CHANGES

Changes

I do beseech you by the mercies of God to indulge me this one time as i introduce you to my extended family of thoughts. It's quite a read.

Somebody Sai Baba!
As we celebrate 17 years of unbroken democracy, I congratulate the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Mohammodu Buhari (GCFR). Being the president of the world's most populous black democracy is no joke.
We continue to pray for God's strength and guidance for him and the nation as a whole.

Anti-kwarupshun
Apparently this has been the theme song of this present administration. This has been unanimously agreed by all stakeholders as absolutely necessary for the progress of the nation. Stopping the looting of our commonwealth by criminal minds is heartily welcomed by Nigerians anytime. So nobody is asking for the US' version of the Fifth Amendment here.
However, anti-corruption is NOT a vision! It is not necessarily a national policy. At best, it is like deworming a child - while there is still proper feeding to be done. It is wonderful that there is the political will to fight graft but is never a surrogate for sound economic policies and a well-articulated national agenda.



Mr. Politics weds Mrs. Economy
To better appreciate the earlier postulations. Please understand that Politics and Economy have been married for such a long time that successful nations are almost always defined by the strength of their politics or economics. For example whilst America and Russia pose as global political juggernauts, China is doing so by posing as a global economic powerhouse! Russia and China are not exactly democratic states by the way.
This is why we have lots of local resources and FDI hovering over our economic landscape with the hope of a concrete policy direction from government so they can come in. The official figure is 0.36 - that's by how much our economy has shrunk in the first quarter (I sincerely believe that it is a very conservative estimate). With the 4% population growth rate, do you remember Thomas Maltus?
It shows how political decisions have economic implications.

Blame It On The Umbrella!
Really? Ok, ok, not to sound as one holding brief for anyone. Yes, for the first 16 years of our nascent democracy, the Umbrella didn't measure up to par. Yes, when the crude oil price was above $100, they didn't save for the rainy day. The list goes on. If you ask me though, that rhetoric has lost its mojo! We could understand this during the electioneering campaigns but one year after being elected? This is why we voted this government in the first place. Just to put it out there: 25% of this tenure is gone!

Is Nigeria going south or not?
These polarizations are becoming louder and it is not good omen at all. We must understand the diversity of Nigeria else it will be used against us by elements who are without scruples.
With the rise of agitations from certain sections of the country owing to perceived neglect and marginalization - all must be managed with tact and diplomacy because between 1984 and now many things have changed. Just saying.

Body Language
Again this 'body language' should be properly defined - because in politics perception equals reality. Say for instance is the anti-corruption war selective? Is the Media being muzzled? Are religious and ethnic sentiments the prime determinants of national policies? What about the brazen impudence towards court orders?
The government should handle these ambiguities else mischief makers will be given space to misconstrue events, else there might be a growing difference between what is being said and what is being seen. Nature abhors a vacuum so where a lacuna exists, speculation and conjectures will happily fill the gap. Conspiracy theorists thrive on these lapses.

So Mr. Writer are you a 'wailer' or a 'hailer'?
Nice try! Only that I don't fit into boxes. Being a swordsmith myself, I appreciate the constructs only that these ones I consider manipulative. We are Nigerians. Whether you align with the Broom, the Umbrella, the Rooster or any other mascot - we all face the same challenges the only difference is the degree to which it affects us. We all by PMS at the same price and share many other unfortunate inconveniences together.

So how does all these reduce the price of tomatoes?
Sadly, it may not - at least not immediately. You may have to continue with your 'ofeaku' for sometime. All I am saying is that this government should take responsibility for being at the helm of affairs. If you are in the kitchen, you should be able to take the heat. The time of being politically correct at the expense of the nation is over. We can't continue playing the Ostrich.
By the way, the Ostrich is the largest land bird (Nigeria happens to be the 'largest' in Africa) yet when it lays eggs, it puts its head in the sands and hopes by some stroke of luck that the eggs will be protected from danger. From our Coat of Arms, we are eagles and eagles don't chicken out! They fly straight into the eye of the storm! The Broom has to make sweeping changes - literally! (Hopefully I won't get any mail from Animal Rights Activists for this).

You and I
It is very easy to blame the government - but in reality we all are the government. Remember Thomas Jefferson's 'We, the people"? What we have are elected representatives. This means as much as we have rights, we also have responsibilities. Else we will end up as arm chair judges and fifth columnists. Everyone can talk about the problems, what makes us different are the solutions we proffer.
We are that turning point generation. Positive change begins with you and I.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
(Thanks for your patience)



Thanks for Reading!
Have yourselves an inspired life!
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