We all know Nigeria is a beautiful country. This statement is not based on comparison with developed countries.
Nigeria is beautiful all by herself. Adored with ever fresh green plants, large purposeful rivers and streams, world class cultural heritage and the almighty life saving crude oil. I must not forget to add how blessed we are, with the most intelligent, resourceful (and savaging) set of humans…………….. We lead everywhere we go!! ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. But hope you know the leading is all round? aha…… Now you are thinking like a Nigerian. It’s all good though. 😜😁
Having listed some of the beauties I know about our dear country Nigeria, I guess you are expecting me to start listing the bad bad side right? Ok. Only that I have a little headache and it will increase if I start doing that. mbok, be kind to a dear sister… Thank you my darling.. 😘😘😍
Now that I have escape that gutter, there is something I think you should know.
About a month back, I was on a public bus heading home. Sitting just by my left was a beautiful slim light colour girl. She was holding I think a nylon bag, a phone and some naira note. A hundred and fifty naira to be exact. What attracted me to her was the manner with which she squeezed our Nigeria currency. The one that got me really much 😞 was that the hundred naira was even a shabe one. But my bus neighbour did not even respect its newness. She squeezed the living day light out of the poor note.
I just couldn’t ignore, I simply collected the money from her hand. She shapely turned to look at my face to be sure I wasn’t trying to kidnap her small note, of course I wasn’t. I straightened the naira up, told her it was wrong to treat our dollar sorry I mean naira like that; “If you don’t have a small purse or wallet to keep your money neatly, you could simply fold it in two.” She smiled. Then I took out my wallet, brought out my well straight up fifty naira 😉 to pay for my T-fare, even though the driver has not asked me for money. I just needed to show the lady that I teach also by examples. hehehehe, oversabi like me. I know. End of story.
NIGERIA DEPENDS ON YOU!
I have a friend, we are a bit close and I respect him. He acts like a pastor, he talks well, preach well, prays well, wears suit, knot tie and the other fine things a Godly gentleman does. 😊 One day, something led to another and we started discussing politics, then he threw the bomb! “The only thing that will save me in this coming election is if I am not in the office when they are hiding Ghana-must-go of money!”. Do you understand? Because I did not immediately understood him. I had to pulse, process and swallow spit. Ok, oga, you will collect your own share abi? And the summary of his reply was that “I will not waste time!”. Alright bro, I understand, this people have been thiefing and thiefing and thiefing, now that you also have a chance nothing bad if you thief your own. It pained me though that I just couldn’t convince him. I only told him that would be wrong but he insisted.
I still respect him, after all, he still wears suit and knot tie. We are all gentle men and women.
NIGERIA DEPENDS ON YOU!
One more small talk… No too much details on this. It was just recently, also on a public bus, and the driver said that he could fight and even stab any passenger who would not give him his money. Even if it’s just ten naira. Hey, he was vehement, really vexed and serious, that if he had to stop driving and show us live example, with the look on his face and the tone in his voice, he would do it right there and then. Haba boss, you will stab a passenger for as small as ten naira not minding if he dies…?
When did money become equivalent with human life or worse more valuable? It reminded me of the cows; kill three hundred cows, two hundred lives will do down. More still counting…. Really? Cows that one rich somebody can pay for. But how do you bring back a dead man, or erase the pains in the memories of their love ones?
Now, don’t be distracted. This post is not about the Nigeria Government. It is about you reading this and me writing.
NIGERIA DEPENDS ON YOU!
When you say or hear words like ‘Nigeria is a dead country’, ‘Nigeria is a this’, “Nigeria is a that’, hope you know Nigeria is only a name? They said it means “Niger Area”. We can decide to change the name tomorrow to “Benueria” meaning “Benue Area”.
What we actually refer to is us! you and me. If Nigeria is dead, you are dead. If Nigeria is corrupt, you are corrupt. If Nigeria is backward, I’m sorry baby, you are backward. I am a Benuerian for now. hehehehe….
NIGERIA DEPENDS ON YOU!
There must be something you can do to make Nigeria a better place.
It could be from straitening up the naira note neatly in your purse, wallet or pocket to dumping refuse as small as pure water sachet in the waste bin and not on the street or gutters. I have not fully repented from the former, but I know I am trying.
It could be refusing to give the police man or secretary a bribe, which could force you to get your particulars and vehicle in order, following due process. And if you are a police officer reading this, stop spoiling our Nigeria for us! Stop taking bribe!!
It could be standing up for what is right even when everyone expects you to take a bow. Speaking up for the downtrodden and under-privileged. And not act like it’s not your business. Showing kindness no matter how little. It could just be honesty with yourself and with others around you, building trust and integrity.
It could be doing an excellent job and not mixing fake content just because you want extra profit. Excellency at what you do. Let your boss/customers know you for that! Are you a boss or employer? I know you pay your workers 9.8 million naira. But please, treating them with mutual respect will not liquidise your company. Trust me, (as a renowned entrepreneur that I am 😋) it will make it grow better and faster.
It could be understanding the conditions of others by a little show of empathy and not worsen the situation just because you have a sharp mouth. If you don’t have something encouraging to say, silence is golden.
It could even be simple traits as showing courtesy. Using etiquette words like “thank you”, “I am sorry”, “please”, “excuse me” etc. Giving a lift on a rainy day.
Paying the T-fare of that old woman who has used style to tell everybody in the bus, she don’t have money. Don’t worry, since you have extra cash, just pay. It will never make you poorer.
And so importantly, learning to take responsibility for your actions and not passing blame.
There just must be something you can do to make Nigeria a better place!
Of course, there are bigger things we could do for Nigeria, but let us start with the little things. We must also start now!
Surely, there is something you can do to make Nigeria truly beautiful! Nothing is too small and nothing is too big.
You are Nigeria!
NIGERIA DEPENDS ON YOU!!!
PS: This post was first published July 2018