By Folake Anina
We all know that the year 2010 is moving fast towards the end. We all started in January, and we all started with high hopes inspite of the predictions by many renowned economists that things would be tough.

Yes things were tough this year, but we all are tougher and we are still here. Many are grateful that that they did not go under. Many lived in all of 2010 on revenue that they had generated in previous years. Many met their targets, many did not meet their targets.

Year 2010 has been a very interesting year. A year where many discovered that depth and strength in their character, which they did not know was there. Many discovered that they had the gift (It is a gift) of perseverance that they did not know they had.

In all of it, we are all tougher. We are hopeful for needed change and everyone is hopeful that the events that will unfold in the coming year would bring the desired change. Change would not come from the blues.

Anyone in power or anyone that would come to power knows that for Nigeria to move forward, change is needed.

We all cannot sit back and act like we do not know that the Nation needs deliverance. Things can be better, and we all know it.

If you are sitting up there very comfortable, you need to move downtown, and listen to what the masses are saying. Believe me, times are hard. Who does not know that there is not too much money like it should be at this time of the year. \

Christmas is coming, and the majority of people are not too excited about that. Many say that it is more likely than not that their children would not be getting any new clothes for Christmas. Christmas Turkey or goat? Forget it. It would not happen in most homes this year, and believe me, that is so sad. May the good Lord help us all.

I was at a mechanic workshop the other day. There were many mechanics and drivers there. You would think that they belonged to the lower class in the society, and therefore did not know or care about what was going on or the politics of the nation. Believe me, they are the masses and they know and they do care.

One of them had just lost his son. His son was ill and he could not afford to take him to a private hospital. He said because the hospitals were on strike, he could not get his son treated, and decided to take him back to the village, as he was told that there were herbal remedies for the ailment.

The child dies on the way to the village. It was as if he opened a can of worms. Everyone that was in that workshop exploded. Everyone had something to say. Many owe rent, many say their children are out of school because they have not paid their school  fees. One of the drivers had not received any salary from his boss in months because no business was coming in for his boss.

Another mechanic said he had been pushed out of the house by his wife and now squats with a friend of his. He said that he had broken down cars in has lot, and the owners just abandoned them simply because they could not afford to  buy the parts needed to fix their cars.

Things are bad, and times are hard. Nigerians are tired of being sick and tired. If we  look on our roads  and we see the number of brand new cars, and beautiful houses and mansions springing up everywhere, it is so easy to believe that all is well in our country, and that maybe it is just you that’s not working hard enough, or you are just not lucky at this time. That is not true. The truth is that just a few people have access to funds.

The money is just not circulating. And times are hard for most people. People are starving. Talk to people and you will find out that too many people are not guaranteed a meal on any given day. So what do we do? Do we all just sit back and fold our arms hoping that all would be well…. All by itself? I don’t think so. This is our country we have no other.

First I will suggest that we all make it our business to pray for our nation. We all agree that pray works, and of a truth divine intervention is needed concerning our nation Nigeria. We then  realize that the only way forward at this time is for everyone to participate fully in next years elections. Do not sell your conscience. It is time for us to stand for the truth. It is that truth that can set Nigeria free from the bondage of poverty.

Everyone must get registered. You have a voice. You can determine who would rule this nation and how you want the nation to be ruled. You must be determined that only the right people…. People with integrity and character…. People who are committed to service, are voted into office. You must all move out en masse to vote.

We must all monitor  the election process and insist on transparency. If we vote right, then we will move forward. We need to move our nation forward.