Nigeria might as well be the first nation in history to have her citizens leave her behind in the journey into the smart economy. This prediction may not make much sense in the face of conventional wisdom as it is almost unthinkable to imagine government unaware of important goings-on in the country, after all, the people, they say, are the government. Right?
Well, if we consider government as a conglomerate of inanimate agencies that Nigeria quite especially is, we will soon discover that the innovative tribe that I wrote about a couple of days ago are capable of outdoing the the government on matters involving common sense, and in understanding of the times. I love to affirm that I belong in this smart tribe. I boldly confess this because I strive to constantly be in touch with the real smart folks.
I tell you, power is changing hands.
The electric power is indeed changing hands as the Nigerian state, having failed to generate adequate power for her hundreds of thousands of businesses, is now gradually being faced with a twist whose implication is better imagined. If we care to know, we would realize that power is now being sourced autonomously by the business community at a rate that would ultimately crash the insolent (not my word, please) electricity subsector. Folks appears to be bidding a bye bye to the whole power nonsense.
Last week, my assistant at the office who just left NYSC told me of banks in Zamfara state, where he served, that run completely on solar. It was right then that I recalled that I had actually seen and used water systems that run completely on solar. It was in the middle of that conversation that we both discovered that a simple solar power system could power our printer, laptops and fans and still light up our entire suite. And yes, we now print on solar.
I have considered with a childlike awe how the converter – something quite small and light – takes a mere 12 volts from the box and gives out a whopping 220 volts! And, of course, it was as usual MiC – Made in China.
Ours is not the only office that uses solar on our floor. In fact, judging by the size of their panels, the office beside us is on a much larger system. Might just be ready to power their Air-conditioners.
Now, whether the Nigerian state recognizes these pointers for what they truly mean or not, we the innovative tribe is simply moving! It means Naija won’t see us at her gas stations as frequently as she used to. The annoying NEPA would have a lot less to disturb us about. Business is moving in Jesus name and the ecosystem is a lot better served.
So who will drink our hydrocarbons now? See, folks, a sensible Nigeria is our collective responsibility. And it is worth every effort we can muster to get our government to get serious about diversification.
It has become more critically urgent to dismantle those bureaucracies that advance nothing but graft and woes. I bet!
There is now that urgent need for Nigerians to carefully consider the kind of leadership that will face the future with the innovativeness that can usher us into the smart economy. Those whose voices are loud enough must not be tired of drumming sense where sense ought to be drummed. If our oil becomes completely worthless much sooner than we envisage, it means we would be humbled pretty soon. God forbid.
I’d rather we humble ourselves now with truths and facts, courage and an aggressive drive for innovation. It is our best bet.
– Oshaloto Joseph Tade writes from Kogi State.
