For these and more reasons, I must confess, I love Nigeria (warts and all). In 1970, as a school boy in Ogoloma, Okrika, I learnt to sing many songs. I'll list some of them:
- The day is bright, it's bright and fair..
- We go to our classes ...
- Punctuality and regularity...
As I grew older and wiser, I was still determined to fight "on Gowon's side" but I became acutely aware of the problems of the Niger Delta and the marginalisation of its people by successive governments both local and national. I saw firsthand, how the oil destroyed the land while it made millionaires and brought development in other parts of Nigeria.
Then, Ken Saro-Wiwa was hanged on my wedding day.
Successive military and civilian governments institutionalised kleptocracy and it seemed all hope was lost. My love for Nigeria waxed and waned but it never died.
In 2006, I was elected 'Chief Servant' of Nigerian Community Leeds, UK. One of the activities we organised was a Prayer for Nigeria event. On that day, I joined other Nigerians to put our country in God's "in-tray". Since then, I resolved never to be negative about Nigeria because I cannot expect Him to put Nigeria where it should be if I didn't do my part. It dawned on me that changing Nigeria had to begin with me. For two years, we tried hard to practise servant leadership and honesty. The people responded and NCL went from a community organisation to a charitable company before the baton of leadership changed hands.
That was a turning point for me. I realised that it was not an illusion. Nigeria can, and will be a great nation if we put our best foot forward.
Six months ago, we shared the idea of a website completely dedicated to postive news about Nigeria. The reason is obvious. You don't have to make effort to hear bad news about Nigeria but you'll have to drill a bore hole in the desert to hear a cheer about the country. GoodnewsNigeria celebrates Nigerians and other nationals anywhere in the world in the public, private, voluntary and community sectors who have made a positive impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Do you have such a story to tell? Do you know such a person, company or organisation? Are you doing good, or the beneficiary of someone's benevolence? Tell us about it.
Do you have a great idea or know about a community project or a public, private or third sector initiative which is making a big difference in Nigeria? Send a summary of the goodnews including your name and phone number to goodnewsnigeria@gmail.com
If you want to join our team to search for and/or verify goodnews, please send a short CV.
CS
https://sites.google.com/site/goodnewsnaija/
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