From
the beginning of time, men have always had goals to guide them, that it almost became
impossible to complete a task or a list of tasks without having a goal or a set
of goals leading their way like a guiding light in the dark. Each goal, being well-tailored to fit peculiar
circumstances and situations, is most often than not designed to fit into a big
picture. Like a new born babe, whose ultimate aim is to move, would set goals
or perhaps have goals set for him by his parents, with each circumstance a goal
is born in order to achieve an ultimate aim. A baby would drag himself on the
floor in order to move; slowly he learns how to crawl and then walking becomes
another goal for him. Eventually, after so many falls he can walk. Sooner or
later, running becomes another goal because he wants to move faster. At the end
of the process, movement is achieved. In this light, the international
community through the United Nations in September 2000, decided to establish a
set of goals in order to achieve a common aim – to encourage development by
improving social and economic conditions in the world's poorest countries.
These goals were regarded as the Millennium Development Goals and they were to
be achieved by the year 2015.
There
are eight goals to be achieved by 2015 and they are; to eradicate extreme
poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender
equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health,
combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability
and to develop a global partnership for development. It was the presumption
that if these goals were strictly adhered to and achieved, poverty and under-development
would eventually be a thing of the past. However, the dream of the
international community has not come to reality as there are still a lot of
difficult challenges to be overcome, especially in African countries and
countries in Western Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Nigeria
– Africa’s most populated country, with a population of over one hundred and
fifty million, is endowed with great human and natural resources. This,
however, has not reflected in our implementation of the Millennium Development
Goals. We are one of the countries that are lagging behind in successfully
implementing the Millennium Development Goals. Despite the fact that we earn
more than three hundred billion dollars from oil revenue, we still remain one
of the poorest nations in the world. Checking recent statistics it would be
seen that the previous statement is not untrue, for 92% of the population of
Nigeria live under two dollars a day while 71% of the population live under one
dollar a day. Furthermore, by 2008, the major source for drinking and cooking
for 28.4% of Nigerians is a bore-hole hand pump. 97% of Hausa girls between the
ages of 17 and 22 from poor homes have fewer than two years of education. Only
25 seats in the national parliament are held by women while 333 seats are held
by men. 64.5% of girls between the ages of 15 and 22 did not use condoms in
their last sexual encounter. As of 2008, 66.8% of children under the age of 5
did not use the appropriate anti-malarial drugs when they were treated for
fever. Finally, only 13% of terrestrial and marine areas are protected.
Obviously, Nigeria is woefully behind in achieving the United Nations
Millennium Development Goals and achieving these goals could seem like an
illusion for Nigeria. However, a great lesson about life is that there are
always different sides to a story.
The
difference between reality and illusion is perception. Hence, can one really
say that because Nigeria has been unsuccessful in implementing the United
Nations Millennium Development Goals; it is an illusion for us to implement
them? No, I beg to disagree; for a man’s perception of a thing forms his
reality. I believe that the United Nations Millennium Development Goals are
achievable and could be a reality, if only we all believe it is. A bible quote
says ‘As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he’. I believe this statement to be
a fact because to achieve a thing it must firstly be conceived in the mind. Yes,
the government have their own fault, but they cannot do it alone. From believing,
we as Nigerians should go a step further by showing our dear country that we
love her. We should participate in our own governance by voting wisely. We can
help keep our environment clean by picking up our own trash. Respecting each other,
avoiding any form of discrimination, enlightening our neighbours and taking
care of the needy amongst us; are little virtues that could help make the
United Nations Millennium Development Goals a reality. Little virtues, they
say, make a great impact.
I
conclude by stating that whether in reality or illusion, we, Nigerians, make
our own future, therefore, our answer is literally in our own hands.
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