Truly speaking, in this life, some are players, some are supporters. Some are fighters, some are spectators. Some are laborers, some are executives. Some are the sacrifice, others are those who eat the sacrifice. So also should we seek to be those who will cater for others because of its inherent benefits. There is no way we can all be on the same half of life. It wasn’t intended to be so. That is what has created order and continuity in the land of the living.
We couldn’t have come to this world just to look after ourselves or our families only. If that was the case, then there wouldn’t have been a need for other humans here on Earth, apart from you and yours. The grief we feel when we lose a fellow human or a beloved pet, the pain we feel when our crops, livestock or business is suddenly destroyed by omission or natural causes, the disasters we grapple with as changes occur in climatic conditions, are all a reflection of how everything in this planet is interdependent and how it is incumbent on us to always remember that it is in our own best interest to cater for everything here, so we can continue to survive here.
Close your eyes for a moment, and imagine that you are returning home from wherever you went to. And you get to the entrance of your city or town or village gate, and you can’t see any other human being or pet or wild animals or anything with life, no birds in the skies and no perching butterflies, apart from plants bending in the direction of the winds; you turn back to exit and you find the same scenario. You tune the radio in your phone and car, and you don’t hear any voice on the air waves. You open your Internet to find out any information and it is not connecting. You suddenly realize you are the only one around. No one to even ask what’s going on!
What exactly will be your immediate reaction? Will you proceed on your journey? Will you call to the plants and the winds for solace? Will the fright sink your heart to perdition or will you come to the realization of the gregariousness of nature, how much we all need ourselves and the imperative to make sure each one of us lends a shoulder for others to lean on?
Our country is currently going through what is yet a very trying period. Majority of Nigerians, including those who even thought that they had become financially stabilized are struggling with mounting bills. The issues are tearing families apart. The government is inept and unprepared for the surmountable challenges. Religions are taking advantage of the pauperized population. Armed groups are slicing portions of the country under their control, murdering thousands and negotiating with the government. Food and energy costs have become unaffordable. It is indeed a time to show our humanity to one another as a stop gap expediency.
It is time to also call everyone to account. Followership and leadership alike. Leadership at all levels. Political leaders, religious leaders, traditional leaders, business leaders, civil society leaders, must all ask themselves if they are leaving up to their stewardship. None should be spared because the secrets of the tree tops are with those who sit on top.
Someone somewhere needs your help right now. Reach out! I’ve done mine!
Yours sincerely,
Citizen Agba Jalingo is the Publisher of CrossRiverWatch and a rights activist, a Cross Riverian, and writes from Lagos.
NB: Opinions expressed in this article are strictly attributable to the author, Agba Jalingo, and do not represent the opinion of CrossRiverWatch or any other organization the author works for/with.
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