By RASHIDAT AJAKAYE STRIDA
Water is hundred Naira for three sachets,
plantain is as costly as cocaine.
Cooking gas cylinder belongs to heavy-pockets,
light-pockets unavoidably belonging to warm woods.
Ten Naira has refused to purchase a Maggi cube,
fuelling generator is a threat to feeding.
Embezzling our money is their sporting activities,
implementations of policies are as far as 2036.
Haven’t we lamented enough?
Aren’t we the government?
Aren’t we the government?
Do not kill them with expectations?
We can also mould a clay pot
than spitting out the problems of the muddy road.
Keep the price of your goods lenient,
keep gentle your reaction to highly transportation fees,
maybe a little less harsh.
LAWMA sweeps Lagos everyday,
keep wastes in your bags till you see bins,
do government litter the road?
Aren’t we the government?
Peter should respect the dignity of Paul
for in the palms of unity and love
resides the dawn of individual and national development.
We can erase the reality of cultural differences,
for humans, we all are!
We can ginger creativity in our environment,
just as wind orders leaves to dance,
guiding the rich minds into wealthy conditions,
not everyman is aware of gubernatorial opportunities.
Aren’t we the government?
Cocks should not wake us dawn,
productive minds reason during midnights.
Oh ye graduates of universities!
The soil is not meant for the uneducated,
it is multifunctionality in the leaves of humility,
exactly as banana leaves does to corn meal.
Concrete floors might harm us,
rather grow vegetables leaves in your compound ,
and you would not nag it’s heavy market price anymore.
Aren’t we the government?
There is a place we can be;
if we proffer stable consciousness
to the activities of children.
Then, the states tomorrow
would not fear the effects of internet addiction.
We can follow the laws of foot bridges;
to save us from accidents,
our government did construct,
appreciate the love shown by authorities.
Aren’t we the government?
not all citizens can afford courts,
we can counsel lost ambitions
to begin local business, mentor someone!
The nail does not need to hurt you
before you take it off the road.
Enough of masters maligning master!
Aren’t we the government?
Yes, we are the government!
© RASHIDAT OLAMIDAYO AJAKAYE
STRIDA… guiding you to striking confidence in academic and creative writing!
2025