The emergence of COVID-19 has done incalculable damage to humanity and the World economy. Indeed the infiltration of coronavirus has added another challenge to the welfare of man and his existence as the pandemic has crashed the world economy with its attendant consequences of loss of job as a result of closure of factories, cut in salaries of workers, skyrocketing inflation among others.
Unfortunately, added to this health tremor is the palpable security tension in some areas. For instance, today, Nigeria is at crossroad and engulfed in so many challenges, ranging from insecurity, banditry in the Northwest; Boko Haram terrorism in the Northeast; herdsmen menace in the North Central, South South, South East and harvest of violence all the way.
In addition, there are rampant cases of kidnappings, ritual murders, raping of women and killing them in the farms, emergence of baby factories where children are produced and sold like commodities; suicides due to economic hardship. Every day is a crossroad in Nigeria today. And the decisions we make at crossroads in life do not just impact us; they can impact generations to come.
All these have created the spectre of fear and uncertainty. Besides, the economy has continued to nosedive and things are becoming extremely difficult for an average Nigerian in the street. Tension and restiveness have indeed enveloped the land. Life presents us with moments of decisions – crossroads where we either choose a new direction and move on or cling to what we already have and be miserable.
From all indications, government cannot handle the situation alone. Any bandit, kidnapper, child trafficker, ritualist, cultist, or armed robber lives among us. They do not fall from the moon. He or she is somebody’s sibling, friend, neigbour, spouse, child, parent, kith and kin.
It therefore behooves on all, including the leadership of the country, to rise to the occasion and bail the country out of this frightening state of affairs. Nigerians, this is the time to show real patriotism, devoid of sentimental attachment or ethnic consideration.
Men with good vision and progressive ideas should be assembled to come up with innovative ideas that will change the tide and turn the fortune of the country around for good and if we fail now, posterity will not forgive us. There comes a time when you have to choose between turning the page and closing the book. Patriotic and law abiding Nigerians must rise and not only turn the page of these marauders but close their books.
Another cankerworm that is debilitating the comfort of an average Nigerian is electricity tariff. While many consumers are still at the mercy of exorbitant and throat-cutting estimated billing method, the prepaid meters mounted to consumers are sapping their resources. The meters run faster than anything thereby putting the poor masses in continuous agony. Regulatory agencies should monitor the meters to curtail excessive billing of consumers.
The inconsistent pricing of petroleum products is another source of worry to Nigerians. As the prices of petroleum products, especially Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called fuel, goes up everything follows suit. No wonder the high inflation rate in the country.
Fortunately, the federal government says it will show transparency by putting our local refineries in-order. Nigerians are tired of hearing for years in the past why the governments are subsidizing the cost of fuel importation. We do not need to import fuel as it is waste of resources.
Commendation must however go to some administrations, which have excelled by putting smiles on the faces of their people, including Governor Willie Obiano, the alert governor. The Governor, apart from prompt payment of salaries and the airport provided in 15 months, showed concern for our workers’ lives by allowing them to be at home because of COVID-19 and still pay them salaries as and when due. Daalu Akpokuedike!
WRITTEN BY COMR. IFEANYI OKECHUKWU
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