We have seen it all when it comes to resilience. Nigerians do not lose their humor even in the face of hardship. It is in Nigeria that ugly situations are turned to dramatic or comic videos and memes. This explains why we were once called ‘the happiest people on earth’. When it comes to talent, we are unique, and this is no exaggeration. Recently, an 11yrs old Nigerian boy in less than 2hours drew the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, during his visit to Nigeria.
Most times, it doesn’t matter that we aren’t satisfied with the country’s economy. Hardship can’t just deprive us of happiness. Not to forget, we are creative, hardworking and smart when it comes to entrepreneurship.
Nigerians, born and bred in the most populous black nation, have come to realize that ‘there’s no place like home’. No matter how much years we must have gone and stayed abroad, the local lifestyle, meals and people draw us home. With no doubt, we love Nigeria but our leaders, we love not.
It appears that to rule a nation isn’t just about promises, meetings and representation. It is way more than that. The citizens elected a representative to not only portray the country as Great but also see and care for their needs. Overtime, till date, citizens haven’t been satisfied with the elected officials. They seem to be all about the money and fame as they assume position.
As the media makes us aware of the development in the country – causing us to put the activities of the government in check – they (leaders) seem not to listen to our voices. As the days go by, citizens continue to endure lack of basic amenities. The representatives fail to provide water in the rural areas and people continue to suffer as they walk long miles to get at least a pot of water. If only they had fulfilled their promises, the world would be much easier to live in. No wonder we despise the leaders.
A journey no matter how small, is important and worth the stress. But it’s painful that ours leaves us with body aches when we finally reach our destinations. All thanks to the leaders for the bad roads.
“Help please we need a hand,” came the distressing sound. “Anyone there?” the voice yelled again. We rushed the pregnant woman to a general hospital, only for the health centre to lack the requisite equipment needed to save lives in distress. She died due to fake and empty promises of our leaders.
Homes in the rural areas and even in urban centres hardly enjoy electricity for 48hours. Big city men and middle class people who have been able to do well for themselves depend on generator to supply electricity, even at that, fuel scarcity is another.
So, what exactly has improved? Children roaming the streets hawking wares is regarded as child abuse universally, but it is a pity that in Nigeria, it is literally not regarded as a crime. Failure to expand classrooms, non-provision of notebooks and textbooks as well as increase in fees has left the parents with no other options than to send their wards hawking. Corruption and impunity continues as graduates strive relentlessly on the right path but frustratingly gets hit back by unemployment.
I have come to realize that to gain the interest of the citizens, provision of social amenities is indispensable because it affects elites and illiterates, as well as the privileged and non-privileged. While Nigerians could be hyper-critical in speaking bad of the government which in turn profits the opposition, they can also be truly appreciative once the needs of the people are met. Our leaders must wake up.
Adegoke Eniola Eunice is an undergraduate of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State.
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