by Femi Owolabi
On 15th March 2009, the minister of information, Prof. Dora Akunyili under the aegis of the federal government made an edict of the change of Nigeria slogan to ‘good people great nation’. This was simultaneously christened rebranding Nigeria project.
Rebranding Nigeria project simply means to redefine our concept of nationhood and engage wholly in the process of national renewal to attain a height where national interest is exalted far and above personal ethno-religious and regional interest. It also connotes the renewing of our dreams, hopes and aspiration, a wholesome re-dedication and re-commitment to the dictates of our national anthem. A scenario in which the domestic and international image of the nation matters to all and sundry.
The slogan ‘good people great nation’ is succinctly explicit and contingently consequential. How do I mean? One phase hinges on the other i.e. – making one sine qua non to achieving the other.
While the nation remains in a state of limbo, the question on the lips of observers is what is happening since the centre is not knitted. The realization of this morass the nation is, gives us a clue about what to do according to John Mason that problems are to be solved but facts are to be accepted.
However all hopes are not lost because the youth are involved in the crusade. Anyway we youths must realize that we have rendezvous with destiny and that the task of reshaping our individual and collective destinies is our sole responsibility and that we owe our posterity a duty to craft a well projected, practicable and workable blueprint for nation building.
Conversely, the Nigeria youth have to overhaul their value and believe system by the right education of the mind. An educated person as defined by Aristotle’ is someone who has learnt to get whatever he wants in life without violating the rights and decency of others’. [That is, acquainting ourselves with the fundamental rights of Nigeria’s citizens as enshrined in the constitution]. As against the prevalent get rich quick syndrome of our youths.
At this defining moment in our national lives, the Nigeria youths should be very conscious of the fact that despite our seemingly national challenges, what binds us together is far greater than what divides us apart. It is about time we left our comfort zone and embrace ourselves as Nigerians and not as Biafras, Yorubas or Abokis. In the light of this, the synergy required for the great nation we envisage would be realized.
Incidentally, the Nigerian youths have failed to realize the power in synergy. However, the time is now when the youths must align themselves with the oath of allegiance, ‘when all of us realize how valuable each of us is, that is powerful. And when each of us understands how powerful all of us are.’ Then the vision of the Eldorado [Nigeria] is inevitable.
In a manner of reminiscence Nigeria’s economy was among the best during the 1970s though oil exploration was not on a large scale. History revels that the development witnessed by the country was pivoted on the exploits of the Nigeria youths then. It would interest you to know that the men at the helms of affairs then were youths [Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Gen. Murtala Mohammed]. Therefore, it is high time the youths started to think about what they can do for the nation but not what they can get from her. With this, we can fortify our once existed country’s greatness with a common sense of purpose; rediscover the virtues of hard work, patriotism inter alia personal responsibility. Then the country’s economy, which is on the brink of apocalypse, would be revamped.
On the other hand, Nigeria youths must shiver their minds from the money mentality and get rich quick syndrome. In addition, they should be service inclined by identifying needs in our various niches. For example the youths should acquire skill in various relevant fields so as to meet up with the demands of the society. They should as well avail themselves the opportunity of soft loans facilities from our microfinance banks to invest in agriculture.
At this crucial moment of national rebirth, let the Nigeria youth be bold enough to say, ‘no, no matter what, my vote counts during election and that every government policies affect me directly and that is why my voice must be heard, I must invest my input into government’. As youth, we should see ourselves as political architects that would rather build into our nation’s future than archaeologist who digs from relics of our past political failures. We should see nation building as opportunity of lifetime given to us to discharge our obligations to a beloved country.
As the nation is basking in the euphoria of her 54th independence and centenary anniversary celebrations, I want us the youths of Nigeria to convince ourselves to starve our doubt of the possibility of a great nation Nigeria to death. Let us see this centenary celebration as an opportunity to renew our patriotism.
Mention must be made of the invaluable efforts of our gallant soldiers -the Nigerian Military at curbing the Boko Haram menace bedeviling us as a nation.They are the heros especially those that paid the ultimate price with their lives just to ensure peace reigns supreme.And for those who take pleasure in killing innocent lives and the various sympathizers of Boko Haram,Two things are certain-1 Kama will knock at their doors and posterity will never forgive them.
It’s a known fact that whatever has a beginning must surely have an end,the same goes for this Boko Haram insurgency,Nigeria will surely overcome this stage and the insurgency will surely become a thing of the past. Boko Haram will soon exist only in the history of Nigeria just like the civil war became part of the nation’s relics.
Therefore as Patriots let’s not loose hope in our dear country but let’s keep faith and hope alive because Nigeria will surely rise up like a phoenix from the ashes.
Overall let us the youths align our mind the lyrics of the national anthem and pledge and see it beyond a ceremonial song which heralds the presence of political office holders, but as an opportunity to reaffirm our loyalty and commitment to our beloved country Nigeria.
I, hereby state unequivocally that Nigeria shall rise like a phoenix from the ashes provided we THE LEADERS OF NOW i.e. youths conceptualize the adumbrated submission, then the great nation Nigeria that seem elusive is inevitably achievable.
God bless Nigeria! Happy centenary and 54th independence anniversary celebration!
Femi Owolabi is a a motivational speaker and life coach. He is a microbiologist by based in Abuja. He is former president of University Of Abuja Campus Jousnalists. He tweets from @maverickfemi.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
