Nigeria still wallows, so what are we going to do?

Truth be told, you’re not going to find all the answers in an online think piece, but you will find something.

Not to get too technical, but in my research for this piece I found out about the structure of the government hierarchy in Nigeria. There is the federal (broad), state (more focused) and local (people centric) levels of government. It is important to know about these because we need to know who controls what in our lives and communities. I don’t know about revolutions, I don’t know that I am a revolutionary, but I know that something’s got to give and we need to be the ones to shove it out of the way. I love complaining, I believe dissatisfaction is how change happens. But recently I’ve realized it’s not just dissatisfaction, it’s action.

When climbing the mountain of transformation you need to make sure that all your footholds will stay in place should you slip. Big changes are vital, but so are the incremental footholds that will get you to the top of the mountain. Who is your local government chairman? Who are your local government counsellors? Who are your wards? Who are your ministers? And most importantly - how do you contact them? Sometimes it can feel like the problems we face are ‘normal’ or ‘just one of those things.’ This is a reminder that your problems are not manageable and should not be managed! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- fix the bus. There are people whose job it is to make your life easier- make them do their job. Find out:

1. Your local government area

2. Your local government chairman

3. Your LGA’s secretary

4. Your LGA’s supervisory councillors (and/or regular councillors)

5. Your LGA’s administrative headquarter

6. Where/ when your LGA’s community meetings happen

7. When the next elections are

This list is not exhaustive. Strive to find out more because the more you know, the more difficult it is for you to be cheated out of your rights, left dissatisfied and silenced. Those concerns you voice to your parents over dinner need to be heard at council meetings. They need to be listened to and they need to be addressed. The people in power need to recognize they are not indispensable, that they must do better than a bag of rice every election season. They need to realize that they can and will be held accountable by the people they are sworn to give dignity and protection to.

I realize that I’m privileged. I know that my ideas aren’t unique or exceptional and in some cases they may not even be applicable. I know some might say I’m being an idealist. But I would argue that sometimes hopeless situations need an idealist to remind them what is possible. Humane treatment is possible. Justice is possible. Change is possible.