Ronkeslens

This question has been on my mind for a very long time. In the wise words of Catherine Pulsifer, “home is where we should feel secure and comfortable “. The thoughts of home doesn’t comfort me, instead it brings me despair and pain.

Can I say, Ronke’s lens is also a victim of the Nigerian election postponement saga. I had a completely different story to share on the blog this week. However, in light of the new development with regards to the election; my intended story seemed too meaningless and trivial to be posted this week. On the 16th of February, I cried for Nigeria and her future when I learnt that the election had been postponed . Incase anyone is wondering, I’m Nigerian, although currently living in Britain.
How can you have four years to prepare for an election but still fail to deliver? It’s a national disgrace and can never happen in any sane country. Where’s the accountability? Nigerians even with the hardship faced with daily, fulfilled their part, registered for their voters card and prepared for the election. Why can’t the government respect us? Why are our leaders so uncouth and selfish?

We Nigerians are helpless and the only weapon we have is our votes, which I fear isn’t enough to save us from the terror we are faced with at the moment. Nobody knows if the elections will be rigged, and if a new president can save our dying country.

Schooling in London is very rewarding because the city is very diverse, so I get to interact with people from different ethnical background. This also means in class we talk about our different countries. However, when discussing on different topic areas, Boko Haram and corruption always manages to surface in almost every discussion. it is very embarrassing to have to defend the image of the country every time. I always consider myself as a public relations practitioner, cleaning the mess of the country by using my life and actions to prove to the world that Nigerians are honest, hardworking, peaceful people that can be trusted.
As an international student living abroad, it is so difficult because every opportunity in terms of jobs, housing etc, goes first to British citizens,then it flows to people from European Union before you are considered.( pls note, this description doesn’t apply in schools because everyone is treated equally).The most frustrating part is, you are also treated as a second citizen in Nigeria because only those in power are the true first citizens.
When you are living in a country where things work as expected, it is irritating to see Nigeria cannot plan an election successfully. I’ve been fortunate enough to partake in an election in this country. it’s so peaceful, no shutdown of business activities, no unnecessary long queues,everything is so organised and planned to perfection. It just makes me wonder why everything has to be so different and difficult with Nigeria. Nothing works at home. Security, education, economy, health, welfare, sports, airlines. Nothing works!!!!! I can’t begin to list all the shortcomings of Nigeria. The country has failed me and other Nigerians repeatedly.

We need a Messiah in Nigeria, a change, a revolution, a movement. So I ask again, What do you do when there’s trouble at home?
Thank you for reading and see you all next week.

ps: I do not own rights to the images used, sourced from: http://www.google.com.