Everyone seems to be in chain in Nigeria except the corrupt leaders. Where is the place of freedom in Nigeria? Visiting my dictionary to reinforce the meaning of “freedom”; I discovered that it means release from captivity, absence of something unpleasant, free will…then, without sentiment, I inferred, we are still very much restricted, probably in chains. 

Right from inception, when the Republic of Nigeria was named, discrepancy in economic and educational development between South and North upshot into religious and ethnic apprehension. Over time, we have prioritized hopes devoid of action, the situation keeps deepening and the problem seems incessant. Nigeria is still very much a tribal society where tribal and local alliances count more than national development. What a shame! 

Instead of getting focused on positively shifting from the mud of being tagged a 3rd world country, we are still endlessly battling with ethnic, religious and political anxiety. We live with highly compounded challenges on a daily basis. Development is negative on the number line. Supposed giant of Africa, yet, we have absolutely nothing to show for it. Various wrong policies, the little good ones are never remembered to be implemented due to corruption. 

Our education system is long dead. An environment where students are used for ineffectual paper publications for them to be appraised and promoted. I have always known academic space to be a solution arena to societal and industrial challenges. Our own kind of research is perfect googling copy and paste. 

A country where Engineering graduates cannot boast of wonderful technological development that will be tailored towards solving at least, the problems of the local people. Can we holistically blame the Engineers? 

The oil and gas discovery which ought to be a blessing to Nigeria has turned to be our greatest enemy and an agent of demolition. Our economy ceased to exist after oil’s discovery. We said no to agriculture. We can point at what Saudi, Iraq, Iran achieved with their oil money. Ours is being distributed by few Nigerians. Not used for any major development to ease the lives of the people, instead, they steal and travel abroad to keep. 

Natural resources to me, I perceive as a blessing that should ease the sufferings of people. Yet, our leaders are so fraudulent. The huge amount of money has successfully constrained our politicians to “mono-economically” reason within the box and not outside it. It has rendered our naira despicable against all other currencies, consequently, the need for inflation in all products; consumables and non-consumables. 

Let us ask ourselves, in which country will you sit down, collect your share of the oil money, feel like a king without thinking of the future and call that an economy? In the last part of 20th century, there were unreasonable slump in cocoa, rubber, cotton and groundnut production. Nigeria used to be the largest exporter of cocoa in the world but it is now a long dead fame. 

Electricity’s constancy can solve a bundle of our problems. It is a human right violation for a country not to provide her people stabilized electricity. Oil companies flare gas everyday coupled with an amazing reserve of natural gas. Then, why do we lack electricity power? How can a country, rich in oil and gas still face the problem of providing electricity power to her people?

The era of where we produce oil is a very hostile terrain and when companies came to explore and exploit oil, they did not consider the need of Nigerians, they only considered how to maximize their own profits from oil. For instance, the gas that should be used to industrially and domestically generate electricity is being flared. 

What do I even say about Boko haram’s existence? The Fulani Herdsmen? They are undoubtedly the world’s deadliest terrorist group (in terms of death). What has happened to our border? Who is sheltering who? Why is that part so porous? 

We need to be strong and determined to be unchained. It is such a complex problem we face. Let us decentralize the power. Let us try regional system of government because it is crystal clear that, the wider the scope of work, the more lumped and unsolvable the problem seem. If care is not taken, other embryonic problems will be birthed in the nearest future. 

Each region should be allowed to fetch for her needs and develop economic policies that will better the lives of her people. With that, we can solve problems of tribal sentiments to a reasonable degree. It will also reduce religious and political instability.

Nigeria has always seemed like an impossibility. From the moment of its Independence in 1960, observers questioned the country’s viability as a multi-ethnic, multi-religious state. How could a country divided among two major religions and hundreds of different ethnic groups possibly stay together? 

When the devastating Nigerian civil war broke out in 1967, that scepticism appeared warranted. Perhaps, many concluded, Nigeria wasn’t meant to be. Ever since the war, one of the chief aims of Nigeria’s political project has been to prove the doubters, both foreign and domestic, wrong. 

A long line of civilian and military leaders have sought to put right the wrongs that we found ourselves. But nothing positive seems to be working. Youth are complaining about feeling disregarded by society.

Tribalism seems to be at its peak. There is discontent within, among, and between states. Christians and Muslims are complaining of intolerance against one another. Almost all discourse seems to be filtered through one 'ism or another. There is more than enough discontent all around to keep the cauldron boiling in the country. 

The truth is, there are pros and cons in all the six geopolitical zones of the country. The arguments should not degenerate along tribal, religious, and other divisive opinions. What I strongly believe is needed is an acknowledgement of all issues in all the zones without name-calling, finger-pointing and blame placing. None of that has done or will ever do any good. Such rhetoric only stokes the flames of animosity. The country needs everyone committed to a common cause - live together under clearly specified terms to be adhered to by all leaders and citizens (followers). 

Deviating from generally agreed terms is what leads to dissatisfaction and unrest. With all systems working the way they should be, it would be difficult to bring about chaos.

Leaders, followers and in-betweens should commit to seeing each other as one. The current emphasis on tribe, religion, age and gender is a great divisive force in the country. Dislike and mistrust of contrary views are stifling. The prevailing approach to politics with such acrimony is literally killing us. Even in the country, citizens can't breathe!  Whatever happened to strength in diversity, united we stand, divided we fall, all for one, one for all. It all seems like a pipe dream. 

The country, in general, has lost its innocence, will it ever get it back? Nigeria needs to hit the “pause” button. Nigeria needs to start over. Nigeria needs to believe in itself, believe that each person has a right to his or her religion, tribe and age without discrimination.

Believe that no one is inherently better or worse than the other. Believe that there is good and bad everywhere. Celebrate the good and denounce the bad regardless of differences. Accept differences without strife. We need a united Nigeria. One for all, all for one.

God bless Nigeria!!!