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I read with great interest and concern what Onyinye, the National Project coordinator, TakingITGlobal Nigeria, wrote about my dear country Nigeria recently in an article she called “I fear Nigeria’.
I must confess she did capture the near despondent state of mind of the average Nigerian youth; more so, she painted the gloomy future awaiting our leaders of tomorrow.
It is out of a desperate need to address the youths in my country and an utter need to remind ourselves of a better tomorrow that I have decided to write this rejoinder.
It is rather a pity that there are more notable names in the country who are more interested in enriching themselves by amassing and siphoning our already besieged treasury than making positive changes in the lives of the youths they have sworn to serve, and have pledged to defend. It is also a pity the nation’s per capita income does not reflect the billions of naira circulating a tight and impenetrable group made up of the elite of the society.
It is also no news that in a country where over 70% of its populace live below poverty line, you find wealth, affluence, house, cars and other assets like you will find in no other part of the continent. Naturally people are bound to ask why there should be so much squalor and splendour juxtaposed in our society.
However, I must use this medium to talk to the good people of my country that two wrongs don’t, and will never make a right, and one does not always repay evil with evil.
We have heard of people that were prosecuted for offences they never committed. They were remanded in prisons awaiting trial for a number of years praying for freedom. Vowing to turn completely and wholly to God the moment they were set free.
We know of mothers going through the discomfort of carrying a baby through nine months of their lives. Braving through the deprivations and limitations the pregnancy would most likely attract. To crown their ‘woes’ they undergo the toughest ordeal yet – labour. All this for a wriggling creature! One would expect they would pour their venom on the baby, but no, they embrace the little kid and call it their own!
This is forgiveness; it is plain, unconditional, unadulterated, simple and sincere. It comes from the depth of a humble heart! It is accepting to pardon someone while he is yet to ask for it; before he realizes his mistakes.
Looking up to some of our leaders as role models may be unhealthy to one’s integrity. I don’t have a role model (not among the living). When I was young I had characters in movies I adored, characters in comics I respected and individuals in my school, church and neighbourhood that I looked up to. I eventually realized movies were fantasy; comics were the products of a man’s imagination. And people in my neighbourhood? Let’s just say they were not perfect.
If one is looking for a role model, then go through the holy books (Bible, Koran, and what have you), the laws of the land and our conscience to direct our ways. Characters and attitude of God-fearing, law abiding individuals are clearly spelt out. Why then do you need a politician to dictate your life?
It is high time we stopped heaping blame on the present leaders for our present failures and that of the future, which God willing will never occur. Being as it were, we are not kids anymore, a number of our youths have dipped their hands in the viscous mucky waters of deceit. We should take charge of our lives, our future: be on the driver’s seat concerning the future of the country, involve ourselves in politics, rather than blaming the politicians. We should display transparency, confidence, intelligence, and maturity in our undertaking.
I believe we can make it. The sooner we accept the responsibility of changing the fate of our tomorrow, the sooner we will get there. We should also bear in mind that the worst part of a journey is usually at its beginning. Let us not give excuses for failure, and try succeeding for once.
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Samson Nduleme Onwusonye
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Comments
Forgiving ourselves Enyinna Onwusonye | Mar 30th, 2004
It is easier to ask, and allow the mind to forgive others but it is difficult to forgive ourselves.
The offence on the masses should not be directed entirely to the elite, we share in it.
We Can Make a Difference. Oluyemisi Joel-Osebor (Nee Agboola) | Apr 2nd, 2004
I am in full support of Samson's opinion in "Forgiving Our Role Models'. I believe we should have a positive attitude our country Nigeria. It will entail a commitment to be positive both in our thoughts and deeds. We must vow to make a positive impact in all that we are called to do or handling right now. That's the only way to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams. If we can't point to enough role models our leaders right now, then let’s change the tune of the music by being role models ourselves. We can contribute towards the overall development of Nigeria in our little way, that little drop can turn out to be an ocean some time down the line. Let's start impacting in our community; we'll be surprised to see how contagious this will be. There is hope for our country.
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