I lost a friend today! It came as a shock (as it often does), a poignant reminder of the transiency of life.
I learn to appreciate life and her awkward antithesis which never forgets! I learn the urgency of life - to remember to always be the best i can especially to others. I learn to imbibe gratitude for what really matters; the presence of meaningful friendships and family.
I'm reminded of the simple things i sometimes overlook. A chance to say thank you, i'm sorry and even just to gift a smile- Things that give our social communion meaning and that leaves us feeling worthy.
A dying man once said; “let the children paint on walls….”. indeed he meant it literally (ill add, even figuratively). He realizes that life is about memorable experiences that matter. He tries to say…. its just a ‘wall’! its not sooo important, let them have fun! He tries to say that perhaps we take meaningless things too serious, things of needless qualm or worry.
I will miss this man, and i will try to learn more about the meaning of life because of him. Because Life matters as does death. As he transits to another form let us remember….- in Latin said, ‘omnibus moriendum’, we all must die…. But we live forever ‘only’ in others.
Wednesday, 8 July 2015
JUST BEFORE YOU MAKE THAT CHOICE
As a Humanist, I am at least ‘Areligious’. Yet without choice I am 'political.
I believe that humankind is naturally political - politics is what defines our social stance (sometimes through handed down cultural legacies).
It may be in part religious; which cultural antecedents may impart our way of life, and a significant principle that insidiously oversees modern society.
With this in mind, we are all stakeholders - we do not have a choice!
It may be in part religious; which cultural antecedents may impart our way of life, and a significant principle that insidiously oversees modern society.
With this in mind, we are all stakeholders - we do not have a choice!
2016 or so: Early care schools in Nigeria are free; children get free morning meals in all schools. free education continues through the informal learning life from 2/3 years (of kindergarten),
all the way to secondary schools- schools have good overall standards with fully stocked libraries. School Books are free and teachers are routinely trained and retrained. Higher learning institutions are springing up with 'international standard' amenities in every region of the country,
The government has a robust free public health programme- health care professional have access to resources, equipment and training. the national health insurance scheme is very active.
There's constant electricity in every home and government facilities. Entry barrier to Nigerian businesses is one of the lowest in the world.
Factories are working and innovation breaths its first breath, as entrepreneurs and investors begin to push boundaries in research, and develop new products.
Government invest in massive home constructions with the World Bank (building 1 million homes/dwellings per year of different categories) with experts in public housing and construction- home prices plummet (cost of building and materials go down), there is affordable mortgage for anyone who is working.
Roads are built according to statutory grade guidelines- competent companies are employed for federal and state roads.
There's constant electricity in every home and government facilities. Entry barrier to Nigerian businesses is one of the lowest in the world.
Factories are working and innovation breaths its first breath, as entrepreneurs and investors begin to push boundaries in research, and develop new products.
Government invest in massive home constructions with the World Bank (building 1 million homes/dwellings per year of different categories) with experts in public housing and construction- home prices plummet (cost of building and materials go down), there is affordable mortgage for anyone who is working.
Roads are built according to statutory grade guidelines- competent companies are employed for federal and state roads.
All public infrastructure have considerations and provisions for future structural extensions and upgrades- water lines, gas lines, sewer lines and power lines.
Agriculture has real investments from government and foreign investors flood in- all through its value chain. Cash crops, food crops and other agricultural allied products prices drop 50 to 70%- the lowest since the 70's. Farms have easy access to markets and localised storage infrastructure.
Interest rates are single digits and all the financial markets experience the confidence of the public as the 70 million plus strong middle class invest some of their new incomes and savings.
Agriculture has real investments from government and foreign investors flood in- all through its value chain. Cash crops, food crops and other agricultural allied products prices drop 50 to 70%- the lowest since the 70's. Farms have easy access to markets and localised storage infrastructure.
Interest rates are single digits and all the financial markets experience the confidence of the public as the 70 million plus strong middle class invest some of their new incomes and savings.
Banking regulations work: bank adopt and implement all new CBN guidelines as the CBN and their partners track round tripping and money laundering offenders- forex is stable.
The Naira appreciates over all major currencies and disposable incomes sore as the economy begins to diversify- Nigerians becomes more diverse in their spending and many new businesses begin to emerge to feed the growing demands.
