Our fathers complained in years past, about how bad the country was and the degeneration into a corruption-infested society. What can we say about today if we dare become introspective? It really should have gotten better but sadly, regrettably, it’s worse, much worse.
A lot of factors can be blamed for the society that Nigeria has gradually evolved into; our selfish and greedy leaders whom we wittingly or unwittingly elect into office, the majority of our fathers keeping quiet and minding their ‘businesses’ and letting the ‘leaders’ rob us blind, and going right back to vote them in.
We have proved to be a people who would rather keep quiet and take anything thrown at us than question actions or fight back. With my two hands covering my eyes, I declare that I am no different. It has always been easier to keep things safe, never getting close to that edge that could tip me right over. We have always liked keeping things safe, tolerating less than salutary standards, smiling at under-development and choosing only to pray, for the sake of peace.
Where has that gotten me? Where has it landed all of us?
We have stayed on the throes of convenience, preferring the lulling lullabies of nothing to the active embers of any struggle. The fact though is if we sit back and do nothing, nothing at all, then our children would wonder what they did to deserve what they will face when the wheel finally turns to face them, head-one.
I have expectations from this nation.
I look forward to a Nigeria where our children and grandchildren would be proud to say ‘I’m a Nigerian’. Where they are proud and happy to attend schools here in their homeland because they believe the best would be given them to graduate literate and educated.
I look forward to a Nigeria where life is respected by our health care personnel and government will provide adequate equipment and facilities; where the poor would have access to quality healthcare and there will be less prevalence of fake drugs and substandard products; and where there would be heartfelt and concerted effort by all the tiers of government to place healthcare topmost in their policy making.
I look forward to a true democracy, one in which we have free and fair elections; where ethnicity and religious coloration would have little place in how we elect representatives at all levels; a nation that would not be held to ransom by just one political party and a gathering of other leprous hands.
I look forward to a Nation where my kids wouldn’t have to be worried about getting a good job after all the studying.
A country where the police is truly your friend and these groups of vagabonds and thieves who do not care about the lives they claim to protect, are not part of.
To a country where all our resources; natural, human, and acquired are put to good use and proceeds gotten, used for the benefit of the populace.
I look forward to an era of selfless, hardworking, humane leaders who would guide us in the right path.
To a Nigeria where citizens, rejuvenated and confident, can rise up and stand for their rights.
I look forward to constant electricity, constant water supply and proper social services taken for granted because it is then the norm.
I know there isn’t a perfect country out there, and we usually say ‘anywhere is better than Nigeria’ but we would be damned if the next generation repeated these same words.
Adaeze Zita Ifejilimalu
@Dazee_Zita on Twitter
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