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In Changing Nigeria Strategically: First We Have To Make People Eat. By Dennis O. Balogu, Ph.D., M.P.A. "First we have to make people eat," says Benja Razafimahaleo, Finance Minister of the New Government of 'CHANGE' in Malagasy. The fundamental principles of change either in Malagasy or Nigeria must first take care of hunger in compliance with Maaslow’s Law. First, people will find food to fulfill their hunger for food and then they will search for shelter. And other higher level needs, self-actualization, social expectations and recognitions may follow. In segregated communities, if one community is made up of mostly seekers for food and shelter, then the plight of the people is usually viewed by members of that community as a universal one with nobody to blame. Under a segregated system, members of an affluent community can enjoy their wealth without overarching jealousy and hatred being developed. However the case changes in desegregated societies, such as Nigeria where the socially affluent citizens could not enjoy their wealth without being noticed by the hungry and poor citizens. Sooner than later, the feeling of want, the feeling of being left-out from the sharing of the national ‘cake’, the feeling of resentment and the feeling of 'us' and 'them' precipitate to jealousy and deep hatred. Most of the poor and dispossessed Nigerians know and live with the pain of being left-out in the enjoyment of the good life in Nigeria and their feeling of remorse is rapidly developing into deep resentment and hate for the rich and powerful. This situation has led to general apathy among the masses. However, currently in Nigeria, such hatred has manifested itself in frequent incidences of kidnapping-for-ransom and vicious armed robbery cases. Otherwise, it is unimaginable how these robbers/cultists appear merciless in dealing with both innocent citizens and the policemen. Just very recently, about six policemen on patrol were gunned in the Benin-Warri road. Equivalent levels of violence have been perpetrated against the police in Abia and Bauchi States. Several relatives of the rich and powerful politicians have been kidnapped. Surprisingly, even the Secretary to the State Government of Kaduna was kidnapped. Recently, in Abia State, there was a reported case of armed robbers who robbed a bank. Later, the robbers went to the streets and spread the stolen money all over the streets, urging the poor masses to pick the money because, according to the robbers, the money belonged to people – a reference in detest of the belief that the rich has exclusively used the people’s money for self aggrandizement without carrying out projects for the benefit of the masses. The establishment and implementation of programs just “to make (Nigerian) people eat” may not be enough for Nigerians. Nigerians want to eat and live well. Nigerian people want to eat well balanced meals, just like the rich and political leaders of Nigeria. They want to live in good houses, just like the wealthy and public decision-makers in Nigeria. Nigerians also want live in secured neighborhoods, have access to potable water and uninterrupted electricity, and ply good and well maintained roads just like the ones found the neighborhood of t rich people and politicians. Unfortunately, there are very few employment opportunities for the qualified citizens. As a matter of urgency, productive jobs should be created to keep the young people busy, and reduce unemployment and community violence. Graduates can be re-trained to be productive at work. There should be greater interest in Agriculture to produce the needed food and fiber to feed over 150 million Nigerians. States and the federal governments should pay greater attention to the development of rural areas where the greater proportion of Nigeria’s poverty stricken farmers and poor citizens live. Providing the basic amenities such as good roads, housing, potable water, health care services, and electricity in the rural areas means that these amenities would no longer entice the sons and daughters of farmers to move to the big cities. The issues of unemployment, low salaries for workers, and very few new job opportunities are problems faced by Nigerians. For a working population that earns an average income of less than N250,000.00 per year will, certainly, find it difficult to understand the wisdom of an individual employed in the government but lives in a house costing more that N400 million. A poor simple farmer in Gwagwalada, (Abuja outskirts) cannot make reason on situation where his children are taught in a class under the shed of a tree by teachers so poor that they wear bathroom flip-flop sandals shoes to classes, while the children of the rich and powerful are flown into Abuja from all corners of Nigeria to attend International Schools situated in Maitama, and Garki areas of Abuja. It is unimaginable to visualize that only about three hours drive can make such a wide difference in living quarters and educational opportunities available for the rich and his children, and those available for the poor and his children. Efforts made to implement positive CHANGE peacefully in these circumstances, would be the real challenge. But it can be done. It needs dedicated, committed and serious leadership, and trustworthy implementation squad. Dennis O. Balogu, Ph.D., M.P.A. _________________________ **Professor Dennis O. Balogu, Professor of Agriculture and International Affairs. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, AR 71601, U.S.A.; Vice-President, Association of Diaspora Africans in Agriculture, Technology and Related Professions (ADAATRP) |