History had recorded that, there was a time that human beings' conduct resembled that of animals — they are brutish, devilish, cannibali...
History had recorded that, there was a time that human beings' conduct resembled that of animals — they are brutish, devilish, cannibalistic and lawless. The life, due to this putrid behaviors that characterized the life was utterly disgusting, terrible and unadmiring . Hence, the idea of government.
Essentially, government is said to be the protector of the masses; provider of social amenities, security and formulator of economic policies. The idea of government is based on social contract where government will protects the subjects and in returns it will receive allegiance.
Subsequently, For the betterment of the people and the development of society,a government was established to make laws, provide human and infrastructural development, security , health facilities, education and job opportunities . These are the essential or ordinary responsibilities of every government of the people ,for the people and by the people (Democratic government) .
It is true, that Nigeria was colonized and some of the hindrance to its economic prosperity was the direct effect of colonialism . Equally, it is undisputable truth that, the provision or development of Nigerian social infrastructure was, to some extent, thwarted by military intervention during the first and second republic after the country's independence in 1960 . This Is a fact that no person with common knowledge of history of Nigeria will deny. But, sixty five years after the severance of colonial chord –independence . where is the social development?
Additionally, the last military rule in Nigeria was during the late General Abdussalmi Abubakar who handed over the mantle of leadership to the civilian government in the year 1999 ushering the democratic / civilian administration in Nigeria. The civilian rule has been unobstructed and unhindered by military for twenty six (26) years yet, where are the results of the democratic rule and the military-retired civilian rule?
Indeed, there are problems in the clime call Nigeria. There are visible,apparent, daunting but resolvable problems.
The problems of Nigeria was faced by innumerable democratic countries that are so called developed today. They faced tribulation, uncertainties, insecurities, joblessness due to high rate of unemployed and unemployable population, lack of creativity and Educational provision. United nations Of America was a good scenario that fitted this statement . Between the year 1929 to 1939 America faced the severest form of economic depression and social discomfort, yet it rose. India, as the seventh-largest country,has one of the fastest growing economies. Despite the heterogeneity of the state, the internal disharmony and populace , How did India achieved this feat?
Nigeria is largest democratic country in Africa. It has many resources—natural and humans— to Foster development,unity, security, literacy, and economy buoyancy in the country yet, the country has failed. As I quoted the statement of the legendary writer, Chinua Achebe in my article titled: Nigeria: a nation failed by its leaders, where he dejectedly said in his book: the troubles with Nigeria : "
There is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian character. There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian land or climate or water or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership".
This statement, although, it is nothing but the truest , compelled me to think on the system Nigeria is been practicing— democracy system. Under this doctrine of leadership, it is a designed principles that democratic leaders must be public development conscious, public-centred in their policies and public- considerate in their responsibilities. The whole idea is providing a government that will protect people's life, properties of its subjects; A government that will provide security, creates employment opportunities and make education easily accessible to the masses . Democracy entails a government that will respect human dignity by fighting hunger with educational provision and job opportunities. That is the democracy for the people and by the people.
Undeniably, democracy is one of the best form of government where there is adequate respect of humans rights and social dignity and where masses have choice on whom will be a leader in their state. A government based on the trust and confidence of the masses.
However, that is the silhouette of democracy we all read in our "essential Government" textbook. In Nigeria today, we have governmental system that is peculiar to our reasoning and oblivion to our administrative scholars .
A system of government or administration where "RICE" is the only panacea to all the problems of the masses. Such system , according to this writer, is called RICETOCRACY. Just like the Abraham Lincoln definition of Democracy, RICETOCRACY is the government of rice ....
Subsequently, the ruling government is a "RICETOCRATIC" government that react or respond to every public problems or calamities with rice. Thus, politics turned to a "RACE OF WHO GIVES RICE MOST" in our areas.
Where are those politicians that renovated our schools? Where are those generous people that stocked our hospitals with medications? Where are those that sponsored our children Education? Where are those that built infrastructures and developed human resources ? They are all forgotten . The system now needs "rice givers" not social service deliverers .
In Zaria villages, where the writer lives, there are many schools without teachers ,hundreds out of school children, but to the current system, illiteracy is not a problem. The problem is 'Rice'. Hence, a rashly bagged rice was distributed to them.
In another area is absence of primary health care facilities. There has been a high mortality rate in the area. Is rice the problem to this area? Villagers are farmers, right ? But not usually trained doctors and all of a sudden, rice is dropped at their thatched doors for consolations because of poor economic strategies shepherded by the purported givers.
Additionally,and heartbreakingly is how our teachers whom we look with reverence and esteem are made beggars . A functional system should have fought for their service benefits, demands increments in their wages and compelled regular payment of same. But this not the point of address. The system can only provides "Rice" to them to assuage their swollen throats .
To reveal the truth , I have never been in opposition with rice distribution as magnanimous gesture by the government. I just want to ask, whether a woman in labor in area where the primary health centre is Malperforming or is not available altogether and whose village road is unpaved ,untarred and ravaged by potholes, needs rice at the moment? I just want to know , wether the solution to this ravaging hunger is distributing of one bag of rice to this unemployed populace?
It is an obvious fact that, in Nigerian political clime today, particularly Zaria local government, the political consideration is Rice which is the only appeasing and available government palliatives to the cruelly impoverished masses.... Politics is a Rice game and who gives bags of rice [may] win all the election of the units, unchallenged.
Unfortunately, the masses now, judge goodness and kindness of politician by his ability to distribute "rice" . The question is: is the known democratic government of Nigeria changes its democratic gown which requires her to provides adequate shelter, social security, employment opportunities to the people and wears an uncategorized gown of RICETOCRACY? Is the rationality behind rice distribution to make the distributor a dominant fearful candidate in his political landscape?
Introspectively, In the world where countries are competing on technology, educational standardization, and human resources development, can this new system rejuvenate our economy, enhance our human capacity and develop our infratsures? Is the RICETOCRACY a new system in Nigeria just like Democracy is to America or another means of political deception employ by politicians? These are questions that has been irking my mind and bugging my politically Nigerian conscience
More so, with the thronging of ignorant people and hiking of insecurity in the country if rice distribution is the new system, what will happen to the future of our zealous youths? What will be the fate of our unborn children ? Will Nigeria succeed?
I don't know the meaning of success in the Nigerian dictionary,but I doubt.
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