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Israel was a perpetually sinning nation. The more the people sinned, the more afflictions were visited on them. On many occasions they were driven into captivity to enemy territories where they received serious punishments. Severally also, God closed His ears against them and decided not to hear their agonising cries and lamentations.
At some points, the Almighty would just deliberately withdraw His prophets and ceased his communing with them. They would run helter-skelter seeking to know His mind. It was in one of such black-outs that they cried aloud, “We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.”
Nigeria’s present situation could be likened to the anecdote above. As it is now, no one knows how long it would take for the economic recession that has hit the country to come to an end. Today, all we hear are variegated postulations by both qualified and quasi-economists, some of whom predict that the recession would stretch up to 2020. Even those within the government circles have no answer.
But days were when it was said that Nigerians were the happiest people on earth. Not anymore. Laughter has disappeared from the mouth of majority of Nigerians occasioned by many years of maladministration. Nigerians are known for celebration. They celebrate life and death which explains the huge sums of money being spent during funeral and birthday ceremonies.
Today, elder-statesmen and women who are seventy and above organise what is called “celebration of life”. This type of celebration is seen all over the country. These aged people mark their birthdays because they believe they merit it. On many occasions, these birthdays are organised by the children of such elder statesmen/women to celebrate their parents while alive. And during such events, laughter is usually not a scarce commodity as the celebrants and quests laugh heartily and appreciate their Creator for the gift of life and modest achievements.
Yesterday, Nigeria was 56 years old. Unlike many years ago when it was usual to see every Nigerian wear the celebration mood every October 1st; school children and their teachers, decked in ceremonial attires went for march past at local and state secretariats with lots of fun, and people looked forward to the early morning nationwide broadcast by the head of government, yesterday, Nigerians huddled up in their apartments bemoaning their fate in the face of recession.
From 1960 to late 80s, when Nigeria was still innocent to a large extent, school children, in their ceremonial outfits, used to trek from their homes to the headquarters of their local government areas to pay respect to their fatherland, not anymore, as such exercise has become very dangerous owing to the murderous activities of kidnappers, militants and insurgents who prey on soft targets to vent their anger on a nation that has disappointed them.
Apart from the fear instilled in Nigerians by the bombing in 2010 (to refresh the memories of those who may have forgotten- there were two car bombings carried out against crowds celebrating the fiftieth anniversary (golden jubilee) of Nigeria’s independence in Abuja on the morning of October 1, 2010.
The attacks left 12 dead and 17 injured. According to sources, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) issued a warning less than an hour before the first bomb, stating the location, near Eagle Square (the venue of the celebration), and the time, around 10:30 a.m., of planned bombings. The first blast occurred around 10:30 a.m., emergency services arrived at the scene and then the second blast), the economic situation of the country at the moment has killed many people’s joy in such celebrations.
Between the last anniversary celebration and now, many things have gone wrong in the country that have also imperilled the lifestyle of most Nigerians.
Although yesterday was supposed to be a day of joy and gladness, it was however, the worst day for many Nigerians who, with nostalgia, remembered the Nigeria of 1960s, 70s and 80s. These are Nigerians, who by no fault of theirs have been incapacitated, in every sense of the world, by consistent faulty policies of political leaders.
As Nigeria clocked 56 yesterday, its currency lay prostrate before some countries’ purchasing powers (the value of a currency expressed in terms of the amount of goods or services that one unit of money can buy), while it is genuflecting to some others. With the present scandalous exchange rate of close to N500 to one US dollar, it is not a laughing matter. And this is no achievement to be celebrated!
At 56, debates over the proposed sale of Nigeria’s hottest assets are still raging. At 56, Nigerian leaders are still bending their knees to the presidents and heads of government of other lands for alms. While Nigeria clocked 56 yesterday, many citizens were still lamenting their unjust retrenchment from their work places as a result of inclement economic weather.
Several millions of able-bodied youths still roam the streets without a job. Several hundreds of innocent ones are still being held up in many locations across the country as victims of kidnappers who were pushed into the unholy trade as a result of many years of occupation of power by vision-less leaders.
While Nigeria clocked 56 yesterday, a good number of citizens were thinking about withdrawing their children from school as a result of lack of financial capacity to train them. Many schools are shutting down as pupils and students abandoned them for public schools for a half-education as it were. Half-education because the mass exodus would overwhelm state governments and few available teachers, and before long we may be having 200 pupils in one class!
At 56, many Nigerians are dying for lack of quality healthcare; infant and maternal mortality rate is escalating.
But at Independence in 1960, Nigeria exuded confidence and optimism was high that before long, the country would join the league of happening nations. But, as Prophet Jeremiah would say in the Book of Lamentation, “How lonely sits the city that was full of people! She has become like a widow who was once great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces has become a forced labourer!” And as David would lament over his beloved friend, Jonathan, “How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war have perished!”
Would Nigeria remain at this level next year? Only a good policy decision of the present government can determine the answer. Then shall we not weep gain when we should roll out the drums for celebration.
Zebulon Agomuo
