Nigeria is greater than Nigerians

OUR history as a nation sometimes confounds me. However, the brotherhood of our race always gives me the hope and courage to stay positive about our survival as a country. Nigeria was named by Lady Lugard following the Amalgamation in 1914. A hundred-year has passed and we still carry on with this name even after a bloody civil war that threatened our unity.

Nigeria is a country that has always been closed to the precipice, but there is always a saving grace. She has survived her challenges with the positive spirit of our collective national interest. Many Nigerians are faced with the realities than dreams, when it comes to the affairs of the nation. Nigeria is the only black nation in the world that has a population of more than 170 million black people. For this reason she is considered the most populous black nation in the world.

Furthermore, Nigeria is governed by Nigerians and Nigeria comes first before the Nigerian. This is because Nigeria is the identity and the Nigerian is the dweller. As old as the Nigeria’s democracy is, she is not mature enough to be told what affectionate love is because she needs to know the principles of love before loving.

Our democracy is too young to be mishandled by unthinking politicians who only see their own interest and not the interest of the nation. They hijack power to loot and steal public funds to enrich themselves and enslave the masses to whom they owe their services. The politicians are given the power of the people; they use it to abuse the people and public trust and offices. They demonise the opposition to be able to protect their loot.

In Nigeria, there is this prodigal attitude of our leaders. They are conscious of the fact that yes, they may loot. However, once they return to their native communities and repent they would receive forgiveness. This is despite the fact that they advertise their irresponsibility with their lavish lifestyle and women, a lavish lifestyle facilitated with squandered public funds. This makes me ask myself: Where is patriotism? Where is the love for our country? Even if we hate one another which may not be unusual in communities of human beings, where is that love to build our children’s future? As bad as we are, we know how to give good things to our children; why can’t we save the future of this country for our children’s sake. We should be our brother’s keeper not because we are from the same ethnic group and cultural background nor do we necessarily share the same faith, but because we are of the same race and most importantly, Nigerians.

When issues about Nigeria arise, we are seized with trepidation and fear like an expectant mother who has no helper by her side to give her love and words of encouragement when her hour is nigh. We all know the effect of instability to the growth and development of any nation. There are so many things that have bedeviled the Nigerian state. They are too numerous to be counted.

The solution that Nigeria needs to salvage her from these woes is to bring in people with the fear of the Almighty Creator, and who have the respect for their fellow countrymen at heart into politics and various positions of power. These leaders should be able to use the manpower that we have to engender economic growth, social justice and constructive development in the nation. Nigerians are very innovative people when they are faced with difficulties. With the support from the government, there is no doubt whatsoever that we can overcome our common challenges of poverty and underdevelopment.

As Nigerians, we need to learn from one another, we need to apply policies that will be beneficial to everyone. We need to see the oneness in our race instead of the division in differences of tongue, language, culture and religion. We need to know why the Easterners want to trade and make money without depending on anybody for assistance. We need to know why the Northerners want to farm and engage in livestock trade. For the South-Westerners, education is their priority and industry. We need to know why they go for education first to improve their well being. We need to find out why the Southerners are so blessed with natural resources and how these can be managed. If we have a perfect understanding and good views about each other’s strength as a people we can pull the plug and change the future of our land by harnessing our various gifts, abilities and resources to make our country glorious and a super power in Africa and the World, just as Nelson Mandela predicted.

Nigerians should cease to deal with their problem scratching the surface. Nigeria is greater than Nigerians. We should bear that in mind at all times. It is the starting point, for Nigerians can make Nigeria proud only by the virtue of their actions towards her. It should also be mentioned that we as a nation need to increase our military capabilities, invest more in agriculture and engineering. Nigeria should introduce the military drills in our schools as a way of moulding young Nigerians. The drills should take place from Senior Secondary Schools. It is from the ranks of those who have gone through such drills that we should pick qualified and intelligent young leaders to govern the country in the future.

It is in these basics that building a successful and disciplined nation lies as well as well-formed young generations of Nigerians. With what many Nigerians are used to nowadays, it would take time for things to change. However, we have the duty to protect the young ones from the sins of their fathers otherwise we would become an epitome of disgrace and shame to the Black race.

The principles of brotherhood in nation-building must be taught in our schools and colleges. It must be anchored firmly in our educational system. Every Nigerian child must know that he has to love his country with total submission and devotion. This would make other African countries jealous of our nation. They should be put in a position to realise that if they mess up with a Nigerian abroad their country would pay dearly for it. Such would send strong signals to every potential enemy of Nigeria and we would gain back our respect in the comity of nations.
• Okojie lives at 1, Nosa-Edogun Street, GRA, Benin City, Edo State.
Tel: 08066438055
email:paulocoo78@gmail.com