Nigeria at 65 years after independence, by natural assessment of human age, is no longer a child but a full grown and matured adult who should be recognised as a senior citizen and due for retirement in the public or civil service. From 1960 till date, Nigeria has weathered through numerous conditions with experiences (sweet and bitter memories, inclusive). But, there is one aspect of our national life that should be changed at this stage, if those in leadership – the elite class, the politicians, as a matter of fact, all stakeholders in Project Nigeria – are willing, selfless, other-people centered, and patriotic about effecting such paradigm shift administratively, at all levels, and by every individual in the society. One underlining factor of nature about living beings (particularly human beings) is the natural urge and aspiration to continue improving on conditions and surrounding situations as life goes on; but, this often beats the imagination as the contrary appears to be the case in this country, where things seem not to be working as officially structured and expected. 

The way we live, and the way national assignments are handled at all levels demand a total shift from the status quo with a change in public mindset on social services, change in moral engagements, from personal aggrandizement to selfless service to humanity (other-people’s wellbeing) and the nation (in a wider sense). The truth about it is that our socioeconomic fabric has since been weaponised and wired in such a manner that spirited individuals who may have volunteered and ready to sacrifice by contributing towards actualising the talked about matter are unfortunately frustrated, and cannot come close to where decisions are being made or taken for the practical implementation of the right policies. This is actually the crux of the matter because the system has become so complex that personal interests substantially clash and collide headlong with this policy issue being discussed; thereby leaving everything that ought to be done, and disappointingly, doing the things that ought not to be done, because of personal interests.  

This assignment of un-teaching the general public is actually the beat and responsibilities of the Federal Orientation Agency (FOA); to work on people’s moral mindset about keeping to the dictates of rules that govern our daily activities and guidelines that maintain order in the society; as we pursue our respective duties and perform the daily chores of commercial and economic activities. Almost everyone is complicit in this unpatriotic act (cutting corners, based on the selfish tendencies of man, which need to be guided through implementation of patriotically structured corporate governance in our daily engagements). This sad development beats the imagination, leading to the question why can’t every one of us, for once, do a rethink, then have a sober reflection, watch and observe how things are done differently in the developed economies; for the sake of the entire citizenry?

For instance, take the humongous amount of money the federal government constantly spends and spends on road maintenance. The roads that are constructed with a standard gauge are meant to be used with compliance and respect to certain rules of engagement. Tonnage is one critical thing that the Nigerian haulage industry does not observe or keep. A trailer load of cement is supposed to carry only 600 bags of 50kg, but we recklessly over-stress the network of Nigerian roads with every trailer lifting 900 bags at a stretch! Refined products that are supposed to be lifted in 33,000 litres vehicles are overloaded steadily with 45,000 liters in bulk haulage. These discrete cargo services on the Nigerian roads cumulatively end up destroying the roads, with patches of uncountable potholes that eventually result in all kinds of indescribable road accidents by these trucks crashing, with lots of carnage constantly being recorded each time these fatal accidents occur. 

It is high time the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) started applying stricter measures to enforce the already established guidelines and rules in that aspect. In this particular case, even the labour union that is involved (like the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG) is not helping matters either, nor do they internally provide palliative services for the sake of their members. This, they ought to do as a trade union that caters for her own, by being equipped with recovery trucks that pull out crashed or damaged vehicles of their members, whenever such road mishaps occur. From their mandatory levies and other toll charges regularly collected on a daily basis, the leadership ought to provide safety and recovery facilities that tow/pull out distressed cargoes to safety. 

Beyond Nigeria @65, all stakeholders should figure out how this economy can be prudently managed and developed instead of being sabotaged through unpatriotic and fraudulent acts that only end up enriching the private purses of those in positions of authority, against the interest of the state which they serve.

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