Lesson for All!
Published by toyin on Tagged Corruption, Governannce, Nigeria, Vision, Wisdom
Our country is in dire need of prayers. I can’t but feel a sense of trepidation each time I think over the direction in which we are headed as a nation. We seem determined to continue to slide down into abyss. We are incapable of doing the right thing at any time save those things that benefit parochial, ethnic, tribal or religious sentiments. We shout from the top of our voice to anyone who care to listen that we are a democracy and yet the simplest democratic values are missing in our political conducts.
Most worryingly is the determination of the failed leadership that we are saddled with to continue in corruption and lack of vision in running the country. Where decisions are taken to enhance the quality of life of the citizenry, the hawks in the corridors of power hijack these initiatives to feather their nests to the detriment of the rest of us. These unpatriotic people have messed up rural electrification, HIV/Aids initiatives, NECO, UBE, Federal Road Maintenance, NAPEP etc.
The people are oppressed, poor and incapable of living decent lives just because our government is static and almost comatose. We have become the laughing stock of other more serious nations. The name Nigeria conjures the image of a giant with lay feet!
Policies that would have immediate impact on the lives of the people are stalled. What would move the country forward quickly is relegated to the backgrounds. The electoral reforms that should form the fulcrum of legislative activities as we march toward towards 2011 has been totally forgotten. What concerns our lawmakers is which chamber is superior to the other and who should be hosting the President for budget presentation!
But should one expect something different when the same electoral reforms would get most of these people out of office? It is a clear statement that majority of our politicians would not win elections if we had an independent and properly constituted electoral body. How can they when there’s nothing to show for the positions they occupy? They are people that behave like the Ostrich that buries its head in the sand.
Yet the people cannot continue to be oppressed forever. There is no country in the world that perpetually survives continued injustice and oppression of its people. Our leaders must change and become patriotic for once. After all, this is supposed to be their country. It doesn’t matter if they use stolen wealth to buy the whole of Dubai and South Africa; the fact will remain that they are thieves and that they are Nigerians!
President Yar’Adua’s current illness should form the platform for all Nigerians to deeply ponder over our existence and the purpose of God for all of us. Our political and corporate leaders in particular should take time to think over what seems to be their lack of concern for their fellow human and their country as a whole. It should serve a reminder that we do not actually own our lives and that God is indeed the One in charge. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and I dare say the key to a fulfilled life. When men and women put things into proper perspectives, they tend to live their lives in a better way and manner.
No one is infallible; no matter how highly placed. The best of human remains just that; human. President Yar’Adua’s illness calls for concern, understanding and prayers from all. I am particularly saddened that just as he seems to be finally prepared to lead, this heart condition struck.
In the last few months, the President succeeded in disarming the militants in the Niger Delta, commenced the sanitization of the Banking and Financial Industry, pushed forward the Petroleum Industry Bill, ended ASUU’s protracted strike, concessioned Lagos-Ibadan highway, led ECOWAS condemnation of the events in Niger and Guinea, successfully held FIFA Under I7 championship etc.
The above are actually more than the entire achievements of the President in his first two years in office. And all I can say is that may God in His mercies heal him and restore him to a full state of health to steer the ship of state. This Ship is indeed in need of direction and momentum in order to avoid the pirates invested waters of our national politics!
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