As we continue to celebrate the month of love, we are delving into the topic of homelessness and human rights. How do we rise above extreme economic hardship?
In 2023, Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission declared a winner of the 16th Presidential tenure. Since then, the Naira to dollar exchange rate has increased from 750 Naira per dollar to 1,500 Naira per dollar. Prices of certain basic needs such as food and medication have increased by over 200%. And cost of education, one of the most critical sectors of our national economy, has also increased by over 200% across many public universities. Let’s not forget the 160% increase in cost of petroleum products in a crude-oil-rich nation. All within less than one year. It is highly difficult and almost impossible to sugarcoat the depth of hardship majority of Nigerians have regressed into.
The depth of poverty, homelessness, hunger, torture, wrongful incarcerations and the many unjust issues citizens suffer through daily remain a blatant and continued violation of human rights. Nigeria’s annual GDP is IMF estimated at over 250 billion dollars yet over 90% of citizens live in strangulating penury. The country boasts of several identifiable government mansions but no identifiable mass governmental homeless shelters. The country boasts of crude oil but imports 95% of refined petroleum. As crime and financial begging increase nationwide, we need to take a step back and ask, how can we unite, unlearn, relearn and take momentous actions to rise above all forms of kleptocracy, extreme hardship and injustice.
The model of kleptocracy and apathetic leadership will almost always lead to chaos, untimely deaths and incompetent followership. We all think, look, act and visualize differently and we are all sitting on different hierarchical seats at any given point in time but what unites us is leadership that instills peace on earth today and peace of mind for tomorrow. No human is more deserving than the other. Of peace, opportunities, respect, freedom, unity and prosperity. Leadership is heartful, delicate, powerful, humane and progressive. Leadership is passionate, results-driven and ethical.
Nelson Mandela. Muammar Gaddafi. Martin Luther King. The best of leaders have been historic and inspirational, imperfect visionaries, doers and achievers, positively impacting many millions of lives for generations ahead. The systems of power built yesterday form the basis of the model of leadership that will change tomorrow. The model of meritocracy, humanity and accountability will almost always lead to sustainable developments, higher standards of living and a system of achievements.
Nigeria Needs leadership- genuine, progressive,merited, humane, experienced, passionate, leadership.
Concluding Speech on Rising Above Economic Hardship:
Nigeria’s current economic formula is petro-dollars minus effective leadership which equals high poverty. Nigeria can develop into one of the world’s strongest countries with strong, humane decision makers, strong industries and strong, educated citizens. Enough of the suffering and smiling. Time to show strength in unity. Time to show that we care about every Nigerian suffering through hardship.
The strongest force of genuine progressive leadership is a complete migration from self-serving to selfless servanthood of people, profits, politics and power. Every human deserves a good life of humane dignity, quality education and merited success. Meritocratic leadership and greater humanity are two keys to a better world today. Our world needs a much stronger dosage of progressive leadership, healthy followership and intrinsic happiness.
My name is Olatorera Majekodunmi-Oniru and I am unyieldingly certain that Greater Humanity would make our world a much better place.
