TheCable

Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari was quoted as saying the systemic destruction of Nigeria from the past till now should not be placed on his leadership only. Indirectly, what the president was saying was that each and everyone of us must take responsibility for where we find ourselves today. Through reflections, I have come to the conclusion there is an element of truth in this. We may argue with the president on several areas but in this, I guess he is right.

What the President was saying may have semblance with what an American President once said, “do not think about what your country can do for you but think about what you can do for your country”. The only difference is that the US government has done a lot and has continued to create an enabling environment for its citizens to thrive than what the Nigeria government has done or will do for its own citizens. This line of discussion will form part of our analysis in the future.

But come to think of it, many Nigerians are not helping matters. We have been so complacent and nonchalant to many issues which we should address. We neither ask questions nor raise constructive dialogue anymore. Many had blended with the system so much that they have become a cog in the wheel of national progress.

Many of us, instead of doing the right thing, will rather take advantage of the system and fellow Nigerians’ weakness or ignorance. Many cut corners with so much impunity and ask you to wait for your turn.

For instance, let us examine what obtains in many public institutions. Before one can get a service he/she is due for, one may have to ‘grease’ the hands of officials at different tables. Many of us find excuses for doing the wrong things.

‘How will I survive since my salaries have not been paid for months, no one cares what becomes of my life after retirement as pension will not be paid, we have no right equipment to work?‘ are constant clichés. We all have the opportunity for self-development, give the best and go the extra mile despite the level of deprivation. Many do not see any benefit in these. The little budget we have for the purchase of drugs for our hospitals will disappear. Fake and adulterated drugs will be purchased in place if we even care and all.

If one lives in a metropolitan city like Lagos and is not very lucky to own a car, the challenges are innumerable. Average public buses’ fares are unpredictable. Whenever there is heavy traffic due to damage on the road, rainfall or other road mishaps, the fares may jump by hundred percent. Law of demand and supply sets in without prior notice. God helps any commuter without extra money in his pocket. This increase in fare may invariably increase prices of foodstuff from the local vendors from whom many on the poverty line buy from.

The little budget for chalks and other stationery in a local public school is often ‘taken care of’ by the headteacher. Snake has the capacity to swallow millions if naira here. What do we have in our private schools? The story is even worst. Education is no longer in the non-profit classification. Anyone with one bungalow or a duplex can start nursery, playgroup, pre-school, primary and secondary without any hindrance.

The annoying part; school fees are charged based on the needs of the proprietor/tress. Several fees, including development fees, are charged without regulations or monitoring from appropriate government agencies. The parent, on the other hand, will rather pretend ‘to belong’ instead of speaking out against the heavy burden they go through every semester. Some of the parents who act ‘clever’ change their wards’ schools frequently after owing one or two terms’ fees in some of these schools. This is common at basic and post-basic levels.
Our national brand’s image, economy soars or goes down from our points of entries and contacts. What do we have there? Some of our officials in these places do more damage than help.

What about our cherished traditional and religious values? Our ambassadors and leaders in these units have destroyed every iota of the value of good name, integrity we all believed in. Traditional titles are thrown at anyone with the means without a searchlight on their character.

Many of our religious houses do not check sources of heavy contributions being made by some of its members. Members are encouraged to give to the Lord/Allah/gods irrespective. ‘Ifa’ oracles and their priests now speak with two tongues. Ifa priests now consult with laptops, iPads and iPhones etc. The oracles itself now stay in air-conditioned apartments. No condition is permanent and a level of improvement is now common, meanwhile the original value is ‘ma fi ibi fo ire, ma fi ire fo ibi, ma fi ololo fohun’ which literally means an oracle should not be known with injustice or speaking with two tongues as a result of corruption. Things are now turned upside down.

Truth be told, Nigerian leaders have done a lot of damage to Nigeria(ians) as many have not been responsible enough. Many of our leaders are greedy, lots without any vision for sustainable change or growth.

But peradventure the citizens have been up and doing with a strong desire to create the change they desire and not just talk, no leader will be able to sustain the level of impunity for long if he/she knows the system will dispose them like a menstrual pad.

The essence of this piece is what are we doing individually and collectively to bring the change despite the level of leadership inefficiency? It is never too late to speak out, it is never too late to light the candle in our own corner. It is never too late to confront the corrupt elements amongst us. It is not too late to demand quality service paid for without greasing the palms of the officials. Inch by inch, the journey of a million miles will be covered in no distant time.