My Krossroads

Nigeria, the largest black nation in the world, also referred to as the giant of Africa. My worry, Nigeria seems to be under a spell of confusion with leaders not understanding the enormity of issues at hand. Most Nigerians believe in the entity called Nigeria, I do. I also believe in the survival of Nigeria. The flip side is through its fifty-two years as a nation, its people though diverse in cultures are yet to unite as a people with a common goal. Our story as a nation cannot be told without first narrating the civil war that almost divided us. Without doubt, our struggles as a nation suggest a need to go back to the drawing board. The first question is, are we able to rise above our pain and difficulties? That is the question each Nigerian should try and answer because it has been said that” the only way to predict the future is to create it.”We can make Nigeria. There is great wisdom in the well-known lyrics, “If you don’t have a dream, how can you make your dream come true?” So, what is our dream for Nigeria?
Our founding fathers had a dream; they sacrificed to create a nation but were probably under a lot of pressure to unite Nigeria hence our dilemma today. There is no doubt that our diversity, which should be a point of strength, is now a challenge. This is reflected in our everyday lives. An example, woe betides a Christian in the north if his path crosses the path of a Muslim or if you are from another tribe. These are not stories but facts. If these are occurring in the 21st century Nigeria, then I wonder if our interest as a nation still holds.

On a more serious note, it is time we realize the age we live in, an age of communication. I wonder if the process of development is a bridge, we cannot seem to cross. Agreed, Nigeria is a developing country with just eleven years of uninterrupted democratic rule. That the road seems long should not be a deterrent to well meaning Nigerians to keep reaching for development, development involves a systematic, conscious and organized process of change. The fact that underdevelopment seems to affect every sector now, should not be the focus. If truth be told Rome was not built in a day, so greatness will come to Nigeria someday. Our challenges today will become steps to higher heights nevertheless, Nigeria we hail thee! The path to economic fortune will come once a roadmap is drawn to address some of the major obstacles and challenges that hinder our quest for sustainable development. Meaning, we all can vigorously pursue our set goals as opportunities are inherent in our country and the need to harness them with the right tools is sometimes lacking but again the crucial point is generating ideas on how best to move the country forward with the objective of creating meaningful development.