A Nation of Potential Lost:
The Impact of Neglecting Social Welfare in Nigeria
Written by Alexander Ogunmola and Young Eta
It was supposed to be a routine check-up. My baby was just a few months old, and I wanted to make sure everything was going well. But when the doctor told me that my little one had a fever and needed to be hospitalized, my heart sank. I had heard stories of how our hospitals were underfunded and overcrowded, but I never thought it would happen to me.
The days that followed were a blur. My baby was in and out of consciousness, and I was beside myself with worry. I begged the nurses and doctors to do something, anything, to save my child. But they just looked at me with pity and told me there was nothing they could do.
My baby passed away in my arms. I held her close, tears streaming down my face, and I couldn't help but think that this should have never happened. If only we had access to proper healthcare, if only our hospitals were better equipped, my baby would still be here with me today.
I am left with an emptiness in my heart and a feeling of anger and helplessness. I think about what could have been, what should have been and the reality that my child's life was taken away from me because of the neglect of our leaders and the lack of investment in healthcare.
I see my friends and family flourish in other countries, with access to proper healthcare and education, and it makes me wonder what kind of life my baby could have had if we were living in a different place.
It's a tragedy that one should not have to lose a child to a preventable disease because of the lack of access to proper healthcare. It's a reminder that we must demand more from our leaders and strive for a better future for all families.
Nigeria, a land of great potential, a land of hope, a land of promise. But as I sit here and reflect on the state of my country, I can't help but feel a sense of hopelessness. We are the greatest waste of human capital in recent modern times. Our leaders are solely focused on the need for profit, and as a result, social welfare takes a back seat. Engineers and accountants are reduced to warehouse workers, and talent at home is left unexplored or deliberately suppressed. Our government's lack of investment in education and training means that our young people lack the skills and knowledge needed to compete in a global economy. The healthcare system is in shambles, and many of our citizens are unable to access the medical care they need. And our infrastructure is woefully inadequate, making it difficult for businesses to operate and for people to lead productive lives.
This is a vicious cycle, where the lack of proper healthcare and education leads to individuals not being able to reach their full potential and the government not being able to benefit from their talents and skills. This is further compounded by the poor infrastructure, which makes it hard for businesses to operate and create job opportunities, leading to more individuals not being able to reach their full potential.
It's a tragic state of affairs, and it's heartbreaking to see so much potential go to waste. But as a Nigerian, I will not give up hope. I will continue to fight for a better future for my country and its people. I will work to raise awareness of the issues facing Nigeria and to push for change. And I will never stop believing that one day, Nigeria will live up to its potential and become the great nation it was meant to be.
