The Nigeria of Now, by Idegu Ojonugwa Shadrach

Acutely, Nigeria under democracy has not gotten anything reasonable to compare under the military. Most of Nigerians are old enough to be sign-posts of history. Likewise, we have written documents that serve as histories. In all these, we see clearly how Nigeria is becoming a failed nation in the course of democracy. Seriously, this is a great pandemic that needs swift attention before we have no Nigeria to defend. No one is happy going back. But, if the democratic governance continues this way, other system of government may test-run to see where real problems are – as the political leaders blame citizens for misfortunes of the nation. And same way, citizens blame political leaders for the nations’ misfortunes. However, democracy is the best for us at this time. So, we as citizens and political leaders must put things together to save our dear nation.

Relatively, there should be democratic parameters to checkmate democratic workings under the government. Above all, in various measures, if a nation doesn’t have this, it can be simply termed, relegated governance. This should be operationally identified to project meaningfulness of our democracy. Hence, if all developmental features are in standard oblivion, we have no hopes and on that note, it is as good as calling all well-meaning Nigerians to work towards good future of our dear Nigeria in all corners in order to safeguard ourselves and the loved ones as our government never put us in standard consideration.

Bribery, corruption and insecurities should be top notches for consideration; the government must desist from laying blames on past governments and to work tirelessly to amend where necessary, government should be enveloped with high-profiled selfless and dignified politicians; and politicians who are well-groomed on how to verbally and practically – on stylish mannerisms; buy and trade time for the attentions of the poor masses; an administration shouldn’t reward evil-performed politicians and the qualified and noble ones are to be fixed in political offices -and basically, in the wake of this, we can see our nation growing and developing. Be as it may, Nigerians wish the government to re-strategize on time to bring the peoples’ mandates. Nigerians are tired of empty hopes and attractive speeches. A working is what Nigerians need at this moment that the country is seriously sinking. So reasonable things must be scaled before happiness and joy of the citizens can showcase.

However, government to do greatly, it should listen and always create platforms to interact with activists and intellectuals within and outside government. Most importantly, government must grant rooms to journalists to disseminate original information so that issues raised can get fair solutions.

Sincerely, to regulate political and democratic governance, our political leaders must change for good and better. Doing this would definitely help them and the citizens. That is why; it is always advisable to discharge primary duties of dedicated offices. Our politicians must shun antagonistic ways for societal-oriented attitudes that could make good progress for the national values. Our politicians should learn of their great counterparts in the developed and developing countries to do alike or better so that we can have a stable and good economy. If they can do this, no one is ready to fight them. Note; now that everything is happening under quick manners, Nigerian political leaders must prepare to change for better. The growing generations do things faster without consulting and checking attached results. It is on this note, our political leaders must wake up to do greatly in offices before unusual begin to happen from all angles. Enough of embezzlement and open insult, please. Therefore, youths must carry fearless and unbiased human rights activists, and intelligent investigative journalists to help penetrate these wicked politicians as soon as possible, if only, they are not ready to work on dividend of democracy. Hence, youths have no reason to relent under government that has no control over insecurities and unemployment.

In a more cordial way to get this development, well-mannered and productive Nigerians must get ready to join politics. Their aspirations and plans are to be tabled in royal palaces and intellectual, influential and wealthy citizens in the villages are to be summoned by council of elders for support and sponsor of possible ways. Oaths can play good games in constituting this as all planning and supporting committee members manage such affairs under the oath. This should be recommended as quite numbers of individuals come into agreement with hidden agendas. I believe so much on how politics and religion are the great pillars of societal growths and developments. It is therefore a thing of joy to see good people on the affairs of the state.

