Light Up Nigeria: Enough Is Enough
Despite being a country rich in oil, Nigeria's electricity supply situation is insufficient. “In most parts of the country, darkness pervades and generators have taken over as the source of power”, says Adebayo's blog. “When the power shuts down – which it does all the time – people sit in the dark or, if they’re lucky, fire up generators that cost the country $140 billion to fuel (add a chunk more for capital and maintenance costs)”, says David Steven at Global Dashboard. Adebayo adds:
But to explain or fathom the reasons why it is so complex. From the cartels who import generators, the contractors who fail to complete power projects, citizens who vandalize power lines and installations, languid attitude of government up to the manufacturers of the generators (in developed countries); all these have a vested interest in the continued failure of power
provision in Nigeria.
Now Nigerians have started a massive online demonstration against this frustrating situation on social media sites, especially on Twitter with the hashtag #lightupnigeria. There's also a Facebook group, with the following description:
Are you tired of the constant excuses being given for the incompetence of PHCN, we are forming this group as a voice for our generation. It is time for something to be done,the 7th oil producing nation is one of the world's worst electicity providers. The time has come, Nigeria belongs to all of us and if we do not speak out now,its the same burden we will all have to bear. So join,tell your friends, family andybody you can, enough is enough. Our voice may be small now but as the group grows and the word is spread, the government will hear our words and something will be done. LIGHT UP NIGERIA so progress in all the other sectors can advance also.
Energy is the engine that drives industrialization, which improves communication, helps innovation in science and Technology, provides sound healthcare delivery system and improves citizens’ standard of living. Since energy is the engine that drives industrialization, a sound energy policy would indirectly create jobs even in unexpected sectors.
Archiwiz at To fit or not to fit? commented on the campaign:
The hashtag itself will not do much if the responsible parties don't take notice and do the right thing, but this is a good first step. Awareness is always important when it comes to movements of change […]
So you ask, what is #lightupnigeria? The words that make up the tag are self explanatory to any Nigerian, or anyone that has spent a good two weeks in Nigeria and has experienced firsthand the impact of lack of electricity in Nigeria. I can give you a long laundry list of what we lose because of lack of electricity, but several things surface: money, time & productivity.
[…] This movement needs to get to get to the media and to the ears of our Nigerian leaders. We cannot continue to wink at our lack of electricity.
Here's a selection of some of the things people have been saying on Twitter as part of the #lightupnigeria campaign:
Nigeria's economy can't change until we #lightupnigeria
#lightupnigeria so that her 140million nigerians can say goodnight and really look forward to having one
the only thing to known to be stable in nigeria is darkness #lightupnigeria
the money we use to buy diesel for a year can pay 10 years light bills, so pls #lightupnigeria
#LightUpNigeria so that people don't go to work on weekends to iron!
#lightupNigeria Nigerians leaders love darkness, cos the works of their hands are so dark, it cant stand no light
#lightupnigeria cos wen there is no light at nite & i need to pee… aiming for that bowl has to be intuitive!! damn!
have not had power for 4days now… #lightupnigeria pls
i'm planning to relocate to nigeria soon but plans to visit london every week just to charge my phone #lightupnigeria
It's 11pm, which means it's another night without electricity. Hopefully we can #lightupNigeria so that ‘Goodnights’ can actually be good!
#lightupnigeria because that's my country & my country deserves light
As we fight 4 dis to work,i know u r all tired, but think about your kids, how much u want them 2 grow in a good environment/nation #lightupnigeria
i would be mighty ashamed if in future my kids called me d generator generation & i did nothing #lightupnigeria
it ain't right that at this time and age we dont’ have regular power supply #lightupnigeria
#lightupnigeria cos constant power supply should NOT be a luxury in 2009
The pollution from generators is stunting the brains of Nigeria's youth. Now many of us are no longer imaginative. Please #lightupnigeria!
Obama's campaign didn't stop until a day before elections. Our #lightupnigeria campaign won't stop until 24/7 electricity. Tell ‘em
#lightupnigeria because we have the resources – both natural & man-made..what are we waiting for??
