"Sometimes I feel that sudden urge to run away from my beloved country, Nigeria and some other times, I feel that strong sense of righteous anger at our plight as a nation. At the best of times, I feel like laughing; and yet from time to time, I throw up my hand in dismay at the situation in our country. But why should I quit my fathers' land when I have an equal stake in its success or failure like those who control the levers of power. That would never do! So I have asked myself repeatedly, "Why don't I just do 'siddon look'?" And then just pray for the best. As tempting as that option appears, alas, I just find that I cannot do that.
Just when I thought I was making progress, there comes this sense of overpowering urge to say something to save our collective memory from abuse by merchants of fiction and make-believe, masters of equivocation and specialists in sophistry, whose zest for their trade leaves one in total bewilderment at their ruthless professionalism. Even more incomprehensible is a willing mob followership, led by falsehood, half-truths and outright lies. Perhaps more intriguing, and genuinely puzzling is the willing participation of well-educated people, respected professionals, captains of industry and the clergy in the new narrative that has seen a "collective amnesia" weaved around the people. Some people I had held in near reverence are even deliberately helping to concoct and spread some story and excuse as gospel truth. It's small wonder we lag behind in all indices of development. I had all along put the blame squarely on the shoulders of our leaders, but that thinking has gradually adjusted itself to the prevailing realities by including the followership considering their vital role - especially in the countdown to the 2015 elections.
The promoters of "change" only preach "change", but pay lip service to the attitudinal change required to bring about real and enduring change. The followers on their part have embraced well packaged falsehoods as a way of life. They have even crowned well known villains heroes of a new democratic order and yet yearn for change. Sadly, the country's resources have become the gift of a few people. And Nigeria gets nothing but mismanagement, corruption and devastation in return. The people have been sold on a change that does not exist and they can't seem to see or better still have become numbed by unfolding events."
- Shaka Momodu
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- Ikhide
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