OF what use is the struggle for peace and love in the absence of truth and justice? How possible can security and happiness be guaranteed in the midst of wide inequality and the absence of rule of law? What is the use of democracy, if the rights of citizens are trampled upon with insolences? Why do leaders bother to pledge an oath framed with a religious ‘So Help Me God’, if the intensions are neither to serve Our Father Land with Love, Strength and Faith, nor ensure a Nation Bound in Freedom? Why bother sign an FOI Bill, if the freedom of expression and association cannot be guaranteed to facilitate the flow of information; transparency and accountability?

Of what use is a clamorous declaration of economic growth and rebased GDP, when the plates of the average Nigerian is running out of meal? What is the essence of celebrating a single digit inflation rate, when ‘high prices’ crowd the Nigerian market as lower denominations of N5, N10, N20, N100 and even N200 notes are running out of circulation. Indeed, N500 and N1000 notes are losing their money feature of general acceptability, as the common taxi and market greeting has become – ‘u get change’?, and our popular response is now ‘i no get change o’; chocking trade and commerce; as trust and goodwill are limited by the boundary of neighbourliness? Where is the sense in forcing the gains of cashless society on a nation where banks enjoy ‘Poor Network Service’ and ATMs are more than often temporary out of service or not dispensing?

The telecommunication service is yet to attain sustainable and reliable levels; as the industry seems to be a reap-off; with no one protecting the masses from extreme capitalism? Why the noise of the government creating over 200,000 employments for the youths with neither office, processing plants nor factories to show? Where is the sustainability, where is the truth? Tertiary education students now spend more hours at home than in the classrooms; as lecturers rest with empty bellies on strike. Even when in session, learning becomes a herculean task as little or no learning materials, infrastructure and limited number of qualified academic staff to mentor and roll out employable graduates.

Too many questions, yet more: Where is the pride of having the richest man in Africa, and possibly the poorest man in the same country? Where is the justice of purchasing bulletproof cars, and annual fleets upon fleets of assorted saloon for sacred individuals, while thousands of Nigerian taxpayers on a daily basis waste hours, clothes and energy struggling at urban bus stops fighting to board the few buses, only to stand hands up for miles to get to their suburban home; as they cannot afford decent houses in the metropolis or rely on the housing schemes that too few an average class and elite Jones, can afford?

Not only do these unanswered questions add to the frustration of our already dipping poverty experience, it rages the hate, and anxiety in the over 60 per cent poor Nigerians towards the thin nonchalant average class and the elite. Soon, if not already now would the ‘Haves’, be the meal of the ‘Haves Not’. Little wonder why most elites and middle class find it hard to return to their deserted rural villages which are void of social amenities and basic necessities—a voluntary exile to foreign land becomes the popular choice after the loot and negligence.

Blessed with a contented population, what more have the poor Nigerian masses begged for over the years if not genuine leadership, constant electricity, good roads, education, health and security; conditions just enough to earn a daily meal? We have survived so much power black-out, so much so that two hours of uninterrupted power supply becomes abnormal, public water supply seems alien as pure water quenches the thirst, why bother for security, when we fear the irrationality and brutality of our police force. We have neither developed the sense, consciousness or guts to shout down or demonstrate against our governments over mismanagement, embezzlement, and their lack of care over our lives. As we leave the few privileged political and public officials to continue to trample on our heads, and imprison our minds; embezzle our money and mismanage our national resources with so much impunity and disgust; while we pray to God; who probably inquires our roles in elevating or further roping ourselves to the mess.

The roots of politics have infested all our institutions, morality and human dignity that we no longer hear the sound of our heart beat—where lies our humanity and obligation of being our brother’s keeper? Have our leaders turned dictator rulers? Have they sold their conscience, that they fail to see the smiles disappearing from the faces of the Nigerian citizens, or have their tinted convoys become so dark they just can’t see through? Do we all not sense the fear, caution and tension around our streets or have we become so cold and self-centred that all we care about is ourselves?

Today we bear terrorism, ritual killings and a docile government with both ruling and opposition apportioning blames and wheeling the death of thousands of Nigerians as a tool of political rally while our sisters and daughters in the north remain abducted in the hands of Boko Haram or whatever conspiracy that surrounds it. We cannot continue to be so complacent, nonchalant, self-centred and cowardly; believing the heat will never get to our corners. Like a plight as explained in scientific diffusion, it will spread; all you need to do is look outside. No single individual or group is going to make Nigeria great or better for us all; not the minister of Finance, CBN governor, Pastors, Imams, Security chiefs, President, political party, or the First Lady. It is going to take our united voice of truth, justice and concern.

In oneness, we must applaud those that deserve to be applauded and sanction those that ought to be sanctioned; cutting off every evil branch regardless of affiliation. We have to seat tight; report all wrong and suspicious movements and actions in our organisations and society. We must give no room for nonsense political party freaks, opportunists, religious extremists and tribal self-righteous individuals or groups that enlarge their pockets; and satisfy their blood thirst from our divide. We must endure and respect our differences through forgiveness and grace. We must allow ourselves to be human rather than mindless animals. We must give our security operators the opportunity and support to prove themselves; while obeying the moral injunction of praying for our leaders with the hope that their hearts will by the day become more flesh than stone; and their mind enriched with wisdom and courage to improve the nation.

There are two kinds of people in this world; the talkers and the doers; most people are just talkers, all they do is just talk, but when all is said and done, it’s the doers who change this world; and when they do that, they change us. And that’s why we never forget them. So which one are you – Nigerians? As a religious country, it should be easy for us to understand that at the end, it’s about “right or wrong”, “good or evil”; all our thoughts, decisions and actions at the end of each day determine if we are more for the light or for the darkness in our attitude… this determines our end. Save Nigeria! Save yourself.

• Ofoegbu is a researcher and programme officer (PFM), Centre for Social Justice, Abuja. [email protected] 08030840041.

• This piece is repeated due to popular demand. It was first published on Thursday, June 26, 2014.