The revelations emerging from the fall out of the Nigerian youths agitation for good governance is not just mouthful but calls to question the humanity of our leaders and what leadership means to them. It reflects to what extent we have made ourselves laughing stock before other world leaders. Shockingly our leaders carry on as people without a milk of kindness.
It is sad to note that while the federal government and some state governments are relaxing measures and finding solutions to the challenge the situation is still aggravating in some states because of the search for warehouses where the palliative items are stocked by the various state governments. This is what is still stoking the fire unfortunately.
Without any intention to justify any form of looting truth must be bared that whatever precipitated the ugly crisis and continues to fire its embers is clearly a creation of the leaders at all levels. The leadership have failed the people it claims to be leading. Sadly, the leadership challenge had long been identified as a major concern for the country but the various changes of guard periodically have failed to address the basic fundamentals that guarantee the welfare of the people.
It is inconceivable that in this day and age when hunger is ravaging the generality of the masses dispatching many to their untimely death any government could for whatever reason hoard food items away from the beneficiaries. The mass of the people are hungry and this is what has precipitated the search for warehouses to break-into to cart away hidden food items.
It is on record that places like Bukuru in Jos, Kogi, Cross River, Lagos, Gwagwalada in Abuja, Osun, Ekiti, Adamawa, etc had large stocks of food items stored in warehouses. Various reasons have been bandied about for this which many do not find impressive. Adamawa government for instance stated that the items were kept to meet emergencies arising from possible outbreak of attack from herdsmen that displace the populace.
The most disturbing of the looting is the case of Gwagwalada in Abuja where the massive crowd milling within the space to cart away food items would remind you of the ill-fated employment tests by the Internal Affairs Ministry that consumed some lives. At Gwagwalada, social media accounts indicate that two women lost their lives because they were trampled upon. It was a pitiable sight to behold.
Some of the items looted include rice, beans, tin tomatoes, pampers, fertilizers, expired drugs from NAFDAC warehouse. The risk is that the illiterate ones may not realize the dangers the society are exposed to because these expired drugs would likely find its way back into the market. But it is pertinent to query why expired drugs are still left hanging around or instead of destroying them as is the practice.
Some have viewed the hoarding as part of the characteristics of Nigerian politicians they use in marginalizing their subjects. It is known that even the slightest of opportunity in this country is marginalized as politicians play God in the manner they extend these things to beneficiaries. Politicians use the disbursement of these items to command loyalty most often. This is quite unfortunate.
The reaction of some of the governors calling for a return of looted palliative items sounds with threats and timeline does not sound good enough as it is likely to aggravate and increase the tension. It was glimpsed from the social media that the locals have in reaction also mandated the governors to order a return of all the looted public funds within the same period. The battle line appears drawn.
It is possible that these revelations and the consequent reactions by the public officials’ would have fuelled the recent attacks on the politicians and their properties. That the people have continued in the looting several days after calm has returned speaks volume of the level of anger embedded in the minds of the people.
News Echo frowns at the level which the situation have degenerated in our land. We carry on as quite insensitive to the plight of people in the discharge of our responsibilities. Need we remind that opportunities of service should be cherished and appreciated as a channel to be used as an instrument of God to minister to the needs of the people who the leaders have sworn to serve?
We are compelled to query where our humanity lies. Let the leaders be reminded that one day they will be held accountable for what has been entrusted in their care either here or hereafter. Our land needs healing. It has to start with exemplary leadership
