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We don’t need a prophet to tell us that our dear country is presently dancing on the brink and everyone seems to be enjoying the rhythm. The bond that holds us together as a nation, bound with love and unity is gradually becoming effete each day.
Since independence, a good survey into the inglorious journey so far, I guess you would agree with me that we are still where we are — not yet out of the woods.
Our corrupt leaders have failed to meet with the mandate of the citizenry. They have brought untold poverty and hardship to the poor masses as a result of the mal-administration of the abundant resources at their disposal. We are in the throes of economic revival and a lot need to be done in order to salvage the ailing economy.
How can this be achieved? From my own perspective, corruption will stop the country from making headway. The hope of becoming one of the best 20 economies in the world will only remain a dream in the land of imagination. Corruption is the bane of the society. The Government knows this and the crusade against corruption is being handled with kid gloves.
When a poor man steals a pack of noodles in the market because of hunger pang, he will be beaten and sent to jail. Whereas, when a government official embezzles public funds to the tune of billions EFCC will tell us that they have arrested the person and he is under interrogation and after a while nothing will be heard about the case. The judiciary which is the bastion of justice has been bastardised. We have lost confidence in it. My interest in Nigerian football has ebbed away like a tide because it is all about illegalities.
Alhaji Aminu Maigari, the Nigerian Football Federation President was the chairman of the finance committee of the body when $230,000 reportedly got missing from the Glass House safe. But today, against all odds, he is the head of the federation after an election that was marred by gross irregularities. His predecessor Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi and his team were docked on alleged fraud of over N1bn which they said they spent on 2010 FIFA World Cup where Nigeria was sent packing in the group stage. We are yet to ascertain the position of the case.
However, the N38bn fraud charge against the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Dimeji Bankole, and his deputy was recently brought to a close. The men were exonerated on the grounds that the charges against them were unsubstantiated.
In the space of five years we have had four Inspectors-General of Police. The position of the Police head is like that of the coach of Chelsea FC where the coach is shown the exit door once he is unable to deliver.
We are in a society where men who are zero in integrity are treasured as heroes, just because their ill-gotten wealth has given them an entree into the upper class.
I was stupefied when I learnt that the Federal Government is planning to spend in 2012 the sum of N3.1bn on the pensions and allowances of former Presidents, Heads of State, their deputies, former leaders of the National Assembly and their families. Report shows that it has an increase of about N2bn when compared to what was earmarked last year.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), among others are the beneficiaries. The widow of late Gen. Sani Abacha is also on the list. The lawmakers were fast to pass the bill because of their selfish interest when they have meaningful bills on the floor of the house yet to be given consideration. In a country where things are done in the right way these men wouldn’t have been off the hook. They would have been held responsible for the economic retardation of the country.
The scenario shows that the Government is unconcerned about the common man. When more than 70 per cent of Nigerians are living in squalor, the disparity between the rich and the poor is noticeable. The campaign for the reduction of the cost of governance is just a mere façade.
Now tell me why the militants in the Niger Delta region will not resume their bombings? When you are using proceeds from their land to garner support for a government that is based on cosmetic and hypocritical agenda.
Unemployment made me to travel out of my beloved country in search for greener pastures. And I travelled by land through the Saharan Desert. My friend who left home with me died in the dreaded Algerian Desert. After a torturous two weeks journey, I finally made it to Morocco. The day we were to leave for Las Palmas — an island of Spain, I took ill and I was unable to make the trip with my friends mainly Nigerians.
At the break of day, it was announced on CNN that a boat conveying illegal immigrants from the Moroccan shore to the Canary Island capsized and 27 passengers on board perished in the tumultuous sea. Among them were 23 Nigerians. That was how God preserved my life.
I wrote a book, a true life story of what I experienced throughout the journey. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Person and Other Related Matters was contacted for sponsorship. They asked me to send the manuscript for reading and I did.
They also asked me how much would be needed to publish 5,000 copies. After sometime, I received a mail from them stating that they were short of funds and that they could not assist me. It’s ridiculous! This is a book that will educate and sensitise our youths to the dangers of traveling to Europe through the desert. According to a UN report, more than 5,000 Nigerians have perished in the desert on ill-fated trips to Europe.
It is a cliché to say that all hands must be on the deck and it is still true. The best way to improve our nation is to improve ourselves first. For when we are good, our country will be good. Team work makes the dream work.
Obi-West wrote in from 9, David Oyewole Cresent, Ipaja, Lagos State via juchinoworld@yahoo.com 07033280340
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