 |
| Lee Kuan Yew |
Few gave tiny Singapore much chance of survival when it was granted independence in 1965. How is it, then, that the former British colonial trading post is a thriving Asian metropolis with not only the world’s number one airline, best airport, and busiest port of trade, but also the world’s fourth-highest per capital real income? The miraculous story of that transformation can only be told by and even credited to Singapore’s charismatic, fearless, controversial statesman and founding father, Lee Kuan Yew. Rising from a legacy of diverse colonialism, the devastation of the Second World War, and general poverty and disorder following the withdrawal of foreign forces, Singapore now is hailed as a city of the future.
Delving deep into his own meticulous notes as well as previously unpublished government papers and official records, lee, in his best-seller book, ‘’From THIRD WORLD to FIRST- the SINGAPORE STORY: 1956-2000’’, detailed the extraordinary efforts it took for an island city state in southeast Asia to survive at that time. Lee explains how he and his cabinet colleagues finished off the communist threat to the fledgling states security and begin the arduous process of nation building: forgoing basic infrastructural roads through a land that still consisted primarily of swamps, creating an army from hitherto racially and ideologically divided population, stamping out the last vestiges of colonial-era corruption, providing mass public housing, and establishing a national airline and airport, equipping schools with one computer for every two students and connecting every home to a broadband network.
A man of high integrity, lee has been very frank about his trenchant approach to political opponents and his often unorthodox views on human rights, democracy and inherited intelligence, aiming always ‘’to be correct, not politically correct.’’ Nothing in Singapore escaped his watchful eyes: whether choosing shrubs for the greening of the country, restoring the romance of the historic raffles hotel or openly, unabashedly persuading young men to marry women as educated as themselves. Today’s safe, tidy Singapore bears lees unmistakable stamp, for which he is unapologetic: if this is a nanny state, I am proud to have fostered one.’’
Though lees domestic canvas in Singapore was small, his vigour and talent assured him a larger place in world affairs. For more than three decades , lee Kuan yew has been praised and vilified in equal measure, and he has established himself as a force impossible to ignore in Asian and international politics.
Lee Kuan yew was born in Singapore on September 16,193, a third generation descendant of immigrants from china’s Guangdong province. He read law at the Cambridge University, England. In 1954, he formed the people’s action party which won the first Singapore general elections five years later. Lee became the country’s first prime minister in 1959, at the age of thirty five. In November 1990, he resigned the office to assume the post of senior minister in Singapore cabinet and his currently the minister mentor to the prime minister of Singapore. He has received a myriad of awards and on 29 April 2010, lee was named to the time 100 list as one of the people who most affect our world. His wife passed away on 2 October 2010 in her sleep. They have two sons and one daughter. This is a salute to a great visionary statesman- a template of statesmanship and nation-building for third world nations.
Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Corporation have this to say about lee: ‘’ more than forty years ago, Lee Kuan Yew transformed what was a poor, decrepit colony into a shining, rich and modern metropolis- all the time surrounded by hostile powers. With his brilliant, inclusive intellect, he is one of the world’s most outspoken and respected statesman.’’ George Bush, former US President was quoted as saying: ‘’ Lee Kuan Yew is one of the brightest, ablest men I have ever met.’’
BUHARI (GCFR) AND LEE KUAN YEW: A CASE FOR NIGERIA
 |
| Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) |
Meanwhile between Lee Kuan Yew and Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), few qualities intercept, more conspicuous of which is daring candour- both men have a strong will to achieve whatever is considered public good. This is verifiable in Muhammadu Buhari’s declaring Umar Tanko wanted in 1983 after he was convinced of his corruption. Integrity is another attributes that circles both personalities- they are not in the business of politics for self-enrichment and this again is evident in that neither of the personality can be considered as stupendously rich. Albeit, they live with rich conscience which indeed is far relishing than filth wealth.
In truthfulness, both good willed personalities as leader of their respective countries, wish and strive to transform their nations but Lee Kuan Yew was highly successful. Why, I ask? The reason is not far-fetched, it is simply because Nigerians are really not ready for transformation when their counterpart in Singapore are hungry, ready and strongly resolved to participate and give whatever it takes to deliver their country’s greatness.
No leader is a magician, men and women of the country are used in achieving tasks. But if this country people are not true to their cause, patriotic to their fatherland, ready to participate in the change project, it simply that all genuine efforts of the leader will be ineffective. Even the builder of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew succeed by the unflinching support of his country people.
Therefore it becomes a duty for all Nigerians to cooperate and participate in this rebirth hope. This change project must be raise, embrace, elevate and help to success by all and sundry.
By Joshua Ademuwagun and Azeez Olawumi Ibrahim
No comments:
Post a Comment