Nigeria: What constitutes insanity?

“Do not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself? Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?” – The preacher

From a surprisingly early age, we are encouraged to develop adult views and attitudes. By the time we reach the age of seven we are worldly wise and sophisticated. Perhaps this is why, by the time we are fourteen, we are jaded and cynical. It is all the more ironic when we consider that, throughout our existence, we are going to wish we could be more childlike. Progress! In my book lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be. Most of us, though, don’t want to look that far ahead. We feel it is wiser to make the most of what we have than pin our hopes on a dream. We are afraid to look to the future lest we read it wrong. Our powers of prescience, though, are greater than we realise. Question! Can we really make a difference if we try? It’s just a question. Or are we like children in a car on a fairground ride? We press on an imaginary accelerator. We stamp on a make-believe brake. We kid ourselves that our actions are having an impact, but things would be just the same if we were to sit perfectly still. Now I am not trying to say that we do not know what we are doing, no, I am not. But if we truly and honestly seek success we must take energy away from some pointless pursuits and give it all to a worthwhile cause. Then, we really will make a difference.

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To some people though, we can't achieve success until we have first encountered failure. That's not strictly true. We can get it, but if we don't recognise any of the warning signs, we are unlikely to be able to hang on to it. Life's downs are not just unfortunate opposites of life's ups; there are essential connections between them. If there were no downs, there would be no ups. Everything would just be flat. Whenever we allow creativity to flow through us, we bring forth a degree of craziness with it. One is a natural side-effect of the other. Something slightly mad has happened lately in a nation blessed with all that life has to offer, where? Nigeria. Now here is a question; where on earth do we really think we are going? What do we imagine will happen when we get there? Can we be sure that we have selected the best destination? Or perhaps we are just happy to float on the tide of happenstance and just see where the fates take us. That's a perfectly fine philosophy as long as somewhere within it, we aren't abdicating a responsibility or hiding from something we would rather not face. A clever, conscious course correction can be made today, I so much believe, that, despite current confusion in our country, we will ascend to an impressive height.

Nigeria our beloved country
The obvious to me, is that which is never seen until someone expresses it simply. It is amazing how often straightforward matters become unnecessarily convoluted – and how frequently we fail to explain ourselves properly to one another. We make our assumptions. Those around us make theirs. It can sometimes be years or even decades before we realise just how little of the truth either of us understood.  Let’s make a list. Let’s write down all the things that are petty, pathetic, pointless and puerile.
Let’s write down all the silly situations, ridiculous rules, the poorly and fraudulently-planned arrangements. The injustices and the... well, I neither need to go on nor undertake the exercise. Not unless we have a hundred pens, a thousand sheets of paper and a year to spare. The more we look at what is aggravating, the more we start to see. Let’s not look at the list now. Let’s look instead on the bright side. We obviously want things to be the way we think they should be. When our plans go awry, we feel let down. We have ideas about what we think is appropriate, beliefs about what's desirable and expectations about what's feasible. We can't help this. It's the way we are made. We are, though also made with a little 'switch' in the back of our minds. We can train ourselves to turn off, or at least tone down, certain thought processes. Like a valve grown stiff from years of sitting behind a cupboard, never being used, this inner facility is not always easy to access. If we now want to change the way we all look at life, we can. However, before we decide to change the world, let’s try and change ourselves, and then it will prove easy to alter life itself!

Nothing is easy for too long
In life, it takes more than belief to make magic. It takes effort, intelligence, ingenuity, passion, persistence... and patience. Those who have been truly lucky in life invariably speak of how they once made a phenomenal effort, gave up in near despair then later, almost by chance, their opportunity arose. They will usually add a further piece of crucial information. They will say they always kept a little bit of hope alive. We need more than belief in Nigeria now. Question! How much choice do we really have? Perhaps a better question is how much choice do we really need? We have as much as we need and surely, that's all that matters. We are not being backed into a corner now. But we are being placed in a position that is relatively difficult to get out of. We must see that as something to be grateful for, not something to resent. Let’s remember that nothing happens by accident. There's a reason why what's happening - and, as we'll soon see, it's a good one. When something seems too difficult, we must understand, that, it is usually because it is easier than we think. Simple keys can often open the most daunting locks. And if something seems to be too easy? Well, we all know that nothing is ever too easy for too long! There's now a whole lot of talking taking place. That suggests that there must be a lot to think about. But actually, there isn't. Only one course of action makes any sense now and that is already being taken. Let’s follow it through and stop doubting our decisions to leave everything in the hands of the Most High.

