Muhsin Ibrahim
@muhsin234
I came back to
Nigeria after a two-year-stay in India. There has been so much to write about as
so many things have happened, and more are happening since my return. Yet,
procrastinations wouldn’t allow me. I balked on whether or not to write on this,
that and numerous other itching issues. I have also been so busy: getting
settled, resuming work and frequent visits from and to family and friends. And,
above all, there’s no uninterrupted power supply, no reliable internet access
and much more that were readily available while in India. I had never thought
things would be that tough, in fact worse, prior to my return. Anyway, I
heartily thank Allah as I am happy against all odds.
I was
contemplating on which and which topic to concentrate my first blogpost on
after more than a month ‘break’. They range from the accusation of some people
that President Muhammadu Buhari is now “Baba Go Slow”, or that he’s a northern
president, or his anti-corruption campaign; to the tussle in the national
assemblies, the rampage of the lunatics called Boko Haram in the north-eastern
states of Nigeria, among others. From the abroad, so much other writing-worthy
incidents and accidents have happened that include legalization of same-sex
marriage in the US, the discovery of what might be the oldest copy of the
Qur’an, the war in Yemen, etc, etc, etc.
Following my
protracted absence, a very kind, caring friend from the US asked me how I was
adjusting since my return. As a fellow Nigerian, I opened up to him, and he
dittoed. We ultimately met at a point that there’s no hope for Nigeria. We both
share faith in the current leadership of the country, but to be very realistic
and honest, he (President Buhari) can fix only a few of its many ills. For him
to achieve even that, it will take a lot: undue commitment, persistent patience,
steadfast prayers and collective support from the public and a great deal of assistance
from the people he works with in the government.
On the other
issue, I have been feeling guilty of some sort. I think I should apologize to
my Indian readers for dragging their country in the mud in some of my articles.
I had held a rather refined image of Nigeria while away. I didn’t know that
things were that bad until when I landed in the Malam Aminu Kano International
Airport, Kano (MAKIA).
Right before our
flight tarmacked, all I could see was a dry place with only two flights on the
ground, one of which apparently looks inoperative. The airport was literally
moribund compared to the ones we left in India (Mumbai) and transited at in
Ethiopia (Addis Ababa). Both were lively and vibrant with flights everywhere
and people (passengers and the airports staff) going about their ways. Again,
where there were several modern trolleys for passengers to choose from, put on their
baggages for free in Mumbai (and elsewhere); the ancient-looking trolleys here
are very few and one has to pay N300 to use one. There are many other
unmentionable things; perhaps topics for another day.
Living expense in
Nigeria has surpassed India’s, though the latter’s economy is stronger and
their currency more valuable. Our educational system, although still pulsating,
in some sense of the word: “pulsating”, we however yet live in the old age of
analogue. It takes days, weeks or more to send a single memo, letter, etc from
one office to another. When will we ever develop? What’s exactly pulling us
down as others, including much poorer nations? The recent world university
ranking should serve as a reawakening call to us and to our policy makers. Where
in the first best 1000 universities in the world no single Nigerian university
was listed, about six South African universities, one each from Egypt, Morocco
and Uganda (!) made to the coveted list. How come? Electricity is still largely
a privilege in Nigeria. This alone can truncate our presence in any other
similar metric ranking of universities in the world.
As a last note,
I would like to specially salute many among my Nigerian teachers, students and
friends who write quite often. This is a commendable action which not everyone
could do. The so-called ‘Nigerian Factor’ weakens productivity. It starves
intelligence, or kills it if care is not duly taken. But despite all this
scotching pressure, they stand up and write and even publish. They deserve
accolades. God willing, someday this menacing “factor” will be a history to
tell. Nigeria shall be great. In sha Allah.
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