THE "PURE WATER" ATTITUDE

I think the problem with our Nigeria is that many of us are just too obsessed with material things and desire power at all cost. This has allowed evil and nepotism to take its roots. The problem is a hydra headed one.

Our taste for expensive things is just outrageous. Many of us don't have value for things, work and people. That is why people with money are exalted without questioning how the money was made. That is why many thieves have become chiefs, that is why criminals have become occupants of front seats at occasions and sadly even in some churches. That is why there is now a rise in membership and number of occultic groups like never before.

As an example, it is common to hear a person back home call mid-range or low-end priced mobile phones "pure water" to make it look common when such a person has no work and cannot afford to buy such phones. The people who live in countries where these phones are made are contented with a phone as long as they are able to make their calls and send text messages.

Surprisingly, this group are the ones who will want to have the most expensive stuff because they feel that is what make them the "happening person" if I may borrow another of their slangs. Not until we begin to criminalize those who have made their money illegitimately, things will not make a turn-around.

Corruption and cheating is rife in our society because many in our country lack the courage and moral strength to say "NO". Many have become professional sycophants because of money. The institutions that used to question illegality are now at the fore of promoting it. Many of those who have been abroad are even worse-off, because they come with an attitude of superiority and are not able to influence the orientation and attitudes of the people positively.

These "I don go oyinbo landers" are seen frolicking in extravagant parties, blaring loud music in their cars, devoid of basic respect and other positive local values they used to embrace before "dem travel". They are not quick to give the real perspective of life overseas and what those desperate to leave should really know before leaving. They are not quick to share the positive values they have experienced abroad: the attitude towards time, appreciation of honest work, appreciation of environment, well developed infrastructural system, good tax system, functional upright justice system which largely do not give preferences to "sacred cows"...

Nigeria will truely change when we all decide to change and not compromise on any issue no matter who is involved. It will change when our attitude to money and material things change. Ideally we should control money but it is sad that it is the other way round for many of us. This die-hard quest for wealth has driven many a heart ice cold and insensitive to how their actions will impact the lives of those at the recieving end. Rather than solve the problem we try to get around it. The governors and others in power are buying expensive 4X drive vehicles to cope with horrible state of the roads rather than fix the roads...what a mentality.

The solution is simply choosing that which is right (not to our greedy selfish part) and following through in action. That is simply the key because if we don't first change, there is no way we can change our country.