Indeed Nigeria is in Distress!

July 10, 2019April 13, 2022 Tonnison 67 Views Indeed Nigeria is in Distress!

We are weighed down not only by uncertainties, but also by moral, economic and political problems … Our strength in adversity, Our health in weakness, Our comfort in sorrow” – Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.

This is the current state of our nation. Now is there a right to freedom of expression of opinions and of constructive opposition and criticisms of the government of the day? Is the National Assembly actually national in character and effective in its responsibilities? Are our courts of justice really free and independent of the antics of the executive arm of government?

Indeed Nigeria is in Distress!

Are they free of all association with particular political parties? What sort of democracy are we practising in Nigeria? How did we get into this mess? And what is the way out?

These are serious questions that are begging for answers. The defensive approach of the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to the unprovoked killings of innocent Nigerians by terrorists and the poor management of the rising tensions across the country has compromised the constitutional duty of government to protect all Nigerians. Should we all sit back and watch our common humanity suppressed and abused?

If the suffering people of Nigeria, the common citizens, are to be liberated, then a leadership that hates injustice and detaches itself from ‘the butter’ of the suppressors must rise to encourage the people to become active agents in the struggle for freedom. And this I think can only be given by “A True Religion”. It seems the political salvation of our people cannot come from the present-day political class; because what many of them care about is Power and Naira/Dollar.

Why is national unity still a challenge for a country that has been politically independent for almost 60 years? There is a disconnection between the electorate and our political leaders. Political ideologies and governance have become instruments of deceit, oppression and marginalization in many quarters; unfortunately those who are supposed to correct these things are either afraid to speak out or have filled their mouths with the cake of the political class.

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The killings of already impoverished, innocent and unarmed Nigerians are daily being politicized. It is high time government, traditional and religious leaders did more in saving this country from falling into a state of anarchy. Prevention of violent conflicts is easier and less expensive than managing the conflicts themselves. Government must know that distribution of relief materials to victims of violent conflicts is helpful, but averting the occurrence of the conflicts is better. It is not justifiable to allow a snake to bite a child simply because there is a hospital.

Often almost all survivors of violent conflicts are traumatized, especially women and children! It is sad to note that government’s nonchalant attitude towards conflict transformation has torn Nigerians apart! It is indisputably clear that Nigerians are now badly divided on the frontlines of religion and ethnicity; unfortunately the current administration pretends that everything is right. Mr. President, Nigeria is bleeding profusely under your watch!

Today, many countries in Africa and beyond see us as a violent people; a nation that has no regard for the sanctity of human life; a nation of crooks – politically, religiously and socio-economically. We are facing controversial realities in our history as a people: we claim to be the giant of Africa, but now a giant without feet. How then can we provide exemplary leadership to sister African countries? An oil rich country, but the world’s present poverty capital; a highly religious people, but with high corruption profiles and blood shed on almost daily basis.

I think Nigeria is in need of moral revolution and institutional reforms; this is what some may call reorientation or rebranding. Jail all corrupt Nigerians, build churches and mosques on all the streets in Nigeria; deploy all the security agencies to the conflict parts of the country but without moral revolution – a radical and free deviation from bad practices to good values – the desired peace, unity and progress we all yearn for will not be achieved.

Traditional rulers though have no formal role in democratic structure in Nigeria, must play a useful role in mediating among peoples of diverse cultures, thus enhancing national unity. Religious leaders on the other hand must do more in forming the conscience of our people through sound and objective moral teachings. The seeming insincerity of some religious leaders when they leave the round-table of interreligious dialogue is a stumbling block to conflict transformation between the adherents of the two major religions in Nigeria. How long will this continue?

Indeed Nigeria is in Distress!

We must know that there is no future in the past; however, it is necessary to reflect on the past in order to ameliorate the present which in turn will bring about a peaceful and prosperous future for all Nigerians. The true history of our nation ought to be taught in schools, and Nigerians should be encouraged to appreciate our beautiful past history so as to manage well the present in the spirit of patriotism and nation-building. Is there any first world country that does not have good and bad sides in its history?

Probably some of the city-states wars that took place in some European countries in the Middle Ages were more devastating than what we are experiencing. But why in this Jet Age? Why under a democratically elected government? And what exactly are the killers of innocent Nigerians looking for?

It is sad, because while many nations are thinking and working hard to manage plurality of beliefs, cultures and ethnicity to enhance development, Nigeria with rich and beautiful diverse cultures and beliefs is fast degenerating into an Hobbesian state of nature. Nigeria is wasting a lot of human and natural resources in preventable conflicts and thus gradually destroying its foundation of existence as a sovereign state.

Indeed Nigeria is in Distress!

It is important to note that the world is now a global village and hence there is no longer hiding place for leaders who abuse public trust and confidence. It is a matter of time and history will settle the case. For Nigeria to walk to the Promised Land, we must have detribalized men and women as our leaders; and the mentality of religious triumphalism must be checked or else we will continue to roam about in the desert with the fiery serpents to contend with.

The killings of our country men and women are unacceptable; and thus must not be allowed to continue. Many lives have gone; will they forgive our governments for playing politics with their lives and deaths? Did they die for Nigeria or Nigeria failed to protect them to live? If reincarnation was possible, will they proudly and gladly like to be Nigerians again?

Indeed Nigeria is in Distress!

Those who have been killed are not numerical figures but human beings – fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters, uncles and aunts, nephews and nieces. They are human beings; they are Nigerians; and unless this national menace is honestly and collectively fought and defeated, everyone remains a potential victim.