Veteran Nigerian musician, Eedris Abdulkareem, has expressed his disappointment with the current situation of Nigeria, stating that the country is still “jaga jaga” 21 years after he released his hit song with the same title.
Eedris Abdulkareem lamented the lack of progress and development in the country, pointing to issues such as corruption, insecurity, and poor governance.
Despite two decades passing since the song was released, the artist believes that the situation of the country is deteriorating, and called on the government to do better for its citizens.
He lamented about the hardship in the country, stressing that the exchange rate for a dollar is heading to N2,000.
Featuring as guest in a recent episode of The Honest Bunch Podcast co-hosted by actor Chinedu Ani Emmanuel, aka Nedu, Deity Cole, and Husband Material, Eedris abdulkareem said:
“Nigeria still Jaga Jaga 21 years later. Hunger everywhere, people are dying. How will people survive when Dollar is N1600? Goodluck Jonathan left it N198. [Muhammadu] Buhari took it to N300, [Bola] Tinubu skyrocketed it to N1600.
“Dollar is going to N2000. So how do you want common people to survive in this country? Even the Yorubas they were shouting ‘Emilokan’, they are the ones dying of hunger now.”
However, while Abdulkareem’s message resonates with many, it also begs the question: what will it take for Nigeria to break free from the cycle of stagnation and disillusionment? The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but it is not devoid of hope. Real change requires a concerted effort on multiple fronts – from political reforms to grassroots activism, from economic diversification to social cohesion.
It is imperative for Nigeria’s leaders to heed the warnings embedded within Abdulkareem’s lyrics and take decisive action to address the systemic issues plaguing the nation. This necessitates a commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance – principles that are indispensable for building a more just and prosperous society.
Moreover, it is incumbent upon every Nigerian citizen to actively participate in the democratic process and demand accountability from their elected representatives. By mobilizing collective action and advocating for positive change, ordinary citizens can become catalysts for progress and transformation.
Eedris Abdulkareem’s assertion that Nigeria is still “jaga jaga” 21 years after the release of his iconic song serves as a sobering reminder of the persistent challenges facing the nation. His words resonate not only as a critique of the status quo but also as a call to action for all Nigerians to work towards a brighter and more equitable future. As the country navigates its way forward, let us draw inspiration from Abdulkareem’s unwavering commitment to social justice and strive to build a Nigeria that is truly worthy of its people’s aspirations.
