Sunday 13 October 2013

NIGERIA: A TODDLER AT 53

By Adeniji Adesewa

No doubt, Nigeria is 53 years old. Alas, to me, the country remains toddler at this age. It may sound so funny, but that is the reality.  If we critically examine where we are today, one would be filled with pity for this country. Why?

Well over 90 percent of the total population are living in very below poverty line. Indeed, majority of the citizens are wallowing in abject poverty, but the elected representatives. Who are expected to rescue us are only prepared to make things worse than they met it.

Workers agitation for increase in salaries and wages make no meaning to them ,but instead  they are agitating for increase in there allowances and emoluments on daily basis. The pitiable merge increase in workers salary is yet to be implemented. Where are we really heading to in this country?

I am beginning to be skeptical about the future of this country in spite of our abundant resources.

Our leaders are just too egocentric and they are far from living a good legacy for the future generations and the followers are not better off.

What do I mean?
Let us be honest with ourselves, we are doomed in this country of care is not taken .Let us critically re-examine ourselves, are the led really better than their leaders? The answer is absolutely NO .

The leaders of today were the followers of yesterday. Majority of the leaders of today criticized the Shagari administration to high heavens,but are they not worse than the second republic politicians they criticized?

We cannot continue like this and expect miracles to happen overnight.This is because heaven helps those who help themselves .We are really too gulliable in this part of the world and majority of us never learn from history .In no time these same politicians will start canvassing for votes in 2011 and some of us will still go ahead to vote and rig for them at the expense of our future.The earlier we wake up from our slumber,the better for us.

Our leaders need to take clue from our nationalist leaders such as Herbert Macaulay, Dr Nnamdi Azikwe ,Alhaji Tafawa Balewa,Chief Obafemi Awolowo,Chief Okotieboh,Chief Ladoke Akintola et al.

These leaders left very good legacies and they are remembered today because of the lagacies left by them.What do u want to be remembered for?Do you want to be remembered for election rigging or as an insatiable embezzler or a politician that left the masses worse than he/she met them.

The decision is yours,but be sure that either good or bad,you will be remembered for something.Chief Obafemi Awolowo never completed his first term in office as the Premier of Western Region before he went to become the leader of opposition at the federal parliament,but he left an unrivalled legacy,which up till today had not been surpassed by any politician,whether dead or alive.The NTA of Ibadan,Liberty stadium,Cocoa House,Free Education in the West are some of the mission accomplished of Chief Obafemi Awolowo-a man of great vision of blessed memory.

Majority of our politicians need not canvass for a second term in office but need to bow out with ignominy.Politicians need not be a matter of life and death.Some of our politicians need to be courageous enough to leave the scene for a better hand who will impact positively on the lives of the down-trodden.


I advice all political gladiators to think twice before taking any actions,because what they do today will automatically become history tomorrow

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