Ok hold on. This isn’t some motivational admonition as one finds in hordes of motivational books making rounds in literary circles. These books, often dubbed as some best seller, are often written by some pastor or economic guru who thinks he has the secrets of providential prosperity to share with the world. Of course, knowledge is power, as is popularly acknowledged.
I have two of such books lying on my little shelf and I never did finish reading them. You will find more philosophy works and literary prose works by the likes of Wole Soyinka, Albert Einstein, Olufemi Taiwo etc on that little shelf of mine. Motivational books are not my thing for they are sometimes garbed in impractical situations and panacea.
For me however, the question of happiness is more of a philosophical introspection rather than a motivational nostrum as is often preached by prescribing ethos of economic prosperity on a platter of gold. This is a common happening in the remains of what we call the modern churches of today. The preacher preaches what the people want to hear and the people say yaay.
If you follow this blog a little avidly, you’d know I have reservations for some of these modern churches. Several pseudo sophisticated air-headed people think me bizarre for my infamous position. #Shior to them.
However, let’s, for a moment, forget this rueful conundrum of religion, churches and motivational books. By the way, this trite trio makes for a good and immediate sell in any society. Look at the number of mushroom churches in your neighborhood. We humans seem designed to function only under religious auspices.
Let’s, for a moment, dwell on more worrisome thoughts that darken our everyday living as inhabitants of this society of ours.
As a collective people of Nigeria, are we really happy? Forget that clichéd expression of Nigerians being the happiest people on earth.
In the midst of #Aluu4 jungle justice killing, #Mubi killings, a ravaging flood in 14 states, a labyrinth of Boko Haram killings, a not-so presidential president, a larcenous senate and a mendacious house of representatives, are we really happy?
Are we happy with the deteriorating long PMS queues across the country with no real cause? Does it bother us that the Nuhu Ribadu led Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force report will be discredited just like its similar predecessor; the Farouk Lawan led Oil Subsidy Probe report released earlier in the year?
Can one be happy knowing that the Nigerian Fuel subsidy probe may forever remain an intricate maze and that unraveling it is almost a mythical possibility? Are we happy knowing that few people feed fat on the common purse of a sinking nation?
Sauntering along these thoughts, one realizes nothing has changed and may never change. I’m not exactly your naturally happy and chirpy person; have some traits of melancholia strutting around somewhere in me. However, I desire to be a happier and less frustrated Nigerian just like other multitudes of Nigerian citizenry.
I want a better life for myself and my family, I want petrol at a fair price at all times, I want constant electricity, I want good interstate and intrastate roads, I want good and responsible governance, I want to be safe and above all I want to be happy.
At the end of the day, the truth is we may never be as happy as we may always want to be. Life, itself, sort of begets that. However, as a collective people, let’s hope we will be happier in the coming years lest 2015 come and still pass us by.
My name is Foye. I’m a Nigerian and I want a better and happier life in Nigeria. It shouldn’t be so hard.
Foye.
Ps. Apologies to readers and followeres who check in regularly for new blog posts. Past two months has been hectic.