When people are too quiet, be careful and I really mean it. The current economic situation in Nigeria made me in a discussion yesterday realize that quietness can be a form of cooking. Not food exactly but in this context something dangerous. You know when you have abundant resources and still look poor it can be a pain to the neck.
I told a friend of mine that even without crude oil, Nigeria's economy can still thrive. Never knew if he really understood where I was going. Over dependence on crude oil which has been roughly mismanaged is gradually hunting our economy. Crude oil has been a market mover for years and in those days our leaders were bent into a corruptible course. Their lack of understanding of how the economy moves or should I just say 'greed' pushed them to offload our resources carelessly.
We have seen how the removal of fuel subsidy as of last year destabilize an economy which I must say before then was not still stable. It just moved from bad to worse. The story still continues, since the President ordered for a fair and equivalent dollar market price it has also added to the current challenge. Personally, it's good to have an equivalent dollar to naira price in the market.
It's just that we've failed to improve our GDP which could help beat down its price against the dollar. Or did they actually want the naira to depreciate massively against the dollars? Who knows, these guys may have a safe full of dollars to exchange during this time. As the case may be, the citizens are always left to suffer.
Speaking of which I ask, how long will the people endure the suffering? Families are facing alarming food shortages due to price hikes. The purchasing power of naira is deterring and disturbing the standards of the citizen's living. Can this sprout violence anytime soon? Just 52 days into the new year and the inflation level of naira has doubled, as it stands one need to ask if there are possible hopes of things coming back to normal.
My personal conversation with people about this topic has always brought back one unique answer; 'the prices of things are not returning back to the old days in this country, If you have anything to do just do it, don't wait'. Wow! If the citizens have filled their head and heart with such strong words you know what it means. Everyone is preparing for the worst, they are all tired of the 'promise and fail' government system.
source
What makes a country enter into a state of emergency? I have not personally made enough research on that but I know for sure violence will be attributed to that. Someone just told me some days ago that it would be better if the military took over power, at least he feels they could even help balance trade in the country. Can you blame him much? Of course not, when civilians rule in an exacerbating way you'll definitely need alternatives, just like a man who is drowning in a river can take full hold of an anaconda just to survive.
The country just seems too quiet even in such a state of economic destabilization and you are left to wonder, what could actually be in the minds of the people. First of all, inconvenience leads to anger and this can sprout violence. How long before a possible assumed violence breaks into this country. Do I want one to occur? Definitely not yet how can you calm the whole situation down at this current stage. I feel a protest may emerge soon followed by governmental misunderstanding as a threat to rulership and from here, anything may be possible.
The prices of things just keep appreciating with no solution on ground as to the way forward. I think the government bodies need to intervene soon, it is too early for citizens to be at such tight corners. How are parents with three to four kids coping? The goods (economic) that were always left for the common man are now unaffordable by the common men. Hunger kills not mainly because of starvation but depression.
A state of hopelessness is enough to send a man into his early grave. The unhealthy financial wellbeing of the country is heating up for the unexpected. I come short of explanations how a country like Nigeria should be having challenges with food, having to buy what they even produce at a high price. Farmers complain about the high cost of fertilizers, insecurity and overtaxing(both legally and illegally). Instead of looking at this sector all eyes seem to continually be on crude oil.
I only wish for peace to remain yet I must say that peace is currently challenged by the present economic situation. If the government doesn't offer the needed solution we may have to pick it up in pieces. Nigerians looking like prisoners in their father's land is a big blow to our society. It may be difficult to advise at a stage where people will no longer listen, you know that state of 'if I perish, I perish'. A lot are currently hopeless, no financial plan, just survival.
To conclude, let me add, peace is a choice and people accept it when they see the benefit. As we keep praying for the betterment of Nigeria, the government needs to live up to their expectations. Something needs to be done soon about this economic instability. It's better to build a wall and stop the river's overflow or there may not be enough brooms to sweep the flood.