Sir: The most unfortunate misfortune that has befallen Nigeria as a nation since independence is not that of inadequacy of flow of funds into the country, but mainly that of leaders hooked up on misplaced priorities. That Nigeria continues to access large inflow of funds rolling in from different angles is never in doubt but how the funds are being managed for the benefits of the people remains the very sore point.
For instance, how would anyone imagine the humongous amount voted for the sham of an election that recently took place? How can a nation in very dire need of large funds in key sectors begging for funds vote more than three hundred billion naira for just a two-day election? And in spite of everything, the outcome has brought about much controversy and tension. Now, the nation has chosen again to embark on another wild goose chase of a needless project called national census with another humongous fund at a time Nigeria is neck-deep in debt as it prepares for a change of baton.
Why census is necessary at this particular point in time is the question everyone should be asking the federal government. What even is the essence of a census that would never reveal the true picture of things in a country where since independence, the entire Nigeria has been a false contraption and some groups are always hell-bent about maintaining the status quo of dominance in order to be adjudged as having more people thereby justifying their access to more federal allocations?
Meanwhile, as the nation continues to waste funds on obvious frivolous projects, the nation’s hospitals are without necessary facilities and equipment and many Nigerians keep losing their lives due to grossly inadequate medical care while leaders themselves opt rather for medical tourism.
Most federal schools, both secondary and tertiary are without adequate hostel facilities and most learners have to live off campus with all the danger, hardships and hazards involved. Only last year, Nigeria’s universities were locked up for almost eight months of strike occasioned by inadequate funding. Many people continue to lose their lives on daily basis because of poor state of the roads which are more of death traps. Yet, in the midst of all these problems, Nigeria’s government can only look elsewhere and give its nod to a project as needless as a census which by and large will never yield any good results or have any direct impact on the citizens.
• Jide Oyewusi is coordinator of Ethics Watch International, Lagos.
