Nigeria’s economic events as streaming theatre drama  

Little did anybody believe that a time would come when the people of Nigeria would experience economic hardship and many other challenges like what obtains now. The situation is being watched like comical movies where extreme hunger, violence, senseless massive killings and deaths of helpless and innocent citizens; kidnapping, rape, banditry, unimaginable forms of terrorism take the center stage all over the nation. Insecurity has become a household jargon for every Funsho, Musa, and Okonkwo in the nooks and crannies of the land. The worst of it all is the growing numbers of empty stomachs of men and women and children with pathetic cases of fainting (due to persistent hunger) along the streets, all over the nation. This dreaded monster cuts across tribes, ethnic nationalities, religions and even the social classes because, presently, the rich also cry! The poverty in the land is the outcome of a very poorly managed economy by the authorities. These leaders (political leaders and appointees) seem to be living in a different world because their actions, with regards to economic sabotage, constantly and continuously appear to be happening in a strange world were lootings of public funds and all unimaginable forms of financial frauds occur without stopping, in billions and trillions. What a country, indeed, with all its rogue political actors; looting the nation’s treasury dry, without looking back, or thinking about the future of the younger generations! Posterity will never forgive these creatures and “destroyers”!

Theatre art is studied as an academic discipline in the faculty of arts. It portrays simulated life activities in a fictional or an imaginative social interactive form that might not necessarily be a real life situation; in the nature of human relationship and interpersonal dynamics, although they can appear similar by complexities of human nature through the performances of actors in most instances. To most Nigerians, the current socio-economic occurrences in the country are no longer funny; they still appear as if they are happening in our dreams. Yet, in actual sense, this is a real life occurrence. The “japa”  syndrome, where the youths and even the aged migrate out in droves to foreign lands (with lots and lots of them losing their lives in the desperate bid to seek for greener pastures; and many end up as self-inflicted victims of modern slavery) cast a dark cloud over this land. The economy, on its own, suffers brain drain, where trained professionals in various fields like the medical profession, are leaving the country out of frustration; and rather choose to be aliens in foreign lands that are not economically viable, but whose lean or limited resources are better and prudently managed through good governance. Such is the comparison with our disorganised economy, where prices of goods and other essential commodities are most unstable.

Nowadays in Nigeria, you wake up in the morning and you are not sure what awaits you on a daily basis (in terms of socio-economic challenges and, even your security). People continually live in fear and in pain of a planless society, where those in authority do not care about the wellbeing of the masses. The exchange rate of naira (our local currency) to a United States dollar, being exchanged as much as N2,000/$ (it’s like being in a dream or watching a drama in a theatre). I talk because I am involved as a citizen, and have the empirical knowledge of what happens among the masses on a daily basis, being one among the masses. I don’t even wish or desire to be on the other side because I have experienced the wickedness of man against the vulnerable citizens of the land; so, I don’t envy them. The nation has turned into a drama theatre for lootings in billions and trillions (both in naira and foreign currencies). It is all a shame, I will never envy them. I can only pray and wish that God in heaven will touch their hearts someday, to have a sober reflection, forsake their wicked ways and make a u-turn to serve the masses as they have signed in the “social contract” through democratic elections that brought them to their elevated heights. 

I am strongly convinced that the country and the economy could still be rebuilt for better. The solution lies in productivity. We have the potential, and the nation is naturally endowed with both human resources (with a wonderful and attractive youth population of over 70 percent, demographically); and very superior quality species, brands and stocks of natural resources, in abundance. Credible and eminent Nigerians have been speaking out. It remains just walking the talk. I do not want to mention names here but, I cannot resist talking about two Nigerians (Nnameka Obiareri, FICA, of Taurus Oil & Gas, that commented on the CBN’s decision on MPC/monetary policy; and proffered solutions with strategic approaches for the nation’s economy moving forward; and the African Development Bank president, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s keynote speech on 28 November 2023 at the 40th Anniversary of the Guardian Newspapers Lagos; “For the world to respect Africa”). “Sound management of our natural resources, with accountability and transparency.” A word is enough for the wise. I leave it at that because my heart bleeds.

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