A note to Prof. Pat Utomi

Prof. Pat Utomi

On the basis of rumour psychology, this writing is being sent to you, Prof. Pat Utomi, as rumour has it, at the time of writing this note from Miami, Florida at exactly 1am Eastern Time in the United States of America, that you are a ministerial nominee in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration!

Even though I am a scholar and practitioner of psychology especially as it relates to issues of objectivity and life, I choose to follow the media accounts which have abounded with rumours about you being a ministerial nominee in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

I wholeheartedly want to believe this rumour; actually, I do believe this rumour whether or not these reports turn out to real or unreal. From the point of rumour psychology, many of us, I especially, want this particular rumour to play out itself in the truest sense of spreading into our social consciousness and implanting itself into our national mindset.

Let this rumour attract godly attention, evoke democratic emotion, incite nationwide spirit , affect attitudes and actions of the powers that be, and let it gain transmission in a true psychological and political sense for one reason only—Pat is now one of our ministers!

I still remember that while addressing a town hall meeting of Nigerians in Miami in 2006 as a presidential candidate, you called on us to return home just like you did some years ago.

Pat, it was as if you knew this day and time would come with regard to the Buhari Presidency, and, in a visionary mode, issued a Nigerian challenge, asking us to come home with our knowledge, experience and capabilities. Sir, I for one did physically, at least for a while, and in many other ways I am on my way home currently.

Professor, you remind me of President Barack Obama who, in his inaugural address on the 20th of January 2009, informed Americans and the world that, “The time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”

I also remember being told of your interactive TV session in London as a presidential candidate when you stated that next Nigerian President “must be a man of character; competent, committed and compassionate.”

Well, you said these words then, and now your words have come true as the Nigerian people everywhere believe President Buhari fits your characterisation of a man who will use the power of the Presidency oiled with commitment and compassion to bring positive and lasting changes to our nation which, in the due course of time, will result in joy and happiness, not for just a few people, but for all people, followed by confidence and security.

Sir, you have said over and over that in Nigeria we need those who would “talk the talk and walk the walk.”

Sir, I am one of those, as evidenced by my works and writings on Nigerian matters of policy development, the people and leadership.

It was not long ago that you commented on the shameless attitude of some of Nigeria’s political leaders, and noted that future political leaders could gain from psychiatric or psychological clearance, the very same issue I raised in some of my recent published writings, i.e. “Peter Ayodele Fayose reserves the right to lie about himself but not to the Nigerian children” and “Let potential ministers in Nigeria take psychological tests.”

Sir, like you, as a writer and believer in the psychology of public policy, I am all about reorientation of our political, social and economic environment using common sense governance values and practices to improve the quality of life for the people and institutions in our country.

I am passionate about self-sacrifice, national commitment and total service to the people, having written over 100 articles in the last 20 months pertaining to Nigeria where I visit often for academic work and training. In one article, I recently called on the President to continue to practice what I called part of the “Buhari Doctrine” (Please see the “Buhari and merit system” article in The PUNCH newspaper, July 16, 2015).

Sir, I see you as a man whose work and deeds have generally represented authentic presence, basic goodness and commitment to good governance; so let that rumour of ministerial appointment come true now, as I sincerely want to work with you for little or no remuneration on behalf of my native home—Nigeria.

Dr. Oshodi is a Florida-based Forensic/Clinical Psychologist, a specialist in Prison/Police/Social Security matters and a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. Jos5930458@aol.com

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