The Pain of Being and Living in Nigeria

As a country Nigeria turns 61 today. Having recently returned from Nigeria, I cannot but sit for a minute to reflect on my experiences and some of the day-to-day realities in Nigeria. Anniversaries are times to reminiscence the past, celebrate the presence in look in hope to the future. To say the truth, the Nigeria I knew in the past is better than the Nigeria I saw last month, there is little or nothing to celebrate at all.  What is there to be happy, when people are so hungry, sick, and dying by the day? Poverty, insecurity, and untold hardship seems to be the order of the day for majority of Nigerians. The streets are not safe, people are afraid to go to their farms because they are afraid of being kidnapped or killed by the Fulani heads men, or unknown gun men. There are no job opportunities, graduates are doing menial jobs just to feed, the cost of living continues to increase by the day. Students do not feel safe in their schools because at any given moment they could be attacked, kidnapped for ramson, or killed. Churches are not even left out in the incessant attacks. Christians are continuously targeted and selectively massacred, such that some are too sacred of going to church at all, or walk to church alone.

The Nigerian economy is in shambles, the worth of naira is progressively falling. Only yesterday, I heard that it is now N600 to one U.S dollar. Tribalism, sectionalism, and divisiveness is over the roof top. Ibos say they want Biafra, the Middle Belters and people from Oduduwa Nations are also agitation for self-governance. Our political, economic, and social strata are all in shambles. As if that is not enough, majority of those in leadership positions are not doing anything whatsoever. Governors, senators, bishops, superiors, Imams, and majority of our political and religious leaders are not doing anything.

So, who or what is going to save Nigeria? How much longer are we going to continue to live like slaves in our own country? When will the cries of the poor be heard? Who is going to wipe the tears of the widows and orphan?

    GOD NIGERIA NEEDS YOUR HELP

I shudder with horror at what is going on in Nigeria. I shudder at the thought of a future that seems so bleak and dark. I am filled with fear and sadness because the shadows hovering over Nigeria is blood thirsty and deadly. I weep for the thousands already killed for being unfortunate enough to be born in Nigeria. My heart aches for the many who will still lose their lives to unknown gunmen, Fulani headsmen, hunger and poverty. This madness does not seem to be abetting, we do not see any end in sight.

What is most shocking is not only the fact that our leaders in Nigeria/Africa have turned the other way, but I am also perplexed at the complicity of the other world power. I get it, they have nothing to loose or better still gain. But of what benefit is our membership in the African and United Nations? What is the purpose of conglomerate partnerships if people cannot exist in their natural environments? There is no way international organizations can claim ignorance regarding the horrors happening in Nigeria? Go to the internet, listen to the radio, read the newspapers, watch ticktacks/YouTube videos, speak with any Nigerian/African… the list is endless, the story is the same everywhere… Nigerian is no longer a safe place, especially for the poor. Today thousands of women and children must face live without their husbands/fathers? How is this ok?  

Unfortunately, a few Nigerians believe that they have figured out a way to address this crisis. These smart citizens are leaving the country in drones, I guess because they have the resources. But what about the remaining majority? The Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics said in 2020 that 40% or 83 million Nigerians live in poverty.

I worry that the cost of health care is going to be the next huge crises to face us as a nation. Just last month, I read about the massive recruitment of nurses and doctors by Europe and Middle East. They offered irresistible remuneration packages which led to the exit of many Nigerian healthcare professionals. In a country already plagued with sickness, frequent violence and incessant killings, I cannot imagine what it will be like when hospitals and clinics have no healthcare professionals.

So no, I am not rejoicing about the fact that it has been 61st years since our leaders have been looting and destroying our country. I am sad, and helpless, unsure about why the Lord himself seems to be so silent? Should I attribute the woes in Nigeria to the fact that we have failed to heed the voice of the Lord? And have not followed the precepts he set before us as today’s reading suggested?” (Bar 1:15-22). Yet even if this is the case, I know that the Lord will never give up on his people.

May all brave Christian soldiers out there not give up. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego testified, even if the Lord will not answer us, even if we see no end in sight, even we must continue to lose our lives, we will not stop placing our hope in the Name of the Lord, since Our help will always come from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

 

FUA