While-other-governments-are-busy-building-magnificent-infrastructure-for-their-people-ours-are-busy-misappropriating-public-funds-for-their-stomach
September 7, 2020 | News
WHILE OTHER GOVERNMENTS ARE BUSY BUILDING MAGNIFICENT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THEIR PEOPLE, OURS ARE BUSY MISAPPROPRIATING PUBLIC FUNDS FOR THEIR STOMACH
Our heart breaks every time we take into consideration the disparity that exists between political leaders in African countries, especially in Nigeria, with the way they ‘play politics and governance’, when compared with their counterparts in developed societies in the Western world. From general elections; how government institutions functions, how they manage public wealth under their care in providing basic amenities/infrastructure needs for their people, to how the political leaders in both worlds practice and respect/uphold the ideals of democracy.
It was this realization that hit us recently when we considered how political leaders of developed countries in other climes have been busy over the years and even presently, making global headlines with their innovative and magnificent feats of providing basic infrastructural needs and amenities to their people. While their counterparts in Nigeria and the rest of Africa, are busy pilling their pockets with public funds meant for the development of the society.
A look at the attached pictures of what other governments in other climes are doing for their people, makes us wonder when will the Nigerian Governments at all levels achieve such feats in the provision of basic infrastructure for its citizenry? Why can’t our Nigerian Governments be able to use the enormous public wealth under their care to execute such meaningful projects that are beneficial to the populace? If Nigerians, especially our political leaders have widely traveled and have seen these other developed countries, met the men and women who lead these countries, walked the clean streets of their cities and travelled in the regular and regulated means of transport of these countries, why can’t they replicate the same things back home in their country Nigeria? What is wrong with us as Nigerians and this entity called Nigeria? What has inspired others in the world to seek betterment of their people in their lifetime, but in our own case, it is a different ball game? What do they have that we cannot muster?
One is forced to ponder and ask these questions when we consider the fact that we are endowed as a nation, in all ramifications, to be able to actualize these levels of development as seen in other climes. Perhaps, our Nigerian political leaders need to be reminded that the said pictured Toronto Highway 401, which is the widest highway in the world with 18 lanes (9 express lanes, and 9 collectors) and the busiest highway in North America (busier than Santa Monica freeway in Los Angeles), was actually constructed by human beings like them in Government of Canada for the public usage. The Nigerian masses should also be reminded that the magnificent highway is on this earth and not in heaven, and it was done by politicians in political authorities of that country.
Perhaps, there is need for us and our political leaders to be reminded about the Dubai example, which has become one of the favorite destinations of Nigeria’s political and business class today. But they fail to realize that about Fifty years ago, Dubai was nothing but a coastal city of sea Trade and merchants. Today, Dubai has been transformed into one of the world’s leading tourist destinations with megastructures that surpasses human imagination.
All of this was borne out of the vision of its current ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who like his predecessor, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, realized that Dubai’s oil wells will dry up by 2016. So, he initiated a long-term plan to save his country from the onset, by using every money from the oil wealth to develop and transform Dubai, as he ordered the kingdom to transform itself to be the world’s number one luxurious tourist destination. And as far back as 1999, Dubai completed and opened the most luxurious Seven-Star Hotel in the world called the Burg Al Arab. Today, Dubai has created top world-class horse race and golf courses; built the world’s tallest building known as the Burg Khalifa; the world’s biggest shopping mall; the world’s biggest man-made Islands which include Palm Jumeirah (which became a city built outside the sea and one of the visible things from Outer space), Deira Island and Palm Jebel Ali, all on the coast of Dubai; first In-door skiing Hill; world-destination for high-end goods like gold and all kinds of jewelries; One of the world’s futuristic technical Port; and so many other mega projects/structures, all of which have made Dubai a tourist destination for the rich and mighty, with over 20 million tourists visits every year. Now we see why Dubai and its citizens can never experience any element of poverty. And they did all of this by having a vision (which is said to extend to 2030), and by using their God-given resources of oil first, then the Sun, Sand and Sea.