Nobody will listen to #lightupnigeria by just twittering,u hve 2 kill somebody&tell d police u mistaken stabbed the fellow cz it was dark…
Our greatest challenge isn't in Abuja. It is in ourselves. It is that voice that says: “This will all amount to nothing” #lightupnigeria
The idea is to make a video in the dark expressing to the govt “we have had enuff”!! : http://bit.ly/XEDX9 #lightupnigeria
27 comments
The bottom line is: without light, there would be no sight. Stable electricity in NIGERIA can be an engine for change. lightening the nation allows us to redirect our limited resources into other areas besides lighting – education, health, etc. Imagine the profound changes this could bring about! And the best part is that light empowers them without creating dependency.
As naturally blessed as Nigeria is, why then do we take our natural right for a decent qaulity of life and fufilment of a man’s/woman’s natural desire for a better life in our fatherland for granted?
We have fallen too far behind where we should be in these days of technological advancement and improved quality of life for all Nigerians “LET THERE BE LIGHT” please, we have a lot of catching up to do in reaching our natural place as the true giant of Africa……..Mr President sir, please take note – your people desire and deserve better..
This forum will not give us light, but at least it helps ventilate known frustrations that bedevil the masses of nigeria. You want to light up nigeria,then start by digging graves
I think the onus is on we the youths as engine of change to mount a concerted and relentless campaign against these cabals that have decided to hold nigeria down in perpetual darkness for their narrow, myopic and self centered interest. change cannot come until we start the motion.\ he who makes peaceful change impossible will make violent change inevitable \ Amilca cabral
NEW GENERATION NEW NIGERIA. WE MUST NOT RUN FROM THE CHALLENGIES THAT FACES EVERY YOUNG NIGERIAN CITIZENS, BECAUSE SOMETIMES I DO ASK MY SELF WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO PUT THINGS THAT REQUIRED COMMON SENCE RIGHT FOR SO CALLED NIGERIAN LEADERS. I JUST READ IN NEW PAPPER ABOUT ONE MINISTER WHO PROUDLY SAY THAT NIGERIA WILL NOT MISS ANY COMPANY THAT RELOCATE TO ANOTHER COUNTRY. HE SAY THIS BECAUSE HE DON’T CARE ABOUT THE WORKERS WHO LOSE THEIR JOB AND HIS KIDS IS OVERSEA WHERE THINGS ARE PUT IN PLACE.
THANKS TO THE YOUNTHS OF NIGERIA FOR THEIS IMPORTANT TOPIC.FIRST OF ALL NONTHING FUNCTIONS WELL IN A NATION WITHOUT LIGHT.IN NIGERIA WE ARE LOSEING EVERYHTING INCLUDING OUR LIVES,OUR COUNTRY,JOBS,OUR RESOURCE.JUST BECOUSE OF OUR CORRUPT LEADERS,I CON’T STAND WATCHIN THE KIDS STUDYING WITH A TELEPHONE LIGHT.HOW LONG ARE WE GANNA WATCH THE LEADERS THAT STILL THINK THAT THEY CAN SAY OR DO WHAT THEY LIKE. TO KEEP TREATING US LIKE ANIMALS WHILE THEIR KIDS ARE IN OVERSAES LIVING LIKE KINGS.LETS LIGHT UP OUR COUNTRY BY RISEING OUR VOICES FOR A CHANGE.
This a very welcome idea by the nigeria youth, if we could all stand up and face this useless politicians by agitating for what is right, i belived things will change to better instead of them spoiling our life for us.
I implored the youth to please size this opportunity to come together in Nigeria not as a millitant without idea but as an idealistic youth. That we will not be termed as rebel
People what a national shame flood light at sani abacha stadium in kano venue of one of the under 17 world cup went off twice in the middle of an international tournament we have really lost it.
There’s a popular sayin
dat goes thus if u can’t beat them join them,the people in dis country r not just corrupt,corruption itself is in d core of dis country which is u nd me, nd till we learn 2 make changes d country will neva move forward nd 4 those of u who think u can escape abroad or go 2 expensive schools blive me 1 day sumday u’ll come back 2 dis same corrupt country nd deal with d mess u failed 2 clean up its tym we begin 2 take responsibility 4 our own