Things have been very rough of recent in the country. I see the many unappealing things happening and I keep hoping that soon, very soon, it will all go away. “Nothing lasts forever,” that popular saying always comes in handy, and I try to believe it more than ever because it’s the best consolation I could get at the moment.
Where do I even start?
I’m not a political fanatic. I have never been one, and to tell you the truth, I don’t think I’ll ever be one. I haven’t been the least interested in Nigerian politics for as long as I can remember. It has never mattered to me who or what political party is in power. All I’ve ever wanted is to have the basic amenities such as constant electricity, running pipe-borne water, good roads, and of course, peace and security. In all fairness, there were times when I got some of these things I desire as a Nigerian citizen. Living in Abuja, there were times when I saw power supply that was close to constant, if not completely constant. At least, there was light more times than there wasn’t. I have also seen some good roads and relative peace. But then, all these, I experienced living in Abuja. What about those who don’t live or have ever lived in the capital city, the seat of power? Can the same thing be said of them? I don’t think so. Even in the Abuja that I talk about, at the moment, the story isn’t the same as the power situation has taken a drastic turn, falling so close to zero points.
In Lagos where I am now, power is almost nonexistent. I have stayed severally for about forty-eight hours without having my bulbs lighten up or hear the sound of my ceiling fan. And the hot weather isn’t helping. The nights seem longer because of the discomfort of the heat that makes it so hard for one to have a good sleep. I spend more hours awake than asleep these days, tossing in bed and hoping that a miracle would happen and that the lights would come on.
In these dark hours, the rolling of the fan is what is paramount, but no, that cannot happen without light. The days aren’t exempted, the body heat continues, but then, one has the option of taking a stroll outside to receive some fresh air. But of course, dem no born you well to try am for night, you go just loss, talk about insecurity.
The fall of the Naira currency isn’t making matters any better. Prices of goods and services have shot up so high, the average Nigerian now stays off certain things they could afford before now. But then again, who’s to blame for the high Naira to Dollar exchange rate?
What about petrol that has become as scarce as the rains in the harmattan? The long queues at the petrol stations are something else. Most of the stations don’t even have petrol to sell, so Nigerians are more than glad to queue at the very few who are selling, even if it means spending the night at these places. Yes, people now spend the night at petrol stations. What could be worse than that?
There have been accusations and counter-accusations between political fanatics, politicians, and political parties, pointing accusing fingers and throwing jabs. At this point, I couldn’t care less about who is responsible for what, all I want is some level of stability, to be able to go the market without fear of coming back home empty-handed due to exorbitant prices of goods. I just want to be able to stay at home without having sweat run down my body like water due to no power, to be able to sleep at night. I want to be able to stroll down to a petrol station to get fuel without unending queues or the fear of turning back due to “no fuel”. I remember having all these, but now, it looks like it’ll never be possible again.
I am a Nigerian who loves being Nigerian. I love my country, but unending situations like these, make being a patriotic Nigerian a hard thing to do.
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Inspiration