Sometime ago, early this year,while in a transit back to school from Makurdi to Calabar, something triggered me to have a fascinating conversation with a few concerned/patriotic citizens in the car about the mishaps and uncertainties of our dear country Nigeria. Thus,it was to ascertain the topic of this article, whether it is our youths,our heroes past,our past leaders,our current leaders or precisely the old folks in the government? And the possible solution(s) to these! Which we'll decide hopefully in the later at the end of this piece I've got here.
To begin,most often we say "it is because we(the youths) are not allowed to take the leadership role(s) at various circumstances" which is true and of course false at the same time, because when a youth gets there, He/She is being compelled to do what has been happening over the years, whether the person in question have got good intentions or not, thereby doing the otherwise expected of Him/Her,perhaps due to the influence of an OLD CARGO whom supported or brought the youth to power as the case may be,then when in the course of insisting on the right things to be done; one's life is being threatened,and Yes! Y'all can agree with me that this threat stuff happens almost everywhere concerning electoral/political positions either at schools(higher institutions),local organizations, churches etc,why? Because in each place there's more people with the wrong mindset. And this opposition also happens to the older ones trying to do the right path. So now, looking at this critically you'll realize that since most of the youths who aren't really financially capable to stand firm but wishes to lead rightfully are being faced by the above remedies and doesn't have an option and perhaps Her mindset changes,as to whether just doing the needful at the moment he/she is compelled to, and doing the right subsequently which don't ever happen sadly. The old folks on the other hand can actually end all of these which it's known to have started by them ages ago,but untill all(the youths and the old) leaders examine their consciences and agree to change positively; from the grassroots up to the national level else we'd not attain the CHANGE we so desire.
Further more, CONTENTMENT is a major part of our problem in the country whereby citizens in power and those aspiring leadership are insatiable with all they've got but rather extorting much more for no just cause or reason other than greed! Oh yeah,this is a disheartening factor that has scattered and crippled our nation's economy over the years. A common instance is a situation whereby a particular politician's wealth is more than enough to fix all bad roads in His/Her community or State as a whole etc, but will never do so or think of doing such,rather casting trivial blames on others or rather say nothing at all and aspire/acquire more wealth to himself and for His generations to come.
Now,Why don't you shield aside such thoughts and make ur country an aesthetic place to live in,and let the future take care of itself which ur keeping money for?
Another most recent example is President Muhammadu Buhari's donation of $1million to Afghanistan to ease their humanitarian situation and to help in catering for needs of millions of Afghan people, including women and children. Meanwhile the 'Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)' is on strike.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is a trade union and a union of intellectuals seeking not only the socio-political and economic/welfare interest of it's members within the framework of promoting the cause of university education in Nigeria, but the entire good of Nigerians and Nigeria. And for ages now they've kept having agreements with the Federal Government of Nigeria on deals to promote a better and sound education system for us(Her citizens/undergraduates) but to no avail, and yet the president hasn't deem it fit to react rightfully to such a problem among others but rather doing good to another country. So why then do they say "Charity begins at home?".
The most painful of these is; when it is time for elections again we the youths whom have claimed being angered by the evils of our country are being easily deceived and blind folded with small funds and material things. For instance, we're being paid by the political aspirants to act as thugs in times of elections, we're being given money during that period often just to be enticed to vote them,and a host of other examples I can't finish listing. Now tell me,what can the few hundreds of thousands do for you? When after the election period you'll not be seeing a penny again since by then they must have won and will be doing nothing but extorting and doing things detrimental to them. Some even loose lives at the course of elections! Oh, what a tragedy.
Why not reject all of these and stand for the truth and right which we often protest for? Why not disagree with their pranks of monetary and materialistic measures to ruin us much more thereafter? Why? Why?? Why???
Our country Nigeria is too blessed by God to be suffering like this over the years. We've got all it takes to have a high currency of great value and a pleasant economy within,and across the world at large. Is it natural resources? Is it crude oil that we can't use to actualize this? Is it agriculture? To mention but a few. These all can end today if all the involved parties come to a consensus.
However,with all these been said exhaustively, though with limited elaborations but since it is said that "a word is enough for the wise" I cannot write all facts and realism of our nation at once. (You may add yours).
I,with enthusiasm, strongly still believe(as always) that someday somehow by whomever or whichever people or by myself; NIGERIA will be made great again by God's grace. I know Our Christian people's prayers all over the world cannot be in vain because our God is greater than our evil hearted leaders who aren't ready for a new and better Nigeria,which He(God) will one day surely see us through.
You all will now agree with me without reasonable doubt of some of the causes of our problems and it's solutions being discussed here,that, is it the "YOUTHS or the OLD FOLKS in the government?"
I leave the answer to ur own detriment.
Thanks for reading and God bless.
Healthy criticism is allowed. You may share as well.
JAMES YATEGHTEGH. (Future President, Federal Republic of Nigeria).🇳🇬
This is a deep thought.
You see over time I have come to realize that governments world over always appear to be in charge but its overtly a joke. The government is not just those at the helm of affairs but its more of the people than even those in power. That is why those in power having understood where power truly resides, always go down to the grassroots during electioneering. They understand the game and how it works.
The truth is, if the people come out enmasse and vote for their preferred candidates, rigging will become almost in possible. But when you have the ratio of those who have their voters cards over and above those who actually vote, then the remaining number is easily manipulated. Politicians understand this and that is why they will give money to persude people to vote them or use thugs to scare people away so as to get an opening for manipulation. Its a mind game and they are good at it.
In truth I tell you, the power of the people is greater than the people in power. If only we know our true position in the entire scheme of affairs. We cannot continue thesame things an expecting different results. We must take a stance for a better Nigeria other we remain slaves in our homeland.
So we the electorates takes the backlash. Ignorance is out greatest problem that is why we are educated illiterates.
Thanks for this thought provoking insight.
Cheers!
You've said it all Padre.
Thanks too for reading and having these to say. God bless.
Thanks 😊