How Nigerians contribute to the country’s setback
by Joshua Bature
“What goes around comes around”. This is a popular quote that many people refer to most times when having a discussion. At its basic level it means reaping what one sows. While we refer to this quote constantly, it seems like we are been blindfolded from seeing how this quote transpires in our actions. This is one of the reasons why our dear country is where it is today.
At the moment, Nigeria is plagued with many issues. These issues include insecurity, food scarcity, corruption, economic hardship, and debt to mention but a few. In the past, before and after independence, Nigeria was known to be one of the fastest-growing nations in terms of economic growth but today the nation is overburdened with debts. We collect loans to finance budget, even the so-called subsidy at some point.
But what went wrong?
As a sovereign nation, we practice democracy, which is considered the best form of government a nation can practice. No wonder, Niger Republic military coup has attracted the attention of many well-wishers. This is because Democracy by definition is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. So how can we be practicing the best system of government, coupled with natural resources and a high labor force but remain in one of the worst states a nation can be? This is where we need to ask ourselves.
However, while we continue to look at things without as the cause of our problem, let’s consider what is happening within. There is this adage that says “A City can never be conquered unless there is the involvement of an indigent”. We are being conquered because we have accepted the wrong proposition. Our attitudes toward what we are as a nation are the bane of this nation.
Consequently, our attitude towards anything that has to do with national issues is treated as no “man’s business”. Today we have people who contest for leadership positions just to steal what we claim is for everyone? Teachers in public schools do as they like; those empowered with N-power programs refusing to show up in their place of duty; doctors in public hospitals refusing to give adequate care to patients primarily for their private hospitals to be patronised; contractors doing sub-standard projects primarily to make more gain to mention but a few.
Moreover, to make things worse, almost every aspiring leader is not in anywhere desiring to lead for public gain but personal gain. With this mentality, many people think there is no hope of progress because no one considers what we own together to be his/hers anymore, but the elites property where everyone comes and take his share.
There is this popular quote that says “The worst thing that can happen to a man, is to be hired to destroy oneself”. Nigeria is where it is today because we have been brainwashed that public property is no man’s property, hence our “no concern me” attitude comes to play. We have been hired to destroy ourselves. Our attention is now diverted from seeing public establishments/ properties to few elites properties where everyone is seeking an opportunity he/she can use to their advantage.
Going forward, We must open our eyes to see how we have been the object of destruction and take redress. A wise man once said, “A nation can never produce what is better than itself”. So what we are seeing today is the product of what our attitude has produced. We must change our attitude towards public establishment for the better. Everyone must begin to see government properties as their own, followed by the right attitude. This will return Nigerits ia to glory days.
More so, we must prioritize serving for the good of all rather than for personal gain. We have seen how these selfish acts have affected us. The terrorist we have today, most of them are the marginalized group of people. What they do today is not only affecting the poor but also them. Many loot public funds to store up for their children. But are they not affected by the problems the poor are going through? Environmentally they are.
As I conclude, we must all reap what we sow either directly or indirectly. Every Nigerian must develop the right attitude, doing things that will build rather than destroy us.
Joshua Bature, is a student, presently taking a course on Development Communication.
