My Nigerian Dream

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Image Credit: Google

 

Right now, I feel very lazy to write. This is an unusual feeling. The truth is that I have suddenly become a Twitter-Junkie. These days, I spend more time on twitter and other channels dropping comments or articulating few thoughts. In most cases, I only type not more than 10 lines. Well, it’s good to be here again and this time I will be writing more than 10 lines. This is moreso because I am going to be writing about love. Yes! LOVE. I will be writing about something that I really really LOVE. It's an idea. It's a place. It is NIGERIA.


I love Nigeria and I'm deeply unapologetic about this. How can I not love her? She has such a very big heart. In one of my memoirs for her, I once adored her beauty. Oh! She is a beauty in the Sahara. Her undulating plateaus, the Delta, the Olumo, Yankari, Ogbunike Cave and many more. If you haven't met a Nigerian, I am sorry to inform you that you have such a limited experience in life. Nigerians are indubitably the happiest people on the planet. That's a big deal. A very big deal gan!. If I sound very chauvinistic, please bear with me or do me a favour, GO HUG TRANSFORMER (A Nigerian cliché). Talk of creativity. Nigerians are top notch inventive.


Two days ago we celebrated her 52nd independence celebration. Arguably, one of the dullest in recent times. It is easy to list several things that probably make the celebration uninspiring. Even Mr. President is not even happy (I heard his wife is indisposed). If this is true, he has every good reason not to be so thrilled. I won't be if my Shally; God forbid have as small as a slight headache. I love my Shally. Boko Haram is very busy rocking havocs around the Northern hemisphere. Multiple floods displacing the good people from their homes. Our reputation as a corrupt nation is not getting any better especially when you consider Transparency International’s latest refutal on the claim of the President. At this time it even seems the continued unity of Nigeria as a nation seems highly threatened. Some have even discredited the constitution overruling the legitimacy of the nation and its institutions. (A deep sigh). It seems indeed that we are battered on ever side. In all of these, I choose to say "IT IS WELL"


For all its worth, let me assure myself that all is indeed well. With all these myriads of misfortunes besieging the Niger Area; the debilitating challenges of today is capable of deriding the patriotic sentiment and commitment of Nigerians to stop believing in the idea called Nigeria. This must not be allowed to happen. I find a great solace and succor in one thing. The National Pledge. The echoes of the past as enshrined in the pledge are that thing that is giving me the hope for the moment. Inspite of the obvious doldrums, I am confident that we have a purpose. If there was no purpose, there probably will be no basis to dream again talk much of live again.


And the sacred words called "The Pledge"

 

I pledge to Nigeria my country
To be faithful, Loyal and Honest
To serve Nigeria with all my strength
To defend her unity
Uphold her honour and glory
So help me God

 

These words reverberate deep in my soul. In these words lies the essence of Nigeria. Make no mistake that territories change. Even empires collapse but you see an idea never dies. Nigeria is not just a geographical entity. It is an idea predicated on a clarion call. This is the reason why I am steadfast in our ability to weather the storms. This is why inspite of the naysayers, my love for this nation keeps waxing. This is why inspite of all negative predictions, I choose to believe in the Nigerian Dream. Go to the mountain tops. Tell the world that Nigeria; the dying embers of her will yet come alive. 

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