Rather than Corruption, I believe Nigeria's No.1 problem is NIGERIANS themselves. In fact, we (you and I) are the BIGGEST PROBLEM that we have in Nigeria, especially if you are an average Nigerian.
Rather than Corruption, I believe Nigeria's No.1 problem is NIGERIANS themselves. In fact, we (you and I) are the BIGGEST PROBLEM that we have in Nigeria, especially if you are an average Nigerian.
The average Nigerian is docile, too patient, easily swayed or deceived, gullible, too trusting and quick to forgive and too quick to forget. S/he is also laid back and cavalier or blasé about their situation and the average Nigerian is still expecting Manner to fall from Heaven to change their situation. S/he is also greedy and selfish or self-centered and crooked. Take, for instance, the US constitution to Nigeria and watch how it would be bastardised or debased and rendered impotent or inchoate.
Majority of us also lack analytical depth and the ability to reason properly (perhaps, due to poor quality of education or having been brow-beaten by poverty for far too long or subjugated by the Military for too long, we cannot think properly any more). We no longer reason properly and we have become too gullible and easily brainwashed. If not so, in this time and age, people like IBB and ATIKU, two Grandmasters of corruption and bad Government, who should rightfully be in JAIL, should not still be insulting our sensibilities by canvassing for our votes in 2010. IBB even had the temerity to ask us to move on and forget the past, after creating Nigeria's mess. (Yes, the mess was there before 1999, before OBJ's Presidency). It is harder to rebuild than to destroy. Nigeria is still rebuilding years after the Military intervention of 1985 -1999.
ATIKU has his neck deep in corruption, and he is wanted in the USA. He was indicted there and he did a runner and quietly relocated to Dubai (as Fela would say, like nothing happened). He was also indicted in Nigeria and yet he was allowed to contest the 2007 elections contrary to the Constitution. And having prostituted about, and with his indictment still hanging, he is back again. Is Presidency by TULASI for him? When Nigerian Universities were wallowing in poverty and Lecturers were striking all over the place, yet he was donating millions of dollars through Jennifer Iwenjiora (his wife) to the American University in Washington (???). What business did a SITTING Vice President of Nigeria have with donating money to a foreign University while his country's Universities were crying out for funds? Misplaced priorities!
What business did he have with transacting any business, other than governance, and receiving remittance from his Company for his private businesses? Only in Nigeria will such scandal die quietly. EFCC should have the guts and be emboldened to investigate these charges. The EFCC should also feel emboldened to investigate all cases of corruption, including investigating President Jonathan and wife, for any misdeed, once he ceases to be the President. Until then ATIKU must be investigated and tried. That is how it is done! No Courts should be gullible this time and fall for his victimisation or witch-hunt claims. You go to Equity with CLEAN HANDS and not while you have filth and skeletons all over the place. Imagine the same man that lied that he forgot he owed some millions of money to a Bank in Nigeria and almost brought the Bank to near collapse, until he was named and shamed. Who can ever forget owing even $1000? The same political prostitute who lacks ideology or principles, and whose political ideology is any Party that is willing to offer him a platform to become President. A morally debased man! (These are facts and not hearsay!)
Nigerians are also too laid back and are easily forgetful too. They are also deceptive, conning and easily fooled. Having ruled for about 38 years of Nigeria's independence, how can any reasonable or right thinking person (including the CIROMA group) ever canvass for yet another Northern Presidency, when there are other ethnic groups in Nigeria? Some people even have the guts to mouth the 'we are born to rule' warped slogan, even with little education or intelligence in their brains. Why can't a Bayelsa, Igbo or an Edo (where my parents come from) or a Nupe man also rule the country?
I like Ribadu, as a person, but I believe he must step aside for now, and do the right thing, and allow a minority ethnic group a chance to lead for once. Let us encourage the Minority Ethnic Group (MEG) for once to rule the country. I also personally feel Ribadu is not experienced enough or ripe for the Presidency, having had no experience yet in governance. Let him first cut his teeth and be tested as a Governor or a Minister, etc. To whom more is given, even more will be added, the Bible tells us. Until then he should wait. Who would have believed that Madam Rebranding would fail so woefully as a Minister, so soon after she was celebrated at NAFDAC? Imagine her trying to rebrand Nigeria and delving into inconsequential issues like using the name ‘Naija’ to represent Nigeria. How is that an issue for any serious minded MINISTER of Government? Let us not be ruled by sentiments or emotions, but be guided by the principles of equity, fairness and justice. Ribadu should wait until 2015!
We are also not sincere. It is instructive that Northern politics is all about protectionism and cabals, if not how come there are far too few former Northern Governors exposed as corrupt? What happened to all the monies and all the resources they collected for development of their States and Local Governments? How many projects or developments did they bring to their areas? If so, why were they not as celebrated as Fashola of Lagos State? With all that money, why is the North still backward? My fellow Northern brothers, we must ask these questions and ask them what they did with all the monies and resources entrusted in their cares. And if there is nothing to show, then they embezzled it. How many of them are currently facing corruption charges?
Corruption is a major problem, but not the biggest problem of the country. With good mindsets, determination and all seriousness, we can change and overcome corruption. Let us first renew our minds and our thinking and thought process and everything else would fall in place. Let us be wise and always wear our thinking hats, lest we would be taking for a ride again! We can’t afford to be fooled more than once!
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Osi
(Resides in the UK and he is a social commentator and also blogs on Sahara Reporters as OC)
([email protected])
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