The present generation of Nigerian youths seems to have quickly come to terms with the reality that has befallen us. Tired of hearing rehearsed and relayed fallacious statements from our leaders, the youths have taken to the streets to protest against government’s insensitivity to the plight of the Nigerian masses. Reports of government corruption are a recurring occurrence in the Nigerian media. Where exactly do we start from? Is it the oil wind fall of the Babangida regime or the billions Bankole stole? What about the daily lunch money of N3m for the president whilst millions live below the poverty line? We may be contesting for a slot in the Guinness book of records for having constructed the most expensive road in the world which in fact was just an expansion of the existing lane. Motorists are now been scammed for 30years for using the same amenities they have been taxed for. The average senator in Nigeria earns more than the United States
The prickly point evolves around the fact that this generation of locusts actually had enjoyed the basic necessities of life whilst growing up. There was free and quality education, hospitals were fully functional, infrastructures were not in their present shambolic state. Nigerians abroad at that time called folks back home to send them money because the naira had a strong value. But alas, blinded by their greed, our fathers have eaten theirs, ours and are now devouring the fruits of our children. They have mismanaged the entity called Nigeria
Our fathers have made us terrorists, kidnappers, robbers and yahoo boys. Our sisters are now prostitutes giving themselves up for the highest bidders. Even our coat of arms has disintegrated, as the eagle has taken flight while the horses have galloped into the horizon. Our pride and dignity as a nation has been sold for cheap monetary gains. This is a country where the plants and grasses in the presidential villa have more value than an average Nigerian citizen.
Herein lies the crux of my agitation, are we going to allow the same fate which have been meted to us by our fathers to repeat themselves in the lives of our children? Do we seat back and watch like those of our fathers who were left out of the system, praying for divine intervention?
Even God depends upon our actions for him to manifest himself. Though he promised the Israelites the land of Cannan, flowing with milk and honey, they still had to contend with the desert, Red sea, Ammonities, Amalekites and other tribes, including the giants in Canaan before they could possess their property. David was anointed king while still a shepherd, but he had to fight numerous battles including with Saul to keep his throne. The point is nothing is given but taken. We owe it to ourselves to stand up and fight for the rights and freedom of our children.
The dream of every good father is for his children to surpass his achievements. Are we doing this or rehearsing the excuses we would give them? Are we going to be caged by the walls of religion and ethnicity whilst the locusts ravage our lands barren. If so, then lets us prepare for the wrath and curses of our children. Let us prepare to raise another generation of child soldiers, militants, thugs and prostitutes. Let us not challenge our kids when they curse us to our faces because we were afraid to do the right thing. A Chinese proverb says, he who plants a seed today, leaves a shade for the next generation. What are we leaving for the next generation? Excuses and regrets? We must break this vicious cycle once and for all unless our children would inherit nothing more than barren lands. The onus is on us to do what is right.
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