| |
|
 |
|
Nigeria is known and addressed
as the Giant (Goliath) of Africa
mostly by the smaller (Davids?)
in the African continent,
especially when they need her
financial and moral support. As
her citizens, most of us have
also fallen in love with the tag
because it does something to our
psyche. Who doesn't want to be
big?
I wasn't around when the
developed world were undergoing
their development processes but
based on what is going on in
Nigeria today, I don't envy them
one bit. In the recent past, our
own great country has had to
face many problems which many
say are challenges of a
developing nation. I will dwell
only on five.
One, on the issue of the
militants, troops deployed to
the Niger Delta region got a new
fire for fire order from the
presidency meaning that
militants should be killed at
sight and must no longer be
treated as prodigal sons who
insist on having their
inheritance even in the 'bush'.
While some militants are now
facing various charges in the
law courts., others are being
killed as instructed. However,
Nigerian soldiers have also
suffered some casualties. No
fewer than five of them were
gunned down by some militants in
a 70-man ambush recently which
may have given the militants
some form of strength to fight
on. The loss of human |
|
|
|
|
lives on both sides does not
erase the embarrassing truth in the
UNDP's report that the Niger Delta
region of Nigeria is the poorest oil
producing region of the world.
Two, our own president Olusegun Obasanjo
and his personal person, vice president
Atiku Abubakar have been doing what was
only formerly associated with female
friendships: spilling secrets. This Aso
Rock street fight continues unabated.
Those who eat sumptuous meals, those who
sign cheques for special accounts, those
who get car gifts, those who give
bribes, those who take bribes, those who
have the photocopies of cheques and
drafts, etc have been listed for us all
to see. While some Nigerians are busy
taking sides, I belong to the neutral
group. I reserve my comments. Can you
believe that a woman or women like me
got car gifts from a special national
cake account and I'm here writing? At
times like these, I see why they say,
'it is beautiful to be a woman'. I won't
say more. Talking more seriously now, I
think we should start interceding for
Nigeria's leaders. Why do we waste funds
when extreme poverty stares the masses
of` this great country in the face?
Three, the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission has said that some governors
are being investigated. This same EFCC
has made giant-like Mike Adenuga running
for cover, and many other giants living
in fear. There is a definition I seek:
What is the meaning of corruption? Can
somebody tell me or do I use the
dictionary definition? If we choose the
dictionary definition, then by the time
the length and breadth of Nigeria is
combed by EFCC, the whole country will
be like Noah's ark, filled with only
'eight persons' and all manner of
animals. I won't say more.
Four, we lost our very dear military
officers in a plane crash in Benue
State. May their souls rest in perfect
peace. I pray that hypocritical and
greedy in-laws will spare their widows.
Amen.
Five, the future of Nigeria is stranded.
I am talking about the youths who don't
seem to know how to handle the shocks
accompanying Nigeria's travails. Once
upon a time, youths feared and respected
their parents, senior relatives, senior
students, teachers, neighbours, etc
because they appreciated and guided them
right. Today, Nigerian youths are on
their own, fending for themselves. We
cry foul when a young woman poses nude
for whatever reason, but we forget that
by denying our youths a promising
future, we are already striping them
naked. If the secrets of our hearts and
acts get to the press, how many of us
will be found clothed? I won't say more.
May the good Lord help the Giant of
Africa Amen.
-Eno
Ekpo |
|
|
|
|
|
|
