Theres nothing here that is new. Nothing I havent said before. Nothing anyone doesnt know. If they're Nigerian.
All Im saying is that we owe it to ourselves and our motheland
to think on things like this-not with the hearts of academicians, or intellectuals. But with the heart of a son. A daughter.
Nigeria deserves better.
In a few weeks, our country will be 50. Half a century of what? Growth? Development?
I wont be a naysayer by implying that we've not made progress in our national life..because we have. There were a little over sixty million people in this geographical space in 1960. Today, we're almost triple that number. We've certainly grown. After compensating for inflation, the per capita income of Nigerians has grown over 300% form its 1960 levels. The percentage of the population that is literate has risen. The number of cities has at least doubled. The number of millionaires (in dollars) has more than quadrupled. We've certainly produced a few billionaires, something we never had in 1960. We've certainly developed. There are more cars, businesses, houses, and more money in the country than there has been in a long time. We have the biggest telecom sector, economy, and military in the region and the most diverse culture in the continent.
But all these are not necessarily a good indicator of where we're supposed to be at 50. These are not the things that will make us the giants it is in our genes to be. A nation with our abundance in natural resources, our richness in culture, our diverse and resourceful population, our ubiquity in the global society, our spirt, our energetic young folk and our accomplished intellectuals and industrialists has no business being in the state we are in. Period. So why are we in it?
Before you supply the ever ready answer: leadership, think twice. Who is the leader in Nigeria today? No matter how corrupt our political elite is, they are microscopic when compared to our number. There are too few of them to hold Nigeria in ransom, yet they do that successfully. Why? Dont say, it doesnt concern me..im not politically inclined. Everyone is. Even right now, that little urge is rising in you to pay attention, to investigate, to ask questions, to think more deeply. But just as quickly, you are confronted by the difficulty of not knowing what to ask, or who to ask it, or most importantly, what difference it will make. So you convince yourself that it doesnt matter, it doesnt concern you. You give up even before you have started the battle. At the same time, thousands of other people are doing exactly the same thing. Taking the easy way out. Talking but not saying the right words. Thinking, but not thinking the right thoughts. Or choosing not to think about it at all. You realise that God gave you talents, and abilities, and a destiny. But have you asked, why did he see it necessary to package me for Nigeria?? You think Nigeria is not part of your life objectives, so you focus on making it, and raising a family and living your life. And you forget that one day, at some point, you will be confronted with the reality that your life was tied to our nation for a reason. Maybe you will find it out when you are somewhere in the world, and your nationality becomes the only issue seperating you from a fulfilled life. Or when your children will ask...daddy, mummy, why isnt our country our home? Or maybe even when we get to this heaven that all of us tout, and God asks, what did you do with the mission I entrusted you. Because one thing I know is sure, our fate as a people, is tied to the fate of our nation.
When wiill you do ONE thing to further the fulfillment of Nigeria's need? When will you volunteer that time, that effort, that money, that information, and pass it on and do something to say...this is for Nigeria. It doesnt have to be great. Its the little actions that count. Patriotism goes beyond wearing Nigeria's colours on your back. It involves having Nigeria's cause in your heart. Elections are coming up in 2011. Who do you think will be a step ahead or a step backward for us? What have you done to ensure that the right person has his name out there. There are countless groups whose aim is to rally young people, to support good causes in nigeria, to educate, to help, to lobby. How many have you joined? How many have you supported? Home is where the heart is...how big is your heart? Only big enough for your family? your village? your home city?
All Im saying, is that Nigeria has so much more potential. But where is that potential? Its not in the land, or sand, or oil or gas. Its in you. And me. And all 150 million of us. There are over 40 million Nigerians aged 18 to 25. We have a HUGE young population. Our young men are building Nollywood, and our entertainment industry, and are increasingly building our business industry. When will you join in the fun? Who knows if you are the next Wole Sonyinka, or Dangote, or Adenuga. All of us cant be politicians. But all of us can be leaders of Nigeria. All of us have what Nigeria needs. And we need to start delivering!
Happy Anniversary...
An Nigerian-minded
El Divine.
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