It is not entirely impossible for Nigeria to manufacture aircraft someday. We have brilliant engineers and a wealth of untapped potential.
INVESTIGATION: Despite ban in several countries, ‘harmful’ weight gain product sold indiscriminately in NigeriaThe second coming of Donald Trump, By Reuben AbatiClimate change-induced heatwaves devastate Taraba yam farmers, others
When I stumbled across the headline that Nigeria plans to start manufacturing aircraft, my first instinct was to check the date. Surely, I thought, April Fool’s Day had been sneakily rescheduled to January. But no, there was Minister Festus Keyamo, a man of lofty ambitions, grinning alongside this bold declaration. Nigeria manufacturing aircraft? It is like announcing plans to colonise Mars while your roof leaks during the rainy season.
Now, Keyamo seems determined to outdo Sirika in the Ministry of Aviation’s long-standing tradition of delusions. Why aim for an airline, when you can aim for the skies, literally? It is almost poetic that one administration promises an airline, fails spectacularly at it, and the next raises the stakes to manufacturing aircraft. It is like losing a bicycle race and deciding your next challenge will be to contest in Formula 1.
Perhaps these planes will be powered by our ever-reliable “I-better-pass-my-neighbour” generators, with kerosene as the backup fuel. Imagine a Made-in-Nigeria aircraft. “Horn before takeoff” stickers plastered on the sides, and “God is in control” boldly painted on the tailfin. Instead of in-flight entertainment, passengers might be handed hymnbooks and asked to join a prayer circle. After all, there is no Wi-Fi at 30,000 feet when your plane’s avionics are powered by rechargeable lanterns.
But in Nigeria, the reaction is a collective shrug, followed perhaps by a round of jokes on the social media. We have grown so accustomed to empty promises that we no longer expect anything else. Our national coping mechanism is to laugh to keep from crying. After all, what else can you do when your leaders insist on chasing fantasies while the basics remain out of reach?
In the end, Keyamo’s aircraft manufacturing dream is unlikely to amount to more than a punchline. But perhaps that is the real tragedy of Nigeria as a nation with so much promise reduced to laughing at its own absurdity. As Nigerians, we deserve better than empty rhetoric and grandiose fantasies. We deserve leaders who are grounded in reality and committed to building a country that works for its people. Until then, we will keep laughing, because sometimes, that is all you can do.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
How to break barriers and explore new frontiers in your research, By Mohammed Dahiru AminuPremium Times - Nigeria'bs leading online newspaper, delivering breaking news and deep investigative reports from Nigeria
Read more »
Money follows talent — cultivate talent!, By Mohammed Dahiru AminuSavvy employers recognise that the key to financial success for their organisation lies in securing and retaining top-notch talent.
Read more »
Wale Edun, Amina Mohammed meet to strengthen Nigeria-UN collaboration for economic growthWale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, met with Amina Mohammed, United Nations (UN) deputy secretary-general (DSG), to strengthen Nigeria and UN collaboration for economic development.
Read more »
FutureMap Foundation and acceleration of Jigawa’s digital economy, By Mohammad Dahiru LawaFutureMap Foundation’s efforts align with the SDGs, focusing on decent work, economic growth, innovation, and partnerships.
Read more »
Article of Faith: The blessings of grace, By Femi AribisalaPremium Times - Nigeria'bs leading online newspaper, delivering breaking news and deep investigative reports from Nigeria
Read more »
Tinubu’s harvest of human chickens for Xmas, By Festus AdedayoPremium Times - Nigeria'bs leading online newspaper, delivering breaking news and deep investigative reports from Nigeria
Read more »