We are stronger together: A call to action for a United Nigeria

By Muhammad Auwal Isah (DABS)

I wish to elaborate on my earlier article titled: ‘A call for a unity of purpose: Remember, not all will be champion’ written on the 10th of October, 2024.

In that article, I drew people’s attention to the fuel price increase that negatively impacted the lives of many Nigerians.
To present part of it, I did say;’ Fuel price hikes in the midst of suffering’.

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 another increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petroleum to N1,010 as per the price per litre at the depot in Lagos.

I heaved a sigh of concern which was accompanied by, “From AlLaah we are, and to Him we shall return” – a comforting prayer against any calamity that befalls on people.

In another attempt to comfort myself the more, I simply said, AlLaah knows best and the right time for us to celebrate and enjoy the fruits of good governance in Nigeria.

For the second term, I looked closely at the flier bearing Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited logo to clear my doubt as to whether it was truly a reliable information or the usual social media messaging tricks but couldn’t ascertain the fact of the matter.

This is largely because, to me and other well meaning Nigerians, subsidy was said to have been removed from the inception of President Bola Tinibu’s administration on the 29th May, 2023.

What else was the government possibly trying to achieve this time around by this unexpected increment?

This made me to 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 longer time before one of our prominent personalities on the platform responded that it was “Deregulation” in action, meaning: reduction or elimination of government’s power in a petroleum industry at work.

That again simply means government will not have anything to do with regulating the pump price of fuel in Nigeria. Market forces of demand and supply will be allowed to do that.

Although, Dangote Refinery and many Nigerians would not want to be deceived by such assumptions due to so many reasons.

After all, NNPCL had already concluded fixing its price at N1030 per litre in places like Abuja and its environs.

Meaning, distance will determine the different prices to be obtained in other parts of the country.

Thus, after a few minutes chat on that platform, what began to dawn on me was the fate of not only the supposedly common man, but also the seemingly average Nigerians in the battle for survival  in this country called – Nigeria.

Imagine presenting people surviving from ‘hand to mouth’ with such a deadly policy blow which is one among many.

In response to this, different organized groups like; Religious bodies, Labour Unions, Activists, Political groups, Sociopolitical non governmental organisations, few among pro masses elites and even the so called common man are ‘crying’, and not just crying but also chanting and issuing different threats and warnings to the government on the looming dangers associated with such reckless policies and decisions that affect the masses directly but to no avail.

Instead, the administration appears deaf and dumb  to the plight of the majority-the same people it governed  and without which there would be no legitimacy.

Considering all these therefore, I thought over some countries like the Republics of Niger and Cameroun and immediately asked myself whether this inhumanity could possibly be accommodated in those countries, let alone other organised countries of the world?

This particularly, when you take for instance, the crisis that took place in Sudan some years ago, just because 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 possibly could be responsible for the sharp difference that warrants these inhuman treatment and nonchalant attitudes so much such that the government couldn’t listen to the yearnings of the masses?

Problem identified
After giving it some serious thoughts, I came to realise that indiscipline and lack of patriotism could responsible for the mess.

Other factors courtesy of the two above, include but not limited to; religious intolerance, ethnic jingoism, lack of coordination of well meaning Nigerians especially, the Youths, and lack of sacrifice.

Our political class are busy taking advantage of factors numbered 1 and 2 to divide and rule us, while we either don’t realise or have neglected the 3 and 4 which are capable of bringing us together and by implication giving us more strength  whenever we speak.

Who are responsible for the change 
Although, I stand to be corrected, but I guessed, young  people should generally champion the course of bringing about the needed change in this country. Our future and those of the generations yet unborn has been mortgaged.

The earlier we realise the need for an immediate action the better. We must however, learn to avoid with all our strengths rivalry and unnecessary competition.

Because these constitute another big  challenge towards the struggle.

Everybody wants to be noticed and seen as a hero. So, instead of putting our hands on deck by concentrating our intellects, energy and efforts in order to succeed, we end up fighting one another.

Remember, our inability to be united will only guarantee our individual and collective failure as against bringing about a sustainable solution to the problem.

We must bear in mind that not everyone will always be a Champion.

Also, sacrifice has always been a bigger and very difficult challenge to deal with.

Many people have no concern about the country. They believed that complete allegiance to Nigeria is worthless.

I personally have come across many that belong to this school of thought. While the only few Patriotic ones have caged themselves somewhere trying to preserve their remaining dignity while believing that they are safe in those Zones.

To them that’s the best solution, but to me that’s the worst solution. Why would you be hiding for AlLaah’s sake and allow the worst ones  to be parading as your leaders either as a result your voter apathy or forceful selection?

Why would you do that? Do you think you would have any option than to abide by any decision or policy they come up with even if the decision(s) or the policy is detrimental to equity and good conscience? I begged your pardon, that’s a great mistake.

To be fair to the leaders too, I must acknowledge the fact that even the masses are not helping matters. They wouldn’t take to their responsibilities but would always take solace in blaming leaders blatantly.

Thus, serious orientation needs to be carried out for people to be constantly reminded of their responsibilities, may be they’ll change for good. Another thing that requires emphasis is the fact that we are always united in the suffering.

It affects everyone regardless of your religion, region and/or ethnic background. It doesn’t differentiates at all!

And for those self-acclaimed self-sufficient people who are not bothered about the current reality, here’s a good news for you: sooner or later it’ll come to your turn. Because, those affected are ever ready to either overburdened your generosity if you are one or end up attacking  you as a seeming  enemy to satisfy their grudge.

The choice as to whether or not to act rightly and at the right time is completely yours.

Therefore, the earlier we realise these problems and work on them, the better for all of us.

There’s strength in unity, and I believed we can change the narrative for good if we can do the needful. And this will go a long way in helping the country to recover its lost glory in the comity of nations especially, when we are able to provide better leadership.

We don’t have any other country we can all boldly and proudly call ours apart from Nigeria.

Once again, let us be well coordinated with a sincerity of purpose,  under a single banner  regardless of your religion, region and/or ethnic identity.

Ensuring a better society remains our individual and collective watchword.
Remember a Chinese Proverb that says “impossible can only be found in the dictionary of fool”.