NIGERIA

A NATION OF MANY QUEUES

A nation of many queues; that presently is our reputation; And it leaves us with many clues; as to where we are headed - this way or that.

We must leave our houses before dawn; So as to avoid the queues that encourage lateness on our roads; but we must sure be held by those of the dusk; to exchange lateness to office for the hoods.

To get our beast of burden energized; this is just another serious matter; you could spend half a day only to end demoralized; wishing if only cars could run on water.

This may again not suffice though; as can be seen in the clanging of bowls and buckets on our streets; men and women engaging in fisticuffs; and we say water no get enemy!

We queue even to get power supply; 3-hourly, 6-hourly, 12-hourly plans; a major factor being the number of influential men in your area; and the yardstick for influence is the size of your generating set.

So heart-rendering is it that we even queue for public offices; political parties select reps not by merit but by province; And now that Yar'Adua is absent from office; WHO IS NEXT ON THE QUEUE?