Shame On Nigerian Leaders As No Constant Electricity In 62 Years Of Independence- Ademola Adetunji Mogroup
Now that Campaigns for 2023 elections is on going at the moment, the question now is, what is our faith in the next few years after election?
I am totally at rage with African leaders in general. I am equally at rage with the Nigerian Government and its leaders. Nigeria has been labeled as African Giant for over 40 years. Nigeria is rich and Africa is blessed in all ramifications of life and its existence, but corruption has eaten deeply into every facet of life in our continent.
I was opportune to be amongst those born early 70s and during my early time, there was hardly a dark-out for a day in Nigeria.
But it is now ridiculous and degrading for the government of Nigeria with a population of over 200 million to ignore a total black-out in the country. The government has never provided one month of constant electricity to its citizens for over 50 years since independence.
While I was growing up, I was always told that I shall one day be one of the leaders of tomorrow, but today, there has never been a chance given to my generation to become leaders except for those whose parents have connections.
It has always been the same government, same leaders and same political parasites and power- driven political extremists.
Surprisingly, I doubt if I have ever grown a year older since I was born. (I think say I don enter one chance bus for my government hand).
The leaders since independence are so corrupt and insincere to their people. For over 60 years after independence, they cannot provide electricity for over 200 million bona-fide citizens of a great country like Nigeria.
It is however a shame that a single entrepreneur, AKON, is single handedly interested in providing electricity for 600 million people in Africa, a charity program he kick-started in 2014
It is more painful that this is happening in Nigeria, the revelations of Senator Shehu Sani on BBC, that a Nigerian senators is entitled to monthly expenses of N13.5 million ($37,500), in addition to their monthly salaries of N750,000 ($2,088). With a minimum wage of N18,000 ($50), this of course would take the average Nigerian worker 792 years to earn the annual salary of a Nigerian senator.
Meanwhile, the masses that voted them into power becomes a third class citizens in their own country with the average Nigerian hanging on less than two dollars a day, 60 dollars a month and 720 dollars per annum. It is so humiliating and dehumanising.
I am really at rage, why can’t Nigerians have constant electricity?
Of course! It is without doubt that corruption cannot be totally eliminated in the country, even the western world has its own economic crises and pressing problems but they do not lack infrastructure, good roads and electricity. And while the western world are also facing inflation and some in recession they are not as richly blessed as Africa or Nigeria in terms of natural resources but haven’t had a 60-minute or 24 hours black out without a prior notice.
In my own opinion, this is so disgraceful to our leaders or to any of our past and present government. They have all ruled us in the past and are still ruling as at present, if they cannot provide electricity to the people of Nigeria within four years of their tenure, then they have all failed Nigerians as a whole.
Africa is blessed throughout the year with sunlight and wind, these are sources of energy, we have the fund and resources to bring light to every home in Nigeria irrespective of whether they live in the rural or urban area of the country.
Nigerian Government can not provide a constant electricity supply for its citizens.
Akon who is an African from Senegal, an American singer and an entrepreneur, and yet not as rich as the so-called Nigerian wealthy men and women is providing electricity for 600 million people in Africa. AKON is a single man whom God has touched to give back to the people. It is so sad.
Furthermore, the youths that were told that they would be leaders of tomorrow are now the slaves of circumstances today, wallowing in poverty and hunger around the continent, seeking greener pastures elsewhere. This is in spite of the abundance in their motherland, but they are forced by situation to enslave themselves in order to survive, becoming a civilised slave in foreign countries.
My conclusion, if this present Government would be kind enough and reasonable with conscience, then, all those involved in the down fall of Nigeria should be probed, from the military dictators to past and present governments. Those abroad should be brought back to the country and punished as well.
That I think would make President Buhari policy of zero tolerance for corruption have a niche and significant impact on the lives of the innocent citizens.
Notwithstanding, even if this present government is almost through with its administration, they can set up an irrevocable law or policy that will enforce a new government to bring electricity to the whole country, just like mobile telecommunication was brought to the country more than a decade ago, it would be the greatest achievement that any government would ever bring to the people of Nigeria since independence. And this will never be forgotten in the history of our great country Nigeria.
Ademola Adetunji Mogroup
Founder of Advocacy for Nigeria and Constant Electricity.
