Project 9ja Mag The Revolution. 1st Edition | Page 49

the revolution
I AM A NIGERIAN AND MY
COUNTRY NEEDS ME
E
ver thought of the current state of the country and just feel depressed by it or have you ever
been engaged in group discussions regarding the situations and problems the country is facing at
the moment and it just feels like there is no hope for us? In a country where there is an
abundance of wealth and resources, we see on news headlines every day cases of famine, scarcity and
poverty. I have thought so much on all these issues and I felt at a particular point that there is really no
way for one to become successful and live a good life here. Fortunately, I have had that perception
changed because I later got to realize that I am and will always be a Nigerian and if I really want the way
things are in my country to change for the better, I must cause that change to begin with me.
We Nigerians generally live happy lives regardless of the terrible circumstances around us. The Nigerian
life entails celebration of hard work and success, marriages, birthdays and other forms of festivities. We
have our human rights well protected and fight whenever any of such rights are violated. There is peace,
unity and a natural sense of belonging among the citizenry which gears the nation towards economic
growth and all round development.
If you take a close look at the country, you would realize that she does not suffer from natural disasters
like many other countries do but instead the disasters she faces are those caused by her own citizens.
Unemployment and terrorism have become popular terms on the national news and the standard of living
worsens day after day because the money that should be used in seeing to the welfare of the people is
being looted by some individuals in power. Despite the alarming situation, the positive attitude of
Nigerians to life is highly commendable as we still care for one another’s wellbeing.
Nowadays, every intelligent student is bent on leaving the country after graduation. Actors, Actresses
and Musicians earnestly seek ways by which they would be able to produce their work overseas.
Furthermore, accomplished professionals such as Medical Doctors, Engineers and Professors prefer to
work and reside abroad where they feel they would earn higher income. Now, the question comes to
mind, why this brain drain? Why can’t those intellectuals and professionals stay back in Nigeria and
contribute to national development rather than going to contribute to the development of other
countries? Here is the answer: They are all in search for ‘greener pasture’ and no longer have faith in
their own country.
I am a boy, sixteen years of age who is tired of hearing constant complaints on the way the affairs of the
country are managed and negative talks on how the country can never change for the better. In my own
view, Nigeria is regarded as a developing country not because she is poor but because she has not yet
been able to fully utilize her resources to her benefit. The fact and simple truth is that all of us Nigerians
need to change our attitude towards the nation by giving our possible best into national development
because no one would help us if we do not help ourselves first.
As I grow older, I feel a deeper sense of commitment to our great country, Nigeria. Reciting the National
Pledge strengthens my resolve to serve her with all my strength and uphold her honour and glory. I
NIGERIA
hope that every one of us Nigerians can come together with a common mind and resolve to contribute to
national development each in our own little way because we all have our parts to play. In summary, I
believe we should all have strong convictions that our country needs us and aspire always to contribute
to its development because if we don’t develop it ourselves no one will.
OLAJUYIGBE DANIEL
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