Reflections on my birthday

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By

Prof. John l. Abhuere FNIM, Centre for Child Care and Youth Development, Abuja

Today- 21st April is my Birthday. It remains good. Glory be to God for everything. I woke up in the morning from a sound sleep feeling sweet, good and great. I prayed, did my body exercise and took my breakfast. The plan for the day includes a visit to Centre for Child Care and Youth Development Lugbe for a Happy birthday song and join friends at IBB Golf Club-Tennis section Abuja for drinks /party.
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I thank God for all his mercies and express appreciation to family members, friends, workers@ CCYD Nigeria, well wishes and others for their support and prayers. I am grateful.

While I am happy as an individual there are reasons for unhappiness at the general level. They range from insecurity that cheapened human lives, restricted social and economic activities, natural disaster in different parts of the country including Uromi that brought down the roofs of CCYD hall, the extremely slow pace of development of our dear country – Nigeria.
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Nigeria is not making the desired progress as envisioned by the fighters for freedom and independence in Nigeria. Steadily rather than moving forward it has been slow motion or backward – moving.

These and other factors raised serious concerns that made me equally sad, irritated and disappointed on my birthday.Perhaps it was more so because I know that time was fast running out.

At my age, I am much nearer to the end of my earthly journey than otherwise. As a public Intellectual and retired public servant there was that sneaking, uncomfortable feeling that our past efforts were ending in vain.
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Before our eyes Nigeria has become a land of uneasy and unhelpful contradiction.She has become a country of few super rich, extra strong wealthy men and women and weak, rapidly failing institutions.

Most of the super rich and economically powerful Nigerians have vast political connection and so have little or no regard for the rule of law. In fact, some of them behave as though they are above the law.
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The freedom fighters wanted economic freedom for the country but today Nigeria is heavily import dependent and the economy highly dolarized. And it’s currency- the Naira has been badly wounded and weakened largely for ideological reason.
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By every consideration Nigeria is a highly blessed country by the Creator of the earth.But the ruling elite by their failure in leadership,management, governance, justice over time have turned the country, into a land of many failed efforts, self contradiction, scarcity of goods and services, hatred, distrust, disunity, insecurity and disharmony.
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It seems to be one of the hard ironies of history that a country which got its independence on the platform of unity, love and trust and driven by strong spirits of patriotism, nationalism and altruism is so much lacking in such sane values today.

Let it be noted Nigeria is what she is – poor, disunited country not because of primordial values of religion and ethnicity but because of poor reward to efforts, mismanagement of resources, elite’s greed and injustice.

The same reason accounts for the. serious hunger, high rate of unemployment in a country blessed with green fertile land, regular rainfall and good rivers as well as plenty of development work to be done for rapid, progress is today.

It is really difficult to understand or explain why Nigeria should be having serious food crisis and large army of unemployed except in terms of mismanagement.
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We once nearly took the issue of security for granted. That was the time Nigerians could travel from the North say Maiduguri to the south say Calabar. Or move from Lagos to Sokoto without any iota of fear of robbery on the way.
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Quite alright there were thieves who stole goats, broke into lonely homes and who were punished when caught and were called by their names- thieves, robbers etc.

Then things began to change for the worse in the criminal world. We began to see the open influence of politics and religion on crimes and criminality and their deepening complexity in Nigeria.
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So, welcome the armed robber, sectarian warriors, killer herds – men, bandits, kidnappers, now hunters. All of them have certain things in common, including wickedness, disregard for the sanctity if human life, greed for money.They are heartless, avid killers and plunders, extremely harmful, cruel people that create fear and terror around.
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The sophisticated weapons show them as people with powerful sponsors and backers. It is helpful to recall that acts of terrorism and banditry reduced within the first six months of Tinubu’s adminstration.
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The criminals are back in full force. Who is directing and energizing them today? And this is the most dangerous aspect – the reinforcers of evil in our country. The powerful backers have ensured that today’s criminals are not punished and called by their real name.
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Thus many people began to loose faith and trust in the system. And to result to self help, including jungle justice. The country is extremely unsafe today. It is what happens when the handling of criminal issues is politicized. We appeal for a change of heart here.
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Rather than being a country for all Nigerians to work, invest and enjoy, it is now a land of acute insecurity, unemployment, extreme poverty,sprawling under-development.

All these negative developments have retarded productivity, growth and development of the country.
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Still it is not too late to correct or right the wrong. The answer is in able leadership effective management, good governance, equitable justice, altruistic disposition by the political elites.
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There is the need to promote morality, patriotism, nationalism and justice in Nigeria today This is my message to the Nigerian political elites.They should learn to walk much better on the right path to meaningful development of the country.
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As part of my birthday celebration, l planned to do intellectual reflection on some aspects of our national life, including the civil service which after a glorious take off period before 1970 known as the golden era of the service in Nigeria had been observed to be receding in efficiency, effectiveness and performance ever since.

Meanwhile, permit me to share with you some idea of Noam Chomsky, 95 – an American philosopher and professor for their relevance. His writings are said to have “exposed the truth about global systems through powerful reflections” such as: “There are no poor countries, only failed systems of resource management.”

“No one will place the truth in your mind; it is something you must discover for yourself.”

“If you want to control a people, create an imaginary enemy that appears more dangerous than you, then present yourself as their savior.”

“One of the clearest lessons of history: rights are not granted; they are taken by force.”

“There is a purpose behind distorting history to make it seem like only great men achieve significant things. It teaches people to believe they are powerless and must wait for a great man to act.”

“The world is a mysterious and confusing place. If you are not willing to be confused, you become a mere replica of someone else’s mind.”

“To control people, make them believe they are responsible for their own misery and present yourself as their saviour.”

“The West will one day regret its shallow ideas that alienate people from their true nature. One must seek the right religion and the right belief.”
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‎*****REST IN PEACE POPE FRANCIS (Friend of the Poor& Protector of the Weak)
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TO THE SURPRISE OF MANY, POPE FRANCIS BOWS OUT ON EASTER MONDAY, 21-4-2025 IN GRAND STYLE AFTER GIVING HIS LAST PAPAL MESSAGE AND BLESSINGS TO THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD ON EASTER SUNDAY.MAY HIS KIND SOUL REST IN PEACE. HE WAS IN CHURCH ON SUNDAY WAVING GOOD BYE TO ALL AND DIED ON MORNING. HE WORKED IN THE SERVICE OF GOD TO THE MINUTE

ADIEU HOLY FATHER