The current events in Nigeria is giving me cause for concern. I’m no longer sure whether it’s a failed state or not.  I’m perplexed by how the so called leaders have total disregard towards it’s people and only look out for what interests them. It’s gotten to a point where the lack of concern is no longer done in private… just check out the budget:

The 2012 Fiscal year budget breakdown:

Capital Expenditure: N1.32 Trillion
Recurrent (non debt) Expenditure: N2.472 Trillion
Statutory Transfer: N398 Billion
Debt servicing: N560 Billion

Other sectors
Security: N921.91 Billion
Power: N161.42 Billion
Works: N180.8 Billion
Education: N400.15 Billion
Health: N282.77 Billion
Agriculture: N78.98 Billion
Water Resources: N39 Billion
Petroleum Resources: N59.66 Billion
Aviation: N49.23 Billion
Transportation: N54.8 Billion
Land and Housing: N24.9 Billion
Niger Delta: N59.7 Billion
Science and Tech: N30.84 Billion
FCT : N45.59 Billion
Communication and ICT: N18.31 Billion 

“The 2011 elections, the inauguration of the new administration as well as constitutional amendment processes, all affected the full implementation of the 2011 budget…the 2012 budget will be a stepping stone to Nigeria’s transformation”. President Jonathan

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This is got to be the flimsiest budget I’ve ever seen. The amount budgeted for security alone is ridiculous, considering more people are affected by hunger and lack of electricity than boko haram and other security threats. True, the security can be stepped up, but at what expense? 

What isn’t reflected at this high level is the 1 billion Naira budged to spend on food alone in aso rock. Food alone for 1 year…. 1 billion freaking Naira!!!! Which kain food dem dey chop? Na gold dem wan chop for aso rock?

[source]

I hear a lot more rumors about other outrageous expenses budgeted, but for the sake of me not losing my sanity tonight I shall skip over those.

I was having a conversation with someone about the fuel subsidy increase and I remember stating that it will really suck for people who have big vehicles. Their view was, well, if you can afford to drive a ‘big’ car in Nigeria, you can afford to buy gas in it. That’s pure hogwash to me. The statement was based on the stereotype that people with a lot of money are the ones that drive these so called big cars. The issue I have with this is they’re forgetting about the emerging middle class and the ever present lower class. I have friends that work hard for their money, finally they can afford the car of their dreams and wham, this happens. The jump in fuel prices was over 50%, it went from 65 Naira per litre, to 141 Naira per liter. That is highway robbery. What about the danfo/moluwe and other public transport drivers do? I know the cost of living is going to go way higher than anyone anticipated, but money isn’t been pumped back into the circulation. It’s not like there’s an increase in salaries nationwide to buffer it…

It’s late right now as I type this, I’m upset, confused and worried. I don’t know what direction this is going to take, like Nigeria didn’t have enough problems already. There’s the issue of book haram, the terrorists that want Nigeria to become a sharia state. Those ones are going about blowing up Christians and government buildings.  Then there’s MEND – movement for the emancipation of Niger Delta, they’re fighting for what is rightfully their’s – oil and the resources it should provide their society. Then this?

I know a lot of Nigerians default to prayer, but really though, how long can we afford to be passive for and at what price? I just hope the knuckleheads leading the country listen to the people before it gets out of hand. We don’t need war in Nigeria, we need peace and good leadership.

P.S. Toms need to visit Nigeria and donate shoes to them, cos at this rate, na soso to dey waka remain. I don’t think many of the people can even afford to buy a bicycle, so trekking long distances it is! I’m tempted to say God help us, but e don do, we need to help ourselves!!!