For over a month, we
have been stating the problems in Nigeria. Sometimes, we provide solution to
the matter and at other times, we just merely discuss the state of affairs.
Today, I want to look at a neglected issue that should have long been discussed.
It is just as bad as every other issue or maybe worse. I want to talk about you;
Nigerian. There will be no reason why we are trying to make a better Nigeria when
our attitudes are still stuck in time past. The mentality of Nigerians are stuck somewhere between the 18th century and the medieval era The poor mentality of Nigerians is
the major cause of all that is wrong in this country. As a man thinks in his
heart, so is he. We think ourselves small, we belittle ourselves. The citizens of these country are just as bad as the government when it comes to using their mental capacity or even worse off. these offside mentality accounts for every Nigerian problem. And it is this mentality that is carried by lawmakers and government officials in this country into the system. They are only being Nigerians after all. I would focus on the mentality as regards to human rights
Once upon a time, there
was racial segregation in the United States. Blacks were treated as lesser
humans and looked down upon. They were to enter the bus only through the back
door and had a colored section they could sit. Blacks were not to sit and a
white man stand though. The white men always got a sit and if a white man couldn’t
get one, Negros were to stand up for him in their colored section. One day,
during a bus ride, a woman named Rosa Parks refused to stand up from her seat
in the colored sections for a white man, which led to an increase in the sparks
of civil rights movement. It took years, the fight was fierce, some lost their
lives but today, no black man can be told to get up his seat for a white man.
Nigerians are
inordinately chicken hearted to conceive such an idea. We are overly faint hearted
to even dream of talking back at the security personnel at the gate of a
government ministry. We are more humble than Jesus himself and let anybody ride
on us. We would gladly give up our sit for a white man if told to do so. There are
no right activists in this country. Who would dare be one? The ones that mask
themselves as human rights activist don’t even know what human rights consist of.
I had a discussion with
a group of people last week and they all repeatedly announced that they were
was no such thing as human rights in this country. When asked if this was the
country they intended to leave for their children, they chorused “our children
will survive”. My God! What is wrong with the people from my country? We have
relented ourselves to the situation and now experience joy living like slaves. We
are so absorbed by ill treatment that one would be from another planet or
another country to talk to us about our rights. Talking to a Nigerian about
rights will get you nothing but an alien stare. You are probably a UFO flying
around.
We have accepted that
we need to grovel before the people in authority and we are ordinary citizens
without a say concerning even our lives. We blindly follow leaders and everyone
in power not withstanding if what they make us do is right or wrong. We are
asked to wear uniforms to work? We obey like wretched men. We are asked to frog
jump by these military boys at check points? Without hesitation we are on our
knees. We are made to wait forever for something that should take a few
minutes? We just grumble and put on our patience cap. We do not even make an
attempt to better our situation.
To worsen the situation
of things, when someone decides to stand on their own rights, we bring the
person down and say all sorts of things. We make a fuss and make them feel like
they are rebels and should be punished some more for owning up to their rights.
Again I ask, what is wrong with you Nigerians? When are you going to be tired
of living in fear and finally decide to break free?
I want a better
generation for the future Nigerian children. I want a Nigeria where our children
only hear of frog jumping at check points as tales. Where our children do not
understand what it means for public servants to trample on your rights and humiliate
you. Where our children are not blinded by sentiments and are able to elect
anyone who is able and capable irrespective of their religion and tribe. Where a
bribe is a slap on the face of a Nigerian and is treated as such. I want a Nigeria
where the citizens are mentally developed; Where brain power and common sense
rules.
Nigerians must change
their attitude. There will be no reason why someone would start a movement and
be alone in it. Nigerians deserve a better life and the future generation
deserves a life free of tyranny and oppression. We have to make a sacrifice
that the next generation will thank us for. I do not mind being the Martin
Luther King of my generation and leading Nigerians to the Promised Land and out
of the wilderness. I am willing and ready to make a sacrifice (I actually have
a knack for rebellion). What I wouldn’t want is to lead a bunch of cowards who
thinks we should be comfortable without rights.
God bless Nigerians
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