If you ask me what my personal opinion is about the old and the new National Anthem, I will say the old is better explained. The fact remains that Nigeria is well spoken of in the old than in the new anthem. For the interest of those that have forgotten some of the lines are. “Nigeria we hail thee, our own dear native land. Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.”
The Nigeria of today does not have any link with the words in the old anthem? “O God of All Creation, grant this our one request, help us to be a nation where no man is oppressed.” Hmm, I ask myself, in this nation where some opportunist in the corridors of power are lording it over the masses who incidentally voted for them.
We live in a country where the unimaginable and unreasonable thrives. We are still pondering where this great country got herself into this muddle and why some of our so called leaders have closed their eyes to the dilemma we have found ourselves. When you read the news daily, you wonder what exactly is happening and most times I just weep for this nation and pray that God should intervene soon.
We are living in a country where the symbol of authority, the Mace of the National Assembly can be taken away by hoodlums in the full glare of the senators while sitting was going on. That make me scared stiff that no one is safe any longer in this nation. So many right thinking Nigerians have raised the alarm over the security lapses in the country, but those who should do something about it claim, there is no cause for alarm.
The economic situation has been biting hard on the people and yet the rich are getting richer and closing their eyes and ears to the cries of the down trodden. Just take a look around you; the situation in every sector of the nation is very awful and not until it touches you, nobody else cares. Now that the security at the National Assembly has been tested and found porous, it is obvious; they will do something about it. But who or where will be the next target, I only hope it is not Aso Rock.
Why are we numb when it comes to doing the right thing at the right time? Take for instance our Health Care facility which should be adequately funded by the government. I read the papers recently, precisely the vanguard of April 13, 2018, when some pregnant women and students protested over the government anti-people policies in some states. It is indeed sad that pregnant women cannot get good medical attention without paying through their noses. What exactly is the country turning into?
In other climes, the best hospitals are government owned and they are accessible, not the other way round. I personally do not like visiting any government facility in this country but recently I was forced to visit one and you will be shocked with what I experienced.
I was at the hospital early in the morning and was told to get a card which I did and then joined the long queue waiting for the nurse on duty to take my vital signs. After waiting for several hours, I discovered that those who came after I had taken my card called and attended to by the doctor. I went to ask the nurse what was happening only to be told that they could not find my card. Then the search for the card started but the amusing part of it was that the other nurse on the same table saw and registered my card in the big notebook with her, so the question was where did they put my card? Anyway while that drama was going on I saw a mother, daughter and grandchild that I knew. I went to greet them and asked what they were doing in the hospital. The grand mother said a week ago, they came with her grandchild of about 10 years old who had cough to see the doctor who gave them drugs and they went home. At home she discovered that the drug was a very high anti-bacterial drugs meant for adults. But the child’s mother insisted that it was what the doctor recommended to be given to the child. However, some days later the child started complaining that it looks as if blood was rushing to her head and she was becoming very weak and dizzy. They also noticed blood stain in her eyes. It was at that stage that they have rushed her back to the hospital.
My God, I quickly told them to go and see the doctor and luckily for them the Chief Medical Director of the hospital was around so they complained to him. He apologized and treated the child. The good news was that they noticed it on time or else what do you think would have happened? Well, I then left to ask the nurse if they have found my card and she said yes and my vital signs were taken. To cut the long story, the hospital I went in the morning I left there in the evening. I was directed to go for scan but by the time I came back to the hospital to show the scan results to the doctor, I was told there was no doctor on duty for but I can wait for the one taking over from the morning doctor. I asked myself, why will the doctor on duty not wait for the other doctor to properly handover to him or her before leaving the hospital incase there was an emergency? I had to sleep on one of the benches for almost an hour and half before the doctor came.
What an experience that will make one ask do we have a responsive government. We complain of corruption from above what about those who are entrusted with some responsibilities and they handle them unenthusiastically. Change must begin from me, first before it can extend to the next person. How long will all these things be put right? So many questions you will say.
It is a sad thing that in most sectors of the economy, nothing is working right. I just talked about Health, what about Education, and Petroleum etc. Nigeria, We Hail Thee.
I read sometime ago about missing large sums of money which a snake swallowed. How on earth can snake swallow money running into millions? It is in this country that anything can happen, rats in the president villa, foreigners entering Nigeria to hide as herdsmen to kill innocent people, etc.
If there is a problem and you agree there is a problem then that problem is half solved. But it is only in Nigeria that even if we know and see that there is a problem we close our eyes to it and keep on moving telling ourselves that there is no problem, that we just imagined it. Our house is on fire, and no sane person will see their house on fire and still sleep inside it feigning ignorance that there is no problem, the fire will put out itself. That to me is sheer madness. Nigeria leaders should wake up from their slumber.
Our corrupt leaders travel outside the country and they sleep with their two eyes closed while people in some part of this country can not sleep at all now. I read with delight the call for Nigerians to defend themselves by our dear Gen. T.Y. Danjuma (Rtd). Yes, enough of these senseless killings, enough of this evil in our land. I grew up in a country where Nigeria is a place we are proud to belong to. Expatriates and holiday makers come in to the country to work and have fun. I usually tell my children that back in the 70s on October 1st we celebrate the independence celebration like we celebrate Christmas. But today, when they talk about Independence I find myself asking questions if our founding fathers did not make a mistake. Maybe we should have waited much longer under the British administration. What went wrong.
Nigeria we Hail thee, is the National Anthem that we should not have changed, maybe the words would have kept reminding us that indeed we are ONE and that God has blessed us so much with natural resources and also that God will always GUIDE OUR LEADERS RIGHT.
From the situation we are facing as a nation, it is high time we look onto God for help. It has been insinuated that our Creator, God almighty may not be happy with Nigeria, due to the disgusting wickedness in the land and the fact that everyone is now living for themselves and the injunction, be your brothers keeper is no more being adhered to.
We should pray fervently that our Father God should make us one and to love one another as ourselves, let there be love shared among us”. Righteousness exalts a Nation but sin is a reproach.
The election is fast approaching and 2019 is just around the corner. Politicians should not make it a do or die affair. They should have the mindset to do what is good and right. That is what truly makes you a leader. Not your holding a public office.
Affecting the lives of the people positively, is the best thing a true leader can do, not to enrich yourselves and all around you people are suffering. Nigerians should pray and let us ask God to direct us in choosing a good leader. My advice to all is that if you don’t have a voter’s card, try and get one and vote when it is time, not just to stay at home and complain. Nigerians, let us arise and stand against anything that will cause hardship and pain to us as people and as a nation. Our silence has been taken for granted by some people. Prepare to install a government that we deserve. God save this Nation.
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Eubaldus Enahoro is Assistant Editor with the Nigerian Observer
