I have always been fascinated at the speed with which boys flood the streets once there’s fuel scarcity. But then thinking about it again, it’s not that difficult, is it? What are their assets? Two 25 litre kegs and a funnel, which is actually half a litre bottle of water. I guess the most valuable asset they need is having a link at the filling stations.So they buy a 25 litre keg of fuel officially for N2,500. They sell to a desperate me at N5,000. Not bad for business. 100% profit. The thing is that, that percentage is subject to increase as scarcity persists. Which is actually the prayer of these fuel facilitation officers.As they oscillate between the filling station and the road, their prayers are answered by God. Yes? If it was, then obviously, you and I are the ones subsidizing the cost of that answered prayer by God.

If your DSTv subscription runs out, truth is, you shouldn’t miss African Magic that much. That’s because there’s drama everyday in Nigeria. How do you want it? Tragedy, comedy, horror or suspense. We’ve got it.

One day you drive into the filing station and the attendants are waving to you to come to their pump. The next day, they lock the gates, stroll around casually and when they are up to it, they open the gate and sell through one pump. And then, they tell you, they are not selling into kegs. Oh, may be I missed something! Perhaps, power is now constant. Nah! Okay, so, what am I supposed to do?…bring my generator to the gas station?

We are well aware of the failure of leadership. Like we had happen this last weekend per the stampede at Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment exercise. More than a dozen needless deaths. Then the minister of interior comes and says, the applicants caused it. He said they were impatient. As is typical, his media aide will probably come out and say he was quoted out of context. Well, I didn’t just listen to what he said, I saw how he said it. He was cocky and without empathy. That was in context, Mr. Media aide before you speak.

I and a few Nigerians demanded for Comrade (?) Moro’s resignation and that of the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service. While for me it’s startling to see that we are struggling to get 5,000 signatures on change.org for this purpose, I’m even more befuddled by the government’s response. You see, the government is using the black market strategy. Personalizing the compensation. Well, here’s what – What happened was not just injustice on 17 people (did I get the figure right?), but on this whole nation. Mr. President, Mr. Maku, Mr. Abati or Mr. Okupe, I will like to know what’s going to happen to the N570 million raised? Why is the name of the recruitment agency shrouded in so much secrecy? Abi na another cabal? Does the buck ever stop on anyone’s table in this administration? And now we are hearing that the leadership of the NIS didn’t even know about this! Hmm, drama!

Okay I’m done with government yabis. While we are quick to point to the failure of government, there’s also the failure of us as a people. Hey, on that day, people stepped on people to get into the stadium.

We do that ever so often. And we are so quick to thank God that we got away while others didn’t. God gets so accused often in this nation. The other day after a plane crash, our minister of aviation said it was an act of God. Well, we’ve since discovered that the plane was not in a great condition. Like I tweeted then, I do say, Lord, once again, on behalf of the past minister and our nation, I apologize for that wrong accusation.

The price at which we derive a lot of our personal testimonies are too high and it reeks of blind selfishness. There’s a price to be paid for this nation’s deliverance. Part of that price is going to come from the middle class elite. We are the ones who know what’s up and what’s down. Those young lads that were at different stadia last Saturday? They don’t know that much. Most of them are only turned on by Barca, Iyanya, Ralph Lauren and sex. I said most of them, not all of them. (Don’t take me out of context.) If you think I’m kidding, go discover what tickles them by their responses on Linda Ikeji’s blog.

So back to the elite. You’ve got your ride. And there’s that picture on the wall with you and your family wearing white tops and blue jeans. That’s cool. Life’s good. LG. But if we all don’t do something now, we are sitting targets. I bet an opportunity is going to come tomorrow for us to hit the streets and express our displeasure with the government. Don’t stay at home. Join us on the road. When we need to sign a petition, take a moment to do so. You don’t have to. But think about it. After all, you are online on your BB, iPhone, iPad and laptop. So what’s the excuse?

Let’s think about our nation. Life is not just about being able to afford 25 liters for N5,000. Let’s speak up. Come together as an alumni association or young men in church and see how you can impact a public school or do a medical outreach. And not just once a year for photo ops, but consistently and continually.

All these, that there might be a better tomorrow. If not for us, at least for our children.

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Adebowale Adenuga is the Convener of Worship for Change, a fund raising concert for Social Change. Famous for gospel songs like “Today o”, “You alone are worthy Lord”, Adebowale pastors at Jubilee Christian Center, Lagos. He is passionate about God, Nigeria and Music

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.