TODAY WITH DIDAM (The Nigerian Dream)
I
believe in the nation of Nigeria. I believe in the strength of the hopeful
unity of the Nigerian people. I believe that within every Nigerian is the
ability to break new grounds and reach greater heights. Like it is said of New
York, if you can make it in Nigeria, you can make it anywhere. Though Nigerians
are religious, some are not truly godly. Every Nigerian wishes for a country he
or she will be proud to call home. With my eyes wide opened (not in a day dream
nor wishful thinking), I have a dream like Dr Martin Luther King (Jnr.); of a
Nigeria, where religiosity will be exchanged for godliness; where citizens will
cast their votes devoid of religious, cultural or ethnic sentiments. A Nigeria
where an electoral candidate will be elected not based on his or her political
party nor religious or other affiliations, but by virtue of his or her
prospective ability to lead and not rule, in the contested office. We need some
soul searching. The time is now!
I
dream of a Nigeria, where public schools and hospitals will take back their
past glories and relive it in today’s reality. A Nigeria where serving
government functionaries (all inclusive) would be medically checked and treated
in Nigerian ‘state of the art’ hospitals, with cutting edge technologies, by
world class but homemade doctors within our shores. Where the children/wards of
every man or woman in government or with a political appointment, will be
mandated to attend public schools (primary, secondary or tertiary). I see a
Nigeria where power-cuts exist only in our history; where electricity becomes
common-placed.
I
am still dreaming of a Nigeria where political office holders and their
appointees, will put the interest of the people (nation) first; where
nationalism will become the order of the day; where religious, cultural or
ethnic sentiments will go into extinction. A Nigeria where the value of human
life will be respected, and the dignity of labour properly upheld and gratified,
is what I dream of. I dream of a Nigeria where abject poverty will be taught in
school as a theoretical perspective, because it no longer exist or is at its
barest minimum. Where the world’s most populous black nation will take back her
place as the true giant of Africa. I foresee a Nigeria where dreams won’t be
aborted but harnessed to the fullest of potentials; a nation where heroes,
patriots and benchmarkers will be remembered, celebrated and compensated during
their lifetime and not just posthumously. I dream of a nation where the cart
won’t be placed before the horse.
To
this end do I have a dream; that one day, out of the creeks of the south-south,
out of the harmattan and dusty winds of northern Nigeria, out of the rainforest
of the south-west, and out of the industrious people of the south-east; will
arise a set of thorough bred (not the Nigerian rap group), who wouldn’t be
sentimental nor bias along religious or ethnic lines. But will have God and
their nation at heart. Not just by words but also by actions; in public and in
their closets. Sadly, you might want to ask this question: What is actually
obtainable in Nigeria, ‘dreams’ or ‘nightmares’? I personally believe you will
get whatever you’ve decided to obtain, either in Nigeria or anywhere else in
the world, period! But if you decide to reason otherwise, the choice is yours
for the making.
Until
this dream is realised, please don’t wake me up. I prefer being a dreamer of a
possibly beautiful future than to wallow in the reality of today’s wanton
calamities. Whatever your dream is, keep dreaming. Dream big and work smart! I
dream of you Nigeria.
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