Where Are We Going?
Published by toyin on Tagged Abroad, Corruption, Governannce, Lagos, Nigeria
The news that MTN Communications, a leading Nigerian mobile communication outfit has decided to sight its regional Head Office was not only shocking but very instructive. Also significant is the planned phased withdrawal of International Oil Companies (IOCs) from our shores to Ghana and Angola. Add these to the relocation of several other multinational manufacturing concerns to our so called ‘small’ West African neighbor and you would begin to understand the seriousness of our situation as a nation.
Yet, the above scenarios does not bother our leaders as they go about exhibiting their ‘home grown’ patriotism and loyalty to the course of continual relevance in the corridors of power never minding the fact that the country they are supposed to be leading is derailed and on a dangerous decline. Sooner than later, we will all realize that the world waits for no one.
Recently, it was announced that Angola has overtaken Nigeria as the world’s sixth largest crude producer and that major investment in that industry has increased ten folds in the last five years in that country while the reverse is the case at home. The implication of this to an oil dependent like ours would soon become glaring. Even our biggest buyer, the US is working on alternative energy sources and is determined to get its crude from other countries. After all, Nigeria is not the only crude producer in Africa!
Like the proverb from the Yorubas: “The season of the masquerades would soon be over and the child of the priest would have to pay for bean cake”. The crude oil that our leaders are ready to kill, maim and loot for is not inexhaustible; neither would the money from criminal sources be forever acceptable in decent societies of the now and future.
Compared to other countries in our league, we are seriously lacking in all developmental and human indexes. We are rated as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. While we cannot be classified in the same vein as Iraq and Afghanistan in terms of violence and break down of law and order, we are certainly not far behind when one looks at the records of violence and riots in the last 11 years. What’s more? We are now a ‘country of interest’ in US terrorism list. Yet our leaders carry on as if there’s really nothing at stake.
Our social infrastructures are totally collapsed except for a few places like the FCT and Lagos. What do we really have going for us as a nation? Oh, I forgot, we have the largest collection of looters, liars and thieves in government and corporate world!
The cliché that we are ‘the largest black nation in the world’ means nothing as far as ‘am concerned. Otherwise, President Obama would have been dining with his Nigerian counterpart rather than President Mills when the leader of the Western World visited Africa for the first time after his inauguration. Our largeness rather than be a plus is more like a negative as we have the highest number of poor and exploited people on this side of the planet and like I pointed out earlier; the fact that we produce oil would soon become irrelevant if we fail to do what is right.
A country that is deeply embedded in official corruption with its attendant problems is clearly headed in the wrong direction. More so, a country that is not ready to make necessary changes required because of ethnic and religious considerations popularly tagged ‘federal character’ WILL NEVER arrive at a desired destination. This is not a curse but a statement of fact!
So where are we headed when we cannot boast of just 5000 megawatts of electricity? Yet we are quick to point to others that we are the largest black nation in the world. Pray me, what does that put on my table? Where are we headed if we import virtually everything we use and do not even have the will to insist on having the right quality? Our country is the most derided nation in the world as we are expected to be a giant in the comity of nations yet midgets are better recognized and respected than us in major international platforms.
We are incapable of taking proper and needed decisions as our leaders must politicize and regionalize everything to be correct not minding that the country and its citizens are suffering. Directionless, Nigeria is held hostage by a wicked and power hungry cabal that does not care if the roof caves in as long as they continue to enjoy the benefits and perks of office. But for how long?
It is appointed to a man to die but once and after that, the judgment. Our political, corporate and religious leaders are going to give accounts one day and they better be aware of this. The day of reckoning is near at hand as all indications show that people are fed up with the situation of things in the country. It is at hand and we would all witness the power of the people in due course!
Leave a Comment