As I laid down resting from what happened to be a very busy day for everyone on Sunday the 25th of December (Christmas Day) at about 10:01pm, my phone rang. The caller, all the way from the United Kingdom was Gen Adeyinka Adeniran, one of my most respected leaders who live far abroad but carries the burden of seeing Nigerians live up to their true potential on his shoulder more than most of us who live within the system. I picked the call and we exchanged pleasantries. I was about asking for my Christmas hamper when I noticed a fret in his voice. I paused from the Christmas “hamper” request to carefully listen to this leader of Soul Planters Ministry. His question to me was precise and thought provoking. He asked me of my view and possible solutions to the “bombing plague” that befell our dear nation. I felt the pain that engulfed him when he began to describe the information he got on the Christmas Day bombing in Abuja and how Mr. President had encouraged us to learn to live with it.
Although the conversation was halted due to the epileptic nature of the mobile network which is not a strange occurrence in this side of the globe. I was able to tell General Adeyinka that Nigeria produced Boko Haram; I explained to him that there are over 19 million of these neglected kids (some of them are grownups) popularly known as Almajiris in the northern part of the country ready to do the bid of Boko Haram. These Almajiris have only in their possession bowls with which they beg for alms. They do not have access to formal education and they have been made to believe that formal education isn’t right and evil. These kids march around towns in their hundreds begging for food and money for survival. Unfortunately, nobody seem to be concerned about them; where they sleep, what they eat, the information to which they are exposed or what so ever.
In 2010 during one of my meetings with the daughter of a prominent Nigeria business figure in Lagos. I remember making a call to everyone to get involved in Social Help, Welfarism and Development. I said that if the rich think their own children’s future is secured because they don’t even pass through the already rotten Nigerian education system and think having shares and properties bought for them will secure their future. I fear if the neglected ones will allow them enjoy those things to the fullest. I explained that the problem is that most Nigerians are plagued by the “Cain-syndrome”, the question they ask is “What is my own business” ‘am I my brother’s keeper’? Instead of joining force to improve the health care sector, they travel abroad to treat cold and catarrh. Their community roads are bad and instead of joining force within the community to repair the roads in their streets, they buy Jeeps.
Just as I feared, some devil-minded politicians and radicals have seized the situation to perpetuate their evil enterprise. I do not fault them because even the local and state governments where these kids waste away in their millions do not seems to see their future as a treat to the country. Boko-Haram masterminds obviously found it very easy to make these kids believe and follow them by providing for them the things we denied them; giving them food, clothes, shelter and the promise of eternity if they can do their bids. And since the people (you and I) are less concerned about whatever happens to them; they choose to follow the leading of these “devil ambassadors”.
However, I am personally not comfortable with the response of our president on such a matter like this. He said we should “learn to live with it”. This is ridiculous! His hesitation to take definite action is worrisome and needs attention. I love this country and do respect authorities but I need the President to really start thinking like the president. We are not saying he should become a dictator but he should do the right things at the right time.
Mr. President said he only needs constructive criticism, but how constructively can we tell him about the fact that 469 people in Nigeria’s National Assembly get paid over N150 million (about $1million) each every year. That’s about $500 million in total. What does that say to you? Do you need from us a solution on that? Or should we mention your own huge benefits not forgetting the fact that we will buy your foodstuffs and run your home from our tax money. Moreover, the fact that the president is yet to even declare his assets is an indication of fraud.
Also, it seems that our security agencies do not even know what to do to stop this unreasonable killing. The Nigerian Police force is about 400,000 in number, the soldiers are more than 76,000 including the 9,000 Air Force members and 7,600 members of the navy but yet a bunch of ignorant kids controlled by some selfish politicians and religion extremists are tearing the country apart. I am fully aware that when dealing with issues in a country so divers in culture, language, tribe and religion; so many variables must be considered but the basics are yet to be addressed.
Ironically, the solution to the problems we face as a nation is very simple and I think that is where we miss it. We keep inaugurating committees to work on national issues but neglect the only principle that governs life. An average Nigeria does not care about the well-being of his/her neighbour as long as the person, family, group or sect is not directly related to him/her; but isn’t it obvious that we are all suffering for it. I am convinced we still have a chance to create a better future if we start to think outside self, helping people regardless of their tribe, colour, religion or what we stand to gain when we do help. The youths should neglect the failure of these leaders and start to emerge themselves. Take a stand for what is reasonably right and believe in yourself. I believe our collectively action for positive change is sure a powerful weapon in GOD’s hand to give our dear Nigeria a better future. Start something! evil prevails when righteous men do nothing.
I am Bukunmi ‘PREACHER’ Adelani. I stand for peace, love and unity and of course, I am a progressive Nigerian youth.
Bukunmi 'PREACHER' Adelani
TW: @bukunmipreacher
PIN: 23434AEA
bukade@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment