Nigerians don’t need to be reminded that the upcoming four years will be lengthy, given President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent triumph at the Supreme Court.
Similarly, you do not require a prophecy or soothsayer to warn you of impending events.
All you can do is prepare yourself and hope for the best. In order to preserve the existence of the ordinary man, I will offer six essential strategies for coping with the “Storm Jagaban” as a social scientist.
(1) JAPA/Relocation:
Over time, I have always emphasized that Nigeria is a country that exists for the rich. The rich tend to get richer at the expense of the poor who they pretend to care about. It is harder to break the cycle of poverty in Nigeria. This is why most religious leaders see it as a ‘spiritual problem’ caused by ‘village people’. For this reason, it is better to leave the country for the oppressors. Who runs away during a fight isn’t a coward. He will live to fight another day. Relocating abroad might be the best option for you.
(2) Get close to God:
German philosopher and economist, Karl Max described religion as the ‘opium of the masses’. He believes it is what the proletariats (workers) will fall back on for succor when the bourgeoisie (middle class) exploit the system. There might be an element of truth about this, but I believe there is more to religion. Getting closer to God not only unlocks opportunities but also gives one hope during hard times. Hope is needed under this Tinubu administration of hasty trial and error policies.
(3) Learn a skill:
Unusual times require unusual decisions and solutions. I listened to comedian and skitmaker, Mark Angel’s recent interview with Teju Babyface. During the interview, he revealed he used to make between $250,000 to $40,000 monthly from producing skits online since 2017 before the industry became too saturated. That is an outstanding testimony if he is telling the truth. Nigerians need to pursue their own unique vision to unlock their fortune. This could be anything legal. This is the best time to take risks and empty the entire sink.
(4) Join APC:
This is a very controversial view but it is not for everyone. To be honest, it sounded comical to my wife who read this piece behind my back. Joining the All Progressives Congress, APC is a considerable survival strategy. If you can’t beat them, you might have to join forces with them. Highly controversial Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, who recently joined the APC after criticizing the party massively on social media, appears to be thinking deeply. This is the wrong time to be dogmatic.
(5) Build your mental strength:
Tough times have a way of breaking you down mentally. While your mental health deteriorates, it also affects your physical health and social well-being. You have to stand your ground and consciously use your coping skills to stay strong and well. As a Psychologist, I am a firm believer in the potency of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, CBT. Do simple research online about this and stay healthy. If you are sad/depressed on a lengthy note, the possibility of you developing a mental illness is high.
(6) Become a religious leader/motivational speaker:
In the course of the Great Depression of the 1930s, a special window of opportunities was created for religious leaders, motivational speakers, and the like in the U.S. This is because their line of trade is the propagation of the messages of hope. According to history, the period saw a resurgence of revival-tent preaching in the Midwest and South, as itinerant traveling preachers drove from town to town, living off donations. During that time, the world needed ‘re-assurance’, which is the default setting of every human being during turbulent times. Loosely speaking, Nigeria would need massive ‘medical reassurance’ if Tinubu keeps toying with the fuel price and the naira in this present manner.
Written by Osahon George Osayimwen.