My Dear Nigeria
When I look out my window, all I see is a country that failed its citizens. Every day, you see millions of people roaming on the streets looking for a job.
Because they have no source of income, they settle under a bridge to sleep in the night. Many times over, you see little children with torn rags as clothes tugging down the hem of your gown or shorts to beg for money.
Before the sunrises, you see men use mud water to wash their bodies because they cannot afford a decent bath.
Nigeria is a country with a history as deep as the roots of a wild fig tree. Its history dates back to 9000BCE with Late stone age evidence of indigenous habitation in Iwo Eleru rock shelter in southwestern Nigeria.
Nigeria is a multilingual country with diversified cultures. The land is gifted with agriculture and numerous natural resources like Gold, silver, crude oil, limestone, but still, hopelessly rely on Petroleum.
She has a beautiful landscape canvas that spread across the country. With all of the beauty and richness, the country remains poverty-stricken.
Nigeria gained her independence on October 1st, 1960. She struggled with the military rule for three decades before finally changing the constitution to a republican.
Albeit they say Nigeria is a democratic country, we are inclined towards totalitarianism.
Nigeria is a hub for the most creative minds, and it is reflected in the country’s creative industry. Regardless of the harsh conditions Nigerians face, we remain very hardworking.
Nigerians are not as lazy as they make it seem, but the government makes life miserable for the citizens. The government makes people go through so much pain and suffering to satisfy their greedy urges.
They reduce the dignity of humans just for their selfish desires.
The country’s diversified culture makes it phenomenal. Despite the prevailing circumstances, Nigerians maintain their hospitable nature. Regardless of the horrendous situations, Nigerians find themselves in; we remain ever humorous.
We cloud our suffering with humor so it can be less burdensome. We keep an eye over one another because we have solemnly realized the government has left us to our demise.
Nigerians suffer terribly because of bad governance, and it breaks my heart. Nigeria has all it takes to have a well-structured government, but the greedy politicians dare not allow it.
Every day people are plunged into a miserable and hopeless life because of corruption. Corruption has eaten deep into the heart of the country like a cancerous disease. But people survive cancer, yes?.
What have we done to deserve such brutality from the people that are meant to protect us? All we ask from them is a better country.
The things we ask for are those things a well-governed country already has. Essential aspects like quality healthcare, good education, and better roads needed to improve citizens’ lifestyles are inconsequential to the government.
Unfortunately, Nigerians have to go somewhere else to improve their quality of life. The Nigerian government relies on the suffering of the citizens to continually fill their pockets.
On October 20th, 2020, the cool breeze was cloaked with sadness because the Lekki massacre took place that night. On that fateful night, Nigerians finally decided to take the bull by the horns, and we were killed for it.
The brave Nigerians gripped the Nigerian flags to their chest as protection from the soldiers that shot at them.
Nigerians unequivocally decided enough is enough, but the Nigerian government was not having that. The Awakened beast threatened them, and they had to act fast.
The government decided to kill the citizens that were protesting peacefully against police brutality. For fear of getting exposed, they decided to do it quickly and silently. This authoritarian government killed innocent citizens because they were exercising their rights.
The heroes that left their houses to protest knew they might die; they also knew their death would not be for a lost cause.
They rekindled the fire burning within every citizen in Nigeria. That sorrowful night was the beginning of a Nigeria I have longed to see.
A Nigeria where we can stand for our rights without being afraid of a pot-bellied politician. A place where we are not scared to die because we know our passing would be for a better country.
We have to keep this fire in us burning. We cannot despair because if we do, where will our children call home? We have to keep fighting the cancerous cells till they all perish. We have to keep on fighting for the next generation to come.
Under the beautiful stars, I reflect on my country, and I know it will get better. I know one day we will all gather and dance for our true independence. One day we will look out our window and laugh with satisfaction.
I know our mothers’ cries for their children who were brutally murdered because of the government’s incompetence will not be in vain.
A time will come when we do not have to explain to our foreign friends why the country is so poor despite having enough resources. I know one day we will stand tall from our respective homes and smile because we will finally be proud of our country.
A time will come when we will not be embarrassed by our government. I know one day, our children will not have to be afraid of their lives.
A time will come when we can travel to different parts of the country without fear of getting killed.
As I dream of a better Nigeria, my heart is swelling with joy. A place our children can boldly call home. A place where our parents would not hold their heads in worry, thinking their sons or daughters will not make it home.
A place where we can get quality healthcare. A place where we can live happily without fear of police brutality. We are no longer afraid to take back our country, and I hope this makes the government worried.
We are taking our country back.
Keep the fire burning, my Nigerian brothers and sisters.
Keep the fire burning.
For more information on the Lekki massacre please click the link below