Atrocities of Corruption
What constitutes insanity is to 'keep doing the same thing' over and over again, whilst expecting a different result. If we want life to become saner and less stressful, we've got to change some of what we keep on doing. We're not single-handedly creating the situation that we find ourselves in, but we're certainly shaping it to some extent. We can't control anyone else's behaviour, but we can at least modify our own. That's all we need to do. Break a habit pattern. Try a new approach. Experiment with a different plan. Then suddenly, all that seems so exasperatingly impossible will begin to become pleasingly feasible. What we have today is a bunch of confused, incompetent, heartless, uncultured, ignorant and unrepentant 419ers. Where a nation Believed to be the leader in Africa is so proud of some bunch of incompetent, unqualified and those who do not even understand the meaning of human rights, diplomatic protocol, talk less of foreign culture as Nigerian ambassadors, then there’s a problem. You now begin to wonder what makes our country the leader in Africa in the first place, and if Nigeria is a project deliberately designed to fail. To succeed politically in Nigeria of today, you might need to learn many things before hand. You must be a disloyal and serial flatterer, a seasoned thug, serial blackmailer and liar, a rogue of the last order and a pretender. Throughout the world, rule of law reforms are viewed as a major priority, not in my own country where, right now, there’s no intention of setting priorities or addressing significant weaknesses.

The senseless amongst the people must understand Of life’s two chief prizes, beauty and truth, I found the first in a loving heart and the second in a labourer’s hand. It’s strange how we are so seduced by sophistication and confused by complication. If something is difficult to understand, we imagine it must have great merit. If it is simple, we assume that we are entitled to take it for granted. Then, sometimes, life gives us a glorious reality check. We will surely be reminded soon of what really matters. I say until reforms are in place, the potential of ICPC, EFCC or even the now questionable Nigerian Judiciary to combat corruption and human rights abuse will be limited. It is that terrible, shameful and disgraceful. That’s my country for you in the 21st century.  Many Nigerian judges can no longer be relied upon, most especially when it comes to combating corruption, favoritism, nepotism, extortion and or bribery, because many of them were deliberately appointed to do the dirty jobs of the Lords of the Underworld. Also because the court officials, INEC and those who make the laws are serial corrupt species, perverts and self confessed fraudsters. Right now, it is about breaking free from easy but unsatisfactory arrangements. Anti-Corruption measures and human rights often need to be promoted in villages, towns and cities, with the participation and support of real local and grassroots level people, also by taking local values into account. Newsflash! That is not happening and might never exist in Nigeria of today where our corrupt judiciary is really frustrating all the mechanisms and where others are denied basic fairness and the right to equality before the law. That alone allows judicial decisions in Nigeria to be based on improper influences.

Importance of middle-ground
In Nigeria of today, every public official has his or her own master plan. What do you expect? For heaven’s sakes, if other countries are saying that, what’s wrong in the managers of our economy saying the same thing? What exactly do you expect in a nation where accountability, transparency, the rights of the child, human rights, anti-corruption, anti-human trafficking are just slogans? They say all that to fool the blindfolded innocent and vulnerable Nigerians. I wonder why they’ve not been able to fool the United Nations for a seat. Until reforms are in place, these known individuals will continue naming streets after themselves and their children will continue to look down on ordinary citizens, as many of them don’t even think of themselves as mortals anymore. With CON or GrandCON after their names, without ever working for it or even deserving it in the first place, what in the world do you expect? Right now we need to do our best to be wise and contemplate all options carefully.

Let’s not assume, that there's anything foolish about being brave and decisive! What we need to do is our best to make something unique and sensible happen. When we have a half-viable desire, the likelihood of having it fulfilled is high. And if we get through a period of time without seeing any sign of success? That’s heaven’s way of telling us that we are barking up the wrong tree. Nigerians must learn to bark up a more appropriate one instead and it will shower us with wonderful fruit. If we get it wrong, we'll regret it. But as long as we limit the amount of damage we can cause, we'll soon pick up the pieces. If we get it right, we'll smile and we'll be glad that we made the effort. Sometimes, it is only when we get close to the edge that we appreciate the importance of 'middle ground'. Safe, secure situations can seem a little dull and unrewarding. When we go to the extreme, we generate excitement. The excitement is much easier to sustain if, instead of pushing ever further into troublesome territory, we return to the world of the familiar, bringing a little of our adventure back with us. Let’s not feel obliged to go further today. Let’s take a break before we break yet more new ground.

They say it's not just love that money can't buy us. It also can not buy us health. Well-being. A clear conscience. A sense of humour. Taste. Style. Discrimination. Integrity. Wit. Wisdom. Intelligence. Sensitivity. Talent. How strange. These are all the things that hardly anyone, in the modern world most especially my country, seems to care about any more. But that's because, as money can't buy them, manufacturers can't make them, so advertisers can't sell them. We have been sold something that it is now becoming clearer we do not want or need. There ought to be a law against making things illegal. Intolerant people should be punished more severely. And so on. We live in a world that's rife with unconscious inconsistency. That's because we are all human. There's nothing wrong with the dual standard that is now in operation in Nigeria. It has been working, reasonably successfully, for quite some while. It's just that, for one reason or another, it is now becoming obvious. Thus it is no longer unconscious and we must do something about it.

