Writer Ugonna Utulor, has declared that all Nigerians are victims of a failed state. In an essay he titled "This is who we are" he wrote how different Nigerians committed different atrocities simply because they are left with no better choice, simply because they are victims of a nation, which in Mr Ugonna's opinion has failed. Below is the essay in full.

This is Who We Are

As written by Ugonna Utulor

We are all victims. The policeman comes standing on the road, under the scorching sun. He's demanding bribe. N50 here, N100 here. If it is not that his salary is not enough, it is that Oga at the top wants it so. So he takes the bribe.

He does terrible things. He watches as a pregnant woman is being slabbed by a terrible politician. He carries a stick against thieves shooting with guns. He dies on duty, protecting Oga. He was shot. Died at the stroke of a bullet. His family is grieving with no consolation.

So his colleagues are bitter. At this country and it's people. They know their fate, so they damn the consequences and do whatever they like. He's a victim, like us of a failed state.

We are all victims. She's done all she could yet she can't still meet her needs. Hardwork, it seems, no longer pays. So she chooses the easier route. It requires no external equipments. She's a victim. Just like him.

He claims to take back from the whites what their ancestors took from his ancestors. He makes a truck load of money. And buys a Benz. And buys a Rolex, Gucci, Prada and champagne. He's a rich fool today, a pauper surfing the internet tomorrow, on the hunt once again, on and on ad infinitum.

He hits jackpot again but investment is not in his vocabulary. He doesn't care that he's giving a bad name to his brother. He's denying his brother visa, and better life. He doesn't care that for his crimes, his innocent brother has been tagged a thief, guilty without trial. Convicted by mere association with a delinquent brother that loves the internet. He too is a victim, like us, of a failed state.

We are all victims. The very smart guy who chooses politics for a career. He's seen it all. He's watched. He understands the dynamics of the game play. And he understands that there's nothing the politicians have that he doesn't. So he bows his way up. He plays boy boy for a while and soon becomes the boss himself.

He becomes a philanthropist and wins elections, jackpots, an easy access to unfathomable wealth. So he remains a philanthropist. He steals one million but gives the people one naira. But he's a philanthropist. A man of the people. He understands the game. He cannot lose elections. He can do no wrong. He too is a victim, like us, of a failed state.

So who are we? We are the very righteous ones on the streets. We see it all. We suffer it all. We want to get in but the door is locked against us. Nothing works in our favour. So we whine and whine. We cry and wail. We dominate social media. Remember it is the new opium of the masses.

We hate the rich, we hate the poor, we even hate ourselves. For us, suicide is an option. For us, hope is deception. We are the masses. The foot soldiers of the ruling class. We are here today, we may be there tomorrow. We are victims. Victims of a failed state.

But let's not make mistakes. Though it be true that we're victims, it's our duty to break this ungodly cycle of victimization. Previous generations have failed but let's not carryover this failure to future generations. Value reorientation, therefore, and a firm decision to change the narrative must take root, first in individuals, onto families, towns and the nation at large. See, there's hope for the future. We are hope!

I agree.

Tell us something we Dont already know

Even though we know, we're not ready to accept it's the fact. Instead of finding solutions we keep doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result.

Vulcanheph:
Tell us something we Dont already know