NIGERIA, A COUNTRY WHERE CHANGES WILL ABOUND (DEMOCRACY AT 10)

Recently, I read a blog on Umaru Yar`Adua: Great Expectation, Disappointing Outcome- Written by Nasir El-Rufai, it was very inspiring and mind blowing. I was able to look inside Umaru Yar’Adua and I was like “wow” Freedom of Information (FOI) bill if granted will liberate so many enthusiastic Nigerians.

Ponder! is Yar’Adua a messiah or a Devil’s Advocate, will he bring positive change to this country, will he change the get rich quick syndrome of an average young Nigerian, will Power supply be boosted during His tenure, will corruption rescind amongst our leaders during his tenure, will Niger Delta militant agitation be relieved, will, will, will… (the question goes on and on).

Bringing Biblical doctrine into Nigerian domain, before Moses came to liberate Israelites from bondage and hardship in Egypt, things looked promising for the Israelites, but upon his intervention, things took a nosedive and their hardship was doubled. The conclusion we all know, he was able to deliver the Israelites out of the dungeon of Egypt but was not able to bring them into the promise land. Although, while at it, he was able to find a young and responsive man whose focus could not be deterred and will be the only one alongside Caleb to bring positive news, the man Joshua.

Immediately after the demise of Moses, Joshua came into power and brought Israelites to the Promised Land. But the questions are these: was he able to handover to a successor as was handed over to him? After his demise what happened to the Israelites?

Back to Nigeria at 10, we are all admiring the able governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and the so many changes he is bringing to the face of Lagos. While on the other hand, we are all condemning president Umaru Yar’Adua because there is no big bang visible, but can we take look back at the transition that brought these men into power.

Before Babatunde Raji Fashola came into power, governor Ahmmed Bola Tinubu (God bless him) had put so many things in motion, i.e. Bus Rapid Terminal, Victoria Island face uplift, Lagos mega city project etcetera. Comparing this to President Umaru Yar’Adua, what did Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo put in place except corrupted and twisted projects, bribery and scandals from past governors and ministers, selfish agendas etcetera.

I will say that Babatunde Raji Fashola is able to achieve so much because he is continuing on the implementation of projects started by Tinubu, in contrast there is nothing to implement by Yar’Adua from his predecessor.

My conclusion is this, if Umaru Yar’Adua can transform Katsina state within his tenure as the governor by building ultra modern hospitals, modern schools, good road networks, and create employment, giving him an ample time, he will be able to meet his 7 point agenda.

Let us give him a chance. If I liken these two men to my biblical illustration, Yar’Adua is more like Moses, and Babatunde Fashola as Joshua. My opinion you will say, but note this, change is imminent in this country.

God Bless Us ALL!
God Bless Nigeria!!
Long Live Nigeria!!!