Nigeria is a dynamic country filled with contradictions. In a country whose economy is regarded as one of the top 3 largest economies i...
Nigeria is a dynamic country filled with contradictions.
In a country whose economy is regarded as one of the top 3 largest economies in
Africa, one won't expect that about 70.8 Per Cent of her population would be
living on less than one dollar a day. No one would expect a country blessed
with numerous vast mineral resources (including crude oil, gold, and ore) to
have over 100 million people (her own citizens) living below poverty line.
No one would expect a country that sets huge amount of
money each year in her budget for security, to still be regarded as a dangerous
place to travel to and live in (despite having numerous military and
paramilitary forces). Everything is contradictory, right?
Nigeria is known to often top lists of negativities (Most
Corrupt Countries, List Of Insecure Countries, Difficult Countries To Do
Business, etc). And things have been same for a long period of time, and
Nigerians are tired too.
Northern Nigeria: “The Black Sheep Of The Country”
Nigeria is a big place. Nevertheless, the Northern part of
Nigeria could rightly be refers to as the country's black sheep.
Without being unbiased, the Northern part of Nigeria is playing
a huge role in keeping Nigeria in the world's blacklist. For instance, it was
reported that over 65 Million Nigerians are illiterates (rating Ghanaians to be
more educated than Nigerians). The fact is, majority of those who made up the
number are Northerners. A report said:
“If you take the education of the girl-child as indicator, the
South-East having an enrolment rate of 85%, South-West having an enrolment rate
of 85%, South-South 75%, while the North-East 20% and North West 25%."
Same thing about security. Nigeria is among the 'Non-touristable'
African nations today, simply because of terrorist attacks in the Northern part
of the country.
Buhari: The Saviour We Thought
During the campaign for the 2015 presidency, Buhari passed a
message like this to Nigerians:
"I'm a modest commoner like you who doesn't entertain
extravagant living. I'm a disciplined experienced Ex General"
Nigerians believed him. Northerners rejoiced because they've
seen a Northern Saviour who will turn their plights around. Unfortunately,
President Buhari is not what we thought!
He didn't sell 'unnecessary' presidential airplanes as promised.
He didn't cut the cost of governance as promised (maybe he will do this tomorrow). He isn't showing interest in
the numerous Almanjiris up there in the North. And few days ago, we learn his
beautiful daughter Zahra is getting married to Ahmed Indimi, the son of
billionaire Muhammadu Indimi. And few days later, the Indimis bought 30 Lv Bags
worth a whopping 47 Million Naira!
The Hypocrisy Of Alhaji Indimi And The Northern Elites
Despite the fact that Northerners held lots of juicy
governmental positions in Nigeria, Northern Nigeria still wallows in poverty.
Many of the private individuals who own oil wells in the Niger Delta are
Northerners. And when you expect an oil mogul like Alhaji Indimi to be worried
about the huge number of the Almanjiris in the North who are potential
terrorists if nothing is done to help their plight, they will prefer wasting
money buying 47 Million Naira worth of bags for someone who doesn't need it.
Alhaji Indimi, founder and chairman of Oriental Energy (A
Privately Held Oil Exploration And Production Company), is worth $670 Million
according to Forbes. Despite being a Northerner, his company has three projects
offshore of the Niger Delta region, and 6 of his children sits on the company's
directory board. Ahmed Indimi, Zahra's Husband-to-be, is a graduate of the
American Intercontinental University, and is the Head Of Crude Oil Marketing in
the company.
No one is saying the Indimis shouldn't spend their money the way
they want. But common-sense is telling us that, since your money won't be
buried with you when you die some day, then you should impact people's lives
positively while still alive. The likes of Bill Gates are doing this
continuously, and this is how common-sense is asking us to do things.
Northern Billionaires like Indimi need to prove to us that
the Northern Elites are not intentionally impoverishing the Almanjiris so as to
make them an available tool that can be used by them for wrong vices whenever
the need arises.
Northern billionaires like Alhaji Indimi send their own children
to the best schools overseas (Yes, Ahmed schooled in America), while the
Almanjiris neither attended a school nor learn a skill.
Northern Elites like Alhaji Indimi are nothing but hypocrites
who only enjoy performing good deeds in front of cameras only. Northern
Billionaires like the Indimis should change their ways. They should build lots
of tuition-free schools equipped with professional teachers for the Almanjiris.
In the South, many rich men and women sponsor skill-learning seminars and
workshops for the youths.
Alhaji Indimi and his fellow Northern Billionaires should
take a clue!
