Takes a deep sigh….. Naija which way na.
I have found myself repeating this phrase more often in the past year than ever before because indeed which direction are we going in Nigeria?
One would think in diaspora you are immune to the events unfolding back home, but nah, e dey touch everyone one by one. There are no truer words because whether at home or abroad, the deplorable state of things in Nigeria is affecting everyone, directly or indirectly we have all felt the impact in some way.
Another Independence Day celebration is here. My country has come far but not so far. At 63 years, it is safe to say that our former days are better than our latter days.
A lot of Nigerians both dead and alive have in the past outlined the innumerable issues Nigeria has and it is appalling to note that these issues have progressively gotten worse. Who go help us bayii?
It is so sad that a country blessed with both human and natural resources has nothing to show for the past 63 years of independence.
Just like me, several Nigerians are going to publish, write and post different articles, in celebration of our 63 years of independence, these articles outline the woes of Nigeria and our bleak future as a country.
There is however something that keeps us writing, talking and addressing these issues- that deep Nigerian HOPE…
The Russians have a saying, ‘Надежда умирает последней’ which means ‘Hope dies last’.
With regards to Nigeria and her problems, which of course are a lot and bothersome, there is this flicker of hope residing in us that eventually everything will be fine. This is what keeps us from being silent, so that our voices can be heard. The day hope dies then our voices die.
From my observation, when people completely lose hope and have given up on a situation, they are not moved or bothered by whatever outcomes this situation yields. But in our case as Nigerians, the mere fact that we continue to complain and address these issues is enough proof that we care so greatly for our nation and we genuinely want to see positive change.
I might be speaking for just a fraction of people, but even if that number does not matter, we are not just keeping hope alive, we are speaking positive things concerning our nation. We are doing our part, however little to see a new Nigeria.
This is a call and an encouragement for everyone who wishes Nigeria well, to not be weary of addressing these issues, to keep hope alive even as we wait for the birth of the Nigeria we want and deserve.
Yes, I am aware our country has issues and our problems look undefeatable, but there is no value in criticising endlessly. It is better to focus on the things we can influence and make a positive change no matter how little.
At the national level, there is only so much we can influence. All we can do is to pray that in due time, all will be well. My brother, you say Nigeria is bad and has nothing to offer you, but outside Nigeria you soil our name by your actions. You are the reason some obscene adjectives are being used in describing Nigeria.
Hear me out! Our leader’s failures are not an excuse for your actions. A new Nigeria starts with you.
This is not another article to bash our country and its “leaders” but to rather draw our attention to what we can do for our country. Nigeria is blessed in so many ways, all things being equal we are meant to be a flourishing nation- the giant of Africa- but greed and mismanagement have brought us to where we are.
But even in all these, we still have a lot to be grateful for and we must act right as long as it depends on us.
The real question is, ‘Nigerians which way?’
Well, I will answer you. The way is to speak up and proffer solutions. The way is to represent Nigeria as best as you can, to correct the world’s notion about Nigerians through integrity and proper conduct. The way is to keep hope alive that one day Nigeria will be great again.
Happy Independence to our great country. We wish our story were different but in all we are grateful!
