The traffic situation on Lagos Island this week
has been atrocious. Out of necessity, I had reasons to be on the island
everyday of the week. I had the most harrowing traffic experience on
Tuesday. It was so bad that I had to wait in a pub till about 10pm when
the roads became decongested. While in the pub, I was accosted by two
gentlemen who introduced themselves as admirers of my work. We started a
conversation and they told me about their intentions to check out of
the country for good. I was curious to know why and they gave quite
compelling reasons. These are some of the things they said. Continue
below…
“We are checking out while we still can. Someday
Nigerians will realise that the Nigerian Dream is dead, and that they
have been nothing but pawns and slaves to the ruling class. When that
day comes, do you think the people in government are going to let them
leave? Who will create the wealth for them to loot? Nigeria will soon be
locked down under the pretence of something terror-related, and no one
will be allowed to leave.
“The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.
This is the system today. The rich are the ones in government and they
run it with bribes and backroom deals. Do you really think they’re going
to let you change things? There’s an old saying which goes, “If voting
could change anything, they’d make it illegal. The system is riddled
with corruption. How do you change a country whose foundation is the
opposite of the change you desire? If Nigeria really does make the
switch to a better form of government, how effective will it really be
compared to advanced nations?
We are not well structured politically. It may be
difficult for Nigeria to have an effectively system governance. The
military (serving and retired) will always be in control of this nation.
It is obvious that there is nothing anybody can do about it. Certainly,
they are hiding their true power to keep the masses believing they are
in control of a democracy. Religion will always have a stranglehold over
the people.
Let us face it, when a pastor says “jump”, his
followers say, “How high?” If your wildest hopes and dreams for this
country really do come true, there will still be over 40% of the
population fighting it at every turn. “Nigerians won’t change their
mindsets. They will use everything available to oppose you at every
given opportunity. Why bother yourself when you could just go to a
country that is already where you want it to be? That you don’t want
people to check out is not a good enough reason for them to stay. Are
you really going to keep playing against a stacked deck because you
don’t want to give the so called patriots the satisfaction of leaving?
This isn’t a game. This is my life I am talking about here.
I want to be living it in a country where they
believe what I believe. Not hitting my head against a brick wall just
because it looks like I may have made some superficial progress. I don’t
need anyone telling me I have a chance of being successful. I want to
see it myself. The people have been broken to the point that they are
only concerned about their stomach infrastructure. We can’t even demand
for the basic things of life. It is quite obvious that Nigerians will
always be pawns of the politicians. The people only get angry when they
are told to be angry. We need to be in a more enlightened country with
more enlightened people who care about humans instead of corporations.
“There is no benefit in being a Nigerian. What’s
good about people starving in the streets and children not being able to
get health care coverage for diseases? This country is no more special
than any other, and claiming so is nothing short of delusional. Even if
we choose to stay back, the change we are clamoring for may never happen
in our lifetime. Why not make the change now, move to a better country,
and enjoy it, and let your kids enjoy it? Why choose to fight for
change all your life in a country that resists it, only to have your
children fight for the same change all their lives? Is this really what
you want?”
At this point I couldn’t say anything. I just sat
there and shook my head as their pain and frustration kept pouring out.
I have always been a supporter of staying home and build the country of
your dreams. I have argued with countless people with contrary beliefs.
But I couldn’t find the right words to ask these guys not to leave the
country. I ended up telling them that if they really believe all the
things they have said then they should leave. It was difficult to
disagree with them on the reasons for their intention. But on deeper
reflection, I still believe this country, though is still far from where
it should be given its vast resources and enormous potential, can be a
better place for us all to live. If you have contrary beliefs, and are
truly honest with yourself about them, you should seriously consider
leaving the country if that is how you can live more happily.
Culled from Punch
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