RECLAIMING THE “NIGERIA”
DREAM
I strongly believe that when it comes to what is wrong with this country,
when it comes to why things are not really in order, when it comes to why the
system is not functioning effectively and appropriately, when it comes to why
the different sectors are not maximally optimizing their productivity, I
believe that the Nigerian people are not the problem, but rather, the Nigerian
people are the solution to the problem. It depends on which direction we choose
to look at it from, but either way, we can reclaim the “Nigeria” dream. It’s not impossible!
I have spoken to a lot of young people in different cities of the
country, and one of the most Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q) they throw at
me is; “how can we make our Nation better? What can we do? How do we make a
difference?” And the answer I always give them is; “You should be an agent of
positive change”.
A lot of people know what is wrong with our country; they know all the
problems we are faced with; an epileptic power supply, an health system that
needs health itself, an educational sector that needs to be educated with the
fundamentals of real education, and a host of other challenges that bedevil our
Nigeria. But more than talk about these problems, I keep telling people that we’ve
got to figure out the solutions; what is the way out? How do we solve the sums?
It’s not impossible!
Anybody and everybody can talk, but you know as well as I do that talking
about a problem doesn’t solve the problem. A lot of people have been talking
for years but that hasn’t changed anything. I believe we’ve got to start making
changes by asking real questions and providing real answers, followed by an
“organized game plan” as to how we can reclaim the ‘Nigeria’ dream.
We need to ask questions like; how do we repair the enormous damage of
these dismal years and recapture that sense of common purpose that has seen us
through our darkest moments? How do we charge our darling Nigeria towards the
direction of the ideals that were inscribed on the hearts and minds of our
founding fathers? How can we begin living in the reality of the motto of our
Nation – Unity, Faith, Peace and Progress? We have so many things to deal with
and we need to talk straight up!
This time around, we need real changes. We need to do this one way, one
style, because we have one end in view, we want to reclaim the ‘Nigeria’ dream.
Whatever part of the country you are from, whatever tribe or ethnic nationality
you come from, so far you are a Nigerian; let us see ourselves as brothers and
not as two distant strangers. It should not be an issue of North versus South,
Hausas versus igbos, or Yorubas versus the South-south.
The real issue we face right now is bigger than that; the issue is about
the past versus the future. It is about where we are coming from versus where
we are going to. Let us move forward
with a common purpose, a common drive, and a common end in view. There are
so many better things for us to see; things to be in the future. Our history is
full of tragedy and misery, so we need to leave it where it belongs – the past,
and then move forward to see how we can reclaim the ‘Nigeria’ dream. It’s not impossible.
Whatever will become of our lives, whatever will become of our nation,
it’s on us to do what we have to do. That is the factor behind my claim that
the Nigerian people are the solution to the Nigerian problems, the solution
begins with you and me. We all know that people make up our society, and
societies make up the nation, so if we can affect people positively, we will
affect the society, and invariably we will affect the nation positively. Let us
organize; we need to start taking care of our home. We need to start somewhere
and we need to start here and now.
Lastly, we should note that the
positive changes we desire will not happen without us having a new spirit of
service. Let us all summon a new spirit of patriotism and responsibility. I may not completely be sure of
anything else, but this one thing I am completely sure of; we can reclaim the
‘Nigeria’ dream. Let them recognize worldwide that we run things here in
Nigeria. It’s not impossible. Forget
about Nigeria’s past 50 years, what matters now are the next 40 – 50 – 60 years.
Like
I tell people wherever I find them, I want to tell you as well; you should be
an agent of positive change. Where do you go from here? That’s a choice I leave
to you.
Olamide
Adenuga is a Nigerian who believes that
the right mentality can power anyone to success; an ideas man who is out to
transform people and places he comes in contact with.
He is a Speaker, a Writer, a Brand Specialist,
a T.V Host, an O.A.P, a Public Relations Consultant, a Blogger, and blessed
with the ability to EFFECTIVELY
MULTITASK. Lamide has featured
on Radio and Television shows severally. He is a Seasoned Trainer, Conference Speaker and a Public Relations Specialist who has
written articles in various newspapers, journals and magazines. He was formerly
a Personal Effectiveness columnist
in OVATION International Magazine.
Lamide has spoken in many secondary schools and some Universities across the
country spreading his message of hope and restoration for the Nigerian youth.
He
is also a Television host with his Motivational telecast, “MAKING THINGS HAPPEN” on WAP
TV, DSTV Channel 262. GO TV Channel
102. Startimes Channel 116 on Mondays,
Wednesdays, Fridays. 8.25am. Some of my short motivational videos (4-5 minutes) are available on youtube
at… www.youtube/olamide adenuga.
Facebook
page
– Lamide Adenuga Speaks. Twitter – LammyMotivates
Youtube/olamide
adenuga
Nice one
ReplyDeleteI wish a lot of people can read these articles you write Lamide
ReplyDeleteNigeria will be great.
ReplyDeleteWe can reclaim the Nigeria dream.
ReplyDeleteI believe in this country
ReplyDeleteGod bless you my brother for this piece.
ReplyDelete