RE: Sam’s Hangout #123 - “NIGERIA: HOPE OR DESPAIR?”

Despite Nigeria's current challenges, do you still believe the country can become a place where citizens can live safely,

Honestly, at this point in Nigeria, we are at a crossroads. I don’t really know how we got where we are.
I keenly watched a video going viral on the gram where an alleged thief charged back at those pursuing him with a knife and another weapon. It was a worrisome sight, because the individual scared those people, putting them in a helpless situation of, if you want to be the hero here, you must collect ghotoghoto (meaning pain)

Now coming to my beloved Naija, I still believe the country can be transformed and repositioned to a place of safety and access to basic amenities where we can thrive in our different endeavours. A place where entrepreneurs are encouraged through government support and access to tools that will enable their businesses to thrive without complicating things.
This is because developed countries like the USA, France, etc once went through this kind of struggle, but through deep governmental reforms, accountability, and transparency, they repositioned their country.

However, with the current rascality and intimidation of both the opposition, the youths, and anyone who tends to speak up against the wrong things perpetrated by the government. I think the road is still far from us.
For things to change, all hands must be on deck; the transformation should begin with us in our little corners. We should shine light that others can attest to; that way, every other person would begin to align, starting with our families, society, and the nation at large. We need deep behavioural and character reforms.

That conductor that will hike the price of transportation immediately it rains needs to change; that vendor that will use low-standard quality to produce or repair items given to him needs to change. We should all become change agents and brighten the corners where we are. That way, it will evolve to every nook and cranny.

We should also take charge of our lives by participating in activities used to decide our future in our country, such as obtaining our voters' cards and voting in elections. That way, those in government would begin to realign themselves. Also, regulatory bodies that set rules, regulations, and policies will begin to be obeyed by citizens because it takes two to commit any form of crime.

Furthermore, once those standards are set and people are held accountable for their actions through structures and systems, our country will transform into a Nigeria of our dreams.