Nothing illustrates the dreadful and dire consequences of our situation in Nigeria—especially those of us living in northern Nigeria—better than the quote from the French political philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau: “When the poor have nothing more to eat, they eat the rich.” I came across this quote in an article sent to me by a friend, and I know it was made popular during the French Revolution. It was meant as a warning to the rich, who build their wealth at the expense of everyone else, drawing attention to the fact that if things continue this way, the poor will eventually unite and rise (God forbid). This uprising may not necessarily involve literal cannibalism, but it would be an expression of anguish propelled by anger.
By Bala Ibrahim
We haven’t reached that point in Nigeria yet, but with the utterances and actions of some youths, particularly in the streets of northern Nigeria, where protests are ongoing, the road to that junction is signposted. The phrase may be used as a metaphor for class conflict or the sociological demand for wealth redistribution. It serves as a frightening wake-up call, or better yet, a warning to those with ears to listen: when push comes to shove, those “without” will rally against those “with.” They could exploit them to the fullest, suffocate them, or even wipe them out completely—a kind of cut-off, God forbid.
The dictionary defines society as the aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community. The word *ordered* is strategic here and must be respected because a simple distortion of order can bring about lawlessness. The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAM, SAN, used to say, *”In a state of lawlessness, it is illegal to be law-abiding.”* This means that at the societal level, high poverty rates can be a damper on economic growth, triggering problems like crime, unemployment, moral decay, poor education, and poor public health. The government has to implement social welfare programs aimed at lifting individuals, families, and communities out of poverty. By doing so, the dangers to society—such as drugs, crime, and most importantly, the anguish of hunger—would be curtailed, preventing it from escalating into the anger that drives crime.
ALSO READ [OPINION] Nigeria: The Points, The Problems, and The Priorities of The Protests
Today marks day 7 of the protests in Nigeria. The intensity is subsiding, but only in some places. In certain areas, contrary to the promise made by the planners that the protests would be peaceful, the increasing list of states extending curfew hours suggests otherwise. I doubt we are on the same page regarding the true meaning of “peaceful.” Perhaps they are using a different dictionary with a different definition for the word. My dictionary defines “peaceful” as a situation free from disturbance—calm and tranquil. I pray that the protests will subside to that level of calmness and tranquillity everywhere. Ameen.
The article from my patriotic friend gave me a good read last night, touching me to the point of emotion. The well-scripted write-up provides an overview of the lamentable situation in northern Nigeria, particularly the near-sorry state it has found itself in today, largely due to the neglect of education and proper child upbringing. The North may pride itself on Islamic education, but with the increase in moral decay, questions are being asked about the extent of implementation and strict adherence to the original Islamic curriculum. We seem to be getting it wrong, and the need has arisen for all hands to return to the deck to pinpoint the exact point of pollution.
Yes, the northern culture, customs, and rules of social behavior have gone adrift. What we have in terms of etiquette in the North today conflicts with the original ambitions of the Sardauna of Sokoto, the late Premier of northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, may Allah forgive his sins, ameen.
As a society, the North is bleeding—and bleeding badly—because of the paucity of morality, exacerbated by entrenched poverty that now partners with the people. In an article titled *Northern Nigeria: Dreams of Founding Fathers Shattered*, public analyst Malam Surajo Abubakar lamented that the North, despite producing visionaries like Ahmadu Bello, Sir Tafawa Balewa, Ishaya Audu, and Sunday Awoniyi, is still suffering from serious backwardness. He pointed out that diseases, poverty, and sustained underdevelopment have become the focus of discussions because of the deliberate distortion of the real vision of the North’s founders.
ALSO READ [OPINION] The North: Time to Quench the Quest for Quantity Over Quality
“The North entered a gradual deterioration mode shortly after these visionaries passed away. Those who succeeded them truncated the blueprint of Northern greatness for personal gain, and since then, the region has continued to bleed dangerously. The late Sardauna birthed a vision; he went around northern villages poaching young people to mentor. The likes of General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, General Yakubu Gowon, General Zakari Maimalari, Hassan Usman Katsina, Muhammadu Buhari, Mamman Vatsa, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Ibrahim Taiwo, Joe Garba, among others, were young northerners whom Ahmadu Bello influenced into the Army as part of his dream for a prosperous North. These people rose to triumph in their aspirations, some becoming decision-makers in this country.”
Malam Surajo Abubakar continued: “They didn’t only thrive in the North; they became pivotal references in Nigeria. But did these Sardauna boys replicate the Sardauna dream by mentoring others as he mentored them? Your guess is as good as mine. They abandoned everything the man preached and built, in preference for individual pursuits, and the North became a ruin.”
The situation in the North today—after the barbarism of Boko Haram in the northeast, the brigandage of banditry in the northwest, and now the plundering of protests in the north-central—is disquieting, distressing, and disturbingly disgusting. The North is in a near state of utter hopelessness.
ALSO READ
http://www.statehouse.gov.ngUnder the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government has committed to helping young Nigerians find jobs. The program aims to help 5 million people over the next five years exit the pavilion of poverty and is open to everyone, regardless of region or religion. According to the President’s plan, this initiative will go beyond rhetoric; it’s a chance to change lives and improve communities for the long term.
May Allah grant the President the ability to fully implement this program, turning it into a chance to change and unshackle the poor from the persecution of poverty. If not, when the poor have nothing more to eat, they will eat the rich. God forbid.
