NIGERIA @ 60:

There is a saying that a ‘’Drop of water in the river makes an ocean’’ it is on this backdrop that I am inspired to remain positive until the ‘’Labour of our Heroes Past shall never be in Vain” join me as we together in One Voice celebrate the Nigeria of our dreams. As exciting as it should have been Nigeria @60, I find it even more interesting that it is independence of a Sole effort joined together to make  partnership that will surely become reality. Slow but Steady is the progress and faith we have, never giving up until we find the ‘P’ which stands for Peace.

Nigeria is a developing country hoping to be developed decades to come. Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing towards what will be –Khalil.

No matter how beautiful and well crafted a coffin might look, it will not make anyone wish for death. -African Proverb

When the roots of a tree begin to decay, it spreads death to the branches-Nigerian Proverb. Why then should we give room for corruption, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, fraud, system mediocrity, God fatherism, nepotism and a lot more that eats the foundation of our existence hence taking us back to the root of our foundation before independence? Should we then prefer the Brits who made us sick but provided hospitals to make us feel they were for our own interest?

Nigeria at 60 is a wakeup call for all, both home and abroad to make individual impacts, as little as it may seem. Those who play the blame game are only those who are not willing to make progress, and this brings me to the saying “a drop of kerosene spoils the whole soup but should we throw away the soup including the pot or wash the pot and prepare a new soup that will stand and last the hands of time, a virgin land flowing with natural milk and honey waiting to be fully explored.”

As easy as this may seem to be said in words it takes more than a paper work full of propounded theories without human efforts to make a change. It takes revolution and change of the entire system, processes, policies and procedures put in place; years of untold hardship and pains, patriotism, honesty, good leadership, stewardship, accountability, integrity and to crown it all an independent judicial system devoid of bias. The law must take its course without manipulations such as the use of “Numerous ORs” that may be found in a constitution used as loopholes to maneuver a system. An express law devoid of colour, nationality, community, tribe, race but full of justice like what our judicial system was formed to stand for. Lady Justitia is the symbol of justice; a blindfolded woman carrying a sword and a set of scales is a common symbol on courthouses in Nigeria and inside some court rooms. She symbolizes fair and equal administration of the law, without corruption, favour, greed or prejudice.

The blindfold represents Objectivity and impartiality that justice should be meted out without fear or favour, regardless of money, wealth, or power.

She holds Scales to represent the weighing of evidence; evidence must be weighed on its own merit.

The Sword represents Punishment, signifying that justice can be swift and final. She holds the sword below the scales to show that evidence weighted on its merit in a court of law come before punishment.

The snake under her foot represents evil, and lies and the book is the law, the constitution from which justice is administered.

As interesting and simple as this may be viewed and understood, a need may arise for the overhauling of the judicial System and practices in order to ensure that we embrace the Detective and Preventive measures rather than the Corrective measures of doing things.

War and Violence are words that speak and communicate through hard ways like Death of loved ones. The damage done may never be erased, but will be written in the hearts of men through a pen as painful as a pierced sword; a story to be read and then the emergence of History passed on to the younger generation that if not properly written may also utter a reaction that may cause diversity in disguise and the enemy may leverage taking advantage and a conquering may set in.

Should we therefore be blindfolded and get used to the new normal? No for me is the only answer to freedom. Why then do you throw stones when you know you live in a glass house, should Nigeria not walk on egg shells so as not to allow rapture consume us when it sets in, why don’t we as a country join hands together to build strong walls and barriers that will stand the test of time?

Nigeria of our dreams is pregnant and must give birth to our national goals: standard education System, good roads, end unemployment, good hospitals, food security, price stability, Economic growth, Equity, infrastructural development, economic freedom, efficiency, desired leadership and room for sustainability. Only then can we take a deep breath and sing our National Anthem in all confidence and sing it like we mean every single word with key notes:

Arise O Compatriots,

Nigeria’s call obey

To serve our Fatherland

With love and strength and faith

The labour of our heroes past

Shall never be in vain,

To serve with hearts and minds

One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.

NATIONAL PLEDGE

I pledge to Nigeria my Country

To be faithful, loyal, and honest

To serve Nigeria with all my strength

To defend her unity, and uphold her honour and glory

So, help me God.

There is always light at the end of the tunnel for those who never give up/quit.

One Nigeria Flagged by Green White Green and this identity shall we upheld.

Hope is alive.Gracias!