No change at all

Nothing changes here. Even the nationwide protest that claimed many young lives didn’t lead to substantial change. I wonder what could persuade our leaders if the deaths of protesters haven’t. Every time I travel through this blessed state, I see nothing new; it’s heartbreaking that amidst abundance, we have nothing to boast of. Most times, I sleep on public transit, but today will be different. I decided to see what the so-called best governor in Nigeria is doing, so I carefully secured a seat near the window for a better view. The roads, as usual, are in disrepair and look like death traps for commuters. Unworthy vehicles still emit dangerous fumes as they move around. At one point, raggedy road safety officials watch greedily. There’s an environmental protection agency, but they’re only available when it benefits their own fee-driven pursuits. Aside from the young palm trees, nothing new appears here. And lest I forget, it’s only in Nigeria that roads and bridges take over a decade to build, and teachers’ salaries go unpaid for over a year; in government guise, there’s always a lack of funds. In Nigeria, these are tools for politics and propaganda, meant to keep the masses under the leader’s control. These wicked leaders forget that the people also pay school fees, rent, taxes, and buy food. The worst part is that as the cost of living rises, even the (rarely paid) salaries stay the same or are sometimes cut. Some leaders and their cabinets are poor economists, and I wonder if they even have qualified advisers. Do you see why there’s a continuous rise in out-of-school children and high unemployment? Isn’t this very shameful?

Sometimes I wonder what drives the Nigerian leader. How can someone preach a corruption-free society when they themselves are the head of corruption?

Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy is asking others not to eat toads while secretly enjoying a dish made from toads.

I understand that those who run our government receive their salaries and benefits on time. However, civil servants and retirees often have their wages and pensions withheld, sometimes for as long as 20 months. No one can remain peaceful in such a situation. The most affected are medical professionals and those in education. I’m especially distressed that many pensioners die while pursuing their rightful entitlements. The only ones living comfortably are the government officials, who profit from the public funds. These leaders view ordinary people as toothless bulldogs that can only bark. Yes, the youth might have been asleep for years, but now they are interested in the governance of our country. Perhaps another revolutionary protest will make our leaders reconsider and initiate much-needed reforms. I hope it doesn’t come to that.