Sunday, May 12, 2013

Let's weep for Nigeria

My Thoughts With Ayodele Samuel
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At this historic moment and time, Nigeria is undoubtedly  replicating the era when Israel was in the wilderness. Though the journey was tough then, Israel knew with certainty that she was heading for the Promised Land - Canaan.
Sadly, Nigeria does not yet know where her own destination lies even at 100. After 100 years of amalgamation, 53 years of political independence, 15 years of unbroken civil rule, Nigeria still gropes in the dark; walking without a definite direction.It is pathetic as the world daily watches the acclaimed giant of Africa helplessly moving about with the whirlwind of unfortunate circumstances.
Let us weep and mourn for the wasted years.
The Nigerian experience 100 years ago has indeed been a story of lamentation on all sides. Visions and targets set for development by our founding fathers 100 years ago have all woefully failed. And yet there is no end in sight to further failure, with the present government,infact, not offering any hope.
 As the nation continues its journey to destiny,  she certainly needs a way forward, a breakthrough from a place where poverty reigns supreme in the midst of plenty, a country that is known for production of and renowned for export of crude oil but import refined and finished petroleum products to the detriment of its economic and political progress; a country where clueless leaders rule with impunity,a country where 50 million of its youth are jobless, a country with failing moral standard,  a country where the masses are denied basic necessities of life.
This is a country where 70 percent of it citizens live below 150 naira per day but award more than 70 percent of its annual budget to salaries and allowances of political office holders . It is no more news that basic infrastructure in the country are in deplorable conditions. No good roads, no basic educational structures, our hospitals have become transit point to the mortuary due to inadequate healthcare facilities. Unemployment is increasing as the economy gets worse. Industries have closed down due to unabated high cost of production as a result of unreliable power supply.
 As we go into another celebration of 15 years of democratic rule , Nigerians should think of when we shall get out of this shameful situation wickedly imposed on us by selfish leaders over the years. What is the way forward?
We should use this moment to reflect soberly on achieving the true Nigeria dream, both the leaders and the led must reflect soberly on the state of the nation. We can't continue to be led by visionless leaders, who neither have the mental capacity nor patriotic desire to move the country forward.
At this moment, Nigerians must wake up from their slumber to reality.  Nigerians must decide on true leadership. Nigerians must vote and ensure that their votes are not counted for the wrong candidates. Nigerians must tell the wicked, self imposed leaders to go into political oblivion. It is time  to rescue our country from the visionless and corrupt leaders while they bow out shamefully. For a nation like Nigeria to be great again, it will start from somewhere mostly important which is credible and transparent elections. When there is a free, fair election, we must all lay our hands on the plough afresh towards building a nation we can all be proud of in OUR GENERATION!
http://weekend.peoplesdailyng.com/index.php/opinion/opinion/1055-let-s-weep-for-nigeria