It is a known fact that Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa though people could argue about South Africa. It is a question of what is rather than what was so we’ll leave it to arguments.
Image: Nigeria’s national flag.
Our founding fathers, from Sir Frederick Lugard to the current president, President Muhammadu Buhari should be commended for the courage to hold together these large ethnic groups as one entity until this day.
No other African country has experienced terrorism, secession threats, protests and war like this beloved country, yet she lives. I think this is a blessing in disguise.
We have suffered painfully in the eyes of the outside world. Our image has been tarnished and we have become synonymous with evil, crime, killings, bribery and corruption. Internet fraud, witchcraft, poverty, illiteracy, diseases and whatever is bad has been called upon this wonderful nation. This misconception has been forgiven as we are focused on re-building and strategizing on our brand as a godly country.
There is no better country in the world better than Nigeria, believe me, you will find in all other countries, even in a greater percentage, every negativity attributed to Africa’s most populous country.
Blame this pitiful trend on citizens who have placed little value on the image of this lovely country through their actions and behaviors.
Do not spare the leaders and political office holders who have also shown interest in upgrading their overseas investments and fattening their great grand children’s bank accounts whilst making little or no meaningful contribution to the country’s development.
Baba Buhari came a little too late but might still be the Messiah we need if all hands are on deck. There’s hope that if Mr President gathers every needed support and commitment, we shall get back to the enviable Nigeria of those days.
No need denying the fact that a large percentage of Nigerians at home and abroad are Proudly Nigerians! Courage, goodwill, creativity, and development are our god-given qualities. We are not criminals. We ain’t no killers. We bring modernization with us wherever we go!
My arguments for Nigeria:
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419 or internet scam did not originate from Nigeria. If it is in practice, the government should be applauded for enacting the 419 Criminal Code against this crime. Phishing and other internet scams existed in Europe and other parts of the world long before it was attributed to Nigeria. Bad publicity has brought internet scam upon this beloved country as a wrong instead of a right. If Nigeria is right, no one hears about it but if she does wrong, everyone knows.
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Assassinations, killings, kidnappings and murder are all prevalent in every society. What makes Africa and Nigeria in particular, a war zone or an inhabitable place? There is Boko Haram and there is Al-Qaeda. Call it IRS; ISIS; Hamas or Hezbollah; the security of citizens in every country cannot be totally guaranteed by the government. Nevertheless, it is quite admissible that security-wise, Nigeria’s “government” had mishandled the case of Boko Haram insurgents by playing politics with baised minds and bitterness. The Nigerian Army has recorded great success in the wake of 2016. The Nigeria’s military has been empowered in terms of better welfare packages as well as improved technological equipment. Only time will tell if this desired success can be maintained.
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It is true that these terrorist groups all over the world survive and expand their dreadfulness due to support from higher powers – foreign governments and multi-national companies – with covert valuable interests. This is the problem with defeating Boko Haram. Exposing and crushing the bigger enemy within or outside, for sure, will render the smaller enemy powerless. So Help Us God!
Celebrate Nigeria! Through the troubled past, we have recorded success in the recent years and months. Nigeria’s Foreign Policy has taken a better stand with other countries since the beginning of this new democratic dispensation in May 29th, 2009.
Former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan achieved a lot and should be appreciated as an exemplary leader recognized by the world for his selflessness.
In the areas of sports, education, transportation, communication, politics and health, this nation may not have achieved convincingly great success but “patience and commitment” shall lead us to greatness. Every hand must be on deck to make Nigeria the country we dream of.
It is our responsibility to make the world believe in us again. Believe in yourself and be your brother’s keeper. Always remember that we can be the change we seek.
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