A LETTER TO MR PRESIDENT
I am constrained to write to you Mr. President For I am a victim of the ill fated society we live in I have been betrayed, neglected, prosecuted and castigated I grew up in a neighborhood without compassion, patriotism and love As I grew older, life became a shadow of it past glory No light to sit at home to watch the news on television Streets are no longer safe to walk at night Roads are flooded when it rains The innocent stigmatized by law enforcement agencies Spent more years to graduate in university Extra years at home searching for a job Yet they keep saying nothing comes easy Dad has worked and retired in service after thirty five years Pensioners carrying plank card on the news Just to remind the government of gratuities not been paid While the standard of living is depreciating Price of foods increasing, workers laid off daily There is fuel scarcity and cost of transportation is on the high We can't find pipe borne water to drink Yet we have abundant rivers and dams Roads are abandoned, also is the value of and average man's life Hospitals not well equipped, doctors not well paid Only the rich gets fair hearing and justice The poor prays and wait for another day I tried not to lay blame on anyone But if we all say we are innocent, yet refineries are not working Don't you think it’s high time someone takes responsibility? There is no point arguing about the standard of life today Its further worst and deteriorating every day The saint have prayed many times But the devil seem to be the one wearing the crown For our leaders have sold their souls to corruption
What happened to peace, love and unity? Where are the strength and courage of our heroes past? Who once lived in the lands cultivated by our forefathers No tribal wars and killings, no starvation and diseases It broke my trust the day the leaders we voted in spit on our faces They tried to take away our loyalty and dreams And tried to replace it with wickedness and greed Told us Nigerians, the youths have no future Please, tell me this is all but a lie When you told us there will be change It sincerely came from the depth of your heart That the lots we cast, will bring back the sun in our lives All right reserved Š Akan E. Udofia 2016