Well, the d-day finally arrived and the nationwide strike and mass protest, as promised by the NLC and the nigerian people, has kicked off. I have been paying close attention to the stand of the government (plus a minority of the masses) supporting fuel subsidy removal as well as that of those condemning it, and what is very clear is that both parties are very clear in their stance. The FG can no longer, or will no longer, afford the cost of fuel subsidy. full stop. Whereas, the masses can no longer, or will no longer, bear to suffer the hardship fuel subsidy removal will bring, or any other hardship for that matter.

Normally such clarity makes resolutions simpler. If the nation goes ahead with fuel subsidy removal, a win-lose situation arises, in which case the government wins and the impoverished nigerian people lose. At this point, I appeal to those preaching the gospel of long term benefits of fuel subsidy removal and saving the nation's economy from total collaspe to please spare us. Such a sermon, coming from a government that has lost the trust of its people, accused (if not guilty) of high-level corruption and waste, characterized by total infrastructural failure and unemployment, and with a long history of making promises it never keeps, well, I dare say such a sermon will not appeal to the nigerian congregation. So, please spare us.

Also, a reversal of the fuel subsidy removal will still lead to a win-lose situation. A lose-lose situation is out of the question so we need not explore it, which brings us to the win-win situation, the only way to resolve this issue. And the funny thing is, the win-win situation has been staring us in the face for more than a decade. We all know what it is, so let no man lay claim to it as his brain child.

Get the oil refineries working. Get more nigerians employed. Stop the importation of oil. And if the capacity of the refineries cannot meet the nation's fuel demand, build 10 more refineries, infact build a 100! Whatever it takes. When that is done, fix the fuel price below the global price, say 25% below. Why? Because that is normal in economics. Suya is way cheaper in northern nigerian than in the south, why? Well, because cattles are reared in the north. Resources are cheaper in places they are naturally found than in places they are not, one basic reason being cost of transportation.

The FG should reverse the fuel subsidy removal decision, and begin a project to repair and build new refineries. And FG, please do not promise the latter without acting out the former: your promises are worth nothing to nigerians.

The generators, the okadas, the bad roads, poor healthcare, non-existent education, and abominable salaries paid to lawmakers, Jonathan and co should also disapper. That is if, our elected leaders love this country, and that is a very big IF!

The fight for a better Nigeria contiues.