Mr. President, Do You Believe These Speeches? – By Prince Charles Dickson

Posted by admin Articles, Columnists, NNP Columnists, Prince Charles Dickson Monday, October 10th, 2011

By Prince Charles Dickson, Jos, Nigeria – October 10, 2011 – A needle cannot be used to make pounded yams. (Some tools are inadequate for some tasks.)

“On this day 51 years ago, the British Union Jack was lowered…The 1st of October remains a special day for us, for Africa, and indeed the world”.

While this first sentence is true, a lot has changed, Mr. President peradventure you do not know, someone in your team should, the PDP and several thousands who in the name of leadership has held this nation captive, should know that with each passing year we are losing the few things that make October 1st special.

These days there are no march past; children do not attach any special meaning to it to the 1st of October, like the day, the nation is taking very few steps ahead and giant strides backward…

Only some 12 months ago, the only special thing was the billions of Naira spent celebrating jubilee independence. Monies with no mechanism on ground to ascertain what the worth was and value it added to a nation where a sizable populace live below the poverty line.

My dear President, Eagle square rested, as combined threat from both Boko Haram, and MEND was enough for you to dock your tail. Despite all the assurances from your security chiefs, you could not take the risk on THIS SPECIAL DAY. After assurances that all was well we were witnesses to the low-keyed, door-locked ceremonies at the Villa.

Mr. President did you believe the following words as you uttered them, “…As we celebrate today, we remember with pride, the nationalism and patriotism that inspired our founding fathers and the Nigerian people. They set aside their differences, to secure the unity and independence of our great country”.

I ask sir, knowing that the statement is just that of nostalgia, today…there is very little to celebrate.

If you do not feel the pulse of the nation, how is it that your speechwriters cannot too, states held ransom by striking workers? Pride lost in the civil service, Nigerians killed abroad, harassed and troubled at home.

I agree to an extent that our founding fathers set aside their differences…but today, never before have our differences been so obvious with so much hatred.

Mr. President, you stated “For the Nigerian spirit cannot be broken. We are a resilient nation, determined to chart a course, through the turbulent waters of nation building. The Nigerian spirit is vibrant today in the world”.

My dear President I agree to the point that yes the spirit may not be broken, but let us be careful with the word ‘cannot’. The spirit you talk about is slowly ebbing away, yes there is hope, but endless hope is like an aphrodisiac, works in many ways.

When you said “Our citizens at home and abroad, are making their mark in all fields of human endeavour. These hard-working and committed Nigerians, remain a source of pride to us and a beacon of what is achievable, if we remain focused and determined”. It is a statement of fact right from 1960, however sadly in recent times, how has this translated to economic empowerment, working factories or equality, fairness and justice?

And then you added “I know that a great number of you are joining hands with me and the Administration, in the great task ahead…” Sir, to many of us, this sounds like the come and chop, refrain of the PDP, and we have seen how many a party chieftain have joined hands indeed in the last 12 years.

Sir, I dare tell you that if only, your words matched actions, in saying that “I value all Nigerians. I see our youth who are looking for jobs and yet remain hopeful. I see the farmer, and fisherman, toiling everyday to earn a living. I see the teacher, working hard, to train our future generations, with much sacrifice. I see the market women whose entrepreneurial spirit helps to generate income for their children and families. I see our sportsmen and women training hard to bring glory to our nation. I see our resilience and commitment, as a nation, to defend our democracy and secure our future”.

I would have gone to bed knowing I have a president, but to say the least, it once more sounds like your “I had no shoes” slogan. Shoes which since you acquired choice types, you seem at lost on which to, when to, and how to wear them.

The fact sir, is that Nigerians want you to start killing the Goliaths, whether you are Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, a general or lance corporal, it really matters little if you are not firm and ready.

Your words…“Together, we shall work for a Nigeria in which democracy and the rule of law are sacrosanct. A country where corruption and its attendant vices, are banished. A country where human life is sacred and respected, and where the rights of the individual are protected”.

Which of the law my dear President…the pay-as-you-go type or which one? Many wonder how you will banish corruption when there is no will to curtail it. Very little to show in terms of protecting citizen’s rights, thus a continued renewed battle to renegotiate our collective existence as a nation structurally and economically because citizenry rightly feel left out.

Sir, your government that has no commitment and it shows flashes of ability, but the ability is not matched with commitment…Time will tell, if you can…
Prince Charles Dickson
Editor, burningpot.com

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