Dear 35 States of Nigeria,
LAZINESS AND INDIFFERENCE
“How Lagos?” My unique way of asking how are you will soon become relevant to this discussion. I greet you all.
Truth be told, this recession is caused by your collective long over dependence on federal allocation. There is no other way to tell it. The current model where each of you waits for a monthly hand out from the mighty and all-lazy federal government of Nigeria is a fraud and unsustainable. It just has to stop.
Lagos generates almost exactly what it gets from the federal allocation and plans to surpass that. Until we have 35 more Lagoses all over this land, we will not make progress.
Lagos had the fortune of being the capital, access the border, a seaport and an airport. These brought droves of people seeking opportunities. Every state in Nigeria has peculiar opportunities that it can and must harness to attract people. From tourism, to agriculture, to solid minerals, sunshine, land mass, etc, these are peculiarities that must be used. Whatever is being done by the governments of these 35 states is not enough. More must be done. Civilizations flourish because people create solutions to access and meet their needs not because of oil. This brings more people and creates new opportunities.
Citizens of the 36 states, I greet you. Governance is not about zones, religion or primordial interests but about the issues which jointly affect us all. Are your governors working to increase the state's earning potential? The facts speak so eloquently that they are not. Demand that they do. Competence is proven by results not sentiments. Our suffering will tarry so long as we let sentiments and not competence determine our future.
The centre of excellence is not an excellent place. It is a far cry from that has far much to do. It is wasteful and corrupt. Yet, it is resourceful and opportunistic. Other states must step up and be better. First, cut down your government costs, hold brainstorming sessions on how to raise your IGR and bring people to your states. Honourables at state assemblies must begin to act honourably, you were elected to serve. Impeach incompetent governors or be recalled. Constituents must begin to engage as concerned citizens. Recall dishonourables or remain poor!
Town hall meetings should be held in local communities everywhere with the access being a valid voters ID and your name on that particular register. The days of money and gift sharing to support a popular and incompetent lord are over. Do not try to revive it. We can collectively insist that elections must be decided on our collective wills and not by the dictate of those with the deepest pockets.
We all want our team’s best players wearing the first team shirt. We shout at the coach to substitute a “non-performing” player. How come we are indifferent with incompetent governors and disloyal members of parliament?
We can turn this recession around.
Final word to the states: Don't be lazy! The federal government is already lazier than you.
Final word to the citizens: Don't be indifferent. The federal government is counting on your indifference and laziness.
Yours truly,
Joshua King
Citizen
LAZINESS AND INDIFFERENCE
“How Lagos?” My unique way of asking how are you will soon become relevant to this discussion. I greet you all.
Truth be told, this recession is caused by your collective long over dependence on federal allocation. There is no other way to tell it. The current model where each of you waits for a monthly hand out from the mighty and all-lazy federal government of Nigeria is a fraud and unsustainable. It just has to stop.
Lagos generates almost exactly what it gets from the federal allocation and plans to surpass that. Until we have 35 more Lagoses all over this land, we will not make progress.
Lagos had the fortune of being the capital, access the border, a seaport and an airport. These brought droves of people seeking opportunities. Every state in Nigeria has peculiar opportunities that it can and must harness to attract people. From tourism, to agriculture, to solid minerals, sunshine, land mass, etc, these are peculiarities that must be used. Whatever is being done by the governments of these 35 states is not enough. More must be done. Civilizations flourish because people create solutions to access and meet their needs not because of oil. This brings more people and creates new opportunities.
Citizens of the 36 states, I greet you. Governance is not about zones, religion or primordial interests but about the issues which jointly affect us all. Are your governors working to increase the state's earning potential? The facts speak so eloquently that they are not. Demand that they do. Competence is proven by results not sentiments. Our suffering will tarry so long as we let sentiments and not competence determine our future.
The centre of excellence is not an excellent place. It is a far cry from that has far much to do. It is wasteful and corrupt. Yet, it is resourceful and opportunistic. Other states must step up and be better. First, cut down your government costs, hold brainstorming sessions on how to raise your IGR and bring people to your states. Honourables at state assemblies must begin to act honourably, you were elected to serve. Impeach incompetent governors or be recalled. Constituents must begin to engage as concerned citizens. Recall dishonourables or remain poor!
Town hall meetings should be held in local communities everywhere with the access being a valid voters ID and your name on that particular register. The days of money and gift sharing to support a popular and incompetent lord are over. Do not try to revive it. We can collectively insist that elections must be decided on our collective wills and not by the dictate of those with the deepest pockets.
We all want our team’s best players wearing the first team shirt. We shout at the coach to substitute a “non-performing” player. How come we are indifferent with incompetent governors and disloyal members of parliament?
We can turn this recession around.
Final word to the states: Don't be lazy! The federal government is already lazier than you.
Final word to the citizens: Don't be indifferent. The federal government is counting on your indifference and laziness.
Yours truly,
Joshua King
Citizen
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