The Nigerian people are no doubt
a resilient bunch of survivors and we have done well to show this time and
again in enduring series of dire measures meted upon us by our leaders, not
just in this political dispensation but as long as we care to remember. Apparently
history must be copiously iterated and we must continuously find a way to ‘break
the surface’. Seems to me that the proverbial saying that we are profoundly
established in the art (and act) of “suffering and smiling” has stuck with us
for good, even more so after it was sonorously delivered by the apolitical
afro-beat legend and prolific government critic Fela Anikulapo Kuti in one of
his songs. Nothing can be more intrinsic in the human nature than the ability
to adapt to the toughest of circumstances in a bid to survive and we Nigerians
are so blessed in harnessing that ability when the need arises, be it outside
of our own motherland; in the face of discrimination, malicious degradation and
the most unfavourable physical and environmental conditions or at home where we
are constantly victimised by our leaders; superimposed on us by politically corrupt
manipulations or self-inflicted by nepotistic choices we are gullibly guided to
make.
It would be safe to say that
since before the 19th century to the mid-20th century the
survival instinct of man could be properly classified as a ‘black thing’, a
dark memorial of who we were, are and have become, yet colourful as an aspect
of our negritude. But here we are in the 21st century, decades away
from brazen dehumanization of the African continent, and Nigeria, being the
purported giants of Africa, 160 million strong in citizenry rewrites her
history in the blood and sweat of millions of toiling souls, surrounded by ample
natural resources which they have no control over, now redefining what was once
a ‘black thing’ to be a ‘Nigerian thing’!
It is an exemplary paradox that a
country like ours, blessed with so much from natural resources to human
capacity can also be jinxed with developmental retrogression. Even 52 years
after basking in the discovery of our staggering wealth, more than half of the
population is still swimming in penury, most yet unaware of the possibility of
a basic standard of living far beyond their hopes and dreams, which should
accrue to them by virtue of their citizenship rather than by merit.
Ignorance, they say is bliss.
Well, in this case there can be no bliss for the common man if he chooses a
life of mediocrity, subconsciously refusing to know more of how he is being
ruled and instead opting for a dedication of self to a lifetime of struggles in
a rat race whose finish-line is the gate of a cemetery. Depressingly shocking
it was to me when earlier this year on engaging some supposedly enlightened
compatriots on the issue of the subsidy removal which almost saw our dear
nation on the brink of anarchy, more than a few blatantly exercised a
monumental level of distorted reasoning especially regarding its ill-timing.
Even more shocking was their unhinged advocacy for the palliative measures
proposed by the government to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal. Four
months since the implementation of these palliatives, can anyone rightly state
without bias that the effects of the subsidy removal were cushioned, even if
like our dear President, that person is stuffed full to the brim with cassava
bread and consequently suffers mental impairment?
We all know that what has
occurred is only a ‘survival adjustment’ of the people to a new level of
hardship since salaries didn’t increase, jobs were not created, the power
sector didn’t improve, deflation of the economy did not occur...as a matter of
fact, things regressed geometrically- the implementation of the new minimum
wage still remains an issue in many states, the prices of goods and services in
all spheres were at least doubled, the spate of terrorism has become an issue
of national security, cases of graft has never been more rampant and the power
sector has been as stagnant as a cesspool of putrid water ideal for breeding
healthy mosquitoes!
Apparently, the government of
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan assumed the people he had vowed to ‘serve’
deserved more. Hence we got served on the first day of 2012 by our dear
President with a breath of ‘fresh air’ when it was announced that the pump price
of fuel had been pegged at N141/litre from N65/litre. As I now understand it,
those who willfully left the comfort of their houses on the aegis of the Save
Nigeria Group to occupy Nigeria really came out to sniff as much of the ‘fresh
air’ only to go back to their deoxygenated dwellings when they had had their
fill (or should I say when the government thought the people had had enough of
the ‘fresh air’).
According to the President, the
people of Nigeria were required to ‘take one for the team’ by enduring the
effects of the subsidy removal while looking at the long term benefits it would
bring. In his ever-piercing words he said, “It is a sacrifice Nigerians must be
willing to make to save our perishing economy.” So at the end of the day, by
draconian means and closed door enticements our wings were clipped and a
compromise was made. Win/win some might say, but alas; it is only the voice of adaptation
whispering deception. For by 1
st of June, six months after the
subsidy removal, the people will again be asked to take another one for the
team, to again ‘inhale‘ the fresh air of the GEJ-lead government by accepting
with enduring faith the increment in electricity tariffs so as to encourage
investors to see the industry for what it is; a gold mine waiting to be
explored and exploited, another pillaging scam the people must finance for our
collective good, the good of the industry and the good of our dear nation
Nigeria.
In Addendum...
Just a few days ago, (as a palliative I would assume) the ever-bamboozling
President 'launched' energy-saving bulbs into the Nigerian market! Isn't that
just wonderful!!! How lucky we are to have a President who is concerned about
our power consumption, so much so that a 'feat' as trivial as introducing
energy-saving bulbs into the Nigerian market could not be delegated to the
Power Minister! Well, for those who do not already know it, these energy-saving
bulbs have been in the Nigerian market long before now. The bone of contention
as regards this 'cutting-edge achievement' by the President is how power-saving
bulbs will increase the power production and ensure regular supply. I am
tempted to ponder on the scientific logic of improving the quality of
electricity supply by utilizing these bulbs...only I already know the result of
such reckless mental exertion. Then again, I remember these bulbs have been
here long before now and it didn't make that magic happen all that time, so why
now?
What a metaphorical contradiction that a political party well known for its
mantra of 'power to the people' really has no plans to give Power to the
people! It's still very vivid, the baffling financial figures which was
purportedly spent on the power sector during ex-President Obasanjo's tenure.
Enough to rebuild whole cities from the ground up some might agree, yet nothing
was achieved in the sector- a whooping $10 billion and nothing to show for it,
not even on the short term! Now thinking about it, I wonder how Nigerians were
so gullible to vote in another PDP member as the nation's leader in 2011. Oh, I
remember...they didn't vote the party, they voted the individual!
Lastly, for all the nepotistic supporters of GEJ prior to his failures as a
national leader, I have a simple question; "
how fresh is the air
around you"? But sadly, I might as well answer the question
myself seeing how rhetorical it has become...since the unfortunate reality is
that the rest of the anti-GEJ masses termed the minority are doomed to live by
the dubious decision that the majority made. But in the spirit of
sportsmanship, patriotism and unity, I hope we are wiser today than we were
yesterday, for our level of political intelligence, collectively averaged will
determine the future choices we make and ultimately the future of our dear
nation, Nigeria.
Follow Ari ‘X’ Steve on twitter @iamXAri
