For a nation that has not had any serious attempt at development on the part of the government and the citizenry, the country has long turned into a jungle where only the fittest survive. Everybody is just out to make money at all cost and all we know is how to protect our own interest at whatever cost; so long as we get some naira into our pockets or bank accounts we hardly care. The public sector turns out to be much more corrupt than the private sector, negligence is written all over public officers simply because they do not care whether the system works or fail because to them it is not their own business. Private organisations and businesses thrive more because they are more serious and mistakes will not be tolerated but in the public sector you can get away with almost everything so long as you do not step on the wrong toes. For example it is only in Nigeria that privately owned communication companies operating on Nitel trunk end up earning huge profits while Nitel continuously struggles.
Corruption started in this country from negligence and sabotage of government institutions for private gains from stealing public funds- even though it is said that stealing is not corruption. These “stealings” were initially covered up in office expenses because there was still sanity then but that sanity is so kicked out that it got to a level where public funds were transferred straight to private accounts because those involved believe they are so powerful that nobody can do anything. They erroneously believe they own this country and are only doing others a favour running it. My secondary school history teacher Mr. Dzeremo will say they run the country as if it is their privately owned company. Now corruption graduated from ordinary level of stealing millions and advanced to billions not only in our local naira but also in dollars while the country was gradually crumbling to its knees without them even lifting an eye brow. The stupidity is that they take away the monies leaving their people in abject poverty and the country underdeveloped. The ill-gotten wealth is taken to other countries to grow their economies and better the lives of the citizenry there while the relatives and fellow country people of the Nigerian looters are dying of hunger and minor diseases that we should have forgotten by now.
Let me say without a doubt that Nigeria is one of the most blessed countries on the face of the earth when it comes to wealth because to the best of my knowledge and I stand to be corrected there is hardly any natural resource that God created on earth that we don’t have in Nigeria. Unfortunately, we still remain one of the most cursed nations when it comes to leadership. Our leadership problem has eaten so deep that at all levels of leadership in this blessed country of ours the leaders only care to benefit themselves and their families at the expense of the followership. This is the situation across our institutions such as schools, community associations, and traditional organisations, religious, private and public institutions. Consequently, at a point in time this country was virtually shutting down, communication companies had no diesel to power their masts to provide their services; a total filling station manager told me they had no diesel to power their generator to sell fuel so they will have to wait for PHCN to supply power which is very unreliable.
While we were still battling with corruption and yet keeping quiet because Nigerians are very patient people, came in terrorism, cattle rustling, and kidnapping. The entire North Eastern part of this country was taken hostage, people were killed like animals, from killing 2 to 5 to 10 to 50 and it got to hundreds before the insurgents started taking down villages and later towns. In one single attack Boko Haram took over 16 towns and villages, children were orphaned, wives widowed, families lost, towns ceased to exist, businesses crumbled, girls were turned into sex slaves and yet while all these was going on some few people dined, wined, sang, danced and stole public funds that were supposed to be used to stop these atrocities. I just can’t help but wonder if they have conscience at all. I seriously thank God that there will be judgement day and we will all account for our actions. However, I wonder if at all our corrupt leaders believe God exists even though you see them in front rows in mosques and churches.
Corruption has been around since the second republic but only reached its climax during the last administration without a doubt and then came in a man that whether you like it or not, take it or leave it is known for his utmost integrity, honesty and selfless service, the one man that has no criminal record in his entire civil service career, the one man that never embezzled a single kobo. In neighboring Niger republic a presidential candidate uses his poster to campaign. This is someone that shed tears for the masses because for him he has everything he needs in this world. A contented person, someone we all know will not steal a single kobo from our treasury yet struggled for 12 solid years to get the chance to set our beloved country straight instead of enjoying his retirement.
It is just so unfortunate for him to be president at this very hard time in our national history but so fortunate for Nigeria and Nigerians to have him at this time for if not by now this country would have been history or in serious disaster. I am sure i would have crossed to neighbouring Niger republic or one of our neighboring countries and so will a lot of other Nigerians because this country will just be too hot for us. Thankfully, such a nasty scenario has been averted and Nigeria has now regained its respect in the comity of nations. First class presidents now listen with keen interest when our president talks; and Nigeria now gets a standing ovation.
The primary and most important purpose of every government is security and it is gradually being restored. Last week El-kanemi warriors played a football match at Maiduguri stadium something that has not happened in years. Boko haram is now on the defensive side, most of them running for their lives.
Even though we know change always comes at a cost the suffering is actually getting unbearable. This is evident in the long and unending fuel queues with people leaving their vehicles in queues for days in anticipation that fuel is on the way. In kaduna a litre was at a time sold for 500 naira by black marketers. The exorbitant rise in prices of everything in this country even sachet water, high rate of kidnappings and so many other things all indicate the sufferings Nigerians are going through with patience. Baba its high time you spend a little time at home and solve some issues even though we know all your travellings are work related but Nigerians are tired of you jetting out. It has gotten to a time that people are beginning to lose faith in you and the ones that still believe in you have no words to defend you, the opposition is gradually taking over the discussions with little or no response from those that believe in you simply because they have nothing to say. What am saying here is at least let us see you in action and have something to say. Its been a year and we are still only hoping and praying that you don’t fail. Baba survival of this nation solely depends on you now so it’s better you deal with all these saboteurs in whatever way and give us results, please. When you send a child to school you don’t expect him to tell you that the environment is not conducive for learning if his or her result is not good you just want a good result. Baba, Nigerians elected you the hard way, some put their precious lives on the line and some lost theirs. All we ask is don’t let us regret it, let us know it was worth it. Imperfection is part of human nature and so nobody is perfect and even the great PMB has his flaws but has proven that he is the best among us. We should understand that the problems and solutions of this great nation does not start and end with Muhammadu Buhari alone but rather they start and end with us all. Everybody has a role to play, we must change our ways and attitudes, we should try and be selfless, always look at the greater good, put Nigeria first, fight corruption collectively and most importantly always pray for this country and may be, just may be the suffering and cries will end with us while the future generation will enjoy it.
A M. Modibbo
@Ammmodibbo on Twitter
