Reading through the Guardian newspapers on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, the headline; “Mass Revolt looms in Nigeria, Obasanjo warns” got my attention. Obasanjo said there is possibility of having the Arab Spring in Nigeria. He warned that the recent revolt against government witnessed in the Arab world might occur in Nigeria if the uncertain socio-economic conditions of the citizenry were not urgently addressed. In my own opinion; the old man is not far from the truth; I have since discovered that some Nigerians are now prepare to die than the continuous hardship they face on a daily basis. Hence, the thought of possible revolution coming from a three time “president” of this country and an elder statesman is worth paying attention to. Although, I guess he (Obj) should definitely be aware that he is also one of the leadership-misfortune that befell the country since independence. I am not comfortable with ex-leaders complaining about situation of the country they once govern and failed to proffer solution to the problem they are now complaining about since they had the opportunity to solve them but did nothing.
OBJ highlighted insecurity, unemployment, poverty amongst others as possible ingredients that might initiate the revolution but he left the Aso-rock in 2007 (four years ago)! I believed if he had created the goods road during his long-tenure; we should definitely still have those roads by now or if he concentrated on improving the lives of Nigerians rather than fighting enemies; we should be closer to the promise land by now. But I have since discovered that anyone who does not have a relationship with GOD lacks the capacity to love people and hence can never solve the problem of this country.
During the last general elections; I was screaming as loud as my voice could carry me that Nigerians were caught up in personalities rather than the real issues. I complained about the choice of candidate available for us to select from; they came with the old “modus operandi” of “we will build school, build roads, build hospitals” but failed to tell us how because they are clueless about how to get it done. But I believe whosoever is in power; regardless of the circumstances leading to his/her election (genuine or counterfeit) must understand and accept the fact that he/she is responsible to the people and must do everything to make life easy for them.
My fear is that there is every propensity to believe that the leadership of this country already lost touch with the people; they are not aware that more than half of the populace live on less than a dollar per day coupled with the fact that they are not secured and no access to good health care. I know they live in their elusion believing that things are not this bad because their capacity to be compassionate had been truncated just like many rich or powerful people in the country because of their sudden change of status. Many do not even know the epileptic power supply in their area had spoilt the community transformer for more than a week since the power generating set in their house is always on, they are not even aware that ASUU is currently on strike and students are back at home because their children attends a private university (some abroad), some people don’t even know the ‘well’ on the road of their streets is that deep because they drive a Jeep.
Nevertheless, the cup must still be scrubbed inside-out and not the reverse. Since the leadership of this country comes from amongst the citizenry; the best approach is to develop the capacity of the average Nigerian to care and help people regardless of their religion, race, gender… then we can have the opportunity of a better future when one of the Nigerians with this new vision is in governance.
My quest is to see Nigerians love and treat people like they would treat GOD. Since GOD even choose to express himself through human beings. I am happy to associate myself with many Nigerians like Toyosi Akerele (Rise Group), Isaac Success (YPI), Akinola Solanke (Mr Nigeria), Paul Kayode-Joash, Fela Durotoye, Remi Dairo, Daniel Obafemi (Lifecentric), Damilola Oluwatoyinbo to mention just a few them who are committed to serving people selflessly; most time using their personal resources to ensure that the lives of people in their immediate community is positively affected. Their act of love is obviously effecting a positive change in the country at large. Their action is prove to the fact that as insignificant as we think our little inputs may seems to us; they are catalyst for achieving the much desire better future.
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