by Henry Ekwuruke | |
Published on: Sep 10, 2004 | |
Topic: | |
Type: Opinions | |
https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=4294 | |
Nigeria, oh! my country. It has been the truth that many unwelcoming factors could make a nation miss the track of her destination and be in tears. Nigeria has had a series of blows done to her by her children manifested in the leaders since her independence 44 years ago as a nation. A close look at the scheme of things will tell you the fact that Nigeria has become almost, if not synonymous, with corruption. Taking a critical and vivid look at the scope of things happening in our country now, you will agree with me that our social life is smelling--it has been threatened and uprooted from its foundations. Our economic struggle is rancid. Our political as well as administrative departments are ozoning out a stinking odour. The odour from our religious life in all its ramifications is shocking and terrible. Our educational altitude and life is in a terribly confused state, our cultural patrimony is totally in a mess, our cultural life is contaminated. Our defense and security systems have become political grounds with crazy politicians. Patriotism has become a thing of the past. Our medical industry is nonetheless infected with a dangerous virus such that the state of Nigerian hospitals nowadays has become something unimaginable. Not only has it become a tombstone of unborn and helpless babies; our healthcare has degenerated. Drugs are now called a thing for the previleged because of their skyrocketing costs. The money realised continually from the oil sector of our economy has not been judiciously utilised irrespective of the abundance of God-given mineral and natural resources. Yet we have a scarcity of oil. Nigeria has became a nation in scarcity in a pool of abundance and plenty. This echelon of woes and mishaps erupted me to ask, "How will it be possible for successful radical change?" While reflecting on the ills of Nigerian society, I came up with a reflecting, ever-touching and never expiring question to Nigerians: "Is there any light in the tunnel?" A question that should with no doubt agitate and motivate, inspire our minds to challenges to reclaim our possessions in this country. Anyone who has been consistently following the trend of events and programmes in Nigeria since her independence in 1960 could inevitably see the historical and hermeneutical necessity of a revolutionary approach. But how could we realise a positive practical answer to the aforementioned central question. There is still a promising light of hope and progress in the tunnel which could be actualized when we sincerely and practically think well, act well and say a prompt no to corruption. Nigeria would become better. Let's take up the challenge. Finally, I wish to call for a real change in the system of things in Nigeria, my dear nation. It is unfortunate that the situation is somewhat a product of our leaders who do not reason beyond continuity and politics to the detriment of the poor masses. I strongly believe we can do something to bring our misery to an end, thereby resisting the bad leaders and take proper action. For the sake of our nation and preservation of our dignity. Let's be warned! « return. |