The torment of being a Nigerian
By Punarimam Fehintola
Nigeria is a country blessed with all kinds of mineral and human resources. A country which is so blessed yet poor.
People living in Nigeria have continued to deal with bad leaders who are not interested in their progress, hoping that one day a Messiah will come and liberate them from these crops of leaders and begin to treat them better giving them what they truly deserve.
The so called giant of Africa as they have been called though , due to their population and not for their achievements have continue to suffer disunity as a people.
People argue that this country called Nigeria may have continued to battle insecurity due to religious and diverse ethnicities but many have also argued that the issue may not just about these but the lack of government with the political will to unite and bring everyone together to leave in peace and harmony.
In the past the country seems to be more safe and secured but now you have to worry whenever you’re to travel from one state to another especially by road, those who have to travel from the east, south, west to the north have to deal with fear and may suffer night mare before their traveling date.
The question is still unanswered, where did we get it wrong? Why do we have to feel so unsafe in our land? If you’re not safe at home where else would you feel safe? A child runs home when someone chases him, to his home where he feels safe but in this case many Nigerians run out of their homes to find safety elsewhere.
Initially these crisis are known to be between the Christians and Muslim but it has taken a new dimension like in the case of Zamfara, and katsina, where bandits kill every day for no reasons.
Insecurity is growing day by day from religious crisis, communal clashes to boko haram, herdsman attack and now the so called bandits killing all over the place and leaving many to wonder what is going on, especially with security operatives who have received accolade for doing super in securing peace in other countries.
Returning from a trip in Gombe state made me wonder if there is hope for this country at all. On reaching Jos we got the news that curfew has been imposed in Gombe state over the death of a young Christian boy who was killed by some Muslims.
Arriving Jos, at a community called Dong along mai farin moto two young men were killed while returning from mining site in the evening.
Out of ten Nigerians nine are waiting for visa to relocate abroad for a better and secured future. Those countries may have their own issues but many Nigerians feel their condition cannot be as bad as theirs , especially looking at the value of naira, the exchange rate, the lack of jobs , poor health care services, the educational systems that have fallen and are left to the private business owners to exploit citizens, lights, bad road. What area can we really point at and say this sector is working? None if you ask me. My children attend private schools where we have to pay heavy school fees , I have experienced wrong diagnosis from doctors severally, I had to suffer from unpaid jobs and deal with several disappointments from government job applications because I don’t have an uncle in high position who is willing to give me a note to enable me get the job.
Nigerians only travel if they must but not having to explore or travel for the fun of it especially by road.
Killings in Nigeria now have become a way of live with no value for the human lives. The overwhelming situation is the fact that you keep hearing the president having meetings with security chiefs yet no heads way.
Where are we getting it wrong? Yes times are changing but our fore fathers laid good foundations but we shattered them and dug new once which are centered on greed, lack of conscience and lack of love for nation. An American will say America first but here everyone wants to acquire by every means possible, what will last them and their great grandchildren a life time.
The northern leaders wont educate their people so they won’t have to know their rights and ask questions, they want them to be in perpetual darkness so they can continue to exploit them and throw them crumbs from food that are meant for them. Living as slaves in your father’s house while you’re royal.
The South east, South South and south west also suffers from leaders who lack integrity to keep to their campaign promises.
The president keeps reassuring, even as things get worst by the day, doesn’t he think the security strategy should be changed and a new one reintroduced? Baba Nigerians don’t feel safe again oh! This 2nd tenure, things must change, Nigeria can still go back to where it started and can become even better. I am sure Nigerians want to stay and build their home but you have to feel safe before you can think of building.
Nigeria belongs to all of us but we are also worried about the future of our children. What becomes of them after secondary school? How many parents can afford private universities for their children?
The killing of our government schools has also given rise to more corruption in the land. These schools can be better again even as most of our so called politicians are products of these unity schools but send their children abroad to school.
I believe in a new Nigeria who will rise beyond its challenges and I also see a people who are ready to make a difference to leave in peace and harmony with one another. Nigeria our only home.