Again, in order to make up to this development on time, I have always advised our youths to put aside cybercrimes to face our ill-hearted politicians. I have severally encouraged them to create light atmosphere within one another so as to get stronger bound for effective and effectual collaboration. Our youths need to shun jealousy, backbiting and the host alike so they can work with one another to fight the evil politicians parading on the natural resources. We all know how these politicians are strongly connected to one another on a goal of trading our efforts and all we have for their interest. That they always achieve because of strong collaboration. Youths should equally embrace such so that we dismantle their evil practices only if we want to secure our future and that of our children in the nation. These politicians have already done theirs. Our youths should be apprehended with a fact that these politicians have managed all means to make unproductive activities sponsored and promoted so as to keep little-minded youths busy; and to a length that they do use some of these activities to initiate hatred and problems between the little-minded and able-minded youths so they have enough time to keep stealing. On that note; Nigerian youths are encouraged to do well to get into government properly.

In the middle of these present chronic issues surrounding our dear Nigeria, we are yet to get some of the intellectuals questioned and interviewed. Good government must summon intellectuals for public opinions, analyses, suggestions and recommendations on things that can make a state forward and governable. It is by thoroughly working on demanding issues. Because, a government is the most insightful organization to identify gifts and talents of her citizens who have demonstrated themselves in past and in present – as a good government must initiate possible ways to deal with economic and security matters to set standards for living.

Former heads of states and presidents need to have a reconciliatory committee to ensure these groups come in terms with one another with loudable rewards. After that, our intellectuals at home and abroad should be invited for economic review; our wealthy Nigerians should contribute financially; our religious leaders to work on peace and collaborative spirits and many more. As a matter of urgency, online medium should be created to communicate one another due to factors of personal engagements. However, there is no singular reason that can credit someone who fails to attend to his or her family in critical time like this.

Our journalists, academics, innovators and activists must get ready to do more in order to have a progressive nation. Misinformation and misrepresentation of information is the mother of societal destruction. Until we learn how to resourcefully manage our information, we barely understand our score of economy and security – the two vitals of societal workings. So, we must learn how to manage information for and against the present government.

Definitely, I do urge our youths to make patriotic criticisms which are constructed with solutions and not baseless criticisms that can plug our dear Nigeria into a laughable and unrest state. Hence, collective bargaining and ideologies of the youths when channeled appropriately would help the government and citizens. If we don’t work together in peace and unity, the good Nigeria we ever desire wouldn’t come to stay on time. I do know the powers of youths and that is why, I have ever advocated for youth inclusion in government. I am certain, this government would make the way as the youths are committed to work closely with the government for the comfort and advantage of Nigerians.

Our problems are within. It is better we tackle it together. We must learn to do our own things now. Nigeria is one of the most hated nations due to our surplus natural resources. So, no nation is ready to help us make economic alignments without exploitation. Politics and religion can’t help us manage these, except humanity and technology. We should give prime concerns to these so we have human and infrastructural growths and developments in this time of economic shutdown.

Now that everything is accompanied with high prices, our religious leaders must continue to preach endurance, peace and unity to their members – they should teach them how though times don’t last. Our political leaders must cut expenses on things that couldn’t speak well to human and infrastructural developments. Our political leaders must not keep distance and disconnection from the poor masses. And, our political leaders must show and talk how they are seriously working ways to curb present sufferings. If steps to curb this are apprehendable, the promissory future would encourage and force angry citizens to exercise patience. Additionally, I do encourage my dear Nigerians to dwell in peace, unity, courage and efforts even in the middle of our sufferings. Certainly, and sooner than later, we would have our desirable Nigeria.

Our community leaders are encouraged to preach humility, endurance and morals to villagers. Insecurity which is one of the dangerous effects on agriculture must be addressed. Preaching of love which should highlights needs to be to kind and generous to one another, and harmless to one another is so paramount at the time. Hence, it is needed to destabilize antagonistic groups that terrorize humans and properties in societies.

If we can achieve the above highlighted points, Nigeria is fast moving to a standard state. Note; agriculture, electricity, technology, roads and companies should be given maximal attention. Then, schools and churches should be regulated in order not to keep plenty graduates unemployed and keep religionists lazy – as handiwork and diligent cover educational workings and love, obedience and orderliness cover religious workings. Together, we can do this easily and cheaply.

I am so certain that, if the government can yield to effective suggestions from our intellectuals both home and abroad, it would help Nigeria grow a bit under the government.