“Expectation” they say, “is the mother of disappointment.” In essence, you shouldn't expect anything to avoid disappointment. We've learnt to go by that principle in this part of the world. This is because even the most minute of expectations from the government are disappointing. Things minor and simple that shouldn't be a matter of long debate, yet they don't even come to be. In the end, it's disappointment.
Somehow, we've gotten used to this. It's either we set expectations and even make efforts by taking actions towards them or we do the easier one; not expect anything, and just let them do their thing while we do our thing as well. Citizens find their way to survive or provide the things expected but didn't come to be, or those they did expect out of a good spirit and yet, they never happened.
I believe the government of my country knows there's a lot expected from it by the citizens. That can't be denied. People join their voices in many situations, raising cries online and offline, be it through protest or in some way to communicate displeasure, desires and expectations from the government. Sadly, these are wasted efforts in most cases. Not to the disbelief of the people, though, they've become somewhat used to it.
Nevertheless, it doesn't stop us from setting expectations and making demands on the government based on those expectations. One of the necessary actions of citizens－especially in a country where the people are not really valued and considered－is expecting the best possible and calling the government to deliver it, as the people also do their part.
If I were to hand a letter with my expectations for the country to the government, to whatever tier or arm of the government, three major things would feature in that letter. These three workable concerns would be: to address insecurity gravely, to meet the welfare of the people, and to eradicate the menace called corruption. I find each of the above-mentioned worthy and necessary of mention.
First, the issue of insecurity. The security of lives is the paramount duty of any government. Security of the people is very necessary because you can't have a country when the citizens are no longer alive. This makes it a paramount concern for me and an expectation of my government. Insecurity has been a major headline in social media, mainstream media and traditional media. This says a lot about this issue.
I presume it would form the major part of the list of many concerned citizens about this same discourse. The welfare of the citizens is another major concern on my mind. People live hand-to-mouth; living only survive, with little or no good amenities and social infrastructure they deserve. It's disheartening to see such things. Children are not getting the education they deserve, inadequate feeding, poor housing and the like due to poor welfare.
I've come to realise that one issue in the government somehow gives rise to the two; that's corruption. If this is addressed, the others wouldn't probably find a place. So maybe my major concern is the corruption that has refused to die because many are being recruited to continue the advancement of this selfish course known as corruption. If this can be treated as the concern that it is, we would have a better nation, I consider.
Images are mine.