Corruption and how it defiles

I traveled to inyishi, Ota Ikeduru
in Owerri on Saturday for a ceremony. When we boarded Mitsubishi. It was an interesting journey but something kept happening. Before we could reach Owerri, Nazi pack our driver had given money to soldiers on checking points for more than ten times. And I asked myself how will Nigeria be better? When will Nigeria be better? I answered myself "Nigeria couldn't have been better than this".

One interesting thing about Nigerians is
suffering and smiling. We pretend all is well when we are really in deep mess. Our leaders are our number one problem. "See who great leaders really are". Our leaders should be our advocates but the reverse is now the case. That reminds me of the character Obi Okonkwo in Things fall apart part one of No longer at ease- by Chinua Achebe. When the young Obi was returning home after his studies abroad. How a police officer was collecting money from the driver, Obi peeped and was trying to figure out what was going on. But unfortunately Obi frowned at this disgusting act because he saw it as bribery and corruption but was bushed out as he was scorned by the driver,
why you dey put your nose for the case weh no concern you, na so I no dey carry you Igbo people; too too know na em dey kill una. 

People seemed to be against him. He acted naive to the act because it isn't so where he was coming from. The problem with us is in us. In real sense we are the cause of our own problems; making things difficult for ourselves.

Returning that same Saturday evening, though it was getting dark already, yet it never stopped them, they continued collecting money, the question i expect you to ask is "How much" our soldiers have belittled themselves to collecting #50 -money for peanut. Why? I cried. Tarnishing the beautiful image of our reputable country.

They stoop low to disgrace us, disgracing our dignity and pride. Now another question "Where is this money going into? In whose pocket(s)? I always feel disappointed!

Something happened that same night. "Driver when you get to Navy junction you drop us," a young girl at the back seat alarmed the driver. "But we are still in Owerri, Owerri Nta after Imo bridge is where Navy is located" replied some passengers. Shortly another voice came from the back "Driver drop us at Navy junction," passengers became embarrassed. It was few that replied them that we are still in Owerri. She calmed.

As soon as we crossed Imo river, the girl asked the driver to stop them, but the driver was not ready to stop because of the checking points. He told them he could only stop at the Navy junction.
"Alright here is Navy junction come down," said the driver. Surprisingly passengers looked at these three young girls who are supposed to be teens. The put on leggings and mini skirts. They jumped down from the car. Passengers began to murmur. Tittering and jeering at them though unnoticed. We began to discuss them even when our driver drove off. "where could they be going at this time of the night," one asked.  "They dress like dancers," another said. "Who knows which club they are going to? "

I couldn't help laughing my heart out that night I nearly pee on my pant. What a world of "debased young girls". I tried to ask questions unanswered. Why is it that our young people are defiling themselves and the land without regrets? Does it mean that these: "prostitution" Child Abuse, "molestation" and bribery/corruption going on in this country spring up from hunger and starvation? Are our leaders feeling our pain? Masses suffer like we are still at war?" I believe that this suffering has passed the level people experienced and suffered during the civil war.

Our leaders should help us unless they want the masses to die once. But I tell them they won't be able to organize a mass burial. Nigerian leaders and political aspirants should "know the cost". Nigeria must be better!

Hope you had an interesting read!
First person narrative the use of "I".      
See also "A short story collection"