By Lucky Okoedion
This is not making a case for the collapse of Nigeria. The general consensus is that restructuring back to regional government with autonomous regions, while still remaining as one nation is the best option.
“I agree that there are tough times ahead. I agree that there are evil plans. I agree that there is cold war going on. However, I don’t agree that Nigeria will collapse.” That was one of the comments received in a forum where the subject was raised.
But the Somali civil war is a proof that a nation like Nigeria can collapse.The last civil war in Nigeria was not too long ago as some think. Nigerians who were 10 (ten) years old when the last Nigerian civil war occured are only 64 years old today. That is about the average age of most political leaders in Nigeria today.
Their own parents whose failures caused the war were just in their 30s at the time. They were the privileged Nigerian youths of the time (Buhari and Gowon age mates of today) who inherited the vacancies left by the departing colonial masters.
Most of them still have many years to remain active in the employ of the Nigerian Civil Service through several of the rampant illegal change of date of birth that they may have done.
Hence, Nigerians who think Nigeria cannot collapse are mostly in their 40s and below today, and mostly in the Southern part of the country. The citizens in the war-torn Northern parts of Nigeria don’t have any doubts whether this nation can collapse because they have seen several communities and local government areas collapse.
The fact is that Nigerians who either fought in their 30s and 40s or witnessed the last Civil war in Nigeria as 10 year olds or below are the ones who have run this country both in the civil service and in the political arena since the war ended till date. Those who were not born then, who are below age 40 today are only victims helplessly harvesting the calamities planted by the old prodigal generation, yet being blamed for it. The old guards demand patriotism from this young generation regardless of the fact that it seems there are no benefits for them for being Nigerians. What motivation can a typical Nigerian youth of today have to be patriotic? None ! It is believed that even those who fight in the Nigerian army do it for the pay. The old guards have completely destroyed what is remaining of the very foundation of this nation though originally flawed.
Nations can survive attacks from external forces, but which nation has ever survived attacks from its own citizens who are battling against the fundamental injustice fostered by the very existence of the nation?
This new generation of Nigerians tried to have their voices heard through protests, but they were clamped with an iron fist by this administration of Muhammadu Buhari. What do you expect this aggrieved and victimized generation of Nigerians to do now that you (Muhammadu Buhari’s administration) have ruled out the option of protests? Do you expect them to fold their arms, surrender and watch their destines ruined in a nation with no jobs, no opportunities, no security?
Do you expect them to fold their arms, smile and be happy when the president’s tribe men are given all political appointments, most employment in NNPC and CBN, most federal jobs, etc ? When the president’s tribe men enter all communities to rape, plunder farm lands, maim and slaughter at will, what do you expect?
This young generation of Nigerians apply for jobs, only to discover that all the jobs have already been shared through slots given to politicians. They go into “Yahoo Yahoo” AKA internet fraud which is wrong, you send EFCC police after them. They repent and go into Cryptocurrency trading which is legit, but you wake up one day and ban it.
But when you were their age, as soon as you graduated from the University, you got a job, a house, and a car waiting for you because the colonialists had just left and there were so many new offices to create and old ones to fill with graduates.
You don’t create jobs for this young generation. You loot and keep same in foreign accounts. You enjoy unaccounted 200 to 700 million naira and more every month for those of you who are governors.
You hijack jobs from getting to this new generation. You ban their online legitimate crypto hustle. You criminalize their way of life. Harass them simply for their hair style. You loot covid-19 palliatives that is meant for them until you are caught. You offer agric loans through banks but you go behind to collude with bankers to divert the funds to real estate investments and other funds for state government and others.
And you sit there smiling and thinking that Nigeria cannot collapse?
Life operates on the basis of cause and effect. Judging by what our leaders have planted so far, a collapsed nation is the natural thing to expect in Nigeria soonest. Who plants gross social injustice and expect a united and prosperous nation?
Lucky Okoedion is a believer of a new Nigeria where true democracy is practiced. He writes from Benin City, Nigeria. He can be reached on +2347038820118.