From theme parks to resorts, zoos to theatres, national parks to heritage sites, as local tourism becomes a reality to Nigerians. Family trips are safe and affordable! The average working family can take that plane ride to obudu or a trip to Yankari on a train ride or road trip; destination hotels are affordable. Mortgages on a home are realistic and the working class can afford to have a retirement plan.
There is employment in old and growing new sectors of the economy as Terrorism and kidnapping are extremely rare and unemployment is the lowest in our history.
The Naira appreciates over all major currencies and disposable incomes sore as the economy begins to diversify- Nigerians becomes more diverse in their spending and many new businesses begin to emerge to feed the growing demands.
From theme parks to resorts, zoos to theatres, national parks to heritage sites, as local tourism becomes a reality to Nigerians. Family trips are safe and affordable! The average working family can take that plane ride to obudu or a trip to Yankari on a train ride or road trip; destination hotels are affordable. Mortgages on a home are realistic and the working class can afford to have a retirement plan.
There is employment in old and growing new sectors of the economy as Terrorism and kidnapping are extremely rare and unemployment is the lowest in our history.
Salaries of politicians (and political office holders) are according to public service grade level paycheck standards (benefits for key officers from state to federal government is public knowledge).
And then its 5.45am, January 2015! You are sure it is not real! Why? There is nothing to show for it! All the monies and potential incomes from all sectors of the economy are held hostage in private accounts in different currencies all over the world. How?
1. Contracts are awarded in many multiples of the real value so the government agents get their lion shares, so the corruption value chain will be oiled at all stages to cover up as much as possible from us the people.
2. Competency in eschewed because contracts are awarded to cronies and family members (invoking 'settlement' and 'our-time' syndrome); jobs are poorly executed and or undone or partially done
3. Excessiveness, imprudence and fiscal waste in government and its agents: on 'official trips’ and allowances of employees & their agents, political jamborees and undisclosed miscellaneous expenses.
1. Contracts are awarded in many multiples of the real value so the government agents get their lion shares, so the corruption value chain will be oiled at all stages to cover up as much as possible from us the people.
2. Competency in eschewed because contracts are awarded to cronies and family members (invoking 'settlement' and 'our-time' syndrome); jobs are poorly executed and or undone or partially done
3. Excessiveness, imprudence and fiscal waste in government and its agents: on 'official trips’ and allowances of employees & their agents, political jamborees and undisclosed miscellaneous expenses.
Has government delivered? Yes! To themselves, their party members and cronies- not to the people who voted them, who languish and stall in exiguous incomes. Not to the people who have given up hope!
A progressive society is obliged to use what they have to get what they 'need'. It may take some time, and some sacrifice- we have not done that at least in 2 decades leading to 2015. An igbo proverb says 'Ana afuchaa nsi egu na ana, welu choba ya na enu' ... loosely translates to 'one must first see the droppings of the egu caterpillar before climbing the tree to pick them!
Education, healthcare, power, housing, infrastructure and agriculture.....all these sectors have big claims of projects and activities, costing trillions in (todays) naira over the last 2 decades. None has affected the Nigerian next door. It is unlikely to; it was not designed to however much our wishful thinking.
Change must promise us deliberate reforms starting from the reengineering of the beleaguered government institutions that oversees them.
Reforms that will carefully consider structural demands in human and financial terms.
None of these can take flight in the midst of lack of transparency, due diligence and respect for the rule of law (enabled by good legislation). Why rule of law?
Because that is the only way to empower agencies and institutions; it is the only authority to prosecute defaulters, offenders and abusers there from.
Reforms that will carefully consider structural demands in human and financial terms.
None of these can take flight in the midst of lack of transparency, due diligence and respect for the rule of law (enabled by good legislation). Why rule of law?
Because that is the only way to empower agencies and institutions; it is the only authority to prosecute defaulters, offenders and abusers there from.
Let us stand for change and support change! Because it matters where our future leads! let us think through our decisions and understand why change matters.
We may do this while ridding ourselves (as much as we can), of our pre-eminent political inosculation with religion, tribe (and ethnicity)- our best decisions may arise from ridding ourselves of these tendencies.
We may do this while ridding ourselves (as much as we can), of our pre-eminent political inosculation with religion, tribe (and ethnicity)- our best decisions may arise from ridding ourselves of these tendencies.
LLFRN
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