A call for unity of purpose: Remember, not all will be champions

By Muhammad Auwal Isah  (DABS, 08075908369)

As usual, in the afternoon hours of Wednesday, 9th October 2024, I checked my WhatsApp messages for any update and came across a flier sent by a friend indicating an increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petroleum to N1,010 as per the price per liter in depot in Lagos.

I immediately heaved a sigh of concern while saying “From Allaah we are, and to Him, we shall return”. He knows what’s best and the right time for us to celebrate.

I again observed closely, the flier bearing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited logo to clear my doubt as to whether it was really from them or the usual social media tricks but couldn’t convince myself. This is largely because subsidy was said to have been removed from the inception of this administration.

What else is remaining? This made me immediately send the flier to our DABS NG WhatsApp platform for more clarification, bearing in mind the kind of intellectuals the group is made up of.

As God will have it, it didn’t take much time before one of our prominent personalities on the platform responded that it was “Deregulation”, (reduction or elimination of government power in a particular industry) at work. That again simply means, the government will not have anything to do with regulating the pump price of fuel in Nigeria. Market forces of demand and supply will be left to do that. Albeit, NNPCL could be said to have concluded their decision to sell their own at #1030 per liter in places like Abuja and its environs.

Thus, after having chatted for a while, I began to think of the fate of not only the supposedly common man but also the seemingly average Nigerians in the battle for survival in Nigeria. Here we’re: living from ‘hand to mouth’! And were presented with yet another serious blow.

Everybody is ‘crying’ and chanting different sorts of threats and warnings to the government on the looming dangers associated with its reckless policies and decisions but to no avail.

Different organizations ranging from; religious bodies, labour unions, activists, political groups, socio-political non-governmental organizations, few people in government and even the so-called common man are not left behind in this regard.

Despite this, however, the government appears deaf and dumb to the plight of the same people it governed, without which there would be nothing called authority.

Considering all these, therefore, I pondered over the situation again and again trying to compare Nigeria with other African countries like Niger and the Republic of Cameroun. Could this inhumanity possibly be accommodated in those countries? Let alone other sane countries of the world? This is especially true if you take into account the crisis the world has witnessed in Sudan, just as a result of a negligible increase in the price of bread.  Are those countries more enlightened and sane than we are? I couldn’t believe that. So, what’s the rationale behind the government’s inability to listen to the yearnings of the masses?

Two major and two not-too-paid attention to findings were revealed. These include but are not limited to; religious issues, ethnic influence, lack of deliberate coordination of all well-meaning Nigerians especially, the Youths and, lack of sacrifice.

Thus, while our political class is busy taking advantage of tools numbered 1 and 2 to divide and rule us, we either don’t understand or have neglected the 3 and 4 which are capable of uniting and giving us more strength when we speak.
To me, youths generally should champion this course but bearing in mind that not everybody will be champions.

Because I realized this is another big challenge in the attainment of this goal. Everyone wants to be noticed and seen as a hero. Unfortunately, it will only end up compounding the problem rather than being a solution. Another serious challenge is that of sacrifice. Not many are ready to sacrifice their resources for the betterment of Nigeria, but will always lament bitterly when things aren’t in their favour.

Additionally, if you think you are self-sufficient and do not need anyone in your life, that’s why you don’t care about the happenings in Nigeria, then you have gravely mistaken the situation. Because, sooner or later it’ll come to your turn. Remember, those affected will either overburden your generosity if you are one or end up attacking you as a seeming enemy to satisfy their grudge.

Therefore, the earlier we realise and work towards eliminating these problems, the better for all of us. There’s strength in unity, and I believe we can change the narrative for good. Let’s come together and work on the different talks.

This will go a long way in helping the country to recover its lost glory in the comity of nations especially, when we can provide better leadership.
Nigeria is our motherland. We don’t have any other country we can all boldly and proudly call ours apart from Nigeria.

Once again, Let’s come together to enlighten our people on the need to be well coordinated under a single banner with a sincerity of purpose and make serious sacrifices to ensure a better society. It is achievable!
Remember a Chinese Proverb that says “Impossible can only be found in the dictionary of fools”.

Development Advocates for a Better Society (DABS)!
Together, we can.