THE NEXT DICTATOR
By
Abraham E. Nwankwo
If barrels of such long-standing vintage,
Could wines so inferior in taste produce,
How much more inferior will be,
The wines from unseasoned stock?
In their days, the schools in confidence bubbled:
Pupils did not school
Only three months in a year.
Teachers were not owed salaries
Six successive months in arrears.
Parents could afford to buy for kids
Chalk, pencils and exercise books.
But in our time, the reverse is the case.
In their days, the health sector functioned:
Physicians did not migrate to
The Middle East in frustration.
Medicines and materials were not
Out of stock in public hospitals.
Public refuse dumps were
Cleared clean regularly.
But in our time, the reverse is the case.
In their days, urban utilities and infrastructure worked:
Electric power supply was not
A luxury in industrialized centers.
Telephone network was not
Switched off and on by the authorities.
Clean drinkable water
Rushed out from treated mains.
But in our time, the reverse is the case.
In their days, churches focused on heaven:
Pastors did not shout loud
In favour of mundane prosperity.
Missions were not private,
Family business estates.
Believers carried the cross
On their way to salvation.
But in our time, the reverse is the case.
In their days, the army was law-abiding:
Soldiers did not plan to
Overthrow civil authorities.
The barrack was not a factory
For producing heads of state.
The Military was there to
Defend the state and sovereign.
But in our time, the reverse is the case.
If their time, so sane and noble,
Could such evil dictators of now produce,
How much more terrible will be,
The next dictators from our time so ignoble?
…. Dr. Nwankwo, a Professor of Practice at MIVA Open University, and author of other bestselling books, is a former Director General of Nigeria’s Debt Management Office (DMO)
