Speak Up Nigeria by Miebi

When I walked into the Oaths office on Monday morning to get my court processes stamped, the first Lady to attend to me was beaming with smiles on her face. She was really nice to me or so I thought. After she was done with recording my processes, she said fine girl, won’t you appreciate me. I was wondering what an appreciation was if not ‘ Thank You’. I smiled and said Thank You Ma, she said nothing.. Noo.. Nothing is too small even if it’s #100.

I didn’t give in to her tactics. I told her I was a Corp member and do not have money. She smiled and allowed me go. I was thinking that was the end, until I went to get it stamped. This was done by another lady. I was given a seat while my processes were being stamped. After the lady was done, she said I was to pay #500.I  asked her for what because I had paid #200 already for stamp duties and I was given a teller. The lady told me that’s how it was being done with a Stern face. I reluctantly gave her the money. 

After I left her office, I was literally beating myself for not speaking up and telling her that whatever she was doing was wrong and it was another form of extortion on a duty she’s being paid for to perform. 

How we have refused to SPEAK Up all most all the time and watch things decay and then we end up complaining. We are all part of the problem one way or the other. 

Yes, this is Nigeria. Some call it the home of corruption. The masses believe the government is the  corrupt but then, what about US. Are we not corrupt also? Have we forgotten how we bought grades with naira in our 300 level? Or how we run the roads with expired drivers license and look for corners where the Federal Road Safety Corp won’t see us. Less I forgot, Are we not the ones who with joy keep money for the uniformed men at the check points without any confrontation to their actions? 

We should pass this age of keeping quiet and making things look like they are normal, when in fact they are not. If we would grow first as a people, we would have take up that responsibility. We shouldn’t let things slide or wait for the government to do everything. We should learn to play our own part. SPEAK UP when it is necessary for the good of the society no matter Who’s involved. We don’t have to wait till something terrible happens before we lend our voice. 

Nigeria will only be great if we Speak Up to the vices roaring it’s ugly head. If we all pretend it’s the government’s problem, then we are all doomed because Nigeria is Me and You. We can build the Nigeria of our dreams if we are ready to Stand up and Speak Up. Let’s play our own part in Nation Building. Amongst other things, Do not give and Do not collect any unofficial appreciation(bribe). If you think  a policy of the legislature would not be favorable for the country,Speak Up. When you see that things are wrongly done in your neighborhood, for instance, improper way of disposing waste, Speak Up, Blocking of our drainage systems, Speak Up. A child being molested and abused, Speak up. 

Whatever that is wrong is wrong, we should stop making excuses and learn to Speak up. 

Until our voices are heard, until we let the words flow from our lips, until we learn to Speak up, Nothing can really change. We have to learn to take hold of our destinies.