WHY BLAME NIGERIANS AND NOT GOVERNMENT? By Anthony Ebitimi Owei
Prognosis
Quite a number of times, I have seen people bring up the issue as to why Nigeria is in this tormenting state. They submit that government is an extension of our filthy society; that the rot in public office is an extension of a rotten social order. They even go as far as saying we should take the blame for the crop of leaders we have. I completely disagree with this sentiment. For those apologetic to non-performing public officers, they are trying to shift the blame to cover up for their mess and to me, it is the greatest excuse for government's failure. The fact is if we want a better Nigeria, every one of us has a role to play but the bulk rests on our leaders. Therefore, a private citizen like me should not be wrongfully accused for government's incompetence.
Why I Disagree?
Government as an institution of the state is empowered with diverse resources to maintain law and order. With a rotten head, the body cannot function as it should. However, with a good head, the body is certainly left with no choice than to perform. I will highlight some areas where government, in my opinion, is responsible for a greater part of the misfortune that has befallen Nigeria. Citizens won't be left out as well as the onus lies on us to demand for good governance and exhibit the traits of good followership.
Government's Inadequacies
Economic Development: The economy of the country is at the mercy of government. Government prepares the budget with the few technocrats it surrounds itself with. A budget that seeks to develop a crippling nation with less than 30% devoted to capital investment. A Minister, member of the highest decision-making body (the federal executive council), heads the Ministry of Finance, which doubles as the coordinating ministry for the economy. There are several agencies under the ministry charged with the mandate of nurturing a robust economy that will benefit us all. Several other ministries, department and agencies are mandated by law to ensure we see a prosperous nation that will have a meaningful impact on the poverty stricken people of Nigeria. They all cannot fail and then you put the blame on innocent civilians. Never!
Infrastructure: Series of avoidable deaths have occurred in recent past. They range from road accidents due to bad roads, air mishap due to lack of proper regulation, among others. Nigerians, wallowing in poverty should take responsibility for that, right? Do we award contracts or construct roads? Are we National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to know if planes are in perfect condition to fly? There is absolutely no hope for development without infrastructure, so whom do we blame? The corrupt society? Are we the ones collecting kickbacks on poorly implemented projects?
Education: Even as religious organizations and private individuals complement government in providing qualitative but pricey primary, secondary and tertiary education to Nigerians, a lot of us cannot afford them. We therefore opt for government-owned institutions, which are under funded and deficient in facilities compelling us to go through unnecessary hardship to acquire this basic need of life. Who should be blamed? Students? Their parents? Alternatively, those kids who hawk on our bad roads when they should be in school learning, Huh?
Corruption: We are all corrupt, let us assume we agree. Why are there laws to guide our conduct? Who does not know that human beings are far from perfect and always want to satisfy their voracious greed? Why is there government to enforce those laws? Who controls the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the Attorney General's office and other government departments responsible to clean the 'filthy' society by discharging their responsibilities? So that innocent man trying to fend for himself and his family will be the one to carry the cross of a dysfunctional government because he is corrupt? Oh! Over 165 million Nigerians made payment for subsidy on empty vessels that was almost 10 times more than the budgeted amount in 2011? After filling a case against some suspects, the attorney general directed that some be withdrawn. Guess why? They were filed in error, according to them. Are we privy to how oil blocs are shared or how oil revenues squandered? Yes! We need to blame that barber who runs on generator to power his clippers, Isn't it?
Security: There is the State Security Service (SSS), Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), The Armed Forces consisting of the Army, Navy and Air force, Police, Civil Defence Corp, you name them… mostly funded from the largesse of taxpayers. Each of these institutions was established to assist government in discharging its primary function of protecting lives and properties. Who should take the blame for the failure of government in securing those lives and properties? That newspaper vendor running after prospective buyers as if he is sprinting in an Olympics? There is the Boko Haram insurgency with bombs going off at will and innocent lives cut short. What is the intelligence wing of government doing to curtail these crimes against humanity? Or they do not gather information needed for government to act again? How many arrests have they made? What concrete move have we seen from government, yet you want to blame that poor market woman selling her tomatoes for government's laxity?
Bloated government: Duplicated ministries headed by Ministers and another one to assist called the Minster of State, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants with their own routine of aides, committees here and there, departments and agencies that could be merged to function properly and make funds available to pursue development-oriented activities, and yet we see no improvement. Yes! Blame that woman operating a small restaurant at the Oshodi motor park for wasting resources on things that will not move us forward as a nation. In 2011, we earned 60 Billion US Dollars and spent 46 Billion US Dollars as cost of government. It has been massive government with matching massive failure. It is my fault right?
Where the citizens come in
There are bad eggs for sure, and in their midst are those Nigerians who yearn for change. I know a lot of honest and hardworking Nigerians like millions of us do. We can go on and on but the underlying factor is that our leaders are not concerned and should not even try passing the blame to us. They have turned into business executives over night trying to make profit on investments they never committed funds to in the first place. Intruding in the affairs of institutions set up by law in discharging their mandates, and covering for corrupt public officers from facing the full wrath of the law. It is a matter of respect for the rule of law. It is a matter of enforcement. I do not want to believe that a driver, driving on the wrong lane, fully aware that bribing a police officer will not spare him will ever try it. Yes! We have our own shortcomings as individuals, but without working institutions, injustices will be perfected and culprits will roam around freely.
Citizens of this nation are to blame anyway since we have been quiet for too long. We instead go to our religious places to 'cry out to God' instead of crying out against the oppressors. They have killed every atom of patriotism left in us. After all, what is there to be proud of? What do we gain as Nigerians? Nevertheless, enough is enough! Some of us have woken up from our slumber and poised to demand for what rightfully belongs to Nigerians. My appeal goes to those who have given up on Nigeria to make a u-turn. We can blame government all we want but we would have ourselves to blame if in 2015 and in subsequent elections, we do not exercise our franchise by registering, voting and defending same to make it count. For those in doubt, you can refer to what happened in Edo State on July 14, 2012 during her gubernatorial elections.
Enough of this slavery in our land!
Enough of the deceit by the ruling elites exploiting us by fueling tribal or religious conflicts for their selfish interests!
Enough of the bloodshed and injustices in our land!
Enough of hoping that it will be better without making concerted efforts!
Enough of wallowing in abject poverty in the midst of plenty!
Enough of sitting on the fence!
Enough Nigerians, enough! Please, you need to develop this anger for us to move forward.
They may it look as if Nigeria is irredeemable and our problems are complicated. Lies compatriots, lies! We can achieve a whole lot if we are united in a short period of time. We do not need rocket science as our common sense alone can pull us out of these calamities. Have you ever asked yourself how long it takes to construct roads? Why some students still learn under trees in 2012? Why we cannot refine the crude we produce locally? Why we earn a lot of revenue and there is absolutely nothing to show for it, yet we keep borrowing? Why we cannot power our homes and businesses as a people? How much does it cost? How long does it take? Change is not cheap. Change is not free. Let us move away from out comfort zone as we display that resolve to better our lives. Let us liberate ourselves from the claws of the wicked before they tear us apart. Nigeria can be a great nation. If you believe, join me and other well meaning Nigerians as we walk the talk.
God bless Nigeria.
Anthony Ebitimi Owei.
Writes on www.tonyowei.wordpress.com
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