Jalingo! My Hometown Is Cut Off From The World

 

As I sit down to write this message, my heart is heavy with a mix of emotions - frustration, sadness, and desperation. Tomorrow is New Year's Day, a time for celebration and reunion with loved ones, but for me and many others, it's a stark reminder of the harsh reality we face in Jalingo, my hometown. The bridge collapse at Namnai and the condition of Numan Jalingo Road has left us stranded, cut off from the rest of the world, and it's a painful feeling that's hard to put into words.

 

I think about all the people who are struggling to get to their destinations, the families who are separated, the businesses that are suffering, and the lives that are being disrupted. I think about the children who are missing out on their education, the sick who are unable to access medical care, and the elderly who are struggling to get the help they need. The bridge collapse is not just a physical barrier; it's a symbol of the neglect and abandonment we feel as a community.

 

As I reflect on the past year, I am reminded of the countless times we've had to endure the hardships of living in a place with inadequate infrastructure. The potholed roads, the lack of basic amenities, and the feeling of being forgotten by those in power. It's a feeling that's hard to shake off, and it's a constant reminder of the struggles we face every day.

 

But even in the midst of all this chaos, I remain hopeful. I hope that someone, somewhere, will hear our cry and come to our aid. I hope that the authorities will take immediate action to repair the bridge and restore our access to the world. I hope that we will not be forgotten, that our voices will be heard, and that our struggles will be acknowledged.

 

To the government, I say: please, hear our plea. We are not just statistics or numbers; we are human beings who deserve to live with dignity and respect. We deserve to have access to basic amenities, to be able to move freely, and to live without fear of being cut off from the world.

 

To my fellow citizens, I say: let us stand together and demand change. Let us raise our voices and make our presence felt. Let us show the world that we will not be silenced, that we will not be ignored, and that we will not be forgotten.

 

As we enter a new year, I pray that it will bring us hope, peace, and prosperity. I pray that it will bring us the change we so desperately need, and that it will bring us closer to our dreams of a better tomorrow. But most of all, I pray that it will bring us the strength to keep going, to keep fighting, and to keep believing in a brighter future.

 

 

Barr Bilyaminu Lukman Maihanchi is a Jalingo based human rights lawyer.