I Am Tired Jor!

Right now I am so depressed, so sad, so angry but most of all I am weak, so weak I just want to lie down and hibernate. With each passing day I find that every single thing I was taught as a child by my parents, my priests, my teachers, my elders has been for naught. Not lies but truths that have no place in this entity called Nigeria. A nation where corruption and evil go unpunished; even worse they go rewarded.

Since the days of Tafa Balogun, it has become a proven scam: steal a few billions from state coffers, (not millions, for a few millions are not enough to keep you out of jail) when caught, plead guilty and save the state (i.e. the police/EFCC, and judiciary) the cost of an expensive and lengthy trial while making them look good at their jobs. Give assurances of full cooperation and willingly return say 20 per cent of the loot in cash and another 20 per cent in property, then spread say 10 per cent among those who might ask for a cut and you get a nine months to 2 years sentence at a not-so-bad prison where you would reign as the “president” and are sure to be out after seven months; OR if you are lucky you get the option of fine with no time served. After that long sentence and all is said and done you could easily walk away with 10 billion neat. I swear someone should sign me up for this scam for that is what it is!

“Come Danladi, you know that NIPOST pension money?”

“You mean the N500bn?”

“Yes, you as the chief finance officer have access to it, is this not so?”

“Yes and so?”

“Ok this is what we are going to do; you will use your office to steal...

....then when you are released you pocket a cool N25bn while you give us N25bn...don’t mind Nigerians, they have short memories, they will soon invite you to be the state chairman of the party, give you a chieftaincy title and the pastors will make you a deacon sef....”

“Ok, I am in!”

It really is that simple! Corruption thrives simply because we reward it. Instead of punishing the looters we slap them on the wrists and embrace them when they are released. Who says (big) crime does not pay? I say “we” because “we” are the ones who write the laws or have refused or simply do not understand that “we” are not excluded from lawmaking. This is why I have trouble with democracy and Africans, for we do not fully comprehend what democracy is all about! It is about using our numbers to push for, lobby and demand certain “goods” rights as citizens of a nation! If we all understood the concept of democracy which strives to achieve that “common good” for all, we would not stand for these evils pervading our land. Or perhaps it is a twisted version of democracy that has made us the way we are – a bunch of silent aiders and abetters.

I suspect the real reason why we have not as a mass body fought corruption to a standstill is that deep deep down inside, we are all waiting for our turn at the dinner table of power where we will have a go at the national cake! We swallow and turn a blind eye to grave injustices and romanticising of theft and robbery, not saying a word, giving excuses and blindly attacking the few that have the courage to speak up all because we anticipate the day when it is our turn to “chop”; and when that day comes may God punish the devil that tries to truncate our time at the table!!!

What am I saying? The young Nigerian has watched how corruption has made a number of Nigerians wealthy beyond their wildest dreams in a seemingly “turn by turn” system. In the 80s and 90s it was the Northerners and Westerners, now in this new administration it is the turn of the South-South so by simple reasoning and hope and if “zoning” works out in the next elections it will be the turn of my father’s brother’s in-law’s wife’s second cousin who is an ACN big-wig!! Ope o! Again, may Amadioha silence the mouths of those who rise up to condemn him and us!!

The most interesting journey I ever  undertook in this country was about five years ago in a 12-seater bus from Lagos to Benin with Nigerians from across different ages, gender and tribes. We had quite a few interesting discussions during the journey as a road trip that used to take three hours flat, now took almost five. The one that stood out for me was the one on corruption. Oh it was a volatile one! Passengers were seething with righteous anger and all calling for the Jerry Rawlings treatment for those who deserved it!! But one lady said something which cooled the flames. She said that we should be careful for what we ask for, that if indeed this Rawlings treatment is meted out who would survive? Some beat their chests and said that they were clean. To this she retorted, “You can vouch for yourself, but can you vouch for that your uncle who is in NPA? Or your in-law that is a state CP? Or that elder in your church who donated N10million towards the new church building?! Or that your old classmate who gave you that juicy contract that you lobbied for? Behold if the Rawlings treatment starts, it may come to your doorstep!!” She went further, “Okay, if you were the head of recruitment at a company or a government agency and you were down to two gifted candidates who were vying for a single opening, would you give it to the better of the two or the one that was related to your spouse’s uncle or from your village?” At this quite a few people fell silent. Only one lady was able to say that she would give it to the better candidate. To this someone laughed and said “Then your husband’s people will carry your name to church for prayers!”  

These are the reasons why we remain bedroom and siddon-look activists. If you want to fight evil, you give no quarter, and you fight without fear!! For should you hesitate, it will consume you leaving you worse of than you were before.

Like one of my former facilitators would say: “I do not intend to pontificate but to illuminate.” I am not perfect but I strive towards perfection. So my brothers and sisters let us take our nation back! Back to the days when our parents ate half a chicken in the refectory at the universities, when salaries were paid on time, when pensions were not stolen, when men of God worshiped God and not mammon, when religion did not supercede common sense and intelligence,  when a Super Eagles match was a time for collective pride and not ridicule, when policemen wore the uniform with pride, when our leaders spoke the truth in service and not lies in dishonesty, when we endorsed brilliance and industry not mediocrity and sloth, and when being a Nigerian meant something good.

Sigh....I am tired jor.