Muhsin Ibrahim
@muhsin234
‘Personal’
In accordance with a pseudoscience called
Astrology practiced and believed by many people, I should consider June 1 as a lucky
day in my life. I don’t. I won’t. I don’t believe in superstition. But no
doubt, the day stands unique in my life for at least two life-shaping, life-changing
events: both my dream job and my dearest wife came to my life on this day in
2012 and 2013, respectively. Thus, I think the day, annually, deserves a
particular remembrance and commemoration, even though in, strictly speaking, a non-ritualistic
style. That is why I write to, among other things, thank the Almighty Allah. I
generally have a lot to thank Him for, not only these days. Alhamdulillah.
This year is unforgettable, though
quite tough. I and my wife returned to Nigeria from India after a two-year
postgraduate study on June 24, 2015, less than a month into the new government
of President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB). We
couldn’t believe what we met here, for the prices of several basic food stuffs,
even then, were higher than we were used to there. For instance, a crate of egg
cost between Rs. 90 to 100 (i.e. N280 to N300) there, but it cost N800 in
Nigeria! A kilogram of the Irish potato cost Rs. 10 (i.e. N30) in India, but it
cost nothing less than N200 in Nigeria, etc. If we had our way, we would have
gone back to India.
Nigeria is however our fatherland, the
one and only country we can rightfully call ours. I love Nigeria and always pray
for it to move forward. But, truthfully speaking, neither the government nor the
citizens are ready for that. The miserable economic situation of Nigeria is no
longer a story to tell today. The prices of almost everything under the sun has
doubled or multiplied due to the government’s unrealizable policies, and the
marketers’ greediness. Naira is collapsing. No employment, etc. Nothing,
literally speaking, works well in this country. Yet, we thank Allah for His
multitude other mercies. Allah vows to provide more to His servant who thanks
Him for His blessings, and to punish he who is ungrateful.
We are appreciative. It is a fact
that he who has a permanent job is blessed in an enormous way in Nigeria and
everywhere else. Equally important, he whom lives with a dutiful, caring,
God-fearing, loving, educated, you name it, wife should be grateful to Allah,
for he is gifted with the best of blessings in the world. So many are married, but
not all are contented with their life partners. I am.
The secret of a happy family is
nothing hidden, as I wrote last year. Quarrelling is though bad, but it is unavoidable.
It makes a boring life a fascinating one. Don’t let it however escalate. Come
together, discuss and sort it out by yourselves. Inviting a third party is
something you should avoid as much as possible. We are often insipidly lectured
by our elders to be patient and let things go. The “things” don’t actually go
anywhere just like that. They go only when you rinse out your heart and mind
via dialogue, not brawl. Don’t stomach a grudge. It accumulates and
exacerbates.
I have been telling several newly
wedded couples the above. Communicate always with your spouse. No one is nearer
to you, and no one should know you better. There is a limit to what can be
stomached, and limit to everything. The same way if you wrongly think that you
are Mr. or Mrs. Patience, so you can always forgive your partner. It does not
work. It works only when you sit down, talk, talk and talk. And do not argue,
for it often overflows. Talk, understand, amend, if there is the need of that,
or forgive and forge ahead.
The Nigeria of my Dream
On a deeper reflection, I forget the
hardship being experienced by the average Nigerians like myself; I ignore all the
trepidation and muster more courage and forge ahead. Life is well. I still
believe that someday, now or later, in our days or after us, that this country
will attain greatness. We shall someday be more proud of our being Nigerians, God
Willing. But it cannot happen overnight. We have to strive for that.
I dream of a Nigeria where there is
a stable power supply, sustained security, flourishing job opportunities,
running industries, and generally, prosperity. We cannot achieve that unless we
change our attitude. We should, first
of all, liberalize ourselves and quit being bigots – ideologically, ethnically,
and regionally – and embrace nationalism and patriotism. We should learn to
think of others, not ourselves always. We should learn to do for others what we
would want others do unto us. I, for one, deploy that in my life. Although I
seldom, if not often, end up disappointed, I have never relented.
The government, which is awkwardly
called “the mother of all”, has a lot to offer to bolster the aforementioned. The
previous governments have essayed some efforts to patch up our differences
through the creation of, for instance, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)
scheme. There ought to be more such programs. The 1984/85 Buhari military
regime initiative, War Against Indiscipline (WAI) should be reinstituted,
though in a democratic way now. Nigerian citizenry need more enlightenment on
the significance of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and
respect for the elderly; and, generally, nationalism.
I would suggest, at this juncture,
teaching of history and civic education in all our institutions and at all
levels. We should never forget our past for that will guide us for the present
and the future; to continue what is good, and to stop what is bad.
Conclusion
Everyone has stories to tell. This
is my third consecutive article concerning the June 1 commemoration. As the
Kenyan ace writer, Ngugi would say, I write not for the sake of writing but with
the intent and the expectation to see changes
in our society. I hope this slice of the year’s (June, 2015 to June, 2016) experience
has given you some things to ponder or follow; forget or recall; take or leave.
Allah ya sa mu dace, amin.
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