We often forget and make trivial the many privileges bestowed upon us. The human nature is always gunning for the next big thing. About eleven or twelve years ago, during my first year in college, I managed to buy for myself a mini size laptop. I had bought it because it was necessary. Sadly, it was stolen during my third year. I felt really bad. I must have wished death upon the one who stole my device. Today, I own devices that are by far better than what was stolen.
The human nature seeks things. When I got my first job, I loved it because I was amongst many other indices, getting paid. After a while, I wanted more than just a job. I would often go on complaining about my supposed poor salary, volume of work, poor conditions, and all those things that are in the real sense genuinely true. In the midst of wanting more, I failed to be appreciative of that which I already had. For instance, my salary was paid regularly, I was gaining experience, I was useful, and I was a part of something meaningful. There is indeed a thin line between demanding for more from life itself and saying ‘thank you’ to life for the lot that it has given us.
Applicably, many do not even realize that in the midst of their towering demands, they have positioned themselves as enemy of the state. Only a few weeks back, while on a road journey to Plateau State from Lagos, I had to sleep over in Kogi State. I took notice of a few visible change. First, there was a flyover along the Ganaja area, a riverside retaining wall along the Natako area, and a relatively better tarred road as compared to what was obtainable six or seven years ago. Of course, given the resources owned by the states, all that I have mentioned is, for many, below expectation. My friend, talk is cheap!
I reckon that the government of Kogi State has, in comparison with her contemporaries, performed below expectations. A driver once blurted out, ‘I do not like my uncle.’ When I pressed him for his reasons, he said, ‘My Uncle na one of the first few lawyers for Ogun State. That time I young well well. One day some people call am to help dem win political case. Dem pay my uncle big money inside Ghana-must-go-bag. Na me drive am to the place. My uncle collect that money but e no give me shi shi. He be very greedy person…’
I gather that when most Nigerians complain about the lapses of government, they often do so not because they care but because they are yet to get what they consider to be of personal interest. If personal interests are not met, complain and condemnation are immediately delivered. However, one cannot shy away from some of these complaints. If anything at all, it is not selfish to ask for security and basic amenities. After all, of what use is a government if it cannot secure and provide basic services for which it was elected for?
I have in the past written stories of condemnation. When the current members of the red and green chamber chorused in praise of President Tinubu, I almost was going to the government a joke. However, I said to myself, ‘Until I know what these members know, I wasn’t going to let myself get moody over what I can’t change.’
All the while, I have only endeavour to say that there are many sides to a thing. For many, a rich individual is a thief or someone who forcefully engages in taking what belong to others. What a myopic mind. We must, as individuals, learn not only to criticize but to praise when we see good things.
– Olayinka Kayode writes from Jibowu, Ogun State.
