I read Peter Akpenka‘s post on what happens if Europe stopped buying Gas from Putin. Herein was my reply, “The day we force people to seek alternatives to our products is the day we permanently damage our brands”
Unbeknown to many, Europe started seeking alternatives to the use of fossil fuel energy long time ago. As of 2019, Europe had attained renewable energy (15 %), nuclear energy and solid fossil fuels (both 13 %) but individually, they had achieved very enviable heights almost a decade ago. For example, as of 2020, Germany had attained about 46 % of its electricity generation from renewable energy sources (https://www.aicgs.org). As of December 2020, the United Kingdom generated 40.2% of its total electricity from renewable sources (https://www.en.m.wikipedia.org). Though Canada has abundance oil and gas, as of 2019, only 18% of its electricity generation came from hydrocarbons. (https://www.en.m.wikipedia.org).
From the above narratives, Russia was too sure that its gas and nuclear power could never make any country sanction it to the level of holding its jugular to suffocate it economically. I trust that before 2032, Russia will beg countries to patronize them. It is the reason Russia wants to win this war to use it as a bargaining chip. Losing the war will bring Russia to its knees because the Asian countries alone cannot feel the void being created by Europe.
It is for the above reason (s) we shouldn’t be too rigid to make stakeholders (friends and enemies) walk off our products. You can fight when it is absolutely necessary. However, it is not everytime you need to fight to prove that you are a man – Kenny Rogers. A good Commander should know when to withdraw gallantly from the frontline to reduce collateral costs, damages, and therefore, live to fight another day.
When we have power, let us be cautious how we use it. We should not use the power at our disposal like a person using a sledge hammer to kill a fly, or the man who decided to use a punch on a mosquito that petched on his private part. ASUU, Federal Government, Putin and NATO on my mind.
Grace and peace!!!
