This is the second time Nigeria is advised that she does not
need IMF’s loan or debt cancellation by foreign creditors. While late Margaret
Thatcher, the former British Prime was of the opinion that Nigeria does not
need debt cancellation, Ms. Christine Largarde, the Managing Director of IMF
has said that we do not need IMF loan for now.
The woman has told us the gospel truth but the yardstick with
which she has hinged or based her advice is not totally true. The reason is
that the former British PM told us that Nigeria does not need these aids. It is
not just that the present administration has all the magic wands to pull us out
of our economic woes.
Embarking on some tough measures like increasing the rate of
VAT is a two edged sword, while we are making money on one hand, we will be
biting our fingers on the other.
Increasing VAT means , increasing
the prices of goods and services. So, the gain and loss is 50:50, meaning that
we will end up being where we were. Let us look inward as suggested below
considering her pieces of advice and the need to support/assist the poor.
In the year 1988, the
former British Prime Minister in the person of Baroness Margaret Thatcher,
visited Nigeria. One of the issues in contention then was debt cancellation/forgiveness
for Nigeria.
The woman flagrantly refused that our situation had not
worsened to that extent. The feelings of most of us, the suffering masses were
that the woman did not understand our situation, she was hard-hearted and that she
was selfish. We wondered if she wanted us to start dying before she could come
to our aid. She was also said to be a racist and that she would not like us to
improve so that our country would not be better than hers. All manner of
destructive criticism was leveled against the poor woman who probably might
have told us the hard truth based on her studies of Nigeria.
Some people who saw the reality of what the woman said
congratulated her on her boldness in telling us the needed truth. Nigeria is a
large country whose population is spread all over the globe. Research has shown
that there is no town or city on the planet earth that you will not see a
Nigerian or someone who does not have any relationship with a Nigerian. It has
also been observed that there is no place in the world that you cannot see at
least a Nigerian that is rich. They organize money gulping parties that some
so-called rich men in the rich countries cannot afford or be willing to put-up.
What is happening? The more we embrace change in our
attitude, the better. Change does not simply mean voting out one head of an
office and replacing him with another one. It is much more than that. The real
change should be attitudinal and positive for the betterment of all. This could
also mean development. Why should we embark on spending spree when our brothers
and sisters are dying.
In traditional religion, it is wrong. That is why in some
traditions in Africa a visitor, brother, sister, relative even your enemy, when
you try to reconcile with him, nobody believes you wholeheartedly, until you
share something in common with the person in question.
In two world popular religions, Christianity and Islam,
giving is preached. That is why I wonder why some people are described as very
good Christians or Moslems yet they have trillions and live in a country where
millions living around them are poor. What kind of religion are you preaching?
What kind of democrat, Godly person or gentleman are you when the means to turn
the lives of Nigerians around is at your finger tips but you vehemently refuse
to do so because you are not holding any traditional, political or religious
office?
Nigerian population is put at 170 million and you are worth
over three (3) trillion. At least 10 million can boast of good living. If you
have the fear of God and love for your fellow countrymen, you can use two
trillion to change the lives of 160 million people. God Almighty, depending on
what you believe, will bless you mightily forever.
With this life changing formula, people will respect you,
vote for you when the time comes, even some of them will be ready to sacrifice
for you forever. They can realistically give you the mandate to rule them for
eight years as stated in the constitution for the position of a state governor
or the presidency in Nigeria. You do not need to wear agbada, babaringa,
ishiagu, suit and employ the services of thugs to get their nod to rule.
You can suggest to them what they will use the money for and
means of accountability for the money if you are not convinced on what they
want to use the money for. They can fill forms that contain information on the
purpose of the fund and sign for them. You can liaise with the
law enforcement agents for proper implementation. EFCC can be of great assistance
to you for proper accountability for the fund.
You can also establish a company for them to work there so
that you can recover your money if you do not want to give out totally.
If we do that the international community will see us as
serious people. Debts can be cancelled. Financial aids can be rendered to us.
Let us shun the idea of going abroad to spend money even to
invest for now. Let us invest in our fellow citizens first before we go abroad
to invest. Nigerian investors should try to maximize the investment
opportunities here in Nigeria before going abroad. Charity begins at home. We
cannot continue to abandon our unemployed youths and go and invest abroad. This
will rather deny us the benefits we can derive from the international financial
institutions like IMF. The so-called African brothers do not even appreciate or
assist us when needed. South Africa has since forgotten the little support we
gave them during the apartheid. Recently, Gabon repatriated foreigners they
take to be more parasitic than beneficial irrespective of the country and the
status of the citizenship, including Nigerians. The same country can come to
Nigeria for aids and we will play big brotherhood and grant them their
requests.
Some Nigerians go abroad and organize big parties that
involve a lot of money when our brothers and sisters are suffering at home. Let
our case not be likened to a person who dresses extravagantly in the street
just for people to have the impression that he has a lot of money, he also does
same when he wants to attend parties in and outside the immediate environment
but finds it difficult to feed well, pay utility bills and house rent but at
clubs, parties and in the street he is seen as a rich person.
This is sheer puerility. Nigeria celebrated her independence
anniversary on 1st October, 2015 meaning that she is a-55 year old
county. At 55, she should not engage in this gross childishness. Why should the international community not see
us as a rich country that does not need financial assistance.
Enough of this road-show.
Chiemela N. Agu
Chimrose Educational Consultancy and
General Services,
Nigeria Air Force Shopping
Complex, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria
Island
Lagos, Nigeria.
