As an independence gift, I bring to you this thought provoking article that will definitely influence your attitude towards our dear Nation, Nigeria thenceforth. So grab a sit, relax, and join me as we go through together this masterpiece written by a very good friend of mine, Justice Ebede who is also a member of UNN INFO. Don’t hesitate to share your thought after going through this article<\/p>\n
OCTOBER: OUR OCTOBER<\/p>\n
At this time in the history of this nation, I want you to pause for a while and think about the situation of things in this country? Are you like many who have questions that are begging for answers? Or, do you belong to the category of quite a number of my friends who have given up on this country? Before you throw in the towel and conclude that the future of this nation has gone bleak, join me as we go through this article.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know the Nigeria you dreamt of fifty one years ago, I don\u2019t even know the picture you created when thousands of black people and indeed, the world gathered to bid her Majesty farewell in the city of Lagos. One fact that cannot be disputed is that our fathers had bigger dreams when the Independent Speech was read on October 1, 1960; a time when the streets of Nigeria and the world stood still at the emergence of this GIANT in the tropics.<\/p>\n
The truth of the matter is that the previous government, and even the government of the now is far from fitting her legs into this mighty shoe that seem to be swallowing you and I. The point is, as we struggle in the middle of this ocean, even when we don\u2019t know how to swim, we\u2019ve got to spread our hands in a swim-like manner and push on with those strokes. Who knows, we may end up saving ourselves from being drowned.
\nThe gospel truth is that the effect of the government is still latent in this part of the world. Many people are still far from feeling her presence in the middle sea battle of theirs. However, we can on our own be a rescue team to these ones.<\/p>\n
LET ME RELATE A STORY: I met a young man who was at the verge of graduating from a renowned institution in the country. I asked him, \u201cWhat\u2019ll give you the greatest fulfillment in the next five or ten years?\u201d He smiled and quickly told me that his happiness was that he\u2019s coming out with a good grade. I could not help but congratulated him in advance.
\nI was disappointed when Kingsley (name not real) rolled out his greatest goal. This is the list of what my friend told me:
\n1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll take very good care of my parents the moment I get a job.
\n2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll make sure that my sisters and my brothers have the best of education.
\n3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Oh, my grandma has really been through a lot! I\u2019ll make sure I provide her with all her needs.
\n4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And of course, I\u2019ll take good care of myself: build a good house, buy an exotic car and get married to a beautiful and an educated damsel\u2026\u201d
\nOn and on Kingsley whetted my appetite. But I was so disappointed when, in his towering list he didn\u2019t say anything about giving back to this latent giant in the tropics. The fact is that an average Nigerian does not think of what to give to the society. What Kingsley was interested about was his immediate family. As far as he was concerned, the man next to him does not come into the picture. An American president would say, \u201cDo not just think about what your country would do for you; think about what you will do for your country.\u201d
\nStop for a while and let\u2019s ask ourselves, \u201cHow much of my time, intellectual, money etc have we commitment toward making this country better?\u201d
\nSomeone may say, \u201cWhy should I give back to the society that never contributed anything to my person? In the words of Martin Luther King jr., \u201cAn eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.\u201d Are you in Diaspora? Please there something we can do to better the land which our children will inherit from us someday. It\u2019s not just about your family, yourself; it is also about the man next to you! Even as those in the corridor of power seemed to have failed us, let\u2019s make Nigeria a home where our children will be proud of!!!<\/p>\n
As we hope and celebrate in the midst of the uncertainty of tomorrow, relax your nerves with this poem:<\/p>\n
A WORD TO A SLEEPING GIANT
\nBy\u00a0 JUSTICE E.<\/p>\n
Giant!
\nPotential giant of my time
\nYou have made the tropics your abode
\nAbounding in beauty and splendor
\nYou smile through hopelessness
\nLatent giant of the tropics
\nI mourn your misfortune.<\/p>\n
Giant!
\nPotential giant of my time
\nYou thrive like a midget in the midst of plenty
\nMaking your home unbearable for her own
\nYour ward scatter all over the world
\nLatent giant of the tropics
\nI decry your hostile nature.<\/p>\n
Giant!
\nPotential giant of my time
\nYour men on uniform have gone haywire
\nBegging with arms and ammunition
\nArmless men are menaced
\nLatent giant get of the tropics
\nRise up and oppress your oppressors.<\/p>\n
Giant!
\nPotential giant of my time
\nInsecurity reside within your home
\nExplosion rock the streets
\nThe blood of the innocent stain our hands
\nLatent giant of the tropics
\nWake up with your sword of vengeance.<\/p>\n
Giant!
\nPotential giant of my time
\nYour politics has maimed many
\nYour political sword slaughter comrades
\nWith impunity money is stashed beyond our eyes
\nLatent giant of the tropics
\nArise and arrest your oppressors.<\/p>\n
Giant!
\nPotential giant of my time
\nYou are five decades and one
\nIn abundance you fare like a suckling
\nHijacking power elections are rigged
\nLatent giant of the tropics
\nWhen will you defend the labour of past heroes?<\/p>\n
Giant!
\nPotential giant of my time
\nI see hope in your hopelessness
\nSoaring high like an eagle
\nYou shall rise tomorrow from the dust of today
\nLatent giant of the tropics
\nI await your victory parade!<\/p>\n