A number of disturbing events have occurred in Nigeria in
the first quarter of this year. The most notable ones are the Nigeria
Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment stampede which led to the death of over
20 young Nigerians, the Abuja bomb blast at the Nyanya bus station where 75
people lost their lives and several others injured as well as the kidnapping
incidence of over 200 young female students by Boko Haram. Let us not forget
the daily killings that occur in the North East as a result of terrorist
attacks, communal clashes in different parts of the country, the controversial
missing $20 billion and the suspension of the CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido
Sanusi.
Despite being the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria is one
of the countries with the highest number of people living in extreme poverty.
It has the largest population of children not enrolled in school and accounts
for one tenth of neo-natal deaths in the world. Reversing these negative trends
requires an effective government genuinely committed to serving the people.
I dream of a Nigeria where:
- Citizens have access to good health care, education, constant electricity supply and good roads
- Accident victims will not be refused medical treatment in hospitals due to the non-availability of a police report
- Students can be educated without fear of being killed or kidnapped by terrorists
- Lecturers don’t go on strike
- Road accidents are rare
- Air travel is safe
- Nigerians can sleep without fear of boko haram, armed robbers or kidnappers
- Jobs are readily available
- The Public sector is not the main source of formal employment
- Recruitment process in both public and private organisations are fair, transparent and based on merit
- Corruption is not celebrated or tolerated
- Government leaders are responsible and resign voluntarily when they have failed the people
- Sanctions /punishment are given to erring public officials
- Awards are given to those who truly deserve it
- Elections are free and fair
- Citizens are able to vote based on well-presented manifestos which they can hold politicians accountable to and not by sentiments of tribe or religion
Finally I pray for a Nigeria with good leaders genuinely committed to
transforming Nigeria.
This is my dream and I hope it is a reality some day!