Like Dubai, which has used its oil wealth and weather conditions and transformed their home into the world’s number one luxurious tourist destination; it is very possible for Nigeria to also use its oil and gas wealth and good weather conditions to transform the country into an industrialized destination where all kinds of products/goods derivable from crude oil and gas can be ‘exported for foreign exchange’, and where innovative infrastructural feats which can be reckoned globally, are quite evident. And where every other sector of the Nigerian economy is developed to also attract foreigners/investors and tourists. With the right ‘leadership attitude’ and the ‘right policies implementation’ – anything is possible if we believe we can achieve it.
Sadly, our supposedly so-called Nigerian Governors are best good at going about commissioning ‘noncompliant short distant roads’ that have become death traps within a short period for motorists, as well as other infrastructural projects that do not stand the test of time. And they still go about boasting to the public and on every media outlet that they have done something huge. As if they are doing the Nigerian citizenry a favour by doing the little of what is expected of them as custodians of State resources.
To make things worse, those given political appointments will be praising these politicians for doing nothing. And like we stated above, the Nigerian politicians travel far and wide and see these things being done in other governments, but because they are dangerously-wicked, insatiably-greedy and obviously have no conscience at all, they prefer to steal as much public funds as they can lay hands on so as to live large and travel abroad to enjoy more of these other things (they have been able to provide for the people), in overseas. They train their children in overseas with stolen wealth of the public, leaving our public schools and public amenities in shambles. They also enjoy the best healthcare across different parts of globe, while they leave our general and teaching hospitals in despicable status that are only good for the Nigerian people but not good enough for them.
The question is, do the Nigerian politicians think they can mock God with such wickedness and get away with it? Certainly not! Out of poverty the helpless masses do what Fela sang in one of his songs: "follow follow". Some of these Nigerian politicians go to church to deceive themselves with fake Thanksgiving and our men of God clap and hail them as heroes of the society. What a shame! The traditional rulers on their part, give them chieftaincy titles for stealing public money. These are the same people that have been deprived of enjoying basic infrastructure and public amenities by the same corrupt politicians. Yet, they still praise them out of ignorance, thinking that by doing so, they will be in the good books of these corrupt politicians. But when are the Nigerian masses really going to grow up and get out of this deplorable state in this country?
We need more Godliness than religion; more work and less hope; and more action and less words. Let everyone tidy up his or her corner first and demand fervently that our political leaders should tidy their areas of governance. Our nation is degenerating at a fast pace and we need to save it now. We as a people must positively change our attitude towards our dear country!
Zik Gbemre, JP.
Our heart breaks every time we take into consideration the disparity that exists between political leaders in African countries, especially in Nigeria, with the way they ‘play politics and governance’, when compared with their counterparts in developed societies in the Western world. From general elections; how government institutions functions, how they manage public wealth under their care in providing basic amenities/infrastructure needs for their people, to how the political leaders in both worlds practice and respect/uphold the ideals of democracy.
It was this realization that hit us recently when we considered how political leaders of developed countries in other climes have been busy over the years and even presently, making global headlines with their innovative and magnificent feats of providing basic infrastructural needs and amenities to their people. While their counterparts in Nigeria and the rest of Africa, are busy pilling their pockets with public funds meant for the development of the society.
A look at the attached pictures of what other governments in other climes are doing for their people, makes us wonder when will the Nigerian Governments at all levels achieve such feats in the provision of basic infrastructure for its citizenry? Why can’t our Nigerian Governments be able to use the enormous public wealth under their care to execute such meaningful projects that are beneficial to the populace? If Nigerians, especially our political leaders have widely traveled and have seen these other developed countries, met the men and women who lead these countries, walked the clean streets of their cities and travelled in the regular and regulated means of transport of these countries, why can’t they replicate the same things back home in their country Nigeria? What is wrong with us as Nigerians and this entity called Nigeria? What has inspired others in the world to seek betterment of their people in their lifetime, but in our own case, it is a different ball game? What do they have that we cannot muster?
One is forced to ponder and ask these questions when we consider the fact that we are endowed as a nation, in all ramifications, to be able to actualize these levels of development as seen in other climes. Perhaps, our Nigerian political leaders need to be reminded that the said pictured Toronto Highway 401, which is the widest highway in the world with 18 lanes (9 express lanes, and 9 collectors) and the busiest highway in North America (busier than Santa Monica freeway in Los Angeles), was actually constructed by human beings like them in Government of Canada for the public usage. The Nigerian masses should also be reminded that the magnificent highway is on this earth and not in heaven, and it was done by politicians in political authorities of that country.
