I have a dream

I have a dream, that the son or daughter (emphasis on daughter) of a Hausa peasant from the remotest part of Arewaland would one day become the president of a one, united Naija. That the candidacy and election would not be determined in a church, mosque or shrine but on the strength of their character […]

I have a dream, that the son or daughter (emphasis on daughter) of a Hausa peasant from the remotest part of Arewaland would one day become the president of a one, united Naija. That the candidacy and election would not be determined in a church, mosque or shrine but on the strength of their character and the plausible manifesto of a party that primed to move the nation forward.
I have a dream. That righteousness would envelope this nation; that those who sponsor killers would come out to the town and city square; and, on their knees, make confessions with true repentance ask for real forgiveness and kick start the process of healing.
I have a dream. That looters and their offspring would one day make a town, village or city square their confession ground. That they will release secret code to their Swiss accounts and faithfully declare their foreign accounts to a government of the people, for the people by the people who would in turn accept their apology; take the proceeds of our common wealth, and rebuild the broken walls of our infrastructure.

I have a dream. That the son of a reverend, bishop or whatever title, would be married to the daughter of an Imam or grand mufti in a church, mosque or court. Oh, I have a dream, that their offspring will be indistinguishable by their names. I have a dream, that a Hausa man would name his daughter Nkechi and that the Ibo man would call his son Hassan. I have a dream that every child would be able to claim the city in which they were born, irrespective of where their parents originated to prove the genuineness of our federalism.
I have a dream. That one day, the people who serve would no longer run the people who voted off the road. Oh, I have a dream. That one day, a governor would queue at a popular supermarket to buy his grocery just like any other person. I have a dream, that when his son or daughter weds, no dime of public money would be spent either to entertain guests, or to transport them. I have a dream, that one day, the eleven or twelve presidential jets would be auctioned off and its cash used to provide real transportation to all nooks and crannies of this country.
Oh I have a dream. That one day the uniform would be seen as a badge of honour and not a symbol of oppression. I have a dream. That one day, the armed forces become the people’s army, trained to honour and respect them and protect them at all times with zeal. Oh I have a dream, that one day, the women and children would line up the streets to welcome home their troops from international missions, climb their tanks and decorate them with garlands for being worthy ambassadors.
I have a dream. That one day, the police would be our friend and no longer torturers, or killers. I have a dream; I saw the end of accidental discharge. Oh I have a dream. That one day, check points would no longer be necessary, as all the armed robbers are gainfully engaged and the kidnappers and ritualists have discovered the senselessness of their bloodletting and embraced peace.
I have a dream; that the sons and daughters of Europeans, Americans and other nations would queue up at Naija embassies and consulates abroad asking for visas to visit our paradise in the sun. I mean I have a dream, that those who stole our money to buy property abroad would auction them and return with the loot to rebuild their motherland.
Yes I have a dream, that one day lecturers would turn down offers to migrate but stay and mould minds. Oh I have a dream, that lecturers regard their students as assets and not bush allowances. I have a dream that Eedris’ Mr Lecturer is fiction in the ears of those that hear them.
I have a dreams; that the terms – north, west, east and south would mean nothing other than cardinal points; Christian, Muslim, animist mean nothing because tribalism, sectionalism, zealotry and bigotry is speared by the fragrance of love. I have a dream, that this nation is a strong, one united nation where citizens sing with meaning the words of our national anthem; that the labour of her past heroes and heroines are practically not in vain. I have a dream that no pensioner’s funds is mismanaged and that workers receive just pay for good work.
I have a dream that freedom, truth and justice flow, on the waters of the Niger through the confluence of the Benue and in all rivers, streams and tributaries. From this dream may I not wake, until it becomes real.