During 1960s to late 80s there was a widespread practice in all computer software to use two digits for representing a year rather than using 4 digits. This was done to save computer disk and memory space because these resources were relatively expensive in those times. As the year 90's approached experts began to realize this major shortcoming in the computer application software. In year 2000, the computer systems could interpret 00 as 1900 messing up all the computing work done over decades. For example if a program function is calculating difference between two dates, it would calculate a negative number. For example difference between 1 Jan 2000 and 31 Dec 1999 could be calculated as -100 years rather than 1 day. This was a major bug for the whole finance industry. The bug not only existed in computer software but it also existed in the firmware being used in the computer hardware. In general this bug threatened all the major industries including utilities, banking, manufacturing, telecom, airlines.

Y2K bug was a clicking time bomb for all major computer applications. The computer and system application companies came out with year 2000 compliant operating systems and system software. IT companies around the world spent billions of dollars to go through their entire application source code to look for the Y2K bug and fix it. Almost everybody raced around to make themselves Y2K compliant before the fast approaching deadline. Finally when the big day came, many utilities and other companies switched off their main computers and put the backup computers on to work. When the clock ticked 1 Jan 2000, no major problems were reported. Almost every bank worked fine, no major power outages were reported, airplanes still flew and the whole world went on with its normal life.

A few years prior to year 2000, I was working with a computer software firm.  Our business then was to provide banking software to banks.  Companies were worried sick about Y2K.  The banks we provided and maintained their software made sure their IT staff slept in the office weeks to year 2000 as I was told eventually.  In addition to the worry about computers, it was common to hear questions such as “are you Y2K”? Or “is your wife or husband Y2K”?   This was just to add a lighter dimension to the fear.

The Nigerian Government was not left behind in the hype.  They did not want to appear slack in any way.  They were ready to fight whatever problems the millennium year would bring.  Therefore our Government hit the airwaves and print media with all sorts of promises to match the hype of the approaching millennium year.  For our Government, it was about empty promises.  There were promises of health for all by the year 2000, Food for all by the year 2000, Education for all by the year 2000, miracles for all by the year 2000, justice for all by the year 2000, and if I may add, life for all by the year 2000, husbands and wives for all by the year 2000 but like a thief in the night, year 2000 came and passed without any major event.  Now this is year 2006, 6 years on and the quality of life for the vast majority of Nigerians has not improved.  If anything, it is on a continuous downward trend.  It is a race to the bottom.  Never before has life been so difficult in Nigeria than it is today.   

The spate of killings both extra judicial and political have increased.  There is no security of lives or property even for the hardworking Nigerian.  Corruption in high and low places is still the order of the day.  Poverty, hunger and disease are still the trademark of many Nigerian citizens so why all the hype about year 2000?  Where are all the promises prior to year 2000?  Has there been justice, food, health and education for all 6 years after the dawn of the millennium year?  Yes and No. 

The answer is YES for many of our politicians, some members of the Police and armed forces and civil society, etc who have sold their souls to the devil.  For the majority of Nigerians however, the answer is NO.  For this group, social and economic justice, food, shelter, security, water, power and good health are all an illusion.   No wonder you hear the vast majority of Nigerians who die do so after a brief illness.  A brief illness such as headache or common cold will kill somebody who has no money to go the hospital or buy the required drugs necessary to treat their ailment.  My brother ‘flashed’ me from Nigeria the other day and when I called him back, he told me he was sick and could not go to the hospital because he had no money.  Had I not sent money to him with immediate alacrity, only God knows what would have happened. 

Which Nigeria are our politicians representing, the same Nigeria flowing with oil resources (the price of crude oil keeps going up) where one can die because he/she cannot afford to pay a deposit for treatment or the one created by the convoluted imagination of the ruling class?  My sister’s friend lost her husband the other day because they could not afford hospital treatment for her husband.  My frustration is tearing me apart and gives me more determination to be a part of the redefining process of the Nigerian nation.  What about you?

Robot  # 1 | 15.09.2006 20:57

...Read the full article.

Anike  # 2 | 15.09.2006 21:08

Which Nigeria are our politicians representing, the same Nigeria flowing with oil resources (the price of crude oil keeps going up) where one can die because he/she cannot afford to pay a deposit for treatment or the one created by the convoluted imagination of the ruling class? The Nigeria whose wall does not extend beyond their homes. Abeg, wwe too are y2k oh. At least, the homeless person sleeping under the bridge can now afford a mobile phone. How more y2k can we get? Sad thing is, even the so called hospitals, upon being able to afford the ridiculous fees they charge, one has to also pray and fast that one makes it out alive. Someone I know of almost lost his life at EKO hospital, reputed to be a very well equipped hospital after paying all the fees because he was given too much anesthetic. What he went in for is child's play in comparison with what he came out with. Going to the hospitals there is like embarking on a suicide mission. It's a jungle out there! Really is!

salstep  # 3 | 16.09.2006 04:37

Hmmmm. maybe i shouldn't comment

Mutti  # 4 | 18.09.2006 09:13

There was a call to arms (literally) on this very site a couple of weeks ago, maybe more. I remember thinking to myself then, even as I read preliminary plans for the proposed march, that the realities of living will soon call them away from tilting at the windmills (out of sight of the wind mills too!). It did not take two days and the thread died a natural death, after a gadzillion posts about how the march would be made to pay dividends to the ordinary Nigerian and every Nigeria ruler wwould be made to take note when the fight is brought to the very seat of their power. I tried to look for the thread but I have been unable to find it since. Bennie's voice was loud in that thread and I think she has come back again to rouse us to action. But I ask (and no offences meant), Once you are able to take every one dear to you accross to civilisation and away from the travails of Nigeria would you still be interested? The same question applies to every one in Diaspora who is not feeding from the cess pool of that is our country, and of course the Nigerians that have remained here (including me). Once I have been able to sort myself and my kinfolk out will I still be interested in what ails Nigeria? I can't answer for anyone but I hazard the guess that the answer will be no. Who gives a pecadillo (whether or not you have one) We have all become so buried in our personal trials that we are unable to see that we can all stand up together to demand better leadership. As we al tend to put na dat one we go chop. What we will eat (personal benefits) has become so central to our lives (at home and abroad) that we can never more rally to a central call. Those who have the energy should go on trying though, one day we may get a response.

OLUYOLE BOYS  # 5 | 23.12.2007 14:40

Bennie alias mother of six. why can't you come home and contribute your own quota. collecting irish dole is not the solution. i know you enjoy the child benefit in Ireland, but Irish people work for it.