By: Orator Victor Igho Igherighe
Considering the abundant natural and human resources Nigeria as a country is endowed with by the Almighty God, and the perennial hardships her citizens, especially the common man, has been experiencing, one is compelled to ask if the country is under a curse or destined to be what it is.
After one hundred and something years of almagamation and sixty something years of independence, Nigeria is yet to boast of significant progress and development. Instead of progressing, we are retrogressing by the day because where we are coming from is always better than where we are.
Basic social amenities such as good road network, constant electricity supply, good healthcare system, quality and affordable education are still major challenges in the country. From bad roads to poor electricity supply, inadequate healthcare system, high level of joblessness, poor education system, insecurity and unnecessary high cost of living.
All caused by the unbridled corruption and unnecessary greed and self-centeredness of those managing the resources of this country thereby depriving the citizens of enjoying their fundamental human rights.
Nigerians have been suffering for decades now, not as a result of lack of resources but mismanagement and bad leadership.
Nigerians are compelled to pay outrageous estimated electricity bills monthly without having it to use. Nigerians are buying petrol and other crude products at a costly price in a country where crude oil abounds with four refineries that have been deliberately abandoned to rot away for selfish gains.
While the leaders are busy amassing wealth for themselves and members of their immediate families to the detriment of innocent Nigerians; they have always thwarted their concerted efforts to see the country develop as fast as possible.
Nigerians have heard and read about the astronomical amount of money realized from subsidy removal and expected that by this time their lives should have been better. But the reverse has seemed to be the case as only the political class are enjoying the dividends of the subsidy removal.
Nigerians are not seeing any genuine intention by the Federal Government to use the proceeds of subsidy removal to better their lives and the country at large. It has always been them and their immediate family members.
The way and manner things are going in the country right now, if the leaders refuse to call themselves to order and make amend where necessary to cushion the effects of hardships and poverty torture their misrule and maladministration have caused Nigerians, no doubt, they will soon be running out of patience and that will be too catastrophic.
This is so because even some of these Nigerians who used to believe that prayers would solve the problems, are beginning to speak the language of war and violence!
They are now beginning to realize that the powers of the people are more powerful than the people in power. And it will be too unwise if the leaders continue to take these suffering Nigerians for granted because "everyday is for the thief, one day is for the owner!"
Comrade Victor Igherighe is a certified communicator, orator, disc jockey, and Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Ethiope - West Local Government Council, Delta State, Nigeria.
Comments
Post a Comment