Can we really curb corruption in Nigeria?

It seems just like yesterday, when the shouts of change resonated all over Nigeria. We were all excited as we envisioned a Nigeria of our dreams - you know the proverbial land flowing with milk and honey. We immediately catapulted ourselves from our current situation to where we wished for as a country. Although there is nothing wrong with dreaming, the main issue is how to actualise the dream. We dreamt of a Nigeria with more opportunities for the average person, no corruption, abundance for all amongst other things. Recently I have been pondering on whether we really knew what this change entailed. Don't get me wrong, I was an advocate for change and I still am, but my question is whether Nigerians being whom we are, are really ready for that change.

 
I particularly had my fair share of what a changed Nigeria would be all about - as a result of the current fuel scarcity. We all know that fuel crisis does not only impede our ability to move from one place to the other. It means a lot more - it determines whether we can enjoy our stay in our houses, whether our kids can watch television, whether we can wear ironed clothes and keep up with happenings around us etc. To cut the long story short, for an average Nigerian, fuel scarcity means we cannot 'power' our houses, charge our phones or sleep with fans or air conditioners.

 For a mother, it's a lot more tricky. It means not only would your own sleep be disturbed, you would also have to ensure that your little ones have a good night sleep. A good night sleep then becomes a luxury provided your roommates who have been rendered powerless and hungry when you had light (power) stay calm all night long. But we all know that is wishful thinking because it seems all living things are aware of the saying that "opportunity comes but once". I have actually always wondered what the purpose of mosquitoes are to this world. As I have no response to the question, I have accepted that there must be a higher call for their creation and why 'blood' happens to be their means of survival. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind being bitten by a mosquito, it's survival of the fittest anyways, what I cannot stand however is that humming sarcastic sound made into my ears.  It seems to say "I just bit you, I am going to do it again and there is nothing you can do about it".

 

With all of these at the back of my mind, I ventured out with my 'jerry cans' to queue for fuel. After about 30minutes, it was almost my turn when a gentle man (let us just put it at that sha) approached me to put his 'jerry can' inside my car booth because the fuel attendant has insisted he would not be selling fuel into the cans. He wanted to check if he would sell to him, if the keg was stationed in a car.

"Sorry Oga, I want to buy fuel in gallons myself" I told him. From that point onward, I knew there was an issue. The fuel attendant would be mindful of selling fuel to me in a jerry can, when he had previously turned away others. I started strategizing in my head, I thought of the previous sleepless night, how I struggled with sleep all day long with tired eyes, my kids tossing and turning when the flow of air from the windows reduced. I was semi-desperate to get fuel.

 

Soon it was my turn. I filled up my car, buying just some fuel to get by was not even an option at this time. Then I started....

"Please I want to buy fuel into my jerry cans too, when you finish filling up the car" Pretending I didn't know of the no fuel in the jerrycan  rule.

"Ha madam, we are not selling in jerrycans today oh. Order from our manager" he replied.

"Ah ha now, but you know we need fuel for our generators too now, please even if it's just 50litres I don't mind. Do I look like someone that would sell fuel in black market, haba!" I chipped in.

"Madam, you r not even asking for 10litres" he chuckled.  "Abeg no vex, I no go fit, see all this people, I didn't sell to them" he insisted.

My head was spinning, what do I do, no fuel, no light, no sleep. I switched to my back-up plan and immediately pointed to my kids in the car (don't judge me) , "please for their sake, you know it's not healthy for me to bring them here, but I had to, there is no light, they cannot sleep, see how tired they look, bla bla bla !!!!!!!!........." I went into a frenzy oyinbo speaking mode.  "Oga, please I don't mind paying extra for the jerrycan......"

 

Now that is where I am going, I was desperate for survival, did I envisage that a fuel attendant would hold his ground and not sell fuel to me even with the offer to pay extra? Is corruption something we think relates to only public offices or is it already our way of life without us not knowing?  Have we accepted it just for us to survive? Your guess is as good as mine. I won't divulge whether he sold the fuel to me or not, the message has been passed across. *evil grin*