By Georgette Monnou
I have been asking myself for years, what does Nigeria need? It is the question that inspired me to start my blog, and the same question that causes us to sit in our various groups at weddings, funerals, baby showers, and get-togethers hypothesizing on the possible answer(s). As we have just celebrated our 54th Anniversary, today, I would like to get to the bottom of this question, once and for all.
Nigeria at the moment seems to be a lost cause. Our government is failing in more ways than one can count, in virtually all sectors you can think of: Health, Education, Finance, Law, Foreign Policy etc. Which has caused many to lose hope in our nation. We have all prayed for God to give us a leader, one that can either rule Nigeria democratically, or with an iron fist. Neither of which have come to Nigeria’s rescue.
I believe that hope in Nigeria lies not with the government but in us. Yes us, me and you. We are our countries greatest asset. Many of us fortunate enough to be educated and live abroad, choose to remain abroad, and I cannot say that it surprises me. The constant light, easy access to medical care (especially in England), and reliable government agencies seem like a tempting option. However, what happens to our withering nation? The brainpower that you choose to use benefiting another nation could be used back home, trying to implement next level projects, collaborating with current industry gods to create something that could affect our generation.
I don’t mean to sound hyperbolous, but the untapped potential found within Nigeria is inspiring. Nigeria is the one nation I know of, that if you dream big, and you start making steps towards it, with the right connections, you can probably make it. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at a TED Talk in 2007 spoke about the financial benefits of investing in Africa, and more specifically Nigeria, a nation that has over 170 million people. Imagine this: if your idea manages to affect 10% of our population that would be like helping the people of the City of London twice over, or the whole country of Portugal! Nigeria has a lot to offer, and it saddens me when people turn their back on her. Yes she might be plagued with corruption, yes you might need connections to do business, but believe me when I say that corruption and needing connections is a global pandemic.
Now you may ask me, how is it that one person can help a whole generation? You will not be alone. There are many people who have great ideas, positive ones on how to help Nigerians. I for one have thought of many things, charities, youth programs, workshops to train people in basic skills like sewing, trading, carpentry, farming. Companies choosing to hire qualified Nigerians rather than expatriates.
Relying on the government at this point is a recipe for disaster. Even if you ran for office, you will still have to satisfy the needs of those who put you there. Your focus will no longer be on helping the nation, but managing the “relationships” you formed along the way. The fact that Nigerians have to rely on themselves to help those suffering is abhorring, but power and greed has gotten in the way of the government being effective. I am aware that there are certain sectors that Nigerians cannot handle, like National Security, but at least in some areas, there might be some relief.
Someone criticized me recently, saying that these ideas are too small, that they are not national enough. That may be true, but these are only small ideas that should lead to bigger projects. I believe a lot of people grossly discount how uplifting the life of one, in turn aids the lives of many. People’s immediate families will be positively affected; their children will have a chance of a better life. Helping someone who didn’t have the same opportunities you did, can do so much to enable our communities grow and develop.
Therefore I put it to you, how are you going to help Nigeria?