Go and write it down somewhere, 15-20yrs from now, Nigeria will be one of the most desired countries in the world. The Nigerian VISA will be more priced and more scarce than that of Dubai. People will literally kill to visit, and people will smile and get excited about you, when they hear that you are a Nigerian. What Nigeria will be is not like anything that presently exists. The men and women, boys and girls who will be remembered for their parts in this struggle of selflessness are the ones I urge to cast their votes for a New Nigeria here. Don’t join the bandwagon, think about it, and say YES!!! Say yes to a New Nigeria, say YES to the Nigeria of our dreams. It is a struggle that will require sacrifice, patience, strategy, persistence, courage and strong desires. But we will make it! Not can, WILL. And I, Adeolu Akinyemi together with You will be part of the success story of the New Nigeria.
This is a clarion call to all those who believe that something good can still come out of Nigeria. That we can team up with our little drops and make a mighty ocean. That together we can raise a force of African Role Models, that have the capacity to cause change in Nigeria and Africa at large. Just recently, I was reading the blog of a friend, and I saw prophecies/perspectives from a guy about further doom for Nigeria, and I wondered…it is true that the only thing that good needs to do for evil to prosper is not shine. Silence is the crime of good. Let me remind you, no matter how comfortable you feel as second class citizens in another mans land, home will forever be more appealing if things are done right.
There is no future for Nigeria outside of us, we are the future, and if we play the games that our fathers did, leaving the stage for the guys whose only claim to power is via the privilege of having ever handled a gun, then we mortgage the futures of our children. Near of far, abroad or here, we will live and die as Nigerians.
A friend of mine presently in the UK, considered me worthy of being the first she’ll discuss this with. She read my mind, I’m interested, and I think some people who read this blog are too. This is an opportunity for us to register our interest or perhaps lack of it and why. Just put your thoughts and comments here, and lets inform others. Eventually we might need to move from here into a forum of our own…but for now, lets know who is interested.
Excepts from mail 1 from Yinka…
I’ve had something on my mind for a while and i thought i’d just ask your take on it. I came back to school to study development economics because i want to get involved in the development of Nigeria at some future point in my life. I realise that the skill set required for building Nigeria must be multi-faceted and i just decided that economics is the angle i want to aproach it from. Obviously this building up requires people with complementary skills and a common vision and purpose to make it work and the idea of getting in touch with people who are interested in developing particular skills which will be beneficial to addressing the problems in Nigeria and who will follow through in applying those skills appropriately came to my mind. Personally, i think a lot of Nigerians have good intentions and have tried their best when in positions of power but their efforts didn’t have the desired impact cause they couldn’t build the necessary momentum on their own.
Essentially i was wondering if you knew people who are willing to lay down their own self interests and get together to do something. I’m not thinking in line of a club with a motto and regular meetings or some charitable organisation…been there done that. I’m thinking more of a network of people who are aiding and monoitoring each other’s progress in acquiring the necessary human and physical capital and who are actively making inroads into the corridors of power…not a political group per say although that has to be an essential ingredient to the whole mix but a group that is ready to get its hands dirty at every level….i hope you catch my drift and everything i’ve said sounds a bit coherent. Will give you a call as soon as i get a response in the affirmative. I’m sorry if my mail sounds very formal…i’ve been reading too many academic journals….. Take care and reply soon,ok.
Are you qualified, willing and able?
13 thoughts on “Do you believe in Nigeria?”
Its good to hear people of like minds like this.I have said this before now, even if I am the only one who does I still believe something great and outstanding can come out of this ‘Nasareth’.
Reading this piece again makes me get more convinced that there is an awakening in the minds of some people.They dont have to be in millions or some politicians up there but the ‘nobodies’ in small pockets at different corners round the country or abroad.Its all about the state of our mind,and our convictions which we shall energise by participating actively in our own little ways to ensuring that we see the birth of the Nigeria of our dream.
Nigeria is simply a sleeping giant and needs to be awakened out of her slumber.This we shall do with God on our sides.America didnt become great by chance but by its citizens accepting responsibility.I believe your prediction that Nigeria will take her rghtful place in the committee of nations and in ten , fifteen years time, we shall be the envy of these so called developed nations.
I LOVE NIGERIA!!!!!!!
Hmmn,
The Journey of a thousand years surely begins with a step..I feel Yinka’s thots and passion and believe that she is not alone in the pursuit of making a meaningful impact in our dear nation Nigeria.
It is true that some people [‘Lanre inclusive 🙂 ] have tried to effect a change in their own sphere of interest at some time in the past (or even presently) but it seems as if the impact is not been felt by the larger society. I know that there is an array of great minds both within and outside Nigeria who are seriously passionate about Nigeria – A New Nigeria, but maybe the absence of the right synergy of ideas, thoughts, strengths, skills, influence & power or an umbrella where all these “TOOLS” can be put into constructive use is not available. If you are to take a quick sample of some blogs, personal sites and discussion fora where Nigerians are actively involved, I believe we can identify those select but strong believers in a New Nigeria and commence this needed synergy – to contribute our own quota to this process of reformation.
