The Nigeria of my dreams

In the Nigeria of my dreams, I see Nigerian citizens in safety. I see a Nigeria where all citizens can sleep and wake up whenever they want, and where businessmen and women  can go to the markets and students can trek from home to school without being kidnapped; where drivers can drive from all the […]

In the Nigeria of my dreams, I see Nigerian citizens in safety. I see a Nigeria where all citizens can sleep and wake up whenever they want, and where businessmen and women  can go to the markets and students can trek from home to school without being kidnapped; where drivers can drive from all the geopolitical zones without being attacked by extremists. 

I dream to see Nigeria become a peaceful home; where students can be admitted without spelling the words “godfatherism;” where licensed drivers can drive freely without being asked to be corrupt; where there will be no single jobless graduate.

In the Nigeria of my dream, I dream those that commit repugnant acts are caught and punished as a lesson to the younger generation; I dream to see leaders fulfill the promises they made to the nation. That is, the promises we have been hearing since our childhood days, ranging from stable electricity, enhancing farming system as the way to alleviate poverty, obliterate insecurity and chase out corruption.

In the Nigeria of my dreams, I see leaders put into offices, irrespective of their tribes, families or religion; but are selected or elected based on their qualifications. Lastly, I see Nigerian youths become patriotic citizens that will work tirelessly in seeing the betterment of the country in one way or the other.

As Nigeria celebrates 61 years of independence, I pray, may we become united. That is, to see ourselves as brothers and sisters, not as citizens alone.

Abubakar Muhammad Usman writes from Gombe State