By Thomas Abi Jr |11 August 2015|5:14am
In democratic and non democratic settings citizens relate to their state or nation in different ways. In most advanced democracies their citizens tend to struggle to protect the image of their nation or State but in Cross River or Nigeria the case is different. Our people are not loyal and do not show any form of interest in protecting the integrity of the State. The problem of Cross Riverians showing non interest in the affairs of the State is because of how government has handled the People.
The non chalant attitude by Cross Riverians is not peculiar to Cross River State alone but it is a national problem. The problem of Nigeria and Cross River State started immediately after the launch of democracy in Nigeria in 1999. During the military era politicians didn't have the liberty to steal from our common patrimony as they do now. But today Nigerians steal in billions and trillions without conscience or without any remorse or thinking or looking back that the next door neighbor needs to benefit by way of government using those monies to develop the State or nation for the greater good of all and sundry but today the story is different.
Cross Riverians are not patriotic because often times they are not rewarded for their hard work or shown gratitude for those who put in their best and their lives to the service of the State. Take a look at a man who worked for 35 years and he is not paid his entitlement upon retirement and most times some of the pensioners die and their pensions are looted by pension staff who do not have the fear of God. When Nigerians and most especially Cross Riverians get to ponder about all these ugly experiences they tend to put very low input towards the growth of the State. They feel unpatriotic and uninterested towards the affairs of the State.
I was discussing with a pensioner recently and he told me the root cause of the problem in the State and in the country is corruption. He was right! Corruption has eaten deep into our system like a wild cancer. " why bother to faithfully serve this State when at sunset the State doesn't value your contributions". And with all that is going on in the country, Nigerians and Cross Riverians have a lukewarm attitude towards the growth and development of the State. A man who does not have a job is exposed to social vices. A girl who is jobless is exposed to prostitution and other pleasurable activities to make ends meet. How do you expect such a young man or woman to be patriotic and loyal to the State?
Corruption every where you go! Even a child that was born today knows what corruption is all about. Right from the womb the child perceives corruption and is already fed up with maybe the circumstance of his/her birth or the way and matter he was brought up as a result of poverty caused by corruption.
My People of Cross River State worry not. A time has come for us to smile and say thank you Lord. A man that was born in a harsh circumstance, who knows what poverty really means has taken the mantle of leadership in the State. His lofty and bold ideas are very welcoming. It actually shows that we are gradually consolidating instead of de-consolidating as it was seen when democracy first came into the State.
We must work together and give our best in order to undo the evil meted on us. We must cooperate with Prof. Ben Ayade in salvaging the State from poverty and further backwardness and degradation.
I recently read in the dailies that the State is about to have a tractor manufacturing firm, a 5000 housing scheme, a garment factory, deep sea port, super highway from Calabar to Obudu. Very welcoming. We must change our attitude and support the man on top in making a difference for our State.
The love shown on Ayade at the polls should be the love we should give him in the days ahead. I have no doubt in my heart that the issue of poor health care will be tackled, blue and white collar jobs for our teeming youths, industrialization, adequate educational facilities amongst others.
We have to wake up and show support to the government of Prof. Ben Ayade. Government in turn must live up to her responsibility of providing the basic amenities of the People of the State. I know we will breath fresh air soon.
Our attitude determines the growth of our State. We may have suffered in the past but the hour has come to transform our State.
It is truly politics with Ethics and the New Deal now in the State.
Prince Thomas Abi Jr.
Is a Public Affairs Analyst /Social Commentator
