My Experience in Edo State (Omu-Ora, Owan LGA)
As a graduate, I couldnt get a profitable job, therefore I picked teaching roles in three different schools at a time. I have a minimum of 4 periods per day as I teach 4 subjects in all. The time I have left at the end of the day will be used to write lesson notes/plans and lastly go online to check my blog, write articles.
The schools went on three weeks break, time became enormous for me, in other not to waste my time, I begged to get a supervising role with a neighbour that is presently into road construction project on going in Owan Local Government Area of Edo State. The break time is supposed to be resting time for me. But cannot afford to waste three good weeks.
Getting to Edo State, the experience there is worth sharing and this prompted this article.
I met with youths that are lazy and are unwilling to work. The Federal Government approved a road construction in their community. They did not make themselves available as mason or labourers but they presented themselves as hooligans demanding a sum be paid before the project can go on. They are ready to fight and sabotage the effort of the mobilized workers. They seriously wanted the money. I was stunted within me. I said in the west where I came from this is not obtainable, then the Lagos story was told.
Boastfully they said, it happens everywhere and we will not allow this project of road construction except we are paid. Then the question is who is to use the road infrastructure?
They gave occasions where contractors refused to settle them and they had to stop the project permanent. Roads projects that have been abandoned within their state and other states were mentioned, therefore, they must be paid.
Telling the Lagos story
Some times ago, there came a man to an environment in Lagos with a very big Hotel project. In order to be of help to the neighbours, he considered taking up a responsibility that would help provide electricity for the people in the environment of his new hotel. It was very thoughtful of him one would say, therefore, having completed his hotel, he bought a new transformer that should help the environment but the installation was hampered by hooligans that wanted him to pay a particular sum of money before the transformer can be installed. It was to his greatest surprise that they are making demand when he is actually helping them.
It was not funny anymore when the hooligans trooped his hotel, demanding for a big sum of money for the transformer he wanted installing. They told him, he must pay if at all he must install the transformer. The young man was therefore left without a choice than to change his mind. The transformer was returned to the company that supplied it, he ordered for a smaller capacity that can take care of his hotel alone with cables from which electricity cannot be tapped. He therefore installed the transformer for his hotel use only leaving the community out. This is a project that would have enhanced the livelihood of the people in that environment.
We can't expect development and still be an impediment to projects. Youths into this activity needs to change.
The danger of PMB story
On the statement of President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) that Nigerian youths are lazy, YES, there are lazy Nigerian youths, but telling such a story, making a sweeping generalization of Nigerian youths are lazy is wrong and does not portray the right image of the youths. I am proudly a Nigerian and very industrious and I know many that are more industrious. It is therefore wrong for the president to say Nigerian youths are lazy, nevertheless, one cannot negate the fact that there are lazy youths in the country.
Lazy youths can be found everywhere. There are countries in the world today where people unemployed are being paid by the government. There are also countries where people are not willing to work because of the incentives they receive from their government.
What have Nigerian governments for the youth? Nothing. During the visit of Bill Gate to the country, he said, President Buhari economic development plan does not address the needs of the youths.
We are living in a country where developmental plans have always been for the cabals in politics. The country where civil servants after 35 years of work cannot afford 2 meals per day but have to depend on their wards to send them monthly stipend. Some retirees have not gotten their allowances up to 18 months (Kogi State is a perfect example).
The people at the helm of governance are old, without ideas and prefer a sit tight government. Hence, they are not ready to relinquish power. If Buhari like others in his cabinet ruled the country about 40 years ago, and he is the president of the country today, there is a need for critical thinking.
A country where politics have become an educational class for which promotion comes to play even without performance that they will move from a small class to a bigger class. Some that cannot represent their families are called to represent their local government, some that cannot represent their ward are called to represent their senatorial district, some that cannot represent their village are called to represent the state. Something is wrong somewhere.
If Buhari's son (Yusuf) whose nature of work is uncertain can ride a power-bike worth over 50million naira on the street of Nigeria, had an accident, sent abroad for medical treatment, boarded and privatize a commercial airplane for his trip, all at the country's expense. Then one can boldly say he is lazy, if he is busy, there will be no time for power-biking.
If you hate insult, you will work hard
Anyone is entitle to sharing his own opinion, if that is the story Buhari have to tell before the world about Nigeria then my advice to Nigeria youths is to work harder. If you have been working hard and you have been insulted by your president, then work harder. Whatsoever (but legitimate) your hand finds to do, do it with all you might. This is the only way to show the world you are not lazy.
There are many individuals who put their destiny into their own hands and as such have no need or business with the government contribution towards their livelihood.
This is a call to work harder, be dutiful in your calling, forget the government, you can make it without the government.
THE RAGE FOR CHANGE
We all are not satisfied with what we are seeing in our country Nigeria, but to enhance the situation of things in the country, we should all rage for a good change and not at the insult of PMB. Yes, it is our right to get angry, but if we must get angry, it must be with the right person, in the right way, to the right magnitude and at the time which is not within everyone grip.
Forget about the insult, work harder, the government cannot impede your success.
We can continue to clamour for change. Change will not come, we must workout the change we want to see in the country by ourselves. The African proverb says if the hunters have learnt to shoot without missing, then the birds should learn to fly without perching. If the government will not help, please help yourself. There are many legitimate things you can do.
YOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE
If you want to change the world, you must start without yourself, only when you have changed yourself, you can change your family, thereafter your community, your state, your country and the world. Be the change you want to see in the country, forget about hooliganism, it does not pays, forget about politicians they cannot help, forget about government they have no ideas, forget about relatives, they will be tired eventually. Think of what to do to help yourself.
Be a good Nigerian, Live the life of a Nigerian you are dreaming about. God bless Nigeria.
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