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To some, ignorance is supposed to be bliss, and love is supposed to be blind. How true are these statements? Well, I say, one way to test them is to reverse them. Is bliss a form of ignorance? Is blindness a kind of love? Maybe, at some deep, esoteric level... but in general terms, there's no connection. Something, in our nation, is purporting to be something it never was, cannot be now and never will become. Yet for some reason, this ridiculous proposition is being accepted without question. So, is it the beginning of the end? Or is it the end of the beginning? We like to think that things will stay the way they have always been - especially when they have always been quite good! Nothing, though, stays the same forever. With change comes uncertainty, with uncertainty comes anxiety and with anxiety comes intensity. With intensity comes a desperate urge for all that is reassuringly familiar, no matter how bad for us it may be. The right kind of change in our criminal justice system, our democracy, our most appalling system of government, our worthless constitution and undemocratically elected and disloyal political prostitutes will surely come when we least expect it, quote me!

Hearts consumed with hopelessness
In our country, whenever a genuine soul steps up, people usually listen because they hear the sincerity and care in their voice. They though, become dangerous, to all the wrong people who are naturally born heartless. I am sorry to say this, but these species must one way or the other, be replaced. I have felt the breeze of their downfall on my cheeks for some time and it gets just a wee bit stronger each day.  When it becomes a full wind and then a storm the like they have never seen before, then we will truly see why the Lord does not play games with the weak and powerless. Since these mortals have come here, the innocent have had to pay for their innocence, vulnerability and genuine love for their country and leaders. It’s a small price though, for eternity. Why would any righteous being rather have just a short life span of expectations that rarely bare fruit? 'Blessed are they who have no expectations, for they shall not be disappointed.' How true. How damn true? There's nothing worse than getting your hopes high - only for them to be cruelly crushed by the seasoned parasites cum politicians.

The most recent development in Nigeria has upset many Nigerians more than we care to concede. It has left many feeling reluctant to pin too much hope on anything or anyone. Shame isn’t it? Many Nigerians, though, are very wise for they do not walk around with blinders on. They often speak of making a difference and making the world a better place. Perhaps someday they will be given the chance.  In order to severely break us, mouthy, anti-minority, and yes men are always appointed as ambassadors by the political class to represent Nigeria.  Majority of them are so incompetent in so many areas including foreign culture, commercial diplomacy, human rights and even diplomatic protocol and or etiquette. All these are a design put together by those who continually say to us “Where is your God?”.  For years now, our tears have been our breakfast. All those lorded over us whisper together against the poor, innocent, vulnerable, powerless and needy Nigerians. These shameless shambles, do not realize that Nigerians only want to be led and not managed like political products. They put together thugs, unrepentant fraudsters, serial traffickers and pro-corruption agents as lawmakers, who so much enjoy devising our oppression and hurt. These are the lot who continually exact their influence at will and they all survive on bribes, nepotism, favoritism, and by scapegoating the weak.

The righteous judge
The rights of the child, free education and rule of law in their eyes are abominable deeds. This is a nation blessed with all that life has to offer. They so much enjoy reproaching the poor. The hypocrites in heart store up wrath and even swear an oath against the vulnerable and powerless, whilst making sure that, the minority continue to eat ashes like bread and mingle drinks with weeping.  This is the wrath of those imposed on us for rejecting the assembly of the hypocrites and refusing to sit with idolatrous flatterers. Whilst they are busy enriching their pockets and looking down on the poor, the Most High is laughing at them. Their iniquities will surely be remembered before the Lord. When they are seeking their own bread also from their desolate places, the powerless will surely see it. Making reconciliation work in Nigeria is secondary. Tolerant in the society, eradicating extreme poverty, fighting cervical cancer, eradicating human trafficking and fighting hunger makes no sense to these people. Nigerian graduates are unemployable and innocent young women are bought and sold like animals on the streets of Denmark, Italy, Belgium and the rest of Europe. To the corrupt, there is no solution except to right these vulnerable citizens off. When the Lord is rewarding those who do not delight in blessing but enjoy persecuting the poor and needy, by God, we shall witness it. When the house is emptied, the seats are vacated, a wicked leader from amongst them is set over them and another take their offices, the weak and powerless will witness it. When their hearts are brought down with labour; when they fall into their own traps, and wounded by their own understanding we shall witness it. As for the minority, we shall give ourselves to prayer. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. The Most High will surely vindicate and bring us out of darkness and the shadow of slavery and death.

By: D. Akinsanya Juliuson
djuliuson@hotmail.co.uk

You can respect someone, but not give your life for them….but if you are loyal to that person there is probably nothing you would not do. Both are attributes that make great friendships. Respect and loyalty together are an awesome combination all you have to do is look at history.