TALE OF AN IMPOSSIBLE COUNTRY

IBRAHIM JAMILA

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What more ominous signs do we still wait for here? Do we still await more indicators or pointers before coming to the supposition – Nigeria is clearly and obviously on the brink of collapse?

Everything foretold, foreseen and even the unimaginable has happened here, Nigeria has been brought to its knees while most Nigerians now wish they had originated from Ghana or Cameroun.

The country is on the precipice. Nigeria now wobbles and dangles dangerously in a direction only decipherable to discerning minds. Like a directionless, muddled and thoroughly whipped lad, the nation now bleeds profusely and uncontrollably.

Who can cure Nigeria of this melancholy? How did the giant end in the jumbled state? A country that parades ab array of technocrats and intellectuals of uncommon measures; a country, just some years ago, was decorated as the largest economy in Africa.

“How are the mighty fallen?” How are the giants crushed? We must have squandered what should have been preserved and throw away what could have been kept. We must have emptied our treasury and kicked away the treasurer.

Hence where we found ourselves – atop third Mainland Bridge for suicidal commitals; hence we are jinxed at the main market were parents now trade their wards for “a pot of porridge yam.” Hence we are right at the bottom of world economic pecking order.

The world must have been dazed at the turn out of events here, just as many Nigerians who are already wondering if there is any round-headed economist in the present economic team of the executive at all.

But how on earth can a good economist function effectively in an administration, where its Secretary to the Government of the Federation allegedly accepted spending over N270 million in merely clearing grasses in the nation’s IDP camps?

How can this government make a meaningful impact when of course, it is glaringly true the government is pitched against itself?

The cloud clearly gathers and hovers over Nigeria and Nigerians. There is the fear of uncertainties here and there. And there is fear of the unknown everywhere across the 36 states of the federation.

Nigeria is indeed, an impossible country, defying every practical solution; a country where government officials live in self-delusion and dereliction; an enclave where the love of oneself is very much stronger than the love of country is in trouble.

Nigeria is bigger and stronger than any individual and will outlive most of us. Hence it must be guided and guarded against destruction by political termites. The long standing saying “to keep Nigeria stronger is a task that must be done” is important here.

The government of the day must at this juncture, collate and harmonize all our human resources within reach and set them in motion towards rescuing a country on the brink of collapse. Then we can have a country one will be proud of.