Governance, drug abuse in Nigeria

IT is the belief of many that democracy should guarantee people a good life. A stable democracy piloted by visionary leaders who possess the intellectual capacity to see issues at their broader and more complex perspectives should ensure a strong, stable, vibrant, virile economy with an enabling peaceful and stable political environment.

It must be our quest to see a society where every individual can pursue his or her aspiration using his or her God-given potential to the fullest. Nigerians must take the battle for democracy with the seriousness it deserves. But our democracy has been bastardised through bad leadership and non-challant leaders that tend to stay in power for the rest of their life, with Africa countries have trends of ‘sit tight’ syndromes.

Imagine after 15 years of uninterrupted military misrule during which the most cherished values of Nigerians were destroyed, with cavalier arrogance, by a band of ruthless, atavistic and self-seeking soldiers, the hunger of Nigerians for good governance can be understood. The consequences of course were devastating; hunger, disease and ignorance became the lot of Nigerians. Life became a thing to endure rather than enjoyed. But with the birth of the democratic dispensation, millions of Nigerians were imbued with hope, that at last, beautiful things were about to happen to the country, that their sorrows and distress would soon be a thing of the past and come to an end totally.

We know that the problems of this country are too numerous to be solved even within the short period of any administration irrespective of any political party. But one would have expected that after 19 years of civilian administration, any serious government should have laid the foundation for finding lasting solutions to these problems. Regrettable, however, our politicians have been busy chasing shadows. All we have been hearing are ganging-ups impeachments, combat between governors and their deputies, accusations and counter accusation of corruption both real and imagined – while the social problems of the people have been neglected. When will the politicians stop pursing all these fruitless ventures and for once start working to make life better for those who elected them into office or will they allow the hope of Nigerians to die off?

• 2019: The tricky political calculation in the North

Imagine from obscurity, oil boom catapulted Nigeria into global economic limelight in the 60s and 70s, and the doom of a profligate nation was held in abeyance. Very soon, corruption came knocking, but boom wedged its foot against the door ajar, inquiring who the intrusive visitor was. Corruption is an albatross that never travels alone. Ethnicity, impunity, nepotism, arrogance, disunity and unimaginable leadership type were on its entourage. Corruption sent boom out of the doorway, tearing down the door for its entourage to march in. Ever since, Nigeria has battled corruption, its entourage and other forms of evil without success.

Of all the evils bedeviling the country, however, none is as frightening and as potentially calamitous as the evil of drug abuse afflicting our youths. Not corruption. Not defections. Drug abuse is the sword of Damocles dangling high above the heart of Nigeria. The presidency and National Assembly are lost about redeeming Nigeria’s drug-crazed youths, but are very much alive in the political pettiness.

• Ademola Orunbon,

Epe, Lagos State.