*Opinions
expressed in this post are personal and the stories represent the fictitious
imaginations of the writer
Amina
had to go back to school for her exams. She was a SSS3 science student, like I
was some 5 years ago. She went back to write a core science subject, Physics.
There was so much insecurity where her school was located but since they had
not written Physics, they were called back to write it by the local officials.
She looked forward to writing it too, in preparation of Ahmadu Bello University’s
October admission exercise. Aisha, another science student was back in the
dormitory on Tuesday morning in preparation for her Physics WASSCE, she convinced
her skeptical parents to allow her to write it. Sofia, was in her room all
through Tuesday morning and afternoon, she had very serious menstrual pains and
she just had to stay still on her bed. I hear her telling her mother on the
phone not to worry about her health, she was determined to write the exam
despite the sharp uterine pain. Mr Kangi, the guard had left his wife at home
with Abubakar, his 1-month baby and Kaffy, his 3yr old daughter-he had worked
in the school as the guard for 5 years and he collected N15, 000 per month,
though very small, it was enough to take care of his family’s hospital bills in
a government hospital and put food on their table.
********
They
were all at one location, Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Bornu
State when suddenly, a loud gunshot was heard, Mr Kangi, the guard jumped on
his feet and went out to see what was happening. A masked guy placed a bullet
right through his chest, he fell and died immediately. Well, we know the
remaining story, about 240 girls were kidnapped from the school dorm by a
terrorist group and rumor has it that some of them have been taken to Cameroon
and others Chad, some say a number of the girls have been married while others
think they’re hidden in a forest. Just when I was pouring out my anger about
the present Nigerian State on my poor roommate who had no answers to my “why”
questions, I heard of the Nyanya bombing that killed about 20 people....yes, the
same Nyanya station that was bombed and took 80 lives some 3 weeks ago.
********
My
questions: What is wrong with Nigeria?... Or rather, What is not wrong with
Nigeria? Where are the girls? Is it a crime to be Nigerian?
These
are girls, like me…. these are young women who, despite the insecurity and shootings in Bornu decided to still write
their exams, these are children of some parents… and yes, they are sisters too.
Why is this happening? Why are we still looking for them 2 weeks after? All I
can hear is that the acts are condemned by Senator whatever and President GEJ
and that investigation is going on…before nko? So is condemnation of the
act what we want to eat? Bring back our girls jare! Excuse me, can’t we for
once just get results in this country.
Almost all the sectors of this country are very highly densely flawed.
Please what does the IG of police have to say? At least, he’s the chief security
officer of his nation, I suppose. The
Nigerian State has thrown many into wailings and cries….why exactly is Nigeria
not working? Why? Ki lo de?
********
Well,
I’ll open the almost-closed arms of optimism and hope for a better Nigeria. Somewhere
in my mind, I see a better Nigeria, I see a Nigeria where the nations of the
world flock into, I see the green passport becoming the most-desirable passport
in the whole world, I see results-driven people in Leadership, I see men and
women stand up and take their place, I see small businesses sprout and bloom, I
see improved health care, I see transparency in our political system, I see our
economy bloom like the morning glory. I see it, I see it
A
man I respect a lot once told me that for things to work, it takes God and
determined conscious efforts. I think God is a constant, He will do his part,
but it is left for us to take our places and do our part. I think with a
made-up mind, with election of capable people into government (not by how good
their name sounds), with reduced complaining and lamenting and with DETERMINED CONSCIOUS EFFORTS by EVERY NIGERIAN, we will get to the
promised land.
We
owe our children, the next generation, a Nigeria that works...Honestly, we do.
May
God help us all.
