The Government, The People And Change Begins With Me Campaign By Kolade Gbolagade

The change begins with me campaign was launched to promote and restore our value system and rekindle our nationalistic fervor.

The President while delivering his speech on the National Re-orientation program said

“The campaign we are about to launch today is all about the need for us to see change not merely in terms of our economic, social progress but in terms of our personal behaviour on how we conduct ourselves, engage our neigbhours, friends and generally how we relate with the larger society in a positive and definitive way and manner that promotes our common good and common destiny, change at home, change in the work place, change at trafficjunctions, change at traffic lights etc.”

Alhaji Lai Mohammed also issued in a statement in Abuja saying , “what is wrong with Nigeria is not limited to the elite, the political class and the civil service; if we want that change. Therefore, it must address all the issues and target every strata of the society.” In this statement is an unassailable truism.

It is true that there is quite a bit of indiscipline and decay of social values that goes on among Nigerians: we litter the environment, engage in corruption in our places of work, we violate traffic rules. The government too is not left out.

This is why the government launched the National Re-orientation campaign called “Change begins with me “.

Before and after the launch of the change begins with me campaign, a new initiative of the Federal government championed by the information minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed. The man referred to as the Goebbellian of the 21st century and the greatest opposition publicity secretary of his time. Reactions have since been pouring out from concerned Nigerians of their dissatisfaction. Some Nigerians felt cheated by the system so far.

From the perspective that the government of the people have failed. They said the change must begin with those in government from the executive to the legislative and to the judicial arm of the government. I must reiterate the fact that Nigerians are not smiling right now for facing the current economic recession they are experiencing with so much agony. Some have committed suicide, some are exchanging their children for bags of rice and all other kinds of economic indignity. Some can no longer pay school fees, mass sacking going on. SMEs and companies folding up.

So what kind of change will begin with me a citizen?

Is it first from we the people or the Federal government?

Man is known for survival and when survival meet values, survival wins anytime anyday. People want to live. People want to dream. People want to aspire. People want to work. Nigerians are hardworking but the system has undermined their potentials. The system rewards injustice and the thieves.

Change begins with me when the government start to provide affordable healthcare. Change begins with me when the government start to provide 24hours electricity. Change begins with me when the government give us good roads from death traps we call roads. Change begins with me when the government provide clean water. Change begins with me when the government formulate policy that rewards hardworking Nigerians. Change begins with me when the government provides security. Change begins with me when people are no longer dying of hunger. Change begins with me when the government start to jail corrupt government officials and corrupt billionaire judges. Change begins with me when public officials lead by example. Can we preach change begins with me when people living in IDP camps are malnourished or living in sub-human condition. While government officials are eating balanced diet. Now that rice is 20,000 and minimium wage is 18,000. When public officials are either stealing or diverting our Commonwealth?

The government must lead while we the people follow. The government must inspire while we the people rise to the challenge of patriotism and welcome an all inclusive change. The government must be of the people, by the people and for the people.  Hunger,  poverty, malnutrition, unemployment will not bow to change begins with me.

10million children of school age are out of school with no skills and knowledge.

John F Kennedy understand the importance of collective participation in fostering socio-economic, political and all -round development when he said “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Change therefore is a collective responsibility.

Change begins with me is a two way responsibility.

Who first?

To fulfill this mission or campaign for national values, the onus is on the President and his team to exude good characters worthy of emulation and sincerity in governance. Leadership begins with examples as well as exceptional nation.

Get us social justice and change begins with me.

Some said democracy is a curse to Nigeria!!!

Kolade Gbolagade is a Public Affairs analyst and social commentator