The Only Way Out Is Up

Once upon a time, there lived a man named Job. He experienced such dramatic events in his life that caused him to say this;

"Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble"

The scripture reference is Job 14:1. Man, there refers to the human race. Job was lamenting the frailty of humanity, with a short lifespan, sated with turmoil and trepidation.

Imagine if Job was a Nigerian; more so in the year 2020, his tone would have been more depressing.

PTSD

Ecclesiastes 5:9 says the profit of the earth is for all. Through decadence in leadership and scarcity of love for others, all Nigerians have not benefitted from the yield of Nigeria. To be Nigerian equals living with PTSD.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a terrifying event.

An average Nigerian in this day and age has perfected the skill of suffering and smiling. The comedy we manufacture amid dire situations is a coping mechanism. Without the ability to laugh in the face of adversity, most of us would be dead from hypertension.

Contrarily, this trait has not been wholly beneficial. Most people have adopted a posture of suffering, thereby shutting down others who have not ‘suffered as much,’ by their assessment and normalizing pain. The result is the injuring of people’s fragility and the misconception that getting help is shameful. Hence, we have people who have committed suicide because they were in pain yet unheard. Some of them needed professional care out of depression, and that was not accessible.

For the rest of us alive, we have endured trauma from all sides. In the following segment, I choose to discuss what I envision for Nigeria, using all the rubble to build a stable and enlightened nation.

Education:

Everyone deserves a good education. The syllabus and curriculum have to be adjusted to enable graduates to function in today’s world. Putting some career paths above others is an obtuse way of thinking. Everyone should have the best chance of getting trained to be anything.

Private schools should not belong to the rich and public schools the poor. Basic and senior secondary level education should be free for all citizens; tertiary education can be self-sponsored.

Degree programs, Technical and Vocational education should be accredited and monitored by the National University Commission (NUC), National Board of Technical Education (NBTE), National Commission for Colleges of Education. All relevant bodies should strengthen the machinery for educational development in this country.

Economy:

Vision Statement for 2020

“By 2020, Nigeria will be one of the 20 largest economies in the world, able to consolidate its leadership role in Africa and establish itself as a significant player in the global economic and political arena.”

Who remembers Vision 20:2020? Gather in the comments; let’s laugh and cry together. We got here from wrong decisions. The situation now is an emergency, and we need all the help we can get. No, we are not going to be professional beggars asking for grants all around. We must think of ways to generate revenue from agriculture, tourism, entertainment industry, fashion industry, tech, property, etc.

We have to buy our local products. We can start exporting fish, crayfish, garri, groundnut, cocoa, and palm produce. Regarding crude oil, who says we can’t refine it within the country?

The blind cannot be leading those with sight. Any position that impacts directly on our economy must be held by someone trained and competent for such responsibility. Beyond crafting an economic development plan, implementation is imperative.

Agriculture:

Agriculture covers crop production, livestock, fishing, and forestry. This sector needs research, innovation, funding, and adaptation of technologies to thrive.

When we refocus on agriculture, it will contribute more than 40% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Inflation of food will be a thing of the past, as will unemployment, poverty, and malnutrition.

Electoral Reforms:

Early this year, INEC exercised the power to de-register political parties that breached the stipulated regulations for registration. Therefore, 74 political parties ceased to operate, leaving only 18. I do not see a need for 18 political parties in Nigeria, with only two pioneering across all states.

In Nigeria, I envisage the following;

• Political parties must understand their roles.
• A proper structure to manage electoral processes and offenses must be in place.
• Women and youth should function notably in the electoral system.
• Recycling of politicians (for several political generations) must stop.
• Violence has no place in elections.
• And of course, every citizen would live comfortable lives. So, distributing food and other consumables pre-election will not be a bribery tool for votes.

Health:

There is too much for me to say concerning this sector. However, to curb my bias and not hijack your attention from the others, I have listed my thoughts (in as few words as possible).

• Establishment of well-equipped hospitals across states of the federation.
• Employment of qualified health care professionals.
• Increment of health workers’ salaries (including hazard allowance).
• Efficient health insurance schemes.
• Licensure regulations.
• Access to emergency health services.
• Disease control (screening/case finding, prevention, health surveillance, case management, health promotion, legislation).

Trauma is glass ceilings over dreams and aspirations due to the struggle to survive daily. Trauma is working with systems that don’t celebrate unique abilities. Trauma is requiring ‘connection’ to access opportunities, employment, or promotion. Trauma is a retiree praying to receive gratuity 5years post-retirement.

Trauma is not being able to enjoy 24-hour easy and cheap land and rail transportation. Trauma is having to raise phone, wallet, umbrella above the head to be able to enter inside the bank. Trauma is having to scrub in for surgery with someone scooping water from a container. Trauma is a 24-week-old fetus needing a miracle to survive.

Trauma is when a child shouts for joy when there is power supply. Trauma is small businesses struggling with the added costs of using a generator. Trauma is praying to God for tarred roads. Trauma is celebrating dualized roads and flyovers as success stories of administrations.

Trauma is paying for a one-month internet subscription and being constrained not to visit Instagram and YouTube to avoid finishing it in two weeks. A month’s internet subscription should last one month regardless of usage! Trauma is the economic mimicry where the government actively tries to hunt down looted palliatives house to house but could not distribute it prior.

An average Nigerian is experiencing PTSD!

Summary

Our resolve is unwavering. We refuse to settle for crumbs. The stories of our struggle will remain in history. From now on, we are ruthlessly committed to building Nigeria. Our movement is in one direction- Upward!