Kay, as much I love the short clip, and some kinda ouch...why cant we have such a relationship with our President, there are several factors why it cant and would not be. In the first instance, we have unimaginable level of security issues in Nigeria, and Mr. Nigeria President has thus far, has no solution to. But then, they have security issues up there in quantum I can hear someone quipping...Yes. But then, there are differentials in the real context of security between the two. The fact is the Presidency here believes he has enemies, whether imaginable, or real is another issue. Thus, he can never be so free to walk about like the US President does from time to time. As at today, the Presidency in Nigeria failed to realise that the only reason people dont like him is because, he has failed to effect a betterment of their lives. Simple. I was in once a very peaceful State in the SW of Nigeria for almost 20 months in and out. In and out as there was no way I could have been resident for more than 3 months at a time, otherwise my sanity would be seriously compromised, and frankly, I didnt want to get to that point. THAT WAS A VERY PEACEFUL STATE. There were good roads, street lights all night, hospitals were refurbished, and new ones built, school were renovated, new hotels everywhere, there was so much peace. The State had a great tourism as well. Just name it. Old people were given stipends every single month, etc. The people rejoiced as the righteous were steering the affairs of the State. But the price paid was high.The rest is history, even though the story is still being written at this point in time. The first rule was Sege, be careful...there are kidnappings in Nigeria, and if they would ask for money, it might be easier, however, it can be fatal. Boy, that was scary! On several occasions, a member of the team would be warning me, jokingly, Uncle Segun, dont forget you have a high ransom value! Really, in my own country? Thats what Nigeria has become, and that is someone like me no one knows, or so I thought. I am not even a politician. Thus one Sunday morning, I decided to have a walk to the town centre for Newspapers, and on noticing several paper vendors were coming round, I started feeling uneasy. Then I overhead someone whispering......I know him, hes the Guvnors friend...! Really? I started sweating. Dipped hand into my pocket, and out with some Naira Notes, dropped the notes a few feet away, together with the Sunday papers, and took to my heels while they were scrambling for the money! An experience I may never forget. But then, there is a way such experience blights you, and you are forced to be security conscious, and in the end, you are accused of elitism, and a non-mixer with the grass-roots. Then you pay the price. Also, while the US President can lay claim to populist programmes and welfarism, Nigerian President is on the other side of spectrum when programmes for my people are examined. President Jonathan has PERFORMED woefully in Education, and the ASUU / CLOSING DOWN OF THE NATIONS UNIVERSITIES FOR ALMOST A YEAR is a case in point, people struggle on daily basis when it comes to availability of medical facilities, the ROADS at best as death traps. I travel on Lagos - Ibadan road, and I would not remember ever praying for the Leadership of Nigeria. You are likely going to be saddled with TYPHOID from drinking water, KIDNAPPING awaits if you are on the side of near- comfortability, thus security is not / never going to be GUARRANTEED in Nigeria, Boko Haram operates as and at when they want and feel like, there is NO EMPLOYMENT for University Graduates and School Leavers [re: the stadium deaths of prospective job applicants, and no prosecution whatsoever], there is NO SOCIAL SECURITY, and frankly speaking, you just cannot point to anything in particular the administration of Jonathan has achieved. Just promises. To make the matter worse, Mr. President is surrounded by all shades and manners of people, friends, advisers of nastily shady and questionable characters. And I have not even talked about the terrible state of Power / Electricity Supply in Nigeria. Just explain to me why there cant be CONSTANT, AND UNINTERRUPTED POWER AND ELECTRICITY SUPPY! I know the Developed Nations think and reason billion times better than the Third World Leaders. But then, when it comes to acquisition, you can Steal it, Discover it, Copy it, or Buy it. In its minimum, JUST GO TO THE ADVANCE AND INTELLIGENT COEs, AND ASK THEM WHAT IT COSTS TO REPLICATE WHAT IS GOOD IN THEIR COUNTRY. But the price is what Mr. President doesnt want / ready to pay. Why is it that in the UK, there is Power / Electricity Supply, 365 days a year, but in Nigeria, PEOPLE PAY FOR DARKNESS.... Rather that use the money that accrues to Nigeria from the refineries as a result of natural blessing of crude oil deposits, and which we even now cannot maintain, all they do is STEAL it all. They cannot even maintain the goose that lays the golden egg. What a curse. I think Nigeria is truly and seriously cursed. I have been privileged to be very close to Mr. President on three occasions, and frankly, he is a lovable man. He has a lovable and amiable personality. But on each of the occasions, I turned near bitter on leaving the environment. The reason is as simple as this...Why cant this amiable and lovable guy just seize the opportunity, and do the unusual, and turn things around for the suffering people of Nigerians ? I have a deep pain in my heart over this. While no one can solve all of the problems, you have the opportunity to establish a mark by solving some of the problems. Nigeria has turned into that land where everyone looks up to someone for what they can get from them.These days, that is the basis of friendship, and not what what I can contribute to enhance someone else life. Nigeria has become a nation of takers as opposed to givers, or at least sharing. Its a top - down problem. Its painful to realise that people think someone does not have a need. Everyone has a need for crying out loud! I can count the number of people who had been a blessing to me in Nigeria on FIVE FINGERS over a period of 20 months. Just demand ...demand...demand, and yet more demand. Thus there is insecurity and want / need everywhere you turn. Nigeria has a fundamental problem, and it has grown this far over a period of 29 years. Trust me, you do not solve a problem created over a period of 30 years in another 30 years. It takes 30 YEARS PLUS, sadly.
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 03:03:16 +0000