Morolake Akinosun: A Nigerian hero

Sir: Morolake Akinosun is a Nigerian-American, whose parents are surely among the Nigerians in the Diaspora contributing immensely to the socioeconomic development of the United States.

Akinosun is an American track runner who participated in this year 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She won gold at the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto, Canada in 4 x 100 metres with teammate Barbara Pierre and a host of others. She was born on May 17, 1994 and attended University of Texas at Austin, Texas, USA.

She has won another gold medal in the women’s track and field event in the just concluded 2016 Summer Olympics. She has brought more glory, honour and fame to her family and to America. She is a spotlight of glory. She has also registered her family name in the Museum of American sports. For her to have come to limelight in sport, she must have been an exceptional student in school.

Akinosun’s victory is an admixture of joy and sadness for some of us who are incurable optimists of a greater Nigeria. Nigerians are scattered across the world distinguishing themselves in all human endeavours. The years of locust have contributed to the deadly brain-drain from Nigeria. Research has shown that Nigerian immigrants have the most educated citizens among all the nationalities in the United States. Peruse the U.S. geography and go into any corner of the country, what you will see will stun you to cry aloud for Nigeria’s revival in the present predicament. Ours is after all not a lost hope!

In the last four decades, Nigerian leaders have sold their conscience and moral for porridge. The current youth is so anticipatory in the patrimony of corruption. They see the sharing of national cake as family inheritance. In a state of conundrum, we radiate in a repetitious and nauseating life circle, glorifying mundane and mediocrity. Every passing day is a wasted opportunity for all Nigerians to get it right. Regrettably, the days of Emmanuel Egbunike, Falilat Ogunkoya, Sunday Bada, Mary Onyali and a host of others who glowed our collective memory are gone? As we lay our bed, so we shall we lie on it. Corruption and religion are the Nigerian twin towers plaguing her development. 

I am using this medium to appreciate and congratulate all Nigerian participants in this year 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. You have tried your best for a country struggling with so many contradictions. Akinosun  has become part of the conscience of a nation yearning for its salvation and revival. We pray that Morolake and her parent’s national duality in the course of a new Nigeria will continue to manifest in her new enigmatic status.
• Yahaya Balogun,
Arizona, USA.