Dear Nigerian, if we are given a quote on how much it will cost to build us a house or any other services we desire, we scrutinise the cost to the last kobo because it is our money. Similarly, our bank manager dares not tell us that a kobo is unaccounted for in our bank accounts, we will ask questions and take actions to get that kobo back as well as to stop that kobo from missing again. But absurdly, we do not extend this attitude into monitoring our even more important wealth: the national wealth that secures the value of the money we so jealously guard in the bank and that provides the infrastructure that sustains it. Our failure to checkmate the misuse of our resources as we do to our bank accounts and quotes is the cause of our woes. We have abandoned our fortunes to the cabal of looters–our so-called leaders–and their acolytes to plunder. It is pertinent for Nigerians to note the following facts.
First, Nigerians must understand that the nation’s reserve is the wealth that protects the worth of the money they own. If we fail to safeguard that wealth as we monitor our bank accounts–even much more–then the value of our money and our living standard will diminish. There is a correlation between a nation’s reserve and the value of its currency. A healthy reserve impacts the naira positively. That means if we allow our resources to be robbed, we will also be robbing our money of its value.
For example, the naira exchanged for about 90 kobo to $1 in the 70s to early 80s; By the time General Babangida left office in 1993, the naira was trading for 17 naira to $1. Since then, successive governments have come and gone; the mismanagement of the economy continues; none is interested in stopping the downward slide of the naira. As a result, the majority of Nigerians are living in poverty because of the devaluation of their income; so many businesses are grounded. Now is the return of the Buhari era; an administration that promised not to devalue the naira but ended up overseeing about 100 percent devaluation of the currency. Meaning that whatever money we may have had or received as stipends before the Buhari administration came into power have been devalued 100 percent. To the layman on the street, it means that the prices of commodities like bread, tomatoes, garri and the likes have doubled while your income remains the same.
Second, Nigerians must know that the national wealth is the wealth that will provide us good roads. Good roads sustain our finances by lowering the cost of goods and transportation. Transporters reduce cost if they do not have to spend extra money fixing damages–resulting from bad roads–to their vehicles. Same goes for those who own private cars.
Third, Nigerians must know that our commonwealth is the wealth that should provide us excellent and affordable–if not free– healthcare and education that will save our lives as well as preserve our income..
Finally, Nigerians must know that the nation’s wealth does not belong only to the Obasanjos, the Babangidas, the Buharis, or any other member of the cabal that has been destroying this nation. It belongs to us all—equally. It is our duty to monitor its use for the wellbeing of our country. Failure to do this will only cause us more woes. Never again must we allow these so-called leaders to rob us of what rightly belongs to us.
Dear Nigerian, we must change our “siddon look” attitude. Now is the time to halt our nation’s slide into turmoil. We must act now to safeguard the wealth that is supposed to bring water and electricity to our homes, the resources that should make affordable healthcare and education available to us, the fortune that is meant to provide us with good roads as well as secure the value of our money.
We all must endeavour to join the Revolutionary Nigeria Movement (RNM) in demanding complete transparency and accountability from those who aspire for elective offices and in punishing those who did not do as they promised.
To be continued. Subscribe for updates.
