This I have come to understand that a man does what he thinks best not what he knows best. And when caught in the dilemma, he would cling to the familiar in hopes or in confidence that he has made the right decision. Welcome to the theatre of Nigerian leadership.
In the wake of the persistent fuel scarcity and power outage that has left the masses more drenched in their own sweat than a heavy downpour of rain could. The average Nigerian continually asks is this the change I voted for. And as men wrap their minds around this riddle, you discover how deep their expectations have fallen. Change is thus the ironic phrase that many questions as though they never understood what the word meant. Where is the change I would often hear as I made my way to work each day? But then who is to blame, the government enveloped in the promise of change, the “Jonah” past administration, the over optimistic supporters or the citizens lost in the mirage of high expectations. If anything is truly certain it is that men are eager to see that promised change become reality and can’t wait for Sai Baba to deliver on his promises.
Change is gradual this i know. For life is in stages so also the change process and a man cannot expect his child to be a full-grown adult the next day. It will be tantamount to madness or mindless obscurity riddled with foolish expectations. And just like a seed planted it takes form gradually until it becomes a full-grown tree. But regardless of the facts that common sense presents Nigerians remain impatiently expectant for the foretold promises or the miraculous intervention of the messiah. So let us take a divide into the current state of things.
2016 Budget
The President is refusing to sign and we have approved it. Words are constantly been tossed back and forth and the blame gain takes centre stage. Who is holding the nation to ransom, the clueless man at the top or the bunch of vain indulgences dictating the laws of the land? If anything continually echoes it is that the budget sent to the National Assembly wasn’t the one approved and returned to the President for assent. Obviously the usual theatrical act of padding has taken place – as men lose sight of service in place of self-interest -and since change has come, it is excising its might in a most aggressive manner.
Senate President’s Trial
Criminality has its swagger! This is common in a country like Nigeria, the criminals always take the centre stage looting with confidence, hiring the best defense that the world can \”un-imagine\” or agreeing to pay back part of the loot – an admission of guilt or simply a compromise to cool their heels. But then the cliché, every day for the thief one day for the owner resonates in my mind. A thief is a thief, a liar remains a liar and a man who has looted the treasuries of the people must one day pay the penalty. Whether it is instigated by a political witch hunt or not. The interesting thing is Karma has a way of ensuring everyman pays the price. Did the accused declare false assets? Is he guilty of the charges levied against him? WELL…my silence surely speaks words. But then so does that of many Nigerians. But if there’s anything my parents instilled in me it is that a good name is worth more than anything. A good name!
Fuel Scarcity and Power Outage
Subsidy or no subsidy, one thing is certain, in the end it is the masses who suffer. The CABAL may be lying low and watching the current events unfold but the oil marketers are definitely not sleeping or lying low or maybe they are the CABAL. Whatever my mind cooks up, the only relevant thing is that the average Nigerian is feeling the heat and I don’t mean the pressure I mean the raw heat of having no light, trekking under the sun due to high bus fares or absence of vehicles due to them hustling for petrol and queuing at filling stations like over-crowded crusades. The question remains when this will end as the NNPC – a supposed dead man walking – is battling with the crisis and a long list of issues.
Foreign Exchange and the currency swap deal
The Dollar used to be a N150 and I recall constantly shopping online but now I result to online window shopping – a new trend of shopping – which I believe many Nigerians have become accustomed to as the exchange has peaked to a point where we simply cannot indulge ourselves in previous vanities. Who is to blame and how will the issue be resolved? That is what every Nigerian is eagerly waiting to hear. The average Nigerian simply remains unconcerned at the technicalities or the technical jargon\’s that the CBN governor and our so called economists and financial experts are hurling at the masses. All we want is a drive back to the past!
The President travels too much! Leave the Baba he is enjoying himself. The divided view of Nigerians on what the Oga at the top is doing. Many seem less concerned at why he travels but more concerned by the fact that he is traveling. But then why does he travel? Well the change agenda cannot be achieved through isolation, one must push beyond the river banks and seek assistance where it can be found and in that sojourn we have the currency swap deal with China! Well is it a good deal or ridicule. I leave the experts to determine that. But this I have come to understand that when a man works hard to deliver on his promise, he deserves commendation or better still the benefit of the doubt on the outcome of his efforts.
Boko Haram and the Chibok girls
The sounds have reduced and calm seems more prevalent. Are the blood thirsty infidel preacher-fighters tired or taking a vacation or is the current administration fighting harder. That we watch unfold. But if anything is certain the battle continues and the struggle for sanity remains an ever constant war in the preservation of human lives.
Chibok girls! Chai! There is God! The famous words of the past first lady Mama P., as she was fondly called, but then one must wonder how over 200 girls would simply disappear for over two years and still they are yet to be found. Well! Well! That is simply messed up or simply gross incompetency on the part of those charged with the responsibility of finding these girls. But regardless of the tide of despair we remain hopeful as the \”Bring back our girls\” campaign remains an ever shining light of hope in the dark.
Conclusion
For the past few days I have watched the time drag and the mood within my office dampen as I have had to wait for customers as against the previous scenery of a crowded office. Well I am not a mystic but this I can’t tell that things are really slow and the economic situation of the country is affecting everyone one way or the other. But regardless of the daunting reality, I remain hopeful that things will indeed change and each day I make my own small quota to that process as I write to poke the curiosity of men willing to take up the mantle of leadership and truly lead the nation to its promised land.
And as I end my rumblings I am excited by the words of the Nigerian anthem as I cry out:
Arise O’ compatriots,
Nigeria’s call obey,
To serve our fatherland,
With love and strength and faith
The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain.
To serve with heart and mind
One nation bound in freedom
Peace and unity.
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