ANOTHER NIGERIAN BIRTHDAY: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO US???

Today, my home turns 58. It’s a celebration in remembrance of gaining our independence from the Brits. It’s amazing, an achievement, a worthy celebration, or is it? For many, it is simply a day off work. I mean for the kids, there’s parades and fun parties planned but it’s the average Nigerian adult I am assuming will read this. When was the last time you really thought about the significance of October 1st to you and your identity? When was the last time you pondered on the sacrifices the champions of our Independence made? and the price they paid for what they believed in? Most importantly, are you worthy of that sacrifice? They wanted to give you freedom, and it really does not matter that the term is subjective, let’s keep it simple this one time. What have you done, and what choices have you made in the past 5 years, 2 years, 6 months or even in the last week,  to ensure that those who set the stage for us did not do it in vain? These are important questions that I hope we will begin to ponder especially as we steadily approach another milestone in our democracy. It is not enough to barely do the minimum,  it is your duty to our heroes past and to future generations to get involved, play an active role towards shaping the future, and be deliberate in the choices you make and actions you take. So while we wish NIGERIA a HAPPY BIRTHDAY, I challenge you to ask yourself what you will do in the next year that will make Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti nod with pride. I leave you with the infamous words of John F. Kennedy at his inaugural speech in1961  https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=91&page=transcript

 –  Ask not what your country can do for you, but what YOU can do for your country.