At last, the‘Change’slogan has come to stay
Some Nigerians are murmuring, albeit blindly, that the change which was promised by President Muhammadu Buhari right from the 2015 pre-election campaigns and thereafter has not taken place. Instead, according to them, Nigerians are now passing through difficult conditions.
They even say the ‘change mantra’ is just a motto but not empirical or pragmatic. Sadly, such expressions have found their way into the pages of some daily newspapers and social media.
We agree, it is not contentious that we are facing difficulties in the country as a result of economic recession which is prevailing all over the world. However, what every discerning mind must come to terms with is that recession is not restricted to Nigeria only. Countries with huge and gigantic economic strength like the United States of America, China, Japan and the likes of Venezuela, Brazil and many others are not spared too. Recession is therefore a phenomenon!
The change promised by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is crystal clear. It is evidently in sight, except for those who do not want to see it or confess it is a reality. If one compares President Buhari’s one year in office to the 16 years of the past administrations, one should give Buhari 75 percent score mark.
As such, while the blind wailers are asking where is the change, we say here are the changes: 1. Before now, the North Eastern part of the country, including Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and parts of Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba were a war zone, but in less than two years, the zone is becoming a peaceful to a large extent. Businesses are picking up as traders from neighboring Chad, Niger and Cameroon have found reasons to come into Nigeria with ease, hence increasing the income of our people. Before now, many roads from Maiduguri to other towns, such as Bama, Gwoza, Dikwa, Gamboru Ngala, Damboa, Biu were no go areas, a development that subjected our people to untold hardship. However, with Buhari, these roads are now passable, reducing hours of safe traveling by our people. Before the coming of Buhari, human rights were flagrantly violated during the last regime, now people enjoy full freedom. In the past, our soldiers were cowards, timid and easily intimidated. They 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. were at a time synonymous with embarrassment to Nigerians. Now, our they are audacious, courageous, dauntless and source of pride to us. Furthermore, they are armed with new and sophisticated weapons. They can face any situation no matter how dangerous it may be, whereas before, they were throwing their old and ineffective AK47s and flee. However, the situation is now different, our troops are well equipped and motivated. We have physically seen some of these weapons on display in Maiduguri during the 1st October celebration by our doughty troops. Before the coming of Buhari, our foreign reserve was deflating continuously and we were living on borrowing and fake economic boom. Now we are on our feet despite all odds. Malfeasance and embezzlement are now on their way to leave, as grafters are behind bars. The war waged against them is succeeding. No long cues at our filling station. Petroleum product is available everywhere despite all the sabotage. Kidnapping is on decrease. 8. Work has resumed on measure roads which were abandoned before, e.g. Maiduguri - Kano express way, and houses are now being built for the IDPs to go back to their villages, which means peace is in place. Nigerians are proud to parade themselves everywhere in the world as the name of their country is redeemed. Most farmers are now back to their farms leaving the cities, more especially in the North. Price of foodstuff has started dropping in many cities in the country. 11. The services of electricity have tremendously improved while in the past we stayed for two years without light in Maiduguri and in some parts of Borno State. Federal Government is now paying salaries on time. Militants and insurgents in the North East are being crushed vehemently. Nigeria is now undergoing repositioning, whereas she was witnessing corruption in the previous years. No matter how a country is prosperous or buoyant financially, if she cannot provide security to life and property for her citizens, it is a failed state. It was axiom that captures 9. 10. 12. 13. 14. the statement of PMB, when he said, change begins with every individual. No one can change an individual let alone a society, no matter how powerful he may be or what measures he can take, if the individual is not convinced in himself to change himself. It is possible to force him to change, but it will be just for a while, immediately that force or the person leaves he will revert to his evils.
My fellow Nigerians, what changes individual, the society and the country at large is the fear of Allah, patriotism, self-conviction and sincerity. We all know what is wrong and what is right to be done. We must persuade ourselves first to do the right thing. All these embezzlers are educated people. They know what is good for their country. They know corruption is a morbid and a crime yet they indulge in it.
In conclusion, I will say, my compatriot, let the change start with our own persons, then our families then our society and lastly the whole country. A Nigerians let us exercise patience, we shall reach the Promised Land by the grace of Almighty Allah.