I agree with President Goodluck Jonathan's address on Monday, October 1, 2012, that there are better days ahead. But I think it is easier said than done.
There is need for his government to start translating its numerous promises into actions and reality so that we will have confidence in the government. If there is no lack of confidence in his government, there will be no reason for him to always reassure us every now and then. We have had promises upon promises from him, but we want results.
For Nigeria to be a source of pride to we citizens of the country, Africa, and the human race, some fundamental issues like security, the rule of law, good governance and giving we the citizens a sense of belonging in the affairs of governance must be taken into cognizance.
We all have one role or the other to play, even if we do not belong to political parties. In a situation where our sincere feelings are not given a thought and the government continue to think its working, there will be need to always use every given occasion as opportunity to convince us over and over again.
Today is a day of national celebration. If I must ask, how much did his government spent on the last and today's Independence Day Celebration closed door celebration? Why can't we celebrate it the way we used to do if all is well? When the government demonstrated so much fear about security to celebrate national event of this nature, how will an ordinary Nigerian believe in more or mere promises?
This government need to carry the people along and demonstrate the capability of meeting up with its various promises. It is worrisome too when key members of his government are so much confused and express their inability to handle situations in the country and still not resign to allow better hands on board.
We voted the President. We all love him. How will his government now think some people can instigate us against his government. He has expressed this in his 52nd Independence lecture some days ago, which was not fair on the part of the vast populace at all. The issue about his lecture is that, who wants Jonathan to fail? Is it the hungry citizens or the unemployed majority?
Unfortunately, the weaknesses of his government have earned our noble nation a very bad name, and we are very much concerned like he is too. Many Nigerians, home and abroad, are no longer treated with dignity and respect. How on earth will somebody associate terrorism with our image? How did we get here and how serious is the presidency taking this matter?
To be frank with Mr. President, you budgeting millions for your daily bread is disgusting to a lot of people that you want to convince that you feel how they feel. If you think deeply inside yourself as a true Nigerian, you should know that you have become too comfortable to understand the pains Nigerians are going through right now because all is not well at all. Whoever is telling you all is well is not sincere with you at all.
To cut my long story short, your Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, we all know that without good security, there can be no meaningful economic growth considering the state of our nation today. Already, you have been using the issue of Boko Haram as excuse to deliver on your political promises. So, where do you expect us to build confidence in your government from?
The issue of corruption in your government is a serious headache that is still unsolved and unchecked. Even if you have a good vision for this country, the truth is that, you cannot do it alone. To be practical, who are your team mates working on our problems and how well are you progressing. A second thought is needed to redirect the affairs of this nation as things are no longer the same again.
Until your government create such enabling environment for us to have good sense of belonging in governance, where ordinary people like us can forward our suggestions for your consideration like a form of contribution, you people will continue to operate within your circle. You must be ready to tolerate your critics, if probably that is the category your government has classified people like us, because not all of your critics mean harm. Many are concerned why things are not working right. This you must appreciate as a good leader which we all voted for. That does not mean they are better than you or you are weak. It simply means how passionate you are about finding solutions to our increasing problems.
For example, have you given it a thought that we need anti-cult ideas in this nation? What experience do you have about campus cultism? Do you know that the bedrock of all terrorism in Nigeria is campus cultism? Does it occur to you that the bedrock of campus cultism is corruption in the government and the society at large? Do you know you will succeed fighting terrorism, poverty, youth rebellion and many other social vices if your work together with your people as one concerned family? If this sincere expression of my opinion is not what you like to hear, it is unfortunate that we must share the truth with ourselves as brothers in order to move this nation forward.
The only way you can raise our hope to be optimistic that the nation’s economy would continue to grow from strength to strength for the general progress of the people is when you look beyond your limitations through the wide possibilities of what your government can tap from an average Nigerian. The whole world respect Nigerians for our creative and wonderful ideas. You can see it inside yourself that you can achieve all what you said today if you see the dream in Nigeria inside everyone of us, whether law abiding or lawless. It takes you the goodwill to make better policies that will benefit all and ensure compliance.
You will not expect a Nigerian who do not believe that you feel what they feel to now take over the responsibility of your government by enforcing the policies you make. It is your vision and not their vision, all your need to do is to key us into your vision. You must understand today that we continue to suffer in the midst of plenty.
Nevertheless, today is a day of celebration and it will not be fair not to wish your excellency a Happy Independence Day. We will always continue to support only your good ideas and pray for you as long as we can still be able to do the little things we are doing as patriotic Nigerians, after all, Nigeria remains our mother land and there is no other place to call our own.
Happy 52nd Independence Day to all Nigerians home and away! God bless Nigeria! Amen.
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