By OBIOTIKA WILFRED TOOCHUKWU

?Nigeria, We Hail Thee? was officially readopted on May 29, 2024. In the third stanza of the anthem, a prayer was made to God to help leaders build a nation where no man is oppressed and turn Nigeria to a blessed land. Now, the person that would effect such plea is God using a human instrument which is the president. The imbroglio faced today in Nigeria is that our faith is contradicted by the choices and actions we take. Americans chose ?In God We Trust? as the motto of their country since 1956. The background for making such decisions stem from their religious beliefs with the European Christians and to distinguish itself from the Soviet Union?s atheistic Communism.

Today, malnourished school children stand at attention every morning in their assembly grounds with shrunken, pale eyes reciting their beliefs and prayers through the national anthem. The end of Communism in the early ?90s marked a significant shift in world history. Nigeria is a democratic country but it is far worse than communism. Communism could clothe a man, put food on the table with other economic benefits even when such leaders do not believe in God. As Nigerians, we have long dreamed of a nation where every citizen can live without fear of oppression, marginalization or exclusion.

However, economic inequality, religious tensions, political marginalisation, social injustice has taken over the decent, fruitful and normal lives of citizens; turning them to slaves in their own country. Godly leaders are known to be sensitive and great listeners. They talk to God about the conditions of their followers, resolving the problem of the poor masses. George Washington Carver is one of the great scientific minds. He was a loving and compassionate leader. Around the turn of 20th century, Agriculture in the southern states of America was suffering but George Washington Carver pioneered the idea of crop rotation, urged farmers to plant peanuts and increased their fortunes.

When we examine the problems that confront us in our world today, we find that every one of them revolves into a problem of ?inner space?, a problem of the dark side of the human spirit. Wickedness, heartlessness are on rampage especially among African leaders. What is the hope of a promising future for the Nigerian youth. The magic wand of the Robin Good Fellow economic maestro seems to be failing. The sycophants once told the world that a change and transformation would come to Nigeria. He?s got the fairies to transmute impossible situations to reality. We can testify that everything is sweet, beautiful and happy in Nigeria. There?s justice and command of the rule of law. The love of Mr. President for Nigerians is immeasurable, unmistakable and unending.

Moreover, hopelessness compounds the fate of Nigeria amidst ?Renewed Hope Agenda?. The taxes and subsidies reinvestment are nowhere to be found. ?Are there so many women in the harem?? Everyone loves success, abundance and prosperity. We all want to be fruitful in diverse ways but not at the welfare or woes of other people. When we talk about hardship in Nigeria, its multi-dimensional ? loss of loved ones, betrayals, painful emotions, inflation, hikes, insecurity, suffering, rejection, neglect, subjugation etc. Poor masses in Nigeria are not trained soldiers and how does the government expect them to endure hardness.

In conclusion, we have learned so far that a government can have wicked, autocratic and oppressive policies, programmes and it is left for the people to resist and withstand such demonic implants through inner and superior strength. These policies, programmes could come from parasites, bench warmers, or politicians but the power rests on the people and God who made them all. The government has frustrated all the indices for a profitable life and citizens now wallow in abject poverty, pain and regrets. No one should play dead at this critical time rather we should study how to be undevourable. We must confront our problems head-on, by demanding good governance and accountability from our leaders. Nigeria belongs to God who made us citizens. The voice of opposition and criticism is faint and dying due to the body language of the government. We may fail ourselves but we can?t afford to fail God who enables us to overcome and achieve great feats.

?Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu writes from St. Patrick?s Catholic Church Awgbu, Anambra State.

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