While
We Pray for Mr. President...Nigeria The Giant Of Africa
When Acclaiming Laurels
28 December 2009By Salim Salihu Muhammed
It has never been in the history of any nation to
govern itself, or perhaps without a Leader; else, it
will be a case of the sheep that graze by the highway
without a shepherd. The state of health of the number
one citizen of this country has been an issue of
discussion in the markets, on the streets, in schools,
bars, football viewing centres, public offices, you
name it. The good thing about the whole cinema is the
general call for prayers for Mr. President; even David
Mark’s Senate was not left behind in calling on
Nigerians, for the first time, to offer prayers for
our ailing President not minding the state of the
nation. The country is in a national crisis which
adequate response ought to be provided without playing
games, but the irony is the show of incapacity of the
Senate in discharging its duty; rather than indulge in
appropriate measures in addressing the failure of the
government and the effects of a sick president who
have proven to be incapacitated, the Senate have
chosen to entertain Nigerians with their immature
sittings of political benefits.
It’s great to know that Nigerians are indeed their
brother’s keeper; this we have exemplified over the
years in helping other nations restore peace and
democracy, providing financial aid, food crisis and
technical assistance. No doubt, we are truly the giant
of Africa when it comes to acclaiming laurels, but why
don’t we prove that to Nigerians when it comes to
matter of national emergency? In the United States,
the Congress had to call for the immediate swearing-in
of George Bush when Ronald Reagan was shot; Americans
did not appeal and beg him to step aside or resign,
neither would Ariel Sharon admit that Israelis begged
him to quit his sit as Prime Minister when he was
critically ill. They all did so by respecting the
nation and putting it first.
Come to think of it. How many of the more than 150
million Nigerians have access to medical services or
king Faisal Specialist Hospital, drinkable water,
decent shelter, and security? How many of the infant
mortality deaths have the Senate prayed for? Why must
we always move this nation in a go-slow fashion, like
the morning or evening traffic on Abuja – Keffi
express way?
While we pray for Mr. President, it is also important
that the fate of the nation comes first as shown by
the Americans, the Israelis, and the Cubans. The first
option is for the National Assembly to take it as a
matter of urgency and serious legislative business in
addressing the incapacity of the ailing President and
immediately swear-in the Vice-President to carry on
with the business of governance while he recuperates
at the hospital. Nigerians needs a government that
will lead by example in provide enabling environment
for better health care delivery, rather than seeking
it. Who knows, a Good-Luck could mean the turning
point the country awaits over the years.
Salim Salihu Muhammed salimmed16@yahoo.com
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EsinIslam.Com
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