I read Iyin Aboyeji’s Frontpage article yesterday with sadness in my heart. I didn’t cry but I had tears in my eyes. I am a believer in possibilities and what can be, but yesterday I was overwhelmed by the sheer size of where we are as a nation and where we desire to be as a people. We have to begin to get things right even from now. First of all, it pays to get over our illusion of being the African giant. We are not and we are not close to being one. The only way we can successfully claim to being the giant of Africa is if we all agree the man with the most number of children in a city is also the giant of that village.
Just after reading Iyin’s article, I also read about Secretary Clinton’s trip to Africa which commenced yesterday. As usual, like most American leaders on their trips to Africa, she will be going to Senegal. Mind that Senegal is a part of ECOWAS and a French speaking country. South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi and South Africa complete Mrs. Clinton’s itinerary in Africa. Let us face it, ours is not a democracy to be proud of. The biggest news coming out of Nigeria remains corruption and now bomb blasts. No self-respecting leader wants to be seen smiling in a picture with a president whose aide agrees is the most cursed man in the world. How can we change this perception and at least start picking low hanging fruits?
The prosecution and eventual conviction of the major companies and individuals indicted in the fuel subsidy scam will go a long way. Until the petroleum minister is sacked and made to answer for her role in overseeing a ministry where such monies were lost to rogues, it’d be hard to see this government as serious about its wishes to fight corruption. Until we are able to start with one, two, three former sacred cows and get them safely in jail, our fight against corruption will not go beyond blog posts like this one. Why is corruption a low hanging fruit? It is because the ability of a Nigerian government to show that it means business is first of all to safeguard the country’s wealth from the ever present dirty hands of looters.
Another challenge we could get started with in terms of providing solutions is power. The goal post that has refused to stop moving has to be held by a wedge. It will come at certain costs but the benefits of privatizing the bulk of PHCN and truly liberalizing the Energy sector cannot be overemphasized. Nigerians will have to pay more to have power eventually but that is a necessity if we must move forward.
Kill cronyism and monopolies. Believe it or not, Dangote singlehandedly decides whether millions of Nigerians can build their own houses or not. It is a crime against free enterprise and markets to have one man determine the prize of an essential commodity like cement. We need an antitrust law in place to check the excesses of monopolies like that of Dangote. The world is watching and the world knows that, like Carlos Slim Helu in Mexico, Aliko Dangote has been greatly helped by his closeness to the seat of power. I like his industriousness and his humility, but I am totally against the current realities of the cement sector. Dangote will always remain a monopoly under this government, that’s a sad truth. In the end, any leader who is not willing to hurt his friends, hurt his family and even hurt his own re-election chances in certain situations cannot lay claim to being a leader.
President Jonathan has failed woefully, but he has some three years more to try and get things right. So far, he looks like he does not care what happens as long as he is president. The problem with that thought is that, not only will he remain the most insulted man in the world as rightly said by Mrs. Sarah Pane, history will also have his name in its sewage. Public office is a privilege.
PS: This was first published on YNaija Frontpage
~ @omojuwa
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“History will also have his name in the sewage” any right thinking man shouldn’t sleep over that phrase. I hope Mr President gives a damn about that.
…and you think say GEJ care where history dumps him? think again!
Mr Jonathan has lost focus (if only he had one)Nigerians should be patient and wait for 2015 to chose a leader who has the onion to make things right.we need Jonathan to work hard and not depend on “Goodluck”.
Government can do little or nothing now,for this is the end of time,there are failures in the side of government all over the world, it is not in Nigeria alone.i must say this,nothing can get better now,it will only get worse,my only happiness is that the bible says the days shall be cut short so that people will survive, if not so no man shall survive it.know ye this government can not make much changes again,change things for yourself.MAY GOD BLESS NIGERIA
The truth is always bitter but lies always goes into ears with softest parts words. NIGERIANS OUGHT TO WAKE UP AND MEND THEIR ALREADY DESTROYED IMAGE… Everything is ailing…why?
“God give us Men,a time like this demand. Strong mind great hearts,true faith nd ready hands. Men whom the lust of office cannot kill, Men whom the lust of office cannot buy. Men who possess opinion and a will,Men who have honour,Men who won’t lie.Men who who can stand before a dermagogue and damn the treacherous flatteries without winking. Tall men strong hearts who live above the fog in public duties and in private thinking”GEJ- error of a nation!!!
Sir u’re near to cry but I’m cryng always. I’am v lament d way our dear nation become. Our leaders or rulers have no any thinkng!
God in u we put our trust.
It is regretable and quiet disappointing to have Jonathan as our preaident, he is in the midst of enemies, but I pray that God will deliver him.
We speaks grammar all d time and no action.
We proffered solutions and the govts knows wht to do but keeps embracing the devil. Freedom is not free in freetown.
Se na like dis we go dey go?
Those of you giving excuses for GEJ‘s weak governance are not being fair to your fatherland.Some people said the country has been made ungovernable for him. How does boko haram stop the construction of east-west road when it does not stop them from looting our treasury,is b.h responsible for subsidy looting?Etc.
oh,my God that how nigeria was turn in to,no peace no justice and security is only God can save us lets pray for our country.
The fact is our country can never be better with this mare post, we need to wake up nd challenge the devils we have as rulers, cos no leader will be happy looting his nation making his ppl suffer. Our problem is not only GEJ but the DEVIL, his SONS nd DAUGHTERS called POVERTY DEVELOPMENT PARTY (PDP). May Allah save us.
Good lord save nigeria the problem is not by this present govt but by the past govt started since 1985 wien the worst came in 1993 when nigerians voted there choice but was anulled since then no election but selection but lets hope by 2015 this govt can allow a free & fair election like that of 1993 it is then we have hope RUFUS OLANREWAJU
The problems facing nig is far beyond jonathan we need a true democracy in other to elect a competent leader freely
Nice piece…mostly on point. I don’t subscribe to losing any sleep cos clinton isn’t coming to Nigeria though. U needs to chill. P. S to everbody here, as much as our government has always failed us, always inslting the president or raining courses on him doesn’t make u any smarter or more patriotic. If u better ways of doing things, send memoranda to govt institutions stating ur idea. That is real smartness and patriotism.
GEJ did nt looks like wat we want and anticipate for bt dont let us forget that we are of diff belief,culture,tradition,language and religion. This our country cannot be guided with presidential sys of govt, its better with parliamentry where by their will be premier in all region and dis will bring proper check and balances. This sys of govt is too expencive and it only centrlize wealth and power to few set of pple, niger states where well govern then with less than 25 govt officials, compare to now with over 2500 govt official controlling a state. We should change to parliament sys if we cannot share peacefully as a nation.
Oh Allah bless us and our great country, 4 Your power is over al things.
We are on the eve of revolution if serious care is not taken
Who needs a Clinton’s visit anyways?… Americans dismantles your house to refurbish theirs, ..smh. If corruption reigns supreme its simply because the system,the people encourages & nurtures it. Its not just about GEJ or leadership, an average Nigerian have that propensity for corruption…it has eating deep. Just like aids, hope we get d cure! And for those championing d course of democracy, emancipation…hmm, until they are in GEJ’s shoes then we get to no where they stand. Most are sobbing” off the mainstream” political dropouts..”hoodwinking” people all about social media. One thing is clear…Nigeria fails when we have all failed. But can we all fail? Nigeria needs a radical change, true but to be enhanced, guided by spiritual intervention. God… help your children to help themselves.