By Jide Oyewusi

It should not surprise anybody that almost all Nigerians are eager to leave their country and relocate to whichever foreign country was available. Just any country without even checking properly whether or not those there welcome visitors, or whether they are raving racists who hate people of different colours with a passion. There are two major areas where most foreign countries tower far and above Nigeria in terms of their human rights index.

First, over there, honesty in all dealings and interactions is paramount. So when you are hired for any job, you are sure to get paid as agreed without the employer coming forward with any form of excuses. Two, there’s visible love for one’s fellowmen as shown in their penchant for showing concern about assisting humanity rather than amass wealth. That’s why there are so many social volunteers out to help the needy without any form of remuneration.

Even the way mere animals are handled with so much care and love shows clearly how affectionate those people really are. In Nigeria, the reverse is the case. There’s never any iota of sincerity between the government and the governed, or between the employer and the employees. Everything is about self without minding what becomes of other fellow. That is why someone would retire into acute hunger, or he turns a beggar because his employer never thinks he deserves a decent living after retirement.

Nigeria’s breed of leaders are so callous and highly insensitive. Immediately anyone retires, what ought to be is for part of money deducted from his salary to be made available to him to manage while the other calculations continue, and even that too should not take more than three months so that those concerned can decide on the next line of action as early as possible. That’s what ought to happen where true love for one’s fellowmen exists. But never in a country like Nigeria where those who retire are made to become destitutes and even die before their money comes through. It’s a case of extreme wickedness and sad still, the victims have nowhere to run to, or anyone to take up and fight their cause.

Such is the reality that is open to all citizens and it’s the same reason pushing everyone away from their own land. Quite unfortunately though, in their bid to escape from the hell that Nigeria remains, many people get into wrong hands and places, and after much sufferings plead with Nigeria’s government to rescue them, and they are forced to return to the same country they tried to run away from. It is high time Nigeria’s leaders took the welfare of the citizens as very crucial, and also embark on whatever policy can restore hope and faith to the citizens.

Oyewusi is the coordinator of Ethics Watch International, Lagos.

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