Fellow Nigerians,
Today, I want us to pause—not to argue politics—but to reflect on priorities. At a time when our people are crying out for basic services, we are told that $9 million—billions of naira—was spent on a foreign lobbying firm in the United States. Money spent not to build Nigeria, but to defend narratives about Nigeria.
So let me ask a simple question:
What could $9 million have done here at home—especially in a state like Benue?
Let us deal with facts.
With $250,000, Nigeria can build a standard, functional primary school—six classrooms, offices, water, toilets, and furniture. Not a luxury project. A basic school where children can learn with dignity. With $9 million, Benue State could have received 36 brand-new primary schools.
That means classrooms instead of children learning under trees. That means teachers employed. That means thousands of children given a future instead of frustration.
Now let us talk about healthcare.
With about $300,000, Nigeria can build a functional primary healthcare centre—with maternity services, consultation rooms, solar power, clean water, and basic drugs. With $9 million, Benue State could have had 30 primary healthcare centres.
Thirty centres where mothers would not die giving birth.
Thirty centres where children would not die from malaria or infections.
Thirty centres bringing healthcare closer to rural communities.
And if we chose balance?
With the same $9 million, Benue could have received:
• 18 primary schools, and
• 15 primary healthcare centres
That is education and healthcare reaching over 30 communities.
That is real governance.
That is visible leadership.
Instead, what do we have?
No schools built.
No clinics opened.
No lives directly saved.
No child educated.
Just contracts.
Just consultants.
Just press releases.
This is the painful contrast Nigerians are confronted with every day:
• Schools versus spin
• Clinics versus contracts
• People versus perception
Fellow Nigerians, history will not remember who defended Nigeria’s image abroad. History will remember who defended Nigerians at home. Leadership is not about how well you explain failure.
It is about how boldly you prevent it. Our people do not need better lobbying. They need better living.
Thank you.
