Whenever our leaders execute or are about to initiate a crucial governmental policy, they’ve made it a habit to notify us about the preceding and inevitable hardship coming our way. They inform us, with certainty, the future will be rough and we should prepare for tougher and more rigorous times ahead. Regardless of the warning, they nevertheless ask us to remain hopeful for the future—a brighter and prosperous future. They encourage us to accept the situation, embrace the hardship and sacrifice our today for a better tomorrow. In short, they ask us to suffer today and enjoy tomorrow.
Our parents, also, in their habitual parental admonition and life lessons, taught us about hope. Being hopeful amidst life uncertainties. They often told us no matter how difficult and crazy life drove us, we should not dash our hope in the future. Our hope should always be kept alive even on rainy days.
They sometimes give examples of how their youthful sacrifices are now manifesting, the fruits of their labour are now on our table to breed and prey on. In essence, they also propose a life of suffering today and enjoyment tomorrow.
In colleges and universities also, our lecturers warn us to be careful of being lackadaisical in our attitudes. They motivate us to fight ineptitude, mediocrity and laziness. Our lecturers push us to work hard, strive for greatness and embrace perseverance to actualize our dreams. Simply put, they equally want us to work harder while being hopeful about the future by suffering during our college days and enjoying the aftermath.
In our religious institutions, our scholars instill values and ideals of hope in us. Hope in Allah’s mercy, hope is his forgiveness and Hope that, every hardship is followed by ease. Their sermon is centered on accepting the suffering in this world in exchange for a better hereafter. Meaning, we suffer today (in this world) and enjoy tomorrow (in heaven).
President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope…
In all these, what we can deduce is that, no matter how dire our life situation is, no matter how difficult life may seem, certainly joy is coming. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.
That is why during the 2023 general election, president Tinubu’s campaign slogan was the Rhythmic “Renewed Hope Agenda”. The slogan was timely and succinctly couched to fit in the circumstances and the reality of Nigerians, then. It also came when Nigerians dashed their Hope in APC’s administration as the “change” was not visible and nowhere to be found.
President Tinubu came in with the mantra and asked Nigerians to Renew and reignite their Hope in APC.
After two years of Renewed Hope Presidency, there has been a significant change in the political and social life of Nigerians—cost of living and prices surge, but yet, we were still reminded and asked to be hopeful and resilient.
A Universal Truth
It is a universally acceptable truth that one thing that keeps Human beings alive regardless of their life status is HOPE. People live patiently with their life conditions with the hope that tomorrow may be better. That is exactly what the president demands from us. Today might be difficult but we should equally be hopeful for a better tomorrow.
But, Mr. President, we cannot be blindly hopeful. The way we take a calculated risk in life is the same way we must equally be calculatedly hopeful.
The President ordered Nigerians to accept the drastic economic recovery measures as necessary sacrifices for a better tomorrow. The removal of subsidy affected several households, and the floating naira impacted the Foreign exchange and the continuous inflation milking families.
For how long should we remain hopeful, sir?
Even scientists do not mix random chemicals and fold their arms and hide under the shade of hope. Our hope must be preceded by conscious efforts in the right direction to provide lasting solutions to problems.
Two years have already gone, what do we have to show Nigerians? Nigerians do not care about numbers. The real economic impact must be seen and felt. Just like how the prices surge, the massive decline should also be felt. That’s our HOPE.
The savings from subsidy removal was promised to be channeled to critical infrastructures, that should also be seen and felt by all. We can’t continue being hopeful while the future continues being blurry.
Mr. President, it’s too early to politick. We must prioritize governance and shun eye service. It’s time to shift the gear to governance.
Sani Bello Hamza is a public affairs analyst. He writes from Zaria. He can be reached at 09013506168 or sanibellohamza@gmail.com.
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