Nigeria’s Impending Doom

I’d like to take a cue from Nneka's article about discussions going on among Nigerian bloggers nowadays. Nigerdude rendered a riveting perspective on Nigeria’s socio-economic quandary, which I though was a wake up call for all Nigerians. Fact is there isn’t a succinct way to put our national issues on one page of internet blog. I strongly believe that we can resolve our issues collectively with unyielding pursuit for a better socio-economic Nigerian society. The bases for such effort should be dependent on the resources and knowledge we have at hand. Let’s not forget the lessons we’ve learned over the years.
Quite frankly, the situation in Nigeria, though often overlooked by those who are in the position to make a difference, is desperate. Our economic and social well being weighs heavily on frail and obsolete system established by the colonialist. While the rest of the world is moving ahead, our issues are compounded by new strife generated as a result of lack of adequate system. Soon enough, the impending catastrophe could render Nigeria into disarray. That, my fellow Nigerians, will be a disappointing loss far beyond our imaginations.
May I interject here that the future of our nation relies on the youth. Mind you, I am not taking a revolutionary undertone; neither I’m I trying to incise a negative notion towards the existing system.
The time has past for all Nigerians to point accusing fingers at one another. I strongly believe that it is time to retrace our steps back to the ideologies held by our founding fathers. Ideologies based on a free society; a society of people with national pride rather than unfounded hunger for personal wealth.
The power within our grasp as Nigerians is communication. When those who can comprehend the grim situation in Nigeria can be informed by those who know, then we can make head way. If we speak long enough , they'd listen. Brecause if we fold our arms and watch agbada costume-wearing leaders fatten their pockets with our money, the poor man will languish in his poverty.
It is not a pretty picture when by the end of 2003 there were over 3.6 million people infected with HIV virus. Although there have been strides made to educate the Nigerian populace about this deadly virus, corruption reared its ugly head again. Now, aid to Nigeria in the fight against the spread of this deadly disease could soon be cut off. This is according to report on Thisday: http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=35598
Let’s not mention the education system which is horrible. While one can successfully argue that Nigerians are one of the most academically inclined (at least 74% of Nigerians can read and write), the educational system if found wanting.
Latest report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicates that Nigeria had the highest deforestation rate in the world in 2004-2005. http://news.mongabay.com/2005/1115-forests.html. Deforestation is in direct correlation with poverty; a far cry for a nation which is the 7th largest crude oil exporting nation in the world.
My stance is that the youth; the future of Nigeria, must start now to build stronger foundation for challenges ahead. We should attend to the needs of our nation in anyway that we can to help; because in the end, that is our homeland. Deep down inside of us, our hearts are always home.