It is surprising that there are Nigerians who can not recite the Nigerian anthem. Some might wonder what the fuss is all about but this is a case of being unpatriotic. Though it might look insignificant but the very words of the national anthem and pledge serve as a guide and an oath to be obeyed. The first stanza of the national anthem is a call for service and the acknowledgement of our heroes whose labour and dedication had brought about the freedom of Nigeria from Colonial rule. These heroes include the living and unloving legends amongst which include Sir Ahmadu Bello, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Margaret Ekpo, and Olufunmi Ransome Kuti amongst others. This should not be an issue when the average Nigerian is more concerned on how to feed than to learn the National anthem and pledge. Besides the percentage of those who are literate to those who are not represent a small fraction of the entire populace.
Nigeria marked its 52nd independence anniversary on October 1st, 2012. This celebration generated mixed reactions. While some were cursing and lamenting, others where rejoicing and keeping hope alive. It is pathetic that at 52 years the Nigerian economy has little to show and is still considered as a third world country. Inhabiting about 140 million people who have rich cultures, indigenous foods and peculiar languages, Nigeria is still battling with mismanagement of its abundant resources, poor governance, corruption, power failure,insecurity amongst other vices. Particularly, security has been a serious issue with the insurgence of boko haram whose activities have made Northern Nigeria an unsafe to live. These so-called terrorist have made religious institutions especially churches their target areas. They have also claimed responsibility for the attacks on government institutions and even police stations. The motive for their recurrent attacks is for Nigeria to imbibe Islam and do away with the Western influence through education as it were. They have also vowed to make the tenure of the incumbent president ungovernable. There are speculations that they (Boko Haram) have links with external terrorist bodies as well as sponsors home and abroad.
Poverty has eaten deep into the Nigerian economy. The average Nigerian can barely fend for himself talk less of his family. Even with the increase of the minimum wage to 18000 naira, it leaves the receiver with little or no substance to sustain himself because he has to contend with feeding, transportation, accommodation and clothing. Unemployment has been on the increase. Under employment has been the order of the day. So many graduates are over-qualified for the job that they have at hand. They are involved in jobs that possess no opportunity for growth. Besides this, the educational sector is in shambles, the reoccurrence of strikes has been the order of the day. Buying and forgery of certificates seem to have taken over the system, students no longer believe in hard work-the burning of late night candles to study extensively rather they rely on cutting corners to make headway in life. Agriculture has been left to the never-do –wells and is regarded to be low paying. Hence, everyone is basically migrating to the urban centers in pursuit of white collar jobs. Farmers are faced with several issues ranging from poor infrastructure to low capital to inadequate storage facilities to pests to lack of modernized farming implements amongst other pressing issues.
Nigeria has been blacklisted in the world map, ranked as one of the most corrupt nations and presently as a terrorist nation because of the spate at which the boko haram group have been launching attacks on the Nigerian economy. Nigerians in the Diaspora are ashamed to show their green cards for the fear of being labelled terrorists and dubious in character. This goes to show how Nigerians are regarded in the international community. Despite all the sad tales of woes and lamentations, Nigerians are very hopeful and there are many individuals doing the country proud both at home and abroad. The likes of Chinua Achebe, Phillip Emegwali, Chinamanda Adichie, Flora Nwapa, Buchi Emecheta, Wole Soyinka, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Obiageli Ezekwesili, Aliko Dangote and a host of others have represented Nigeria at home and abroad .They are living the Nigeria dream imprinting their footsteps in the sands of time. The country is known to house a bundle of talents, unique individuals and creative minds. There has been transformation in the entertainment industry, the production level has surpassed local consumption and presently is imported to the international market which has been reaping dividends.
As 2015 approaches, much has been left undone and the economy continues to crawl. The actualization of the Millennium development goals seem far to reach. However, there has been signs of little development taking place though moving at snail’s pace, it still points out that Nigeria has potentials to be ranked as one of the developed countries of the world. Nigeria can take it place in the world map as a land flowing with milk and honey, endowed with natural resources, favourable climate, manpower and expertise.
The change Nigeria needs starts with individuals from the family to the community. We must not always point fingers to the government. Nigerians ought to change their mentality of always relying on the government to what they can do to move the country forward.
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