President of  ‘One youth Global’, Agbo speaks on alleged extortion, corruption by police, council chairmen

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

The president of  ‘One Youth Global’ Mr  Uchechukwu Agbo has expressed dismay over the alleged growing extortion/intimidation of citizens by some security officers in Nigeria.

He, equally frowned on the growing corruption at the local government areas in the country, and however, tasked council chairmen to shun diversion of funds, instead, should use the funds meant for the people to develop their rural areas.

The Nations News reports that ‘One Youth Global’ is a non-governmental Organization, NGO, based in Nigeria, whose target is to enhance Youth development, skill and boost intellectuals amongst Nigerian Youths in the country.

The president of the organization, Agbo made this known in a statement signed and issued to newsmen in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State.

The statement reads in part: “My instincts were locked in a bloody conflict with my book understanding of my place as a bonafide citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I extended a note to the stone-faced police officer. It was the price of peace. 

“So I paid for it. I hated myself for it. But I did it. I did it and drove away,  because it wasn’t about the law. It was about buying my own peace of mind, about getting home to my family. That, I’ve been taught, is being a good, pragmatic Nigerian.

“It’s the same lesson you learn everywhere. You see the local government chairman, the one who couldn’t rub two kobo together before the election, suddenly building a palace on the street next to your rented flat.

“His kids are on Instagram, posting from London and Dubai, while you’re calculating how to pay your own children’s school fees. What do you do? Do you scream? Do you write petitions that will end up in a dusty bin?

No. You learn to be a good Nigerian. You learn to look away. 

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“You mutter to yourself, “Na God o,” and you face your own hustle. You see his convoy splash mud on you as he speeds past, and you just wipe your face and keep walking. To ask questions, to demand accountability, is to invite trouble to your doorstep. And who has energy for that? We’re too busy trying to survive.

“That’s our special gift, isn’t it? The ability to suffer and smile. Fela wasn’t lying. We are champions of it. 

“We’ve become so good at it that we’ve forgotten what it feels like to genuinely demand comfort, to insist on the basic dignity that others take for granted. We find a twisted pride in our resilience, as if enduring needless hardship is a noble calling.

“And then comes the final act of being a good Nigerian. When that same chairman who has pocketed the funds meant for your local clinic comes around during campaign season, what do you do? You see the branded bags of rice, the Ankara fabric with his face plastered all over it, the crisp N500 notes being handed out. 

“And you join the crowd. You clap. You dance. You sing his praises at the top of your lungs. You hail him as “The Leader,” our “Man of the People.”

“You do it because, at that moment, that bag of rice is the most tangible thing the government has ever given you. You do it because it’s easier to join the carnival than to stand alone in silent protest. You clap for the man who stole your tomorrow because he’s offering you a meal for today. 

“Who would blame you for it? You are simply doing what every good Nigerian would do; knowing which palms to grease; looking the other way; smiling through the pain; and clapping for your oppressor. 

“It’s a hard pill to swallow, but this is the lesson Nigeria teaches you. And Lord help us, we are all very good students” he stated.