Efio-Ita Nyok|3 October 2016
Every 1st of October year in and year out since 1960 is designated as Independence Day in Nigeria. As such this auspicious day is accorded the status of public holiday.
One of the high points of the celebration of this high day by the government in power is to let go a pigeon, which we may be tagged 'Independence Day pigeon', 'Independence pigeon', etc probably drapped in all/part of our national colours.
To signify how important this feature is, the ceremony of letting go an independence pigeon on Independence Day is performed by no means a political figure in the country —records have it that the President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is always earmarked for such activity.
Unconfirmed reports has it that for two consecutive years (2015-2016), our Independence pigeons has refused to get off the palms of Mr President. Could this be true? Could it be that even the 2015 independence day pigeon refused to fly off Oga's hands because of imbibing the thesis of change? Again, is there any sense in saying that our 2016 independence day pigeon refused to get off Bubu's palms because of the economic recession?
As preposterous as the imagination that the Independence day pigeons have refused to fly off Mr President's palms for whatever contrived political or economic reasons may appear, the fact still remains that there is no smiling in the landing. The penultimate observation calls to mind a popular phrase amongst youth —Boys are not smiling—employed to describe a not-so-good state of affairs.
Mr President boys are not smiling and even the pigeons are acknowledging this sad reality. The citizenry are not smiling at the way things are changing with our economy, politics and culture. Economically, the idea of consistently casting blames on the previous government(s) for the present woes smacks of irresponsibility, cluelessness and hypocrisy. Granted that former president Goodluck Jonathan lacked the political will to address graft in his administration, that can't be taken as the sole reason for our plights. Your 1 year and 4 months in office and the policies that have characterised this period have also constituted to take us to where we are: for instance, banning 41 items from importation, majority of which constitute raw materials for industry in the country, being items we can't manufacture at the present is responsible for taking us back to where we are; again, dead at arrival flexible forex policy the CBN introduced, a policy that is ultimately empowering a cabal of greedy nay sayers is another case in point. The demonising statement you make in the press labeling Nigeria as most corrupt even when respected international institutions like Transparency International are saying otherwise, a feat that is scaring investors away from Nigeria is part of the problem.
Politically, your fight against corruption is glaringly and indisputably lopsided. It's absolute vendetta and political witch hunting. The failure to address Fulani Herdsmen militia and their blood letting spree, the failure to obey simple court orders, etc all constitute serious security implications for our country. Insecurity is on the high at the inception of your government. I dare to say that you are more of a despot that the converted democrat you claimed you are.
Culturally therefore, all these misdemeanor from your office has culminated into polarising this country more along lines of region, ethnicity, religion, sectionalism, etc. There was never a national consciousness before a your democratic reign, but you have extended the divisive narrative both by your actions and inactions as the elected leader of this country.
I conclude by asking, if you were the 2015/2016 independence day pigeons would you fly off any body's palm especially to an uncertain future? Those birds may be correct —we can't fly off to a nationless country! Mr President retrace your steps, let the change you preach begin with you.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger & the Editor of NegroidHaven.org
