Kofi
Annan.
This saying couldn’t be more truer (permit me for lack of a
better word). A lot of us blame government for every mishap in the society. We ask
that they do it all because it’s what they were placed there for. That is true
quite alright but to get ahead, we have to engage another truth. One of the
things that have gotten first world developed countries like America to where
they are today is citizenship participation in running the country’s affairs. A
lot of them give back to the community when they attain a level wherein they
can.
Many of their institutions are thriving from
contributions made by private individuals. Many of their celebrities sponsor
children hospitals, orphanage homes, cancer institutions, HIV institutions
e.t.c. even ‘ordinary’ citizens do take time and give back to their community
without always waiting on government. I read about a lady sometime ago from the
United States. Her community or what we know as village was in a bad shape. Roads
were bad, the water source had problems, and the only school in the community
was not well equipped and needed major improvements. They kept on calling for
help from the capital but none was coming. The lady took action. She gathered
some people in the community and they opened a small stall along a strategic
road of the community asking people for donations that would be used in satisfying
their needs. The response was awesome and the school, water system and road
construction began. This drew the attention of the same government that ignored
the community and they took over the construction.
I don’t know if this can ever happen in Nigeria, if it
does, people will either not respond and call the initiator ‘too rich’ or ‘overdo’
or if people respond, the person would now escape with the money making the
people never to raise money if ever asked. We need to change our mindset in Nigeria.
The next time you watch a foreign film, at the end of the
film, check for the list of sponsors and you’ll be greeted by a long list. Why won’t
such film captivate you and keep you wanting for more? Why won’t it and waves
and bring in so much earning unlike a film in Nigeria by only one sponsor.
If we want things to be better, we all have to get
involved. We have to give back to the community. If half of Nigerians give back
to the community, we as a country would go far. You earn enough to train a
whole village but you only have two children you train, look around you,
whether in church or surroundings, there are those you can help out and train
too. You have much to eat? Share with your neighbour that is waiting for
government salary because when he decides to steal out of lack, you would be
the first point of call. So let us not have beautiful dreams of being musicians,
comedians, doctors, lawyers, Engineers, make-up artists, dreams of being great
and excelling in life without a plan to give back to the community. For e.g.
you school at a place that its libraries are barely equipped, few classes with
spoilt seats, no or poorly quipped laboratories. You complain throughout your
stay. Then you happen to excel and do well and when you return to your school,
probably to see someone now schooling there, you hear the same age old
complains you made which thousands before you have made, you hear that strikes
have been embarked on and nothing happened. Instead of finding a way to help
out of the abundance of wealth you have amassed, you join and complain about
government.
Government cannot train all the orphans alone.
Government cannot eradicate all the poverty alone.
Government cannot improve all the health sectors alone.
Government cannot equip and bring to standards all our
schools alone.
Government cannot provide security alone.
Government cannot do it all alone. Some people earn more
than the president.
In a family, the parents are the government but they don't go at it alone, it's the children that perform the house chores and i cannot even begin to emphasize how important it is for house chores to be carried out.
In a church, the pastors are the government but they never rule alone, members are always involved.
Why then should it be different with state governance?
In a family, the parents are the government but they don't go at it alone, it's the children that perform the house chores and i cannot even begin to emphasize how important it is for house chores to be carried out.
In a church, the pastors are the government but they never rule alone, members are always involved.
Why then should it be different with state governance?
Let’s change our mindset and work together to better our
country.
Love
Kambi.
photo credit: www.stimson.org
photo credit: www.stimson.org
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You have written truth here. If we all do our bits, we all will see a better Nation.
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