Sitting among the high and mighty, I mean the old with wisdom, I discovered that there are several lessons to be learnt and more opportunities to uncover. Viewing from this apex point of rich wisdom I heard these elders talk about Nigeria my country and the labours of their contemporaries. One issue erupted from another and at the end I was alone in deep thoughts, fixing up the puzzling pieces of reasonable discussion I had heard.
Sometimes I cannot stand despicable talks about my country. I wish eyes can see my perspective and hearts can feel my pain. I see a country ready to write her own story, connecting generations to come to the truths and realities of their heritage; not a youth bedridden and news-fed by fables of oil wealth and government gains that holds little or nothing. I see a Nigeria that will rise against delusive ideas written about us by external powers to separate us rather than make us realize our own identity and diversified unity.
I took a walk through slums and discovered that there are Nigerians who understand the dream of our founding fathers, seeing the big picture with a global perspective. I came across this group of industrious young minds who know the truth that our fathers were manipulated into an abrupt plan for independence but who will not sit and play the game of blames or trade words for uncultured stereotypic discuss about geo-political discordance; about who is not in the north and who deserves to be south. These youths will rather sit and plan wealth from scavenging than cry over the spilled milk of unfortunate mishap of their peers and predecessors who fail to interpret the dreams of the heroes past.
Tafawa Balewa was known to be the golden voice of the North, he was one whom eloquence was a natural gift with a spectacular diction, the fame of sir Ahmadu Bello cannot be overemphasized; his quest was for all northerners to be educated as against the low level of education in the North when compared to the high level of education in western Nigeria, it was his great dream that gave birth to what he never knew would become one of Africa’s largest citadel of knowledge – Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. These men fought for an egalitarian society. A wonderful twist to the story of these great men and of course several other heroes of our nation is that, they were attributed with simplicity; they grew among their peers and complete honesty was found as semblance among them, irrespective of their ethnicity. The bigger picture for me is that each and every ethnic clime and religion can raise men of greater minds than our fathers, where tongue or wrongs will not define us as a nation. One song our fathers wished they sang to the ears of our erring young minds is encapsulated in our national anthem – I wonder if it is still being sung with heartfelt meditation, that ''our youth should know the truth, to grow in love and honesty, to live just and true... and build a nation where peace and justice shall reign''. These men lived in a society not different from ours, it therefore means we can do better because we have better tools at our disposal.
Time will fail me to comment on my peep into the confluence around the Niger, where youths who understand the power of media, politics, education, and justice are working quietly and deliberately to control and liberate Nigeria out of a mentality of victimization into a nation of self motivated people; youths who understand that the real competition is not against the next tribe, but against the worst mind; a competition in terms of invention, innovation, discoveries, initiatives, and achievements.
It is high time we saw a Nigeria that is not born by ethnic factions. It is time we stopped giving solutions around newspaper stands and forming a public parliament of artisans and labour workers rather than sit as honourables to make laws. I wish the young minds in my country can breakout of mental laziness and stop the fear of the unknown. Unfortunately, the people who know how to run my great country sit at discussion joints, they are cab drivers, motorcyclist, always standing around newspaper vendors arguing current affairs. I foresee a generation not known with cheap talks but one that will ‘work the talk.’
The erstwhile leadership of Alhaji Musa Yar'Adua has shown a practical example of how peace can bind us better than war.
I see a Nigeria that is free of corruption, mental laziness and ehtno-religious intolerance. I see a Nigeria that is not determined by the news making the headlines but a brand new culture making the news.
If we so flaunt our green-lush abilities and white-innocence on a piece of flag then we should wake up to the realities on our piece of land; we need each other and none but ourselves can free our minds. We are the very freedom we seek. Indeed change begins with me. If you think am dreaming, please don’t wake me.
Name: Abuh Emmanuel
State: Kogi State
Mobile: 08132646755
Email: emmynugwaabuh@gmail.com