GOOD MORNING NIGERIA, Happy birthday and many returns of the day and more blessings. Not many were sure that you will live up to be sixty one, but here you are kicking with life.
There may be problems, but the potential for greatness is very much alive – in spite of many years of plundering and waste of resources and missed opportunities especially by the political elite- many of them behaved like wayward, prodigal children these past years.
Nigeria has not failed: her children failed and disappointed expectations. For instance, the political elite failed to promote national unity and development, national sentiment, patriotism, nationalism, national identity, altruism, and to do good governance, equitable justice, effective management of resources and sound leadership over time. Rather they traded in hatred, ethnicity, religiosity and above all regionalism – all of them very divisive in nature.
One of the effects has been social injustice and non- inclusiveness of many from governance. This is the task at hand- making the children to do the needful especially social justice for the greatness of the country.
So this is a Love note to the Nigerian youth and an alert to the political elite to rededicate and redouble efforts in positive nation building. To the Nigerian youth I say please remain hopeful and faithful to the cause of Nigeria and contribute your own quota to nation building. Reject any invitation violence. To the political elite, please show greater honesty and commitment to national unity and development.
They must change their current negative, divisive attitude by promoting patriotism, nationalism, love, equitable justice, rule of law and by providing good governance, sound leadership and effective management of resources to provide jobs to the youth, reduce poverty, check insecurity, build national unity and development. The elite would have to realize that there has to be a country first before appointing or electing people to lead and manage it.
So let’s build Nigeria first, redouble efforts in positive nation building. Once more congratulations and may God grant you a better future.
▪︎Prof. John Abhuere is founder/Chairman, Centre for Child Care and Youth Development, Abuja.
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