by Morak Babajide-Alabi
This article was first published on August 7, 2016 (Still relevant today)
http://www.babajidealabi.com/nigerian-project-redeemable/

The Nigerian blood is a special one that flows under an equally thick skin capable of taking all sorts of shocks, blows and embarrassments. It is this special blood running in Nigerians that distinguishes us from citizens of other countries, especially in Africa. We are born to absorb shocks, and accept whatever is thrown at us without any complaint.

When the legendary late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti sang "Shuffering and Shmiling"'in the eighties, he indeed captured the image of average Nigerians. In our sufferings, imposed mainly by the actions and inactions of our political leaders, all we manage as a reaction is to smile, and muse to ourselves that "this shall also pass".

We are complacent in all things that happen to us. We, most times, believe in the superficial, rather than face the reality that may stare us in the face. We celebrate when the world is laughing at us. We dance around when the world stands in awe at our shame. And worse still, we "high-five" each other when other countries wonder why we are so different and satisfied with the inglorious state that we are.

This is how we are wired. So also are our leaders. They are actors who find themselves on stages without scripts. They are thrust on the citizens by their tribal, ethnic jingoisms and the ability to deceive the electorate. The Nigerian blood runs deep in them.

The leaders care less about the future of the country called Nigeria. They run parallel projects, that are not in the interests of the country, and line their pockets with the proceeds. These leaders, bold and confident, are like junior gods, who are accountable to nobody.

Make no mistake that the citizens are not aware these politicians have no genuine wishes for them. But the Nigerian factor of worshipping those in authority for a few crumbs from the table has sentenced most citizens to lifetimes of poverty. We hail our representatives when they, rather than legislate, exchange blows on who gets the “juicy” posts in Parliament. Or when asking each other "who dunnit?" when budgets are padded. Unashamedly, they protect themselves from the prying eyes of the masses, by visiting courts, in solidarity with corrupt officials.

For a Nigerian, it is okay when politicians make so many promises before an election, but sing a different tune after. Despite all the pre-election promises, we nod our heads in agreement when our leaders remind us that they are not miracle workers, so we should not expect anything different. We shrug our shoulders in resignation when these leaders, contrary to reality, tell us that our lives are better now than it had ever been.

What makes Nigerians, as a people, so resilient and willing to take whatever is thrown at them is still a mystery that will take decades to unravel. It is unbelievable that the educated and well-travelled citizens of this once Giant of Africa can stand aloof while their country is run aground by clueless leaders.

No doubt, the problems confronting the country is a derivative from the type of leadership we have. The transformation of a Nigerian politician is a study of how not to represent the masses. They have little or no iota of patriotism in them

This is why they never flinch whenever they put us in embarrassing situations. And they do often. These leaders, do all they can to put the country top of a compilation of the Most Embarrassing moments in history. They have no scruples in having the best entries for the Guinness Book of Records. For these administrators (including leaders), improper or no plan, mismanagement and corruption are part of the features that make the Giant of Africa so great. From time immemorial, we have not ceased to amaze the world.

How do we explain to a rational mind that a country such as Nigeria, with so much natural and human resources, is one of the poorest in the world? We are indeed one of the wonders of the world. Nobody has been able to explain these complexities in the life of Nigeria as a country. Over fifty-odd years after independence, our leaders have permanently made us the laughing stock of the world. It is so sad that Nigeria that should be the shining light of the African continent is, unfortunately, the butt of jokes in the comity of nations.

The bungling of the appearance of the Nigerian "team" in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was indeed a shame on the nation. Nigeria is noted for her shambolic and haphazard ways in preparing for major sporting competitions in the past. However, we have never had it so bad as what happened at the time.

When the news of athletes soliciting funds to sponsor themselves to the Olympics first broke, many of us were quick to defend the government and the sports administrators involved. This move, on the instruction of the sports administrators, was unfathomable, and a disgrace to the country Nigeria.

Where did we get it wrong? I know it is very easy for the present leaders to blame past administrations for the woes of the country. This has been the sing-song for over one year since the inception of this administration. Nigerians can now identify with the logic of the administration that promised change but have been challenged to deliver.

It is disturbingly obvious after one year that the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led government is no different from what we have had in the past. Nigerians are tired of the excuse that it will take a while for things to get better. As things are, it is becoming a reality that the "beautiful ones" to save the Giant of Africa are not yet born.

Nigerians may be quiet now, but history is judging these unpatriotic leaders who play "hide and seek" with the good of the country.

Published in the Diaspora Matters Column, Sunday Vanguard, August 7, 2016 https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/nigerian-project-redeemable/

I will comment later..

Those who know know

With the present system of governance, the answer is NO!

I didn’t bother to read the content of the article but my answer to the header is a CAPITAL N.O....NO