war on corruption. There are always some bad eggs in any set up. Yar'Adua has declared his assets now; all eyes would be on his assets after four or eight years in office if he chooses to run for the second term.

Nigeria has never had any leader and may NEVER have one that would step on a huge toe as done by Obasanjo in fighting corruption in Nigeria. Gowon chickened out, Babangida, as clever as he claimed to be while in office, was a chicken and Pepper soup General. Possibly those that could have done the clean up were never given the opportunity. Obasanjo did it and he damned the consequences. Nigerians would live long to enjoy the strong corrective foundation Chief Olusegun Obasanjo laid down for the country.

Obasanjo is blessed with El-Rufai who stands by and with him. El-Rufai, the man I coined a phrase for; "with rat body and Elephant Brain", saw what Obasanjo smelt while in office, and he continues to defend him after leaving the office. I respect, adore and love that man. There is always an angel in human flesh you can trust in your life. El-Rufai came to the defense of Obasanjo when Yar'Adua administration claimed to have cancelled all land allocations in Abuja; the cancellation that was done while El-Rufai was in office. Now they are going after him. If Musa Yar'Adua were not the Nigerian President, possibly no one would have known about his land allocation in Abuja.

What Yar'Adua ought to do, instead of disbanding the Education Reform, Unity Schools, Monetinization Policies, and Health Initiatives among others, is to refine the policies that set them up for continuity, not dumping them outrightly. That could be a waste of public resources. No perfection in life. Hopefully Nigerians would not allow ICPC or EFCC be disbanded for sanitizing Nigeria public and private business practices.

JUST FOR ONCE during this Festivities Season, Christmas, Kwanza, Sallah, and all other Festivals, Nigerians should be praying for peace within, showing appreciations where needed and thanking God for His mercies.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL MY WONDERFUL READERS!!!