It seems nothing good is happening in Nigeria — Adesina

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has said the country is enmeshed in too much negativity such that unless one is discerning enough, it would seem as though nothing good is happening in the country.

Adesina who made this known in an opinion article published by The Herald, said bad things do happen, but so also do good things. He said the general perception about the country at the moment, is that it is more like the worst place on earth to live in. 

 

He however, noted that despite the negativity, good things are happening, but those who delight in complaining will never see them.

He wrote: "Diverse developments in our country often bring to mind lyrics of the song ‘God Moves in a Mysterious Way,’ by William Cowper. The lines go thus: “Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour.”

"If we are not discerning enough, the tendency is quite strong to think that all that is happening in Nigeria is evil, evil and more evil. KiIIings by insurgents, bandits, and assassıns. VioIent protests leading to loss of lives and wanton destruction. Kidnappings for ransom. Mayhems and m**ders. Sorrow, tears and blood (dem regular trademark, as Fela Anikulapo-Kuti sang).

 

"Yes, all these negative things happen, and you would think all that God does now is to frown at us as Nigerians. He frowns, quite alright, but “behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.” His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour.

"Last week and this week, two developments occurred that lend credence to the fact that Nigeria is not just what the poet, Geoffrey Chaucer, calls “a thoroughfare of woes.” Good things are happening in the country, and if we are not discerning enough, they will pass us by, and we will just sit at the complaint counter, bemoaning our woes.

"Let me make it clear at this point. It is the duty of government to secure lives and property of the citizenry. Even our Constitution says so. But challenges do come, as we currently have in the country. And every honest effort is being made to tackle the challenges. But does governance stop? No."