Setting example with strict instruction and compliance can have adverse effects and implication. Most often the result turns out to be palatable or otherwise. No hard way is comfortable. It is strenuous and often laborious. But with a relentless spirit, victory becomes the singing song. Many years back a popular musician, Jimmy Cliff composed a song he titled “Hard road to travel,” wherein he elucidated on the gains of perseverance and one can attain greater height after suffering through the hard way. Indeed, Nigeria is passing or would l say travelling through the hard way of history. So, there are many hurdles to cross economically, politically and otherwise. It is our collective resolve to wade through the storm that would help to see us through this hard road. A road created for the over two hundred million citizens. A road we all had thought was a simple road only to embark on it, and later discover that it is a bumpy and energy sapping road. We knew from onset, that the road would eventually lead us all to our destination which is our heaven where everything would be in abundance. Where our economy would be very buoyant and become the envy of neighbouring countries and beyond. Where our children would be highly educated. Where health facilities would be readily available and where virtually everyone would be gainfully engaged. We never envisaged a situation where food commodities would not be easily affordable we never envisaged where education fees would no longer be affordable to the less privilledged. We never envisaged a situation where our natural oil would be very expensive just like electricity and housing materials thereby jacking up house rent, transport fare and other items. The question on the lips of many is, what next would they increase at the detriment of other Nigerians still walking along the hard road.
We are aware that much resources were handed over to many of our leaders to help construct the bumpy hard road to nationhood. Painfully, while some of our leaders were busy exposing us to the gains of education, others blantantly denied their people the gains of education. Yet we were all walking along the same hard road to nationhood.
Still, our leaders capitalised on the fact that a sizeable percentage of the population were illiterate.
Data from the ministry of education revealed that as of September 2021, 38 per cent of the estimated 200 million population, representing over 76 million adults, are non-literates.
The percentage of illiterate Nigerians is equivalent to the total population of Benin Republic and Liberia combine. No wonder the rate of raw criminality is noticeably evident in areas where illiteracy is festering. As we walk through this rugged road, oblivious of what awaits us, some of our leaders with vision saw the wealth of the country ahead so they devised an ingenious method by Carrying extra bags while we the ordinary people walk along believing that a meal for the each day is enough.
Unknown to us all, these leaders with their cronies were exporting our commonwealth to foreign land including mineral resources whom they employ the services of these foreign criminals to mine illegally. We recall that at a point along the crooked road, one of the concerned leader introduced a team to checkmate every one along the road exhibiting crooked character, so, as people are suffering and being aware of the cause of their suffering, they are unanimously calling on the team known as anti- graft team to do their work conscientiously in the overall interest of the people along the h
Each time we question our leaders about the extra bags they are carrying along the highway, they would claim they were fixing the dilapidated road of the country call Nigeria. They have been looting the country since its Independence and are still looting and worsening the economic situation of the country. No wonder, unknown criminals have also joined in the looting as they effect the kidnap of school children and other innocent citizens only to demand very huge ransom to the tune of a billion Naira sooner they would be demanding ransom in dollar currency. Yet no concrete strategy has been put in place to curb and permanently stop these national nonsense. Today, a greater number of the people believe leaders are shielding each other because to be a leader, one is assumed to had been initiated, or else how come the anti graft team is finding it difficult to go after crooked leaders. Afterall, what happened in South Africa and Peru which is located in the west-central of South America. Report had it that the former President South Africa Jacob zuma, notwithstanding his political personality and connections was jailed by a court sequel to a proven allegation for corrupt practices. Also in another development the former President of Peru Alejandro Toledo who was convicted of abuse of power is serving a six years jail term. Fujimori’s conviction guilty of human rights abuseg extradited from the United States to face charges that he received millions of dollars in bribes in a corruption scandal that has ensnared four of the country’s ex-presidents. He was president from 2001 to 2006. Such scenario ought to be our sing song where corrupt leaders are made to face the wrath of the law and if they are outside the country should be extradited back to the country. question on the lips of those along the highway is how come we have not had any great leader (president) convicted and jailed for corruption and oth vices yet the anti graft team had boasted of convicting several thousands of crooked men and women who were among those carrying extra bag along the highway. Many argue that maybe their restrain could be the long rope tied around their legs preventing them from hunting down “big leaders.” Such restrain will not augur well for the anti graft team which should be a team that should be seen to be very free to exercise its constitutional assignment as we travel along the hard highway. Not until the anti graft team and the police are free from telephone calls from above then the society can effectively be monitored so that the crooked and crooks in our mist along the highway can be fished out and used as examples so that the journey to nation hood can be smooth and reassuring.
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Ramadan Security Hint
Avoid any unknown, unjustifiable and un- earned deposit into your bank accounts.
Don’t issue a cheque on funds not available in your bank accounts. Expected funds are not the same as available funds. Issuance of dud cheques is a serious financial crime.
Don’t allow your tenant to use your residence for any fraudulent activity, especially internet crimes. Use of premises for fraudulent engagement is a financial crime.
Don’t allow a stranger to use your phone to make a call. You can be linked with a financial crime through this means.
Parents should always check the use of their children’s phones. Use of laptops should also be checked all the time.
Don’t stand as a surety for strangers. So many people are facing trials for standing as sureties for suspects on the run.
Avoid unnecessary loans. Stay away from loan companies not registered with the relevant authorities.
Don’t allow unknown foreign funds to be deposited into your accounts. Supposed friends and siblings may implicate you in some fraudulent schemes if you allow them send unearned funds to you from other countries.
Don’t spray Nigerian currency at parties and festivals.
Please Call EFCC
Emergency line : 0809332264
By Dele Oyewale
EFCC Head, Media & Publicity.)