THE ROUTE TO CHANGE: INTRODUCTION

According to some scholars, analyst, and the citizens, Nigeria was on the brink of destruction under the leadership of the previous administration of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, even though some of the citizens (mostly his supporters), were still in support of his administration. The country was faced with a lot of challenges, even though these challenges did not start under his administration, but some scholars, analyst, and the populace believed it came into limelight under the previous government administration. Some of these challenges were; high rate of unemployment, indiscipline among government officials, corruption, insecurity most especially in the north eastern region of the nation due to the Boko Haram Insurgency, kidnapping, dwindling economy such as the devaluation of the nation’s currency i.e. naira, oil theft in the south. All of these cumulated into disbelief from the citizens that voted for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2010 general elections. The citizens of the nation lost faith in the man they once thought was the type of leader they wanted, a man they thought would understand the pain of the citizens because of his background. The people of the nation were happy, hopeful, their expectations were high, even parents that gave birth, were naming their children Goodluck at the time of Dr Goodluck emergence.

However, after more than two years of his leadership, the citizens started clamouring for change, they were embittered about what the past years of his leadership has offered, while some were happy due to some of his achievement, but his achievements could not be compared to his fallings most especially because of the Boko Haram insurgence, some of his followers saw a better route towards development either for personal interest or of the country in the opposition party All Progressive Congress (APC), therefore they decided to revolutionize and choose the opposition party, while some still had faith in former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The citizens of the nation wanted to take a new route towards change, which made them go for another political party in the country. Some will say powerful individuals were the main catalyst in the change, while some will say it was the citizens of the nation’s vote that brought about the change in the seat of power in the country. The campaign period came and went, elections came around, and after the casting of vote by the citizens, for the first time in the history of the country a sitting President lost an election. It was the beginning of a new era for the country. The country decided to take another route to change, since the old route has only given the same result. There is a proverb that says when you do something the same way repeatedly, you continue to obtain similar outcome. Months have gone under the present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, and the citizens are still waiting for his administration to hit top gear.

However, this is not about the success, failure of the past or the present administration, nevertheless it is a writing on the route to change. Change is very significant, a lot of people have given change different meanings and definition, nevertheless I will say that “change is correcting the irregularities of the past, making the present pleasurable and the future worth dreaming of”. To be able to bring about change, there are different routes or means towards this end which can be short or long. Be it short or long, it will still end up in change. Individuals, groups, companies, associations, nations and even continents has gone through one of this route to change their situation from deteriorating further below acceptable global standard.

Furthermore, some have gone through the short route to change either by deciding to collect loans from international organisations or seek foreign aids , or even collect loans from some of the first world countries. Sometimes this foreign assistance later turn into huge debts for the receiving end e.g. Greece. Some of these countries seek foreign assistance in order to increase the standard of living of his citizens, provide for the people what Aristotle called “Good Life”. Meanwhile, some other countries can decide to go ahead with the long route to change by improving his own resources, use his human resources properly, and improve his educational system, and if such country is as blessed as Nigeria will decide to diversify his economy.

EREKATA FAMOUS