Are Nigerians Truly Ready for Change?

Some analysts believe many Nigerians are not ready for change for the better, which may involve painful processes and some level of sacrifice, just like breaking the egg to get an omelet. But others argue that the sacrifice is not collective and that the minority elite in the country don’t share the same view concerning pain and sacrifice, and so the status quo should remain in the nation’s development process. To you, are Nigerians really ready for change?

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

* Oftentimes our leaders selfishly manipulate the masses by rigging elections with financial inducement, false promises, small arms etc. Some even recruit thugs to violate citizens’ rights and intimidate innocent people. Religious, traditional institutions, military, paramilitary and other security operatives must be adequately deployed to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections devoid of any violence. God bless Nigeria.

Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State

* The problem with Nigerians is that they don’t know that they have a role to play for change to happen in Nigeria.

Mr. Feyisetan Akeeb Kareem, Delta State

* The question we need to ask is: are our leaders committed to development? Various governments come and go, but citizens cannot see how their policies affect their different social life. To say that Nigerians need to sacrifice before we effect change is wrong and we cannot take the bull by the horn. We Nigerians are not even proactive enough to work; we keep quiet too much, although some civil societies are proactive. When we see our leaders as the ones to effect the desired changes, then will Nigeria be ready for a change.

Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder, Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

* Nigerians are not ready for true change, playing to the gallery of elites who don’t care about their wellbeing. Elites focus is not in line with fellow Nigerians, they don’t even want to know who we are.

Mr. Yusuf Muh’dBashir Omotayo, Nda-Aliu, Kwara State

* Until the desire for measurable and sustainable national transformation burns deep in every Nigerian whether great or small, the quest would remain lip service in the mouth of a select few while the majority continue to bear the brunt of the challenges we have been faced with for so long.

Ms Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos

* Nigerians are not truly ready for change yet; until we start taking ownership of the political processes to decide who represents us in public offices. In Ghana and Benin Republic, offer a youth money during elections, he will tell you, you lack integrity and are therefore unfit to govern. In these sister countries, the people determine leadership but in Nigeria, it is money for hand, votes for you; forgetting that you don’t eat your cake and have it. How then can we effect any positive and progressive change when we compromise easily or when we sell our vote which is our power for a mess of porridge? The choice is ours to change or quench. God bless Nigeria.

Mr. Odey Ochicha, Leadership Specialist, Abuja

* The only thing that remains in Nigeria is God’s intervention over social vices that are rooted in governance. Things are up and down without solution.

Mrs. Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos State

* Nigerians are truly ready for change but the will is not there. To have true change, tribalism, sectionalism, ethnicity, religion, must be dealt with. These are some of the things that are making the public not to feel the impact of this present administration. Today, if you are connected to PMB, then you are above the law. Then what change are we talking about? With God all things are possible and change will surely come one day.

Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna

* I believe Nigerians are sensible enough and truly ready for ‘true’ change. If we have the right leaders, we won’t even have a choice.

Mr. Adewumi Temitope, Agroshowroom, Osun State

* Your analogy is apt; cracking eggs to make omelets is what Nigerians did a long time ago. Nigerians were ready for change in 2015; reason why they placed their sacred trust in the Buhari administration. Alas – the jury is still out on whether or not that trust has been betrayed. If the PMB administration succeeds in getting Nigerians back on its side, it’ll go down in history as one of the country’s best ever governments.

Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R., Apo, Abuja

* Well, our leaders’ mindset is to steal money meant for development.

Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State

* Nigerians are naturally impatient. They are result, target oriented. Change is a constant factor in any developmental process. This jet age encourages sharp or digital reasoning and actions. Any anti-change slow leader is treated with contempt. Nigerians are genuinely ready for change. Our leaders still lack that capacity and level playing ground for the kind of our desired change. The room for improvement is enormous. The ball is in our collective court.

Mr. Apeji Onesi. Lagos State

* They are ready, seeing how people are trooping out for registration of voters cards, and despite risks, cost of transportation, people are resisting till they are registered. Nigerians are poised to vote out non-performing leaders. Voters’ cards should be made as ATM cards to enable people vote anywhere.

Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna State

* Nigerians were ready for change in 2015 but majority are now disappointed with the type of change this current administration has brought their way. Now it seems the citizens are ready for another change come next year; the outcome of that desire, if expressed, may shock many.

Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State

* Nigerians surely want change, going by the frustration of almost everyone with what counts as the status quo. But the question of Nigerians being ready for change is a tough one, if we judge by our disposition. We obviously prefer the easy road that leads nowhere to the difficult route that leads to development.

Mr. Oluwapelumi Oyeniyi, Osun State

* We are the reason for the lack of positive change. The citizens that complain about public officers are oftentimes the same people who exert pressure on public officials to act corruptly or to exhibit nepotistic tendencies. This is where the seeds are planted. Most of us are experts at practicing this same type of nepotism we accuse others of doing, in our own sphere of influence. Unless the people do some introspection we can’t get it right. Before we can have the moral high ground to accuse others of nepotism, we should look at the man in the mirror first.

Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State

THE FEEDBACK

Yes, they are ready: 5

No, they are not ready: 2

Others: 9

Radical tip: Check thyself!

Total no of respondents: 16

Male: 13

Female: 3

Highest location: Lagos (5)

Next Week: Where Should Restructuring Start From?

 

Although the Federal Government is yet to fully adopt the various strident calls for restructuring of Nigeria to allow overall development, there is a general feeling that the process will eventually occur. Many suggestions have been proffered on areas of restructuring, but there are some priority areas and issues due for restructuring. In your own view, in/on which area, sector or issue should restructuring begin, to boost development in this country?

Please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (February 15 & Monday, February 19) to abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.com, AND abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com. Respondents can also send a short text message to 08023117639 and/or 08188361766 and/or 08114495306. Collated responses will be published on Thursday, February 22

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