Steemit Engagement Challenge | My views about your country |"The Three Rs and Three Cs" | By @iamchukwudi

Nigeria, a country referred to few as the giant of Africa, is currently the most populous country in Africa, and the seventh (7th) most populous country in the world, making around 2.6% of the World's population. Nigeria is a very significant country in West Africa, and the activities of Nigerians, span across the whole Africa and the World at large.

Depending on the condition and where you find yourself in Nigeria, Nigeria could be a nice to be in and conversely, it could be an undesirable place. In this blog, I will be sharing with you three (3) reasons I love my country and three (3) changes I will like to see.

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Three Reasons Why I Love Nigeria (Rs)

Nigeria is Entertaining

^{Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay}

While Nigeria is by no means a happy country, taking the 118th position in the World Happiness scale, Nigerians take entertainment serious, and we find whatever means possible to make ourselves happy.

In Nigeria, you will always find people smiling and laughing, because their fellow Nigerians has made it possible. We have an endless list of comedians, ranging from renowned stand up comedians like Bovi, to good skit makers like Mr. Funny_, as well as good actors like Osita Iheme, who has won the crown as meme king in the country and across the world.

Nigerian-based musicians are also key to the afropop culture, and are among the most important in the African music space, and even in the world. In Nigeria, you will find almost all music genre of your choice, be it hip-hop, pop, party, blues, and more. Nigeria music sells across the globe, and people everywhere, enjoy these songs.

Nollywood which is the Nigerian primary movie industry has not let us down as well in the movie space. There is always something to watch, from blockbuster series which even find their way to Netflix and some basic home movies, covering all genre of movies, there's always something to see.

If entertainment was all we wanted in the world today as Nigerians, we won't look somewhere else!

Nigeria is a Free Place

^{Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay}

Most persons will agree less with this, but trust me, the level of freedom enjoyed by Nigerians (by this I am referring to ordinary citizens) is unmatched compared to other parts of the world. While press freedom is a bit constrained, information suppression is suffered by most countries of the world as well.

The level of freedom we enjoy in Nigeria is definitely a consequence of a fundamental flaw in how Nigeria is run; but still, we try to enjoy it while it lasts. There's a fair level of religious freedom, you can practically do a lot of things without having the legal permits to perform those activities, anyone can easily visit and stay, there is a fair level of digital right protection, and media censoring is only an issue in traditional media spaces.

No doubt, the lack of checks and balances in most areas is a fundamental flaw and severely impacts the country negatively, but with the political system currently operating, and how things are done generally, it is safest and more conducive to allow things as they are.

One last thing, we are mostly free from debts as individuals compared to other countries. People can easily own properties, and over 90% of Nigerian students will graduate debt free without loans or credits to clear for the best part of their life after graduation.

At the end, Nigeria could be said to be relatively free compared to most other nations were one is basically being policed around.

Nigerians are Independent

^{Image by StarGladeVintage from Pixabay}

Recently, I was looking at what Sri Lanka was going through, and what I could conclude was that we are going through a lot worse than this. Honestly, we are! But, you hardly find Nigerians complain or demonstrate so much as the Lankans; this is because we have experienced worse and come to learn that we must take responsibilities for our well-being, and not depend on the government for that (I am not making comparisons please).

Nigeria is among the worst places to live in on earth today, but this condition we found ourselves has only made us more resilient and learn to be more independent. You hardly visit a country on earth today where you will not find at least a Nigerian. With our experience, though, unplanned and unwarranted, we have eventually learnt to sore like eagles and stay resilient like camels.

Most often down here, we have adapted to do things for ourselves, even things that the government normally should provide for us. It is not the best experience being a Nigerian, but it is a worthwhile experience.

The Changes I Desire

Unnecessary and Lopsided Policies

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The Nigerian government is just fond of enacting unnecessary and lopsided policies without due regard to the lasting ramifications of these policies. Most often, these policies are deliberately designed to cause unhappiness.

First of, a country that could not provide for her citizens, will keep blocking means through which these citizens can survive; first importation was blocked, next crypto transactions, followed by Twitter, and now international transactions.

What sort of government is "anti-citizen"? The government keeps fighting against unarmed citizens for no just course. All means of survival possible is being blocked. This really needs to change, the government should learn to appreciate their role in the protection of lives and properties.

Separatist Movements & Groups

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Nigeria is filled with separatist groups and movements. Almost all parts of Nigeria has some separatist groups and movements, they just want independence and stay free from Nigeria as a nation. Most of these groups have valid reasons for their agitation, but currently, it is causing the nation more harm than good.

More and more terrorist groups, and so called unknown gunmen are rising, and the country is currently the most unsafe place on earth today. For few Nigerians, it is even safer for them to be in Ukraine currently, than to sleep in Nigeria.

This needs a change. The government should find a way to meet every groups in the country at their different point of needs, or take the best possible course of action. It is currently scary to live here.

Bribery and Corruption

^{Image by Michał K. from Pixabay}

If there is an award for this, I would be really angry if Nigeria failed to make it to the first position. But, I am still perplexed that we are not number one, I wonder what could be worse than Nigeria's situation.

Nigeria is so corrupt, that as a person trying their best to be honest, it is becoming a very difficult task daily. In Nigeria, any act of honesty is shocking to people and sometimes, announced (aired). We hardly believe that their are honest persons remaining, and among the politicians, we could conclude that it is easier for an elephant to pass through the eyes of a needle than to actually find a honest person.

Bribery and corruption has ate into all spheres of the Nigerian system, education, health, government, security, and whatever sphere you could think of. This honestly, and urgently needs a change.

Conclusion

Like other countries of the world, Nigeria could be a very nice place to live in, and a very gruesome place to imagine visiting. But still, it is my motherland, so, the more I appreciate the nation and make safe and convenient changes, we could only hope that things get better.

Thanks for reading through!

What do you think? Do we need a fresh start as a nation?