Perhaps, there is need for us and our political leaders to be reminded about the Dubai example, which has become one of the favorite destinations of Nigeria’s political and business class today. But they fail to realize that about Fifty years ago, Dubai was nothing but a coastal city of sea Trade and merchants. Today, Dubai has been transformed into one of the world’s leading tourist destinations with megastructures that surpasses human imagination.
All of this was borne out of the vision of its current ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who like his predecessor, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, realized that Dubai’s oil wells will dry up by 2016. So, he initiated a long-term plan to save his country from the onset, by using every money from the oil wealth to develop and transform Dubai, as he ordered the kingdom to transform itself to be the world’s number one luxurious tourist destination. And as far back as 1999, Dubai completed and opened the most luxurious Seven-Star Hotel in the world called the Burg Al Arab. Today, Dubai has created top world-class horse race and golf courses; built the world’s tallest building known as the Burg Khalifa; the world’s biggest shopping mall; the world’s biggest man-made Islands which include Palm Jumeirah (which became a city built outside the sea and one of the visible things from Outer space), Deira Island and Palm Jebel Ali, all on the coast of Dubai; first In-door skiing Hill; world-destination for high-end goods like gold and all kinds of jewelries; One of the world’s futuristic technical Port; and so many other mega projects/structures, all of which have made Dubai a tourist destination for the rich and mighty, with over 20 million tourists visits every year. Now we see why Dubai and its citizens can never experience any element of poverty. And they did all of this by having a vision (which is said to extend to 2030), and by using their God-given resources of oil first, then the Sun, Sand and Sea.
Like Dubai, which has used its oil wealth and weather conditions and transformed their home into the world’s number one luxurious tourist destination; it is very possible for Nigeria to also use its oil and gas wealth and good weather conditions to transform the country into an industrialized destination where all kinds of products/goods derivable from crude oil and gas can be ‘exported for foreign exchange’, and where innovative infrastructural feats which can be reckoned globally, are quite evident. And where every other sector of the Nigerian economy is developed to also attract foreigners/investors and tourists. With the right ‘leadership attitude’ and the ‘right policies implementation’ – anything is possible if we believe we can achieve it.
Sadly, our supposedly so-called Nigerian Governors are best good at going about commissioning ‘noncompliant short distant roads’ that have become death traps within a short period for motorists, as well as other infrastructural projects that do not stand the test of time. And they still go about boasting to the public and on every media outlet that they have done something huge. As if they are doing the Nigerian citizenry a favour by doing the little of what is expected of them as custodians of State resources.
To make things worse, those given political appointments will be praising these politicians for doing nothing. And like we stated above, the Nigerian politicians travel far and wide and see these things being done in other governments, but because they are dangerously-wicked, insatiably-greedy and obviously have no conscience at all, they prefer to steal as much public funds as they can lay hands on so as to live large and travel abroad to enjoy more of these other things (they have been able to provide for the people), in overseas. They train their children in overseas with stolen wealth of the public, leaving our public schools and public amenities in shambles. They also enjoy the best healthcare across different parts of globe, while they leave our general and teaching hospitals in despicable status that are only good for the Nigerian people but not good enough for them.
The question is, do the Nigerian politicians think they can mock God with such wickedness and get away with it? Certainly not! Out of poverty the helpless masses do what Fela sang in one of his songs: "follow follow". Some of these Nigerian politicians go to church to deceive themselves with fake Thanksgiving and our men of God clap and hail them as heroes of the society. What a shame! The traditional rulers on their part, give them chieftaincy titles for stealing public money. These are the same people that have been deprived of enjoying basic infrastructure and public amenities by the same corrupt politicians. Yet, they still praise them out of ignorance, thinking that by doing so, they will be in the good books of these corrupt politicians. But when are the Nigerian masses really going to grow up and get out of this deplorable state in this country?
We need more Godliness than religion; more work and less hope; and more action and less words. Let everyone tidy up his or her corner first and demand fervently that our political leaders should tidy their areas of governance. Our nation is degenerating at a fast pace and we need to save it now. We as a people must positively change our attitude towards our dear country!
Zik Gbemre, JP.