NIGERIA- A CRUMBLING EDIFICE?

The Nigerian Flag

As I sat to work in my office, on a particular morning, I got an e-mail on daily news report, in which one of our nation’s leader described “Nigeria as a crumbling edifice”. Then I began to ponder if these words of his were actually true or just a figment of his imagination, or a mere balderdash. So I resigned from going deeper in my thoughts about the name given to Nigeria A CRUMBLING EDIFICE.  An edifice is said to be a structure that has foundation and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place. And truly Nigeria is stagnant, and then I came to realize the true meaning of an”edifice”. An edifice also means a building, but it doesn’t mean just any building that merits to be called an edifice, it must be a building of important value, a mini temple, or a towering sky- scraper.

Growing up I have always looked at Nigeria as a great nation, a nation that would build the future generation of great minds. But today it’s not all that glitters is gold, the Nigeria of today is different from the Nigeria of yesterday, some say is evolution but I say we are moving faster than our shadow. The leaders of yesterday are still the leaders of today, and if not checked they might remain the leaders of tomorrow. so tell me how can we move forward  if all we can think about is the downfall of one another, tribes against tribes, brothers against brothers?  It’s like all hell has been let loose in my beloved country- Nigeria. The youth are jobless as a result of turning out too many graduates at the same time, and high rate of unemployment .So this takes me back to my question,  “Is Nigeria an edifice?”
 And the answer is YES.

Nigeria is said to be a country blessed with rich human and natural resources, and it’s to be used for the well-being of every Nigerian.  But these resources are squandered amongst the rich, and the rich keeps getting richer, while the poor keeps getting poorer. Enriching the lives of people who live in the country is supposed to be our NUMBER ONE goal in this nation, but the reverse is the case. The politicians are there for their selfish interest, and they come out to say the nation is stagnant,  what have they done to make it a moving country, moving from greatness to greatness, promoting the rich heritage of our beloved country-Nigeria.  

Nigeria is said to be a crumbling edifice, because we are just a nation that is stagnant and not moving forward. But I feel the problem of Nigerians today is more talks, less action. Look at the ongoing ASUU strike, you would find out that the children of the people involved in the crisis don’t attend Nigerian schools. We need to take a stand, we need to set our priorities right, knowing the difference with our wants, needs and desires. Adapting to a life-style worth emulating.

I dream of a better Nigeria, where we would not be just a crumbling EDIFICE, but a structure built on solid ground, where the youth would get jobs immediately after school, where the statement  “the youth are the leaders of tomorrow ” would come to actualization. A Nigeria where you and I would live in peace and harmony without tribalism, discrimination, anarchy or doom, where there is no unlawful killing, where there is hope for all.

I believe in a better Nigeria, I believe in a better Nation, together we can make our beloved country a standing edifice in the sight of all, and together we will. Stand strong for one another because united we stand, divided we fall. Together we can make Nigeria a Nation of important value.

I believe in our future, I believe in the leaders of tomorrow, I believe in hope,  I believe in truth, I believe in love, I believe in  the colours of our skin, I believe in trust ,I believe in the nation at large, I believe in Africa, I believe in Nigeria, I believe in you, I believe in me.

Author: Anita Eiremiokhae