We Live In Clear And Present Danger

By Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie DOES the life of the Nigerian have any value? If it does, can it be truly said that Nigerians appreciate the value of life? The questions are meant for all of us. We all have to take responsibility for protection of life and property in this country. We live in clear and present danger. We are not safe when we are at home. Neither are we safe away from home. Life runs the risk of being cut short by armed robbers, kidnappers, dangerous drivers driving on dangerous roads, driving cars that are dangerous for transportation. And just when we thought we were gaining the upper hand in the battle with Boko Haram, violent herdsmen stare at our helpless faces while Governors who ought to be at the vanguard of security, are accused of acting in ways that are prejudicial to security. Our politicians—our President, our Governors, our legislators and judges, ministers and commissioners— are well protected. But we the citizens are not. What a nation! Political leaders who cannot provide security are a total failure, their generation an unmitigated disaster. How then can any of them proudly introduce himself as President of Nigeria, or Governor or Senator or member of the National or State Assembly? How can they claim to be at the helm of affairs in a country so chaotic? *Anthony Cardinal OKOGIE Almost six decades after independence, almost seventy after the establishment of Nigeria’s premier University of Ibadan, we still have to rely on medical tourism. But how many poor Nigerians can afford to spend one day in a hospital overseas? How many can afford to be away from their work for three months? When shall we cease to make our country a laughing stock in the comity of nations? We cannot reasonably dictate to people where they are to seek medical attention. But we Nigerians have the capacity to run good hospitals. All we just need is a leadership that enables, not one that disables. Our humiliation is unending because our leaders have made a hobby of dereliction of duty. They receive the perks of office in a land where workers have gone unpaid for months. Yet, for all the money spent in maintaining them in government—and it is a huge fraction of our country’s annual budget—government does not serve the Nigerian, the public servant does not serve the public.