Can we really break free?

At the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly, it was clear that Nigeria is a big deal in the comity of nations and that we are held in utmost regard.

Yes, we’re a big deal! Nigeria is the giant of Africa, the continent’s most populous nation with more than 170 million people. But unfortunately, due to some actions or a lack of it, we still go cap-in-hand begging for help and standing on the queue that we should have left a long time ago.
Again, the question of what we need to do to break free from the vicious circle that has held the country hostage for decades constantly nudges the mind.
I was in New York for the UNGA and for a while, it felt proud to be a Nigerian. Nothing else mattered. The attention we received as a country from some of the world’s leading nations, especially the United
States of America was warm.
The Nigerian first family was also on ground in New York. Yes, they came to cheer the President and also showcase the first lady’s pet project. Can you beat that?
When I saw this, I asked myself the question, are we really breaking free? It was a departure from what we’re used to.
The previous government had at many times been called out for the sycophancy that greeted their visits to foreign countries. During that time politicians sometimes hired a crowd to dress in some particular
way, carry banners with inscriptions that either lauded the government or put the political party in good light.
And so excuse me for thinking out loud that this is a different new trend. As expected, there have been some criticisms about having the president’s family there especially when the photo of the president’s wife and two daughters seated in the gallery hit social media.
Rightfully so, given the economic hardship back home, questions about using scarce taxpayers money to pay for what some will term a frivolity are bound to arise.
Anyway, I will get back to the first family. But now, let’s go on and discuss a bit more about other issues. In New York, President Muhammadu Buhari was well received. Speakers at different fora commended him for his dexterity and commitment to fight corruption as well as some of his policies.
Some noted that there has been a significant improvement in the workings of government because of the president’s anti-graft war. I partially agree with that. However, the problem is that the picture isn’t entirely complete.
Don’t let me weigh you down with a reminder of our present economic realities. But I’m afraid I will. Nigerians back home are groaning in the face of the recession. Like I referenced last week, families are starving while inflation reached an 11-year high of 17.6percent, driving up prices of consumer goods, especially food. It would be good to have a complete picture of a Nigeria free of corruption, nepotism, and tribalism. A Nigeria, making good use of its abundant resources. I agree we have had our fair share of challenges but the Nigerian story still feels like being in the water and having soap in your eyes.
American President Barack Obama described some of the economic reforms of the current government as very bold and he was right. Allowing for a float of the exchange rate and retaining the benchmark interest rate at a record 14 percent while trying to reflate an economy in stagflation is really very bold and audacious. Do the maths here for yourself and tell me if we are better off with it.
Elsewhere, before President Buhari left for New York a major controversy and an unwanted distraction bordering on plagiarism rocked the boat. It was an all-time embarrassing situation to be caught plagiarising the man you were just about to meet. I tried to picture what it would be like when the two men met. But if there was any sarcasm it wasn’t shown. Perhaps, Obama isn’t even aware and it may just have been nothing but our domestic issues. Maybe, he is aware but just didn’t care about those things anyway.
The error by the President’s team threw open the debate of what should be. In a proper setting, the president should have a seasoned speechwriter from either the media or the academia, with a research team that does the background work of what should or should not be included in the president’s speech. This team would know better to reference a quote when lifted and be held responsible when an embarrassing situation like this ever crops up.
So, presidential media aide Garba Shehu released a statement that the presidency has found the person responsible for the gaffe, the ultimate fall guy. Unfortunately, this person is faceless and nameless  (not that I expected the presidency to release his name). I have tried to picture the deputy director who the presidency said “accepted responsibility for the insertion of the contentious paragraph” and I have decided to give up, because I don’t just believe he exists.
Well, let us put this matter to rest by urging the president and his team to ensure that his speeches fraught with promises are passionately coined from him so that we don’t hold onto borrowed
promises.
Back to the first family. The president’s wife and daughters were on ground in New York for the UNGA alongside other members of the Nigerian delegation. I almost dismissed it with the wave of hand saying “well other first ladies were on the ground with their husbands too.” But how many came with their children?
The Social media was abuzz with pictures of the first family and Nigerians cried out pointing that the first family had gone on recess in New York while the rest of the country is in recession.
I cannot imagine that other world leaders came to New York with their families too in the wake of a recession back home. Well if they did, good luck to them. But in Nigeria, where we are preaching change, it was totally unacceptable.
Besides the first family, wives of governors were also on ground with their respective entourage. A security personnel who was manning one of the events attended by the first family and governors wives said to me “it looks like everyone in here is a Nigerian”. I stared at him and he realised I too was a Nigerian. I didn’t blame him.

The past administration was criticised for similar recklessness and I would prefer not to over-flog the matter. But then again I ask, are we really breaking free? Nigerians would not want to go back to where they are coming from, but they certainly would want not to be dancing round in circles. It now seems like the more we change things, the more they remain the same.

Elizabeth Archibong