The Nigeria Of My Dream -By Yahuza Usman

Nigeria, the giant of African land and a country with a rich cultural heritage, diverse natural resources, and a population of over 200 million dwellers across six geographical regions, has long—since its independence—been grappling with myriad inescapable, breath-stopping challenges, ranging from issues of corruption to poor governance, ethnicity to nepotism, and political to economic instability. It’s been one of my burning dreams all the time to see that, someday, Nigeria becomes the world’s greatest country with a diverse range of progress in every sector of development. So here, this piece will intensively discuss the Nigeria I always dream to see in reality.

To begin, the Nigeria of my dream is, undoubtedly, one that is characterized by sustainable economic growth through industrialization, the application of technology to agriculture, and crude oil exploration; political stability through the absence of religious crises, regional crises, tribalism, ethnicity, and nepotism; gender equality through the lack of showing difference in terms of employment and leadership engagement; and unity through social justice, brotherhood, peaceful coexistence, and a thriving culture.

Inevitably, one of the biggest and most terrible diseases delaying the growth of Nigeria is the issue of corruption. Corruption is a cancer that eats away at the fabric of society, and it has had an overwhelmingly devastating impact on Nigeria’s development. In order to build the Nigeria that will cook smiles for our daily consumption, it is imperative that we tackle corruption head-on. This will require a concerted effort by government officials, civil society organizations, and ordinary citizens. The government must take concrete steps to reduce opportunities for corruption, such as reforming the procurement process, strengthening anti-corruption institutions, and improving transparency in government operations. Civil society organizations must hold government officials accountable for their actions and demand that they act in the best interests of the Nigerian people. And ordinary citizens must be vigilant in reporting corrupt practices and holding their leaders accountable. Currently, corruption has become the food that almost all, if not all, of the citizens of Nigeria consume on a regular basis. As an instance, when one is looking for admission in some tertiary institutions, employment with government agencies or private enterprises, or driving from one state to another—or, terribly, when being convicted by the laws of the country—the only thing that works in all those mentioned points is who are you, who knows you, and whom do you know? If there is or is not any answer, the end of the story is that, unfortunately, one must be a fish—serving as a source of income to the fishermen—and money is mainly what secures employment, opportunities, and illegally frees one from any crime in this country. It would be over someday.

Painfully, another major challenge facing Nigeria is the issue of insecurity. Nigeria has been plagued by various forms of insecurity for many years, including terrorism, banditry, Boko Haram, kidnapping, and communal violence. Overcoming this while beholding my dream will require a multi-faceted approach that includes improving intelligence gathering and sharing, enhancing border security, and investing in the training and equipping of security personnel. The citizens must also work to address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion.

Economic development is another critical issue that must be addressed in order to build the Nigeria of my dreams. Nigeria is a country with enormous potential, but this potential has yet to be fully realized. In order to unlock this potential, we must create an environment that is conducive to business growth and investment. This will require a focus on building infrastructure, improving the ease of doing business, and reducing the cost of doing business. We must also invest in education and skills development, as a well-educated and skilled workforce is essential for economic growth and development.

Sadly, social justice is another key component of the Nigeria of my dream. Nigeria is a country with deep social inequalities, and these inequalities have been exacerbated by years of poor governance and economic mismanagement. In order to build a more just society, citizens must work to reduce inequality and promote social mobility. This will require investments in education, healthcare, and social protection programs. They must also work to address the root causes of inequality, such as discrimination and marginalization, and promote greater social inclusion.

Also, the Nigeria of my dream is one that is characterized by a thriving culture. Nigeria is a country with a rich cultural heritage, and its citizens must work to promote and celebrate this heritage. This will require investments in cultural infrastructure, such as museums and galleries, as well as support for cultural activities such as music, literature, and the arts. They must also work to promote intercultural dialogue and understanding, both within Nigeria and with the wider world.

More so, the Nigeria of my dream is undeniably a nation that is united, peaceful, and prosperous. I envision a country where people from different tribes, religions, and regions live together in harmony and respect for one another. A Nigeria where ethnic, religious, and political differences are celebrated and not used as a tool for division. A Nigeria where every citizen enjoys equal opportunities and is not discriminated against based on their tribe or religion.

In addition, the Nigeria of my dream is a country where the government is accountable and transparent. I envision a Nigeria where corruption is eradicated and public funds are used for the benefit of the people. A Nigeria where leaders are elected based on their competence and not their affiliation to a particular party, region, or religion.

I, as a matter of emergency, also have it in my dream to see a Nigeria that is peaceful and secure. A country where people can go about their daily lives without fear of violence or terrorism. I see a Nigeria where the rule of law is upheld and the justice system is fair and transparent. A Nigeria where the police and other security agencies are well-trained, adequately equipped, and accountable to the people they serve.

Joyfully, I view a Nigeria where its government works hard in every aspect. A country where creativity is given due respect and supported by organizing literary events across its territory, funding creative minds that can’t afford school, and everyone gives deep-rooted respect to one another.

Moreover, I see a Nigeria where parents become more responsible and caregivers to their children. Every morning, the parents will call their children and address the issues that are disturbing them. And each day, they will ask them what they learned in school, give them exercises, and appreciate their efforts.

Nonetheless, I also envision a Nigeria where children are very submissive and loyal to the commands of their elders. In Nigeria, where children greet every elder they meet on the road, they tend to see every beard as their elder and, as such, have respect for him.

Besides, I envision a Nigeria where there would not be pickpockets, thieves, and kidnappers. A Nigeria where one can travel a long distance out of fear of robbery. A Nigeria where everyone moves with his or her phone without thinking of a thief. A Nigeria where one can keep his money and return to pick it up, seeing it without any change from how one left it. What a beautiful country would Nigeria be?

Precisely, I see a Nigeria where we all play our part in its development. The government must take responsibility for providing good governance and leadership. They must prioritize the welfare of the citizens and make policies that are inclusive and beneficial to all. The citizens, on the other hand, must be active participants in the democratic process. We must also prioritize unity, peace, and tolerance and work towards bridging the gap between different ethnic and religious groups.

In conclusion, building the Nigeria of my dream will require a sustained and coordinated effort from all stakeholders. It must tackle corruption, address security challenges, promote economic development, reduce inequality, and celebrate its cultural heritage. This will require a commitment to good governance, accountability, and transparency, as well as investments in education, healthcare, and social protection programs. To achieve this, we must work together, and each of us must play our part. With indomitable determination, fervent zeal, and unwavering commitment, the Nigeria of my dream is possible.

Yahuza Usman writes fom Jalingo, Taraba State.