L
LequteMan
Guest
Let he that is without sin cast the first stone – Jesus Christ 30 AD
Get off your high horses Nigerians, it’s finger-pointing time.
It’s fairly easy for common Nigerians, and convenient too, to scream corruption at Nigerian politicians, top government officials and the rest, pouring out vitriol on social media and blasting anyone who attempts to pacify them.
“Amaechi is a notorious thief!”
“Clueless Jonathan orchestrated $2bn arms deal fraud!!”
The list of indignant vituperation goes on and on.
Not that these officials are innocent or guilty of these accusations, but I don’t think online protests and twitter campaigns will make them change their ways. I don’t think it will solve Nigeria’s corruption problem, nor will it add to your salary at the end of the month.
Anyways.
The fact, however, is that for every finger you point accusingly at others, you’ve got four pointing back at you. How many Nigerians act judiciously if “auspiciously” thrown in the same shoes of top government officials?
How many of you will abscond when called upon by your pot-bellied political alhajis to participate in the sharing of the “national cake”, as usual?
Selah.
It seems we’re just spiraling down a spiral of corruption, social vices and dishonesty. And the masses, who only can save themselves, are getting worse than their leaders. So, how does this affect the country?
1. Inflation Rate
You see that sudden unnecessary increase in the price of garri? It’s because of you, you and you.
Headline: NNPC Increases Petrol Pump Price by N1.
The farmer, when he sees this headline, inflates his cassava price by 30%. The market trader buys it and adds his own percentage, probably 50%- everybody is out to make money. The garri makers buy it from the marketers, process it and sell to garri sellers, at their own inflated price. And what does the garri seller in turn do? Yeah, you got it right. “It is business,” they say.
Dishonesty.
Have you ever stopped a bikeman on your way out and after describing where you’re going ask “how much?”
If you haven’t, this is what usually happens. The bikeman smiles inside. “Dis one na JJC.” He makes a face, and matter-of-factly gives you a price that doesn’t merit the service he’s going to offer. It happens everywhere.
We love inflation, because it means we get more money for doing less; we hate it because it makes things more expensive. You can’t eat your cake and have it.
2. Naira’s Death
The corruption of common Nigerians has contributed in no little amount to Naira’s fall (although government is not helping matters). BDC operators, bank managers and other currency traders are never happy whenever the naira appreciates against the dollar. It’s bad business for them.
So, when Alhaji Aguyi Abubakar Alabi buys dollar at the interbank market, he sells it at the black market, at a very inflated price instead of to manufacturers and others. Sometimes, he sells it to BDC operators who add their own profit and sell at an even higher price- without doing any real job.
3. Bad reputation
The dishonesty of common Nigerians overseas over the year has led international shame and embarrassment for Nigeria and Nigerians. The acts and vices of Nigerians in foreign countries has made the country and her people into a stereotype.
Ever heard of the “Nigerian prince” scam?
Singaporeans look at Nigerians and think “drug dealer, I can't do business with him.”
This is what we’ve brought upon ourselves.
4. Bastardization of unborn Nigerians
Ayi Kwei Armah caught many people’s attention when he said the beautiful ones are not yet born, and I’m telling ye, “the most corrupt Nigerian is yet to be born.”
With so much dishonesty and vices around, it’s only logical for a child to pick it up- and children learn things faster nowadays.
So in a nutshell, be the change you want to see. You can't change others. Change yourself, and others may follow.