The President should read this…

By Prince Charles Dickson, PhD

Dear Mr. President,

Baba Tinubu, how far na? We know say you dey try, but e be like say the “trying” never really reach us wey dey grassroots. Things dey tough no be small, and Nigerians dey para like fufu wey dem forget for fire. Fuel subsidy removal na real “gbas gbos” matter. Fuel price jump like antelope, transport fare kon dey do competition with private jet. People dey trek go work, dem dey call am “Tinubu workout challenge.” Abeg, how we go survive like this? You talk say na to save money, but the money wey you save, where e dey?

While we cannot be oblivious to the increased revenue that is now going to the states but it is not really being felt across board. I won’t accuse the governors but the fact is that it has been an increase in suffering. While the political class don’t see anything wrong with the lavish-for-all-to-see lifestyle, they are finding it hard to pay N70,000, or at best praising themselves for paying with money that is not theirs.

This economy matter sef dey worry us well-well. Naira don weak like agege bread wey dem soak for water, inflation dey rise faster than gossip for market. It is not a thing of joy as the World Bank keeps reminding us that our currency is one of the worst performing around the globe, while at the same time inundating us that we must suffer like this for the next 15 years.

Yet, World Bank come dey give us loan like say we be beggar wey dey road side. Abi dem think say na to borrow money be the solution to all our problems? We need roads wey no go turn to swimming pool after small rain, hospitals wey get doctors and medicine, and light wey no dey take break more than NEPA.

Baba, this your “Renewed Hope” agenda, we still dey wait to see am o. No be only for campaign poster e suppose dey. Make e touch our lives for real. We need jobs wey go make our youths busy, not make dem dey idle dey join bad gang. We need schools wey go teach our children better thing, not make dem come out dey speak English like say dem swallow dictionary.

And this corruption matter, e be like say e don get PhD for this country. EFCC dey catch small yahoo boys, but the big ogas wey dey chop our money dey chill for Banana Island. Abi na only small thief dey Nigeria? Security matter nko? Kidnappers dey do home delivery, bandits dey operate like dem get office for Aso Rock, and Boko Haram still dey do meeting for Sambisa forest like say na dem get the place. We need action, not long grammar wey dey make us sleep!

Abeg, Mr. President, you get barely two years left. No let your time waste like yesterday’s moi-moi. Make you use this time take solve these wahala wey full ground like harmattan dust. Nigerians no be mumu, we know say you fit do better. If you no perform, we go change am for you come 2027. No let us come dey call you “Baba Go-Slow” or “Presido of Inflation.”

Make you remember say to whom much is given, much is expected. No let us down, Baba! Show us say you be true Jagaban!

Your Loyal Citizen (wey dey hustle).

Meanwhile, I was part of a Roundtable on Development and Human Rights in the cold city of Jos, Plateau.

The highly anticipated Roundtable on Development and Human Rights brought together a diverse group of experts from academia, civil society, government agencies, and international organizations. The event aimed to foster critical dialogue on the intricate relationship between development and human rights in Nigeria.

Dr. Yakubu Joseph, Country Coordinator of Mission 21 and organizer, emphasized the significance of the Roundtable, which had renowned activist Dr. Gad Shamaki who delivered the first presentation, “Social Movements, Activism and Social Development in Nigeria.” Dr. Shamaki explored social movements’ critical role in driving social change and advocating for human rights, highlighting historical and contemporary dynamics of activism in Nigeria.

The second presentation, “The Right to Development: Realistic or a Mirage?,” was given by Mr. Joseph Lengmang, a seasoned development and peace practitioner. Mr. Lengmang analyzed the complexities of the right to development, sparking a lively debate on its realization in Nigeria.

Dr. Summaye Hamza presented “Social Safety Nets in Nigeria: Assessing Government Palliatives within the framework of the right to development.” Dr. Hamza critically analyzed government initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation and social protection.

The breakout session which followed, had participants discussing Nigeria’s progress in realizing the right to development. They proposed recommendations for enhancing social investment programs’ effectiveness amongst which are:

1. Multi-stakeholder dialogue: Continue providing a platform for dialogue on development and human rights.

2. Disseminate findings: Share key findings and recommendations with policymakers and stakeholders.

3. Follow-up activities: Explore opportunities to ensure the Roundtable’s sustainability.

The Roundtable demonstrated the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing development and human rights in Nigeria. I strongly believe that, while the challenges are tough, while it all looks blurred, only time will tell, as we hope, pray and work so that—Nigeria will win.

Nigerian pidgin glossary:

Baba: A term of respect, similar to “father” or “sir”

How far na?: What’s up? How are you?

Wey dey grassroots: Those at the bottom, the common people

Para like fufu wey dem forget for fire: Very angry (like burnt fufu)

Gbas gbos: A serious matter

Tinubu workout challenge: Humorous reference to people trekking due to high transport fares

Agege bread: A popular type of bread in Nigeria

NEPA: The former name of the electricity company in Nigeria, known for frequent power outages

Yahoo boys: Internet fraudsters

Banana Island: An affluent area in Lagos

Aso Rock: The Nigerian Presidential Complex

Sambisa forest: A known hideout for Boko Haram

Moi-moi: A Nigerian steamed bean pudding

Harmattan dust: Dry, dusty wind common in West Africa

Mumu: Fool

Baba Go-Slow: Implies slow to take action

Presido of Inflation: Implies presiding over high inflation

Jagaban: A title meaning “leader of warriors,” often used to refer to President Tinubu

*Prince Charles Dickson PhD, Team Lead: The Tattaaunawa Roundtable Initiative (TRICentre); https://tattaaunawa.org/; Development & Media Practitioner|; Researcher|Policy Analyst|Public Intellect|Teacher; 234 803 331 1301, 234 805 715 2301

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