PUNCH
When the dawn breaks and the sun rises from its 93 million miles abode tomorrow April 27, I will be celebrating another birthday milestone with my family, friends, and well-wishers dispersed around the world. I cherish every strand of divine privilege to live life and enjoy the blessings that our Maker has packaged in it for us as the works of His hands. I take not for granted the preciousness of life and every opportunity to breathe the breath of life. I am grateful.
And what do I want for my birthday? I will not ask anyone. Not even those in my orbit. Just like we often say in America, “I’m good.” But I will make my solemn request to God that before my next birthday, a titanic positive turnaround and progress be unleashed on Nigeria, and that her leaders lead with wisdom as we navigate the roughness of these times into the promised land. I am as certain as ever that Nigeria will not only bounce back from all that has besieged it but will boom big in the aftermath of the struggle it faces today.
I believe the philosophical submission that a global human society characterised by islands of wealth, and surrounded by a sea of poverty, is unsustainable. A nation beefed and buoyed up by natural wealth but encompassed by a spread of hunger and poverty is unacceptable. In a land flowing with milk and honey; in a territory where sweet water is plentiful, there is thirst and hunger. Young men with potential and abilities are kept in servitude of unemployment while some men with means are granted the liberty to haul the nation’s patrimonies abroad for “safekeeping.” Nigeria’s annual revenue runs into trillions of naira. But unfortunately, most of the citizens see no evidence of affluence at the dinner table. Are these narratives gradually changing?
Nigeria’s economic challenges are many. Yes, the value of the dollar against the naira may be bouncing about like yo-yo but some of our essential commodities are also slowly sloughing off in prices. A bag of cement is sold today for less than the outrageous N14,000 price tag two months ago. The price of diesel is also dipping, and many thanks to Aliko Dangote whose refinery recently announced a reduction in the price of its diesel to less than N1,000 per litre with further price reductions possible soon. The cost of transporting food and other items will thus be slashed. Its ripple effect will be a reduction in the prices of other items. Businesses that rely heavily on diesel for their operations must be smiling now. God, a titanic turnaround, must be unleashed on Nigeria. It is the birthday gift I seek from our Maker.
The angst and anxiety that were rife and awash across society are kind of slowing down. Yes, Nigeria has lost much strength. It has lost much money and resources to profligacy and corruption perpetrated by mean men. It once lost respect in the eyes of many nations in the world, but the narrative is flipping. Thieves robbed and pillaged her. They colluded with enemies and caused Nigeria to bleed. But a titanic turnaround is about to hit, and naysayers will cover their faces in shame. That is the birthday gift I seek from God. And I am sure He will approve my petition.
