NIGERIA: THE CURSE THAT CAUSED OUR PROBLEM
By Oyelami Siddiq, Niger
A nation blessed with resources and potentials and still keeps promising after 55 years of independence. Her government keeps moving from kinds of administrations. Her leadership swaps between looting technocrats and honest mediocrities. Little wonder, the country continues to sail like a ship with no route that even a kid would say “Nigeria is a cursed nation”.
WHO CURSED NIGERIA?
Facing the many Nigerian woes, Nigerians reiterate “dem don swear for Nigeria”. Yet, no one really pays attention to the origin of our self proclaimed curse. Could it have been from some enemies? The British imperialists? A neighbouring country? Or a power contender somewhere in Africa? Factually none of these options ceremonially did curse Nigeria and the merciful creator did not also.
To crack this autopsy, let us diagnose an all life touching sector in Nigeria;the power sector. This has witnessed many transforming policies and change programmes but still woefully failed even when it was distinguished from a rocket science. It did well to have reportedly produced 00MW sometimes this year. Who cursed the Nigerian power sector if not Nigerians? Like you and I are not guilty of saying “ko ni da fun won” (it won’t be better for them).
Did you hum? Yes, you are getting my point. Nigeria is being placed on curse by its own citizens everyday. Arguably, no one wakes up in the morning to cast spells on the country but the rate at which people rain curses on people in government is so high to think all is well. Our president, governors and chairmen willing or unwillingly do not receive advise maybe, but they wealthily receive curses daily. Who curses a father and thinks it is not a damn on his family?
Recently I read a report that some women from Akwa Ibom state set to the street to cast spells on federal government because of their grievances, as if such should be the new face of dialogue. Unfortunately, many are like that but do not behave like them. We hail our leaders with oloshi (unfortunate one) and oloribuku (ill fated) as if those would affect their families. Who does not know the oshi (fate) is indeed their offices-our affairs. All these are what we alter with religious and tribal sentiments as the democratic factor is not also helping.
It is not uncommon to hear a religious leader calls for the head of a president or governor who seems not favorable to his congregation or genuinely, the masses. Lest I ask; what are the effects of the prayers in a country that is flooded with different religions?
Talking about the tribal political discourses in Nigeria by an ordinary man which he characterized with swearwords and bad wishes for the man at the top because he knows that he has no stake in such sittings. The political bad wishes and ill statements by oppositions also do not escape the ears and eyes of Nigerians. Oppositions supervise denting of government only to get there and receive bad wishes too.
I have learnt from great teachings of Islam; my religion, that leaders are not infallible, still they ought to be obeyed in as much as they are not calling to prohibition and abomination. They should be advised and not ridiculed. Moreover they should be assisted with prayers.
Nigeria is a promising state with a government armed with calculative plans to better the lot of her citizenry. However, my fear is if we do not change our curses to prayers, Nigeria will continue to be a merry go round of crashes and clashes.
Oyelami Ifeoluwa Siddiq wrote from Suleja Local Government, Niger State.