It is the year 2037 and Nigeria is a nation on the rise. Since restructuring the federal system of government almost two decades ago, the nation and her six regions have witnessed tremendous economic growth thanks to the reformation of the power sector and previously unimaginable political stability. Education has been revived and the nation has since made bold strides in public health care delivery for her over 240 million citizens, as well as attainable public housing schemes.
The nation's leader addressed the United Nations general assembly and during her speech, she expressed great optimism that the African giant can sustain the current growth rate and further build on it.
"Our people have sacrificed a lot for our progress, getting to where we are today and it is with great pride that I stand before you all on this historic day. It is not news to anybody that our country was stuck for many decades in the rut of corruption which was the major factor hampering other aspects of our progress. However, something fundamental changed in the minds of Nigerians, especially our young citizens who vehemently refused the politics and economics of business as usual and made tremendous efforts to break the nation from the shackles of the old guard. They made their voices heard and today the victory we share is owed to them for making the sacrifices they did. From Bida to Badagry, and from Sokoto to Sapele, young men and women committed themselves to the idea of a new Nigeria, an inclusive Nigeria, where tribalism gave way for nationalism. They came together, bravely and tenaciously under increasingly harsh circumstances, spending their time and resources, crisscrossing the length and breadth of the country to propagate their dream of a new nation. These brave young men and women put their lives at risk, sacrificing personal comfort to achieve this dream, against the mounting pressures from those who seek to tear us apart for their profit. It took some time but thanks to the perseverance of this generation of national heroes, we have emerged on the other side of what was a dark and seemingly unending tunnel of nepotism, greed and avarice fathered by the corruption of leaders past. I wish to congratulate my fellow citizens on the much we have achieved so far. However, I must say at this point that it will only get harder from here on out. In the past, one of our greatest leadership challenges was the lack of foresight in successive administrations. It was due to this factor that we were for so many years unable to plan for the future and we were often forced to take a reactive approach to governance rather than a proactive one. This is quickly changing as our electorate now understand the importance of sustainable solutions to our challenges. We must continue to anticipate problems of the future and position our nation to deal with the challenges of an ever-changing global environment. This is the time we need to work our hardest to ensure that the evils of the past don't creep back in and steal away our collective progress. As we speak there are those amongst us who wish to destroy what we have built and cast us back into their bondage. We will not let them. I stand before you all today and pledge my unwavering commitment to the continued progress of our great nation as we cement our place in the League of Nations as a force to be reckoned with. I urge our neighbours at home, in Africa and our friends in the international community to join us on this journey, shun the business of exploitation and embrace a mutually beneficial arrangement that will guarantee the prosperity of our citizens and indeed the world at large.
To our children back home, do not stop dreaming, for your dreams are the fuel that powers this engine of growth and only your dreams can see us into the future that we desire. To those who have chosen to remain on the other side, I implore you to shun your greed and corruption and hop on the train of progress or be crushed by it. My administration is making concerted efforts to ensure that your wrong doings do not go unpunished and we will fight you to your inevitable demise. However, if you turn your backs on your evil ways, you can rest assured that this nation has a place for you too. Nigeria is the living embodiment of what it means to be Black and African. We must recognise that we owe an obligation to the whole of black Africa and indeed other blacks around the world, to be great and with our collective will and action, we will achieve the dream. Long Live the People's Republic of Nigeria!"
That was Nigeria's first female president addressing the United Nations for the first time.
A different world. A nigeria of dreams.
ReplyDeleteDear Efua,
ReplyDeleteYou didn't explain this well. You almost did. Brilliant trial! And I must thank you for that.
Dear Chijioke,
This is "unread".
You know, this was the kinda thing Fela did. It's a good thing you have chosen not to sing with your good voice. Your handwriting is better, use it more!