Status Quo

(Nigeria on a Brink of Political Suicide) Written By: Olaolu Akingbola

Nigeria as a nation contains a number of historic cultures and empires that surpass any other nation in Africa, examples of such include the old Oyo Empire, the old Benin Empire and numerous civilizations that existed at different time periods on a landscape today referred to as Nigeria. Some of these civilizations and empires date back as far as the 5th century BC, when communities living around the southern slopes of the Jos plateau made wonderfully expressive terracotta figures, a tradition known now as the Nok culture, named after the Nigerian village where these sculptures were first unearthed. The Nok people are Neolithic tribes who have recently acquired the iron technology spreading southwards through Africa. The Nok Culture is famous for terracotta and iron casting as a form of contemporary art. The history of this great nation and the beauty that defines its people cannot be undermined. A nation that as at today supports an estimated 170,000,000 people, according to the last population census held in 2006. Nigeria as a nation is blessed with numerous natural resources, a beautiful terrain and a climate which supports the agricultural needs of the people all year round. Our rich culture and diversity is portrayed by the over 250 ethnic groups that make up Nigeria. But Nigeria today resonates of a political time bomb waiting to detonate. Nigeria today has now become a nation with a violent and unstable political terrain coupled with multiple flash points nationwide that remain uncontrolled . Looking into the economy of Nigeria, as of 2000, oil and gas exports accounted for more than 98% of export earnings and about 83% of federal government revenue, as well as generating more than 14% of its GDP. It also provides 95% of foreign exchange earnings, and about 65% of government budgetary revenues. Nigeria's proven oil reserves are estimated by the (U.S.)United States Energy Information Administration (EIA) at between 16 and 22 billion barrels (3.5109 m3),[]but other sources claim there could be as much

as 35.3 billion barrels (5.61109 m3). Its reserves make Nigeria the tenth most petroleum-rich nation, and by the far the most affluent in Africa. In mid-2001 its crude oil production was averaging around 2.2 million barrels (350,000 m) per day. Looking at these statistics you will think that the nation and its people will live well above the poverty line. In February 2013, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) claimed that the oil sector of the country is killing the economy. NACCIMA's Director General Dr John Isemede said the oil sector is affecting businesses in the country negatively by failing to add real value to them. He said the oil sector has been plagued by corruption which has eating deep into the fabric of society and has today become the status quo by which the nation is now defined. Nigeria has a total of 159 oil fields and 1481 wells in operation according to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources The most productive region of the nation is the coastal Niger Delta Basin in the Niger Delta or "South-south" region which encompasses 78 of the 159 oil fields. Most of Nigeria's oil fields are small and scattered, and as of 1990, these small unproductive fields accounted for 62.1% of all Nigerian production. This contrasts with the sixteen largest fields which produced 37.9% of Nigeria's petroleum at that time. a result of the numerous small fields, an extensive and well-developed pipeline network has been engineered to transport the crude. Also due to the lack of highly productive fields, money from the jointly operated (with the federal government) companies is constantly directed towards petroleum exploration and production. The corruption in the oil sector however is the least of my concerns, as a citizen of this great nation, I continually grieve any time Im made aware of any unpleasant circumstance. Nigeria today is the proverbial diamond in the dirt whose glory has been undermined by lack of leadership. Our political class is constantly at war with one another, paying no regard to the needs of the people. The politics of Nigeria is volatile and does every thing else but represent the will of her people. The government has grown so powerful and the concept of accountability is nothing but a mirage. Political instability is a term that may effectively describe the current state in Nigeria depending on how you view it, our northern brothers have taken up arms stirring up a violent insurgency; our southern brothers are threatening to respond in like manner. But how did things get so much out of hand? Since the departure of the colonials in October 1960 the leadership of this nation

has been in the hands of people who lacked vision and a true sense of responsibility towards the development of the nation, the extended military rule also played a role as this group of hooligans time after time seized power from both democratically elected governments and from one another through bloody coups. Over the years the nation has enjoyed uninterrupted democratic rule since 1999.however I fear this might change has this nation is gradually pummeling towards political suicide. The nation today seems to be in a state of confusion as political strife, sectarian violence; radical insurgency, corruption and poverty have held the nation to ransom; while the leadership of the nation has failed to take charge of the situation or make credible efforts to stabilize the nation. The nation today is on a brink of an all out revolution, and the signs are clear for all to see. The increased state of insecurity and the constant state of uncertainty has driven a lot of young progressive minded Nigerians overseas in search of greener pastures. The brain drain era in which professionals from different walks of life prefer to work outside Nigeria, who am I kidding, finding jobs or sources of gainful employment is practically nonguaranteed. Ironically Nigerians are practically one of the most educated people on the African continent. The question is how we rise above all of these problems? How do we attain our rightful position in the global community? How do we project our relevance by taking a lead role in the development of the African continent? Nigeria as a nation is the proverbial Giant of Africa, however living up to this title means cleaning up our act as a nation and stepping up to the plate. How do we do this? One way to start is ensuring accountability in all sectors of the government, and private sector. By driving down corruption and ensuring all public funds are accurately accounted for. Providing and maintaining basic amenities for the citizenry. Encouraging foreign investments by ensuring adequate security of lives and property is guaranteed. Improving our educational standards and making it mandatory to educate a child male or female. These are few suggestions that if implemented will not instantaneously fix our problems that has been compounded over the decades, but it will improve the living conditions of many Nigerians and create a level playing field for all to compete and aspire to greatness. Some would want to ask me if this is actually possible in a country where corruption and corrupt practices seem to be the norm.

Our over compensated leadership in the executive and legislative arms of government have made it so much that its practically impossible to tend to the needs of the common man on the streets, whose voice or opinion does not count. We have a legislature that puts political and personal agendas of its members before the needs of the electorate, recently a radically insane pedophile, Senator Ahmed Yerima pushed to legalize child marriage lowering the marriageable age to 13 years of age. Is it not just amazing that in a nation like Nigeria, one man can push his own sadistic agenda over the greater good of society? Bear in mind that the not so honorable Yerima has just recently married his 13 year old Egyptian bride. This is a pure testament of the kind of leadership we have in Nigeria. Dont even get me started on the not so independent judiciary. We all can agree that so much is wrong with the system, but something can be done to reverse the ills of the past. However I believe all hope is not lost. I see a new era of young patriots who have an understanding of what governance is and should be, an era where the voice of the average Nigerian is heard and taken into consideration; an era where the government is truly subject to the people and can be held accountable to the people, an era where the young educated man or woman is able to seek and attain gainful employment based on merit and all is considered equal before the law not just on paper. I speak of an era where the Nigerian economy becomes a model for Africa and the rest of the world, an era where Nigeria takes a lead role in the economic empowerment of the African continent, an era where elections are devoid of violence rather they reflect the will of the people. I speak of an era where our hospitals are renowned globally and child mortality and maternal mortality becomes history, an era where the judicial system is free and fair and devoid of executive control. I speak of a Nigeria where we as Nigerians proudly rise above the status quo and proudly welcome the new Nigeria devoid of corruption, insecurity, poverty and sectarian violence, a new Nigeria respected globally.