What is our problem in this dear Country of
ours? Is it the corruption, is it the greed, is it the Boko haram, is it an
Identity problem or is just us the general citizenry. Or maybe the right level or
platform to ask this is amongst us – the average citizen, the government or private
worker, the self-employed individual, the corporate companies etc. Biometrics was
done for a National Identity card sometime in 2009 and we are still awaiting
the outcome. Such pathetic identification process and no one cares enough that
a contract implemented is not being carried out!
The problem however starts from each one of
us. It starts from that little greed we overlook around us every day. A
scenario is a case where I put some confectioneries on my office table for
colleagues to come and take one and at least help keep their mouth busy while
working as I work within an extremely fast paced environment. One colleague at
times may get to take 6 sweets out of 10. Another may take 3 out of the
remaining 4 while one or two persons have actually taken everything in the
bowl. Very few people get to actually take just one amidst the plenty on my
table. Everyone is looking out for themselves and their immediate satisfaction
not considering the other staff in the building that may feel peckish after
a
bout of sheer hard-work. Another scenario is at a filling station during
extreme fuel scarcity where one person comes and fill his car tank, his two
25ltrs Jerry can, his generator tank and even collects another jerry can from
the filling station to buy extra fuel (that person might just be you – guilty conscience?)
and by the end of the day, the fuel finishes as soon as he is done and other
motorists are just there to express outrage and shock at such blatant display
of selfishness. That’s greed for you in Nigeria. Everyone is afflicted. Or in
another relatable scenario where you attend a seminar, church, parties or even
at a public cinema and you see people keeping empty space(s) for people still
at home or on their way while the person(s) asking if the seats are occupied
stands with his or her kids, hubby, spouse or friends looking lost with packs
of popcorns and drinks threatening to fall off their hands. Where am I heading
with this? New recruits come into government and public power every year and some
persons start their own companies and have opportunities to contribute to the
development of the nation but what do they do? They get to power and recycle
the same existing bullshit by restarting another level or a newer phase of
corruption, wanting to take out what they can for just they and their relatives
while still there and using the same inferior tactics (that person might just
be you – guilty conscience?). A good example is the use of substandard products
after being given the contract of NYSC clothes, T-shirts and boots. These are
all proof that corruption and greed does not lie alone with the government. No
one is willing to be different and be honest as we all, friends (all of us) and
families (all of us) are quick to berate, castigate, develop hatred for people
that choose to stand alone to resist the greed/corruption trend - as the first thing
we say to them is “there is nothing you can do o just forget it and comply” - and
the band wagon welcomes a new corrupt recruit.
The National Identification process was a
contract that was awarded to some bodies to execute but because there were (are)
no policies in check to ensure a successful process and no one even cares
enough since all greedy and affected parties have collected their contract
execution funds, such is bound to happen (and will still happen) when and if we
keep saying “they”, “them” but we actually make up the “they”, “them”. Let
integrity, honesty start with each one and watch the society change. It’s like
working for a company where laziness is not tolerated nor encouraged. Even
after a while of trying to exhibit your laziness and you notice the laziness
culture won’t survive, one will blend. So let the change start with us. Let’s
report any chaos, trouble, dishonesty, greed and stop embracing greed and
corruption when we are genuinely asked to participate in any business that will
contribute to a positive growth of the nation by asking the famous question
with shiny greedy eyes already calculating the material gain expected from the
deal and lips smacking mouth already forming eagerly the famous “WHAT’S IN IT
FOR ME?”, “WILL IT BRING MONEY”?
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