I am an optimist. Nonetheless, all that is happening in Nigeria today is gradually eroding my optimism about Nigeria and Africa. I attended a Catholic kindergarten called Our Ladies Nursery School in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria, with pupils from Europe and Asia. I was not influenced by the economic or racial disparities between Africa and other parts of the world because of the mix of pupils in my class. I never had any misconceptions or miseducation about racial superiority. In my class, Black kids like myself were doing better academically than kids from other continents and races. Nigerian kids from my class were children of medical doctors and other professions who were very brilliant and held themselves with dignity. At that tender age of my life, my dreams were boundless. The amplitude of my aspirations was amplified by the school environment and a loving father who enrolled me in such a school where the children of his bosses schooled but was a strain on his earnings. I was a happy child. I did not worry about food and clothing because my father was gainfully employed. I did not worry about my health because whenever I am ill, my Dad took me to the village were my grandmother who was a traditional pediatrician cum gynecologist prepared herbs that were very potent and got the job done. Today, all that has gone with the neglect of our traditional heritage and institutions chaperoned by the regrettable leadership we have experienced as a people.

The men and women we call our leaders in Nigeria and Africa have messed everything and can fittingly be described as callous in their policies and politics thereby destroying all that makes the African life peaceful and communal. African leaders live in heaven and the populace resides in hell. Their children school abroad while the children of the masses attend deskless schools and often beg on the street to make ends meet. Presently, what is happening in Edo State captures the state of affairs in Nigeria and many parts of Africa. I often wonder the length a Pastor would go to become a governor by wining and dining with the acclaimed evil and unreasonable men in the land. Religious leaders like Pastor Ize-Iyamu and Pastor Yemi Osinbajo who ordinarily should help to reverse the destructive leadership trends in Africa are trending with the trend. The trend of politicians and political appointees embezzling with impunity. The trend of probes that reveal can of worms that are canned again. The trend of killings that shows the life of a cow is more valuable than the life of Nigerians especially Southern Kaduna Christians.

The trend where former civil rights and labor leaders like Festus Keyamo and Adams Oshiomhole will become the kingpin of violence against workers and the masses using federal might to destabilize and desecrate democratic structures. The trend where anti-corruption agencies are agents of corruption used to fight the opposition. The trend whereby the judiciary and legislature are an appendage of the executive. And the trend where the family of leaders seeks medical attention for minor pains abroad and the masses die in the lobbies of hospitals because of their inability to pay initial deposits. Yes! These and more have made my optimism for Nigeria and Africa to experience a steep decline.

The heartbreaking part of these criminalities is that the youths are watching and copying. They have grown up to see Mallams who can aid and abet the killings of other tribes by their tribe as exemplified by Nasir El Rufai. They have grown to see general overseers who would visit an irresponsible president and come out laughing with the president whose security chiefs and infrastructure cannot safeguard lives and properties especially innocent lives like Leah Sharibu. They have grown up to see the respect society gives to individuals with ill-gotten wealth. They have witnessed how many university graduates cannot graduate from unemployment. These happenings distort and destroy the fabric of society. And this is where we are today in Nigeria and many parts of Africa. As I witness these mishaps daily, I often find solace in the Holy Bible because the weight of the present realities in Nigeria is disheartening. I believe these negatives will come to a climax where the citizenry will say enough is enough one day. But I pray it is not too late. As those who ought to be annoyed are volunteering as political thugs and social media unpaid praise-singers of the same men and women who daily mortgage their present and future. Yoruba youths see Tinubu as a leader and role model, Urhobo youths see Ibori as a leader and role model, Igbo youths see Nnamdi Kanu as a leader and role model, you then begin to understand and visualize the look of the future in Nigeria. Nigeria and Africa will remain the same or get worse unless we start establishing structures that enthrone credible leaders, punish crime adequately in high and low places and promote society-building values like rule of law, affordable education, and sustainable healthcare. Without these, our déjà vu will continue to reoccur.

Ata Ukuta – Editor, www.towncryyers.com