INDOLENCE FINDS BETTER EXPRESSION IN THE CHARACTER OF THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT THAN IN THE DISPOSITION OF THE YOUTH

Public Primary School

The amalgamation of the Southern and Northern protectorate in 1914 by the British colonial regime in the area presently known as Nigeria, brought about the forced unification of two religiously and culturally heterogeneous entities. By 1960 the colonial regime was relinquished and the stage was set, for self-determination. Ethnicity, Tribalism, Nepotism and Mistrust marred the colonial creature “Nigeria.” In the past and in recent times, Afro-centric arguments have been put forward, blaming the colonial regime for laying the foundation for the political, social and economic problems faced in Nigeria as well as in other African states.What an apology!

However, after years of coup and counter coup d’ etat, as well as brief civilian rule, 1999 set the stage for the much anticipated era. An era that would be marked by: freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association and of worship. An era anticipated for the delivery of sustainable development“Democracy!” By 2012, 12 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, all that is visible in the polity is a high level of indolence, “Indolence”? Yes, about the first time I heard that word, was when a governments officer gave a description of an average Nigerian youth. The irony of this is that indolence is most noticeable in the character of the Nigerian government than in the disposition of the youths. Where has the government been active? Is it in education,Health sector, Security or Technology? None; except somewhat between embezzling pension funds and celebrating the release of a convicted top ex-government officer.
Take power [electricity] as case study: In 1999 and throughout that regime, former President [OBJ] highlighted power as a key agenda, yet in the end, he generated so much power that he became airborne flying the width and breadth of the globe while the country remained in perpetual darkness. In 2007, a late former President earmarked Power and Energy top priority in his Seven Point Agenda. “Power.”? Yes of course, he held on to power till he died [winks] In recent times there’s been so much talk about power generation but no commensurate action to match words. Fact is, we put on our generating set more than we did 12 years ago plus the generating set popularly known as “I better pass my neighbor”Is a high selling commodity in Nigeria. Please tell me, where in the region inhabited by individuals of the most populous black ‘nation’ in the world, is there constant electricity? “Light don come.” Is a phrase that is widely understood and known by Nigerians, better than an average Nigerian understands a basic phrase in our National Anthem; Yet the Christian Bible book of creation accounts for God’s declaration “Let there be light.” And there was light. Now I wonder if Nigeria was excluded from the part of the world that experienced that powerful declaration. One thing is sure “Blackout,” and the government’s indolence has gone a long way in emphasizing this.

In 2009 Boko Haram emerged and since then they have perpetually inflicted pain on Nigerians. Their activities have led to the loss of lives and properties, increased tension and uncertainty. The incidence of bombing is on the rise. Friends, family members, colleagues and church members die and lay waste like dead animals in the abattoir. Still,no proactive step has been adopted in a bid to finding lasting solution to this massacre. The government has been indolent in this case like it has been in every other sector. No good roads, no quality education, no sustainable development and to make matters worse, there’s a high level of insecurity.
On the other hand, the youths have been able to manage available resources in keeping alive. Amidst discouraging situations of poor infrastructure and unavailability of credible role models, who would have played the role of mentoring; Nigerian youths have been able to internally motivate themselves to survival. Who do we blame when the resources are not there? In conclusion, it is obvious that the Nigerian government is more indolent than the average Nigerian youth. Indolence is the best description that suits our government. If the youths adopts same attitude, it is just a question of, who did they copy from?

Odili Chukwudi Emmanuel