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
I Have a Dream and the Dream is to be one of the Strong Soul that will build the new Nigeria. I dont know how—>>
But to give you a hint……….I was lucky to be part of a team who Developed the HSBC’s SCION….Trust me Nigeria Needs A NEW FRAUD MONITORING SYSTEM…..Just kidding.
Do you Know that Barclays is Flying the Nigerian Flag at its Head Quaters in Canary Wharf for threeks or so.. Its in all the Lifts for all its floors……WHAT I AM SAYING IS VERY SIMPLE…’GOD HAS GIVEN A NEW NIGERIA’ as you said the time is coming when people will be be begging for VISA to come in. And this is no Joke.
We have started TACKLING indecipline (did I spell that right?). Before you know it, you start attracting More foreign investors….and so on and……GET THE BIG PICTURE……..NEW DEALS…KOREA.
Lets Just pray..
Regards to OBAS.
Ade,
Just a quick Question. There was a section on your web page, about some competition held some months ago (NIGERIA LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE ANNUAL ESSAY COMPETITION).
WHO WON?? and also if winner is published, where can the resource be found. cheers
Yeah, I really like this thought pattern. We have to enthuse ourselves about it and at the same time wake up to live the “dreams”.
I don’t feel hope is a strategy and that means we have to realise the dream about this nation. If you don’t, some others will do anyway! Attitude must change!
I was opportuned to hear a Nigerian that has been outside the shores of our Country speak and I found a difference in his approach and strategy. He was practical and constructive rather than just speaking good!
Whatever discussion this guy had was pragmatic and factual. Ok, how and when do we do it? What do we need? Can we have a time-line and mode of assessment? He would relate those things that sound like fantasies to practical things that one can easily run with.
I think we need to engage in such kind of discussions as well because too much talk can make one weary. I perfectly believe Nigeria will be great and we will work it out in sacrifice and selflessness.
We will shout Eureka at every mile-stone we reach. Welcome to a new nation!
@Ola, I really don’t know who won, I have a friend I intend to find out from who works with the NGO that managed the competition. Will fill you in as soon as I know.
@Bolaji, you are quite correct that we cannot hope our way into things. i however think the first step is getting ourselves together, then practically discussing, then defining project Nigeria and setting timelines for achievement of all the modules.
@ Ola et Lanre, Glad to see there are people who are interested into also commiting their energies into a new Nigeria.
ALL, its interesting though, out of the 29 people that have viewed this post as of today, only 4 have the guts to stand with their belief in a New Nigeria. Its getting interesting 🙂
I think we are beginning to wakeup from our long slumber.
I do not think that will be difficult anyway.
In ten years, Nigeria will be at the center of global capitalism. I just pray the gap between the haves and the have not does not grow too wide than we can ever imagine.
In the process of our growth we have to imbibe the culture of capitalism with consciences if the “commonwealth” is to profit from the growth.
hmmm…
I think the reason why the divine grants the opportunities for wealth accumulation to people who are able to turn few to many is because these same people are the ones who will be quick to distribute them.
This I believe is the reason why capitalism works better than all the other leftist systems.
As a brand expert, i can not but cry sometimes when i see the damage being done by our people and government officials to our brand values-i mean Nigeria’s brand value. How would you have explained ‘gangsterism’ carried to the extreme in our politicak terrain?
How the ‘yahoo boys’ damage every genuine effort put forward by some of the faithfuls in the local and international arenas.
As human , i sometimes feel like applying for USA visa and leave this country so my kids and family can feel what it means to live a decent life, but come to think of it, some people worked it out over there. The only option is to join the crusade for a better tomorrow.
I see a bright future…bright and colourful for Nigeria that all will be proud of. so lets us all join this crusade.
I have often refered people to my blog, for my article on Nigeria.
For anyone who cares to listen;am green at heart, the Nigerian blood flows thickly in my vessel.
Am not only willing to join this charade, am more than ready, In our lifetime, Nigeria shall know greatness!
Hi, i know i’m commenting a few days behind but they do say better late than never eh? Nigeria is a great country and it’s refreshing to see and hear that quite a few people believe in our Great nation.
May we all be able by the Grace of God to take the 1st step that leads to a great future.
Amen.
Nigeria is so Blessed and i believe in the Nigerian Dream.
I am proud to be Nigerian and i believe that Nigeria would be great again.
Godspeed!!!
there is a future for our country and i know it but the most important question we should be asking ourselves is ” how dedecated and committed are we as citizens to the Nigerian Dream?”