Nigeria: A Country Facing Man-Made Challenges

 

Reflections on the State of a Nation

Before I start this narrative, I have been thinking about it and it is really getting into my head. I wonder: how do people even think when it comes to a serious matter? I wonder why people don't take things seriously when it comes to matters that affect them and their lives. It is disheartening to know that you share a country with unreasonable people; it is disheartening when your everyday activities depend on people who don't care about their rights, what they really want, or—let me just say—what they want their society to be like.

The Illusion of the Self-Made Man

In Nigeria, there is no "wealthy businessman" or "self-made man." It is either you are linked or connected to a politician to have a contract or a monopoly—and believe me, there is always a kickback.

A Culture of Silence

Recently, the Nigerian Senate rejected the real-time transmission of election results, and everywhere is calm. No one wants to know why; no one wants to know the main reason such an important electoral reform should be rejected. No one wants to know why those elected don't value free and fair elections. Check social media and you will see Nigerian youth making fun of it; you will see them just say, "It is their usual way."

This is really annoying and heartbreaking. It says the people have given up hope of having a free and fair election; it reveals a big negative attitude in our nation and shows how low we have fallen.

The Devaluation of Life

A number of people were killed in a state, and no one has been arrested. No one is talking about it, and even a news station came out to say they were banned from airing the news. They claim the government doesn't want the international community to know. What the hell? What is really wrong with humans?

How can lives be cut short and the President do nothing but keep campaigning for an election that would take place in 2027? I wonder how Africans really think; I wonder why they don't care about development, but only the next election.

Man-Made Challenges

Nigeria is a country facing so many challenges, and I can say they are all man-made. The solution is there, but those in power will never, ever solve it. They will never agree to make the country great. All they think about is being in power and stealing the commonwealth of the people. When they are tired, they push their children into elective positions to continue the stealing.

To be honest with you, the poor man will be the one campaigning for them. A man who has no job and can't even think where his next meal would be coming from will be the one shouting at the top of his voice for people to vote for the son of a former governor who impoverished the state and its people.

The Definition of Wealth

Let me tell you something: In Nigeria, a rich man is not someone who worked hard to earn his wealth. A rich man is someone who steals from the poor and then uses part of his loot to do "giveaways" for those poor folk. Not knowing or asking questions about the source of his wealth, they will be the ones shouting, "He is a good man, he cares for the poor!"

Weaponized Poverty

Tell a Nigerian that the government wasted $9 billion lobbying the US government to change the narrative about Christian genocide, and he would say, "I don't care, let them do as they please." Yes, that is the kind of situation Nigeria is in. It is a sad thing to watch those who are to fight for the growth of the country reduced to nothing. It is sad to see that the government has weaponized poverty, and it has made the people weak.

The Fear of Fair Elections

What are the politicians afraid of when it comes to free and fair elections? Why are they sweating as soon as you mention a free and fair election? The average Nigerian politician is a crook and a liar. No matter how you see them doing public good, just know that for every one good thing they do, they have already done plenty of evil—and they think that one good deed can erase their evil record.

Sabotaging Development

They refuse to give the people a stable power supply. Why? Because a few individuals benefit from the importation of generators. They refuse to give the people good roads. Why? Because a few people budget billions for those roads every year, which is then shared among themselves.

Leadership in Absentia

Take a look at the President. Sometimes it will be up to six months and no one will see the President or know his whereabouts. Take a look at the man who led protests against former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; he complained about the high cost of living and underdevelopment. He said in his acceptance speech that if his government doesn’t solve Nigeria’s electricity problem, let the people stone him.

Mind you, the electricity problem in Nigeria is not rocket science; it is as simple as ABC. But because of the corruption in the system, they have refused to give a stable power supply.

The Health Sector: A Death Trap

Look at the health sector—if you could even call it a health sector. It is a place of death traps; a place you go to treat malaria and you come out on a stretcher. Yet, those in power don’t care. All they think about is the next election. They don’t care if the country is burning, believe me. They will find a safe spot and lie down, and then when the fire is put out, they will come out and say, "Vote for me, I will not let that happen again."