NIGERIA, MY COUNTRY By Reuben Georgeana

I live in a country where the rulers hide money in the graveyard while the citizens struggle for a single note. The poor are getting poorer, and the rich are getting richer. We've been mute for a long time because pains and smiles have been the trend. But what do we do in a time like this? We can't just sit back and fold our hands! No, we must speak up!!! The reward of voting is good governance but this looks like an abomination in my country. It is a slap on our intelligence when our rulers declared a lockdown with no food provision for the citizens. Please note that during this period, houses and shops are burgled; people are stabbed and in the process, some lose their lives. In fact, the noise echoed by "won tun ti de o" is a great shock to the old and young as fear grips the heart of many. We can't go out neither can we stay indoors because nowhere is safe. Recently, Alagbado, Agege, Sango, Ifo,Iyanaworo and close areas have been in disarray due to robbery. What about the little garri you plan to drink with your family? Well, that might not be feasible because some young boys full of ammunitions come in to pack your food; collect your money and leave you wounded by a gun or threats. I bet the youth working with the guards are less appreciated. Can I ask a question quickly? Where do these young people get these arms and ammunitions? Don't you see we are not safe anymore? In a bid to fight coronavirus, ulcer patients are increasing daily due to food scarcity. The lockdown was extended by another 14days. Should you don't understand, I'd break it down. It is the beginning of another or just a new 14 days of zero food provision, no movement, no hawking and no sales whatsoever. Also, people who are paid daily have no hope, to mention but a few and you say crime rate won't be on the increase? Let's just pretend to be blind to the obvious facts. Plus, you should know that we are not far from anarchy if this persists. If you were deceived during 2019 election by stomach infrastructure (for those involved), are you still feeding on what you got then? So will you still allow yourself to be used? Finally, we will be eternally foolish if they return in 2023 and we accept them chorusing change when all they wish for us is retardation or stagnancy. Please, If they come with foodstuffs during the election, just think about your family that starved for 28days if not more; remember your children were sitted at home because schools were locked down; remember tertiary institution will not have a stable calendar due to Federal government and ASUU strike? They won't mind extending your ward's or child's academic calendar because their children study abroad. Most importantly, remember you lost the comfort of your bed due to corona robbers. We will keep praying and we know a better Nigeria will emerge but we must speak up and speak out! God Bless Nigeria! Written by Reuben Georgeana