THE CHILEAN INSTANCE: MISION CUMPLIDA

This is yet another of my piece that should be perused for the fun of it and probably pick a few lessons. I am sure there is.
Many of you must have watched or atleast heard of the rescue mission in Chile; so, there really shouldn't be any need to bother you with so many details.
I picked interest in this event because it is something that has to do with Chile. If it were the US, Britain or any of those big names, it might not have appealed to me beyond my understanding of appreciating human dignity. But Chile has a history, one that does not make it a particularly 'ready made' and fantastic economy or even a place of immediate visit priority some few decades back.
This is the same Chile led by Pinochet between 1973 and 1990. To however say it was outrightly terrible under Pinochet might be totally unfair; though it was quite despotic. My point is that we actually saw development after the exit of Pinochet; just like the gradual process we have always wished for. In a space of twenty years, a new Chile, poetically referred to as the slender lady, was born and today we are all witnesses to what people oriented government means.
The little introduction points to the fact that every country has her peculiar story. Her history! None should therefore take as an excuse her dark days for her current problems.
Some 69 days ago, miners were trapped some 2257ft deep in the ground, while going about legitimate business. Give it to them to have demonstrated so much courage all through these trying days but you may ask, what is courage in the face of neglect?
The manner the case had been handled from the beginning by the Chilean authority doesn't deserve any less an ending as it witnessed today. The whole world stayed glued to TV sets, social media sites and radio transmitters to celebrate a government's response to the distress calls of her subject and a true definition of servant leader. Especially for a government of this tiny country at the end of the world as it is fondly called by her citizens, coming from a recent earthquake on February 27, this year.
The world today was united in celebrating human dignity.
Like I said, it is just a pointer to what we are not getting right, not necessarily to chide anybody.
At different times, our rescue system has been put to test and sadly we have failed. It is on record, the attitude and utterances of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the President of Nigeria aftermath the January 27 bomb blast at Ikeja cantonment. We have seen leaders pay lip service to distress calls over and over again. We can't but marvel at the approach of the Chilean government.
I have watched our own Jonathan visit sites destroyed by erosion and listened to him talk about it; it's nowhere near Sebestain Pinera's warm posture today.
The President was on ground to personally welcome miners on first hand with his first lady. Ours would have either gone unnoticed, or they would have been received by a red cross official only to be flown to Aso Rock after a month or two when Mr. president is less busy and a lavish 'Welcome Back to Life Party' thrown in their honour. Of course, such party would have a local organising committee and taxpayers’ money would have been misused again.
Just for the records, the Last miner, Luis Urzua, came out at exactly 22 hours and 37 minutes and he, the Chilean President was there for these 33 people. His presence there didn't stop other state functions nor was the first lady carrying retinue of servants.
Behold these simple first citizens, handling state matters.
I am sure Madam Patience Goodluck would not be watching this; but if she is, by accident, I pray she picks the lessons therein. There is more to offer your people, no matter how low they are, than flying around the globe at the expense of tax payers.
It would be more than a thing of joy to be a Chilean today. The Chilean anthem was sang with so much emotion after which Mr. Pinera made a brief but reassuring press statement.
I look forward to when our leaders can be as selfless without first considering the attached political gains.
A time when Nigerians wallowing in foreign prisons, their own collapsed mine, would get the attention of our government. A time when our citizens being brutalised and sentenced to death without (fair) trials would have a government stand for them.
For me, the thought of people having your back, working hard to get you succour, that singular feeling some people actually care about your welfare is enough to keep you alive for 69 days plus the grace of God.
Also for us as Nigerians, the conduct of the Miners has for the umpteenth time, emphasized the need to combat our challenges as one. It doesn't matter what religion we profess or the language we speak. Neither does it matter, the tribe we belong to.
What matters, is that, we are a people confronted by the same problems of leadership. A people starved of sincerity of purpose and commitment on the side of our leaders. A people wishing for a better Nation. There is no better time to ponder on Unity.
By this, I say congratulations to the 33 miners, the Chilean government and her people. Just as I call on our Leaders to take selflessness to the next level.
Viva Chile
Viva Nigeria
Viva World