By: FEMI OWOEYE
TYoruba adage says: “Eni to n gbele lo n pale oku mo. Eni ton sokun, aruwo lasan lon pa,” which literarily means: “The grave diggers are the ones helping to bury the dead, not criers and mourners, who are mere noisemakers.”
Most Nigerians are presently feeling the bites of economic comatose, no doubt. But rather than think of how to ameliorate the situation, many are busy passing blames. True, things would have been better, had past leaders utilized wisely our surplus income, when crude oil sold for over $100 per barrel in the world market. But now the deed has been done. The economy is in a mess. What should we do? Keep on sobbing, moaning and pointing accusing fingers till kingdom comes?
Sensible thing to do in the present circumstance is to look inward, which president Buhari’s regime is doing, encouraging diversification of the nation’s economy. But he can do more. Second, there is need to transit from mere consumer to a producing economy. And third, there is need for Nigerians to seek treat for their seemingly incurable tastes for foreign goods, especially what is made, or if you like call it assembled, in Nigeria, automobiles for instance.
This is the sense behind Senator Ben Murray-Bruce’s buy-Nigeria campaign. A sensible and patriotic Nigerian, Senator Bruce is aware that the economic soul of the nation is sick. And, recently, as part of his contributions towards reviving the sick soul, he acquired a Kia Soul, made by indigenous Nigerian workers in an automotive plant located in Lagos, Nigeria. Common sense, that was.
Murray Bruce is a book I recommend to Nigerians, who still remain illiterate, when it comes to simple economic logic – buy Nigeria! Yes, many politicians, governors, MPs, and even executives and managers of private sectors, who feel idiotically proud cruising in cars made in Great Britain, France, United States, Japan, Germany, India, even South Africa, need to read the book: Murray Bruce’s common sense approach.
Understandably, there are Nigerians, who, at the moment can not afford brand new vehicles, even if sold for N1,000,000. But for those who have N2.5 million to sink into an imported used car, there is common sense in paying that amount for a made-in-Nigeria car, which may not be as big as the imported used one. But it is brand new. It has spare parts. It is tropicalized. And most important, such a buyer is helping to keep certain Nigerians on their jobs. See? Murray Bruce Common Sense Approach.
I’ve written this over and over again. And I won’t stop until Nigeria becomes a sensible nation.
Fortunately, President Buhari and Vice President Oshibajo are a bunch of sensible leaders. But as soon as they can, without much delay, there is a need to change their official vehicles to a made-in-Nigeria one. Now. And I trust our dear president. He loves the nation, Nigeria. He is the commander at the battle field, where fight for Nigerian soul is raging. He is fighting the battle, using physical, wisdom and spiritual weapon. He demonstrated that to the whole world recently, when in Saudi Arabia, he offered special prayer for his dear nation.
But without much delay, President Buhari needs to add this simple weapon: Sell off all presidential official vehicles and acquire only made-in-Nigeria auto machines. Because he is so much loved and a roll model to millions, patronage for made in Nigeria goods is bound to soar.
Murray Bruce common sense approach simply means leadership by example. It means being patriotic. It means not feeding and paying salaries to workers of other nations at the detriment of yours. After all what the Holy Book says is: “Love your neighbour as yourself,” not more than yourself or at the detriment of yourself.
[tabs type=”horizontal”][tabs_head][tab_title][/tab_title][/tabs_head][tab]”…But without much delay, President Buhari needs to add this simple weapon: Sell off all presidential official vehicles and acquire only made-in-Nigeria auto machines. Because he is so much loved and a roll model to millions, patronage for made in Nigeria goods is bound to soar.” – Femi Owoeye[/tab][/tabs]
