Hi Nairalanders, I saw an old book my dad bought years ago written by Shehu Shagari (My Vision for Nigeria), after opening the book to do a quick scan I read a poem written by the great leader. And I felt I should share it with you;

Lord we beseech your help
To guard us from the iniquities of the world

Let our country grow and be known
All over this broad earth

Let everyone prosper in it
Without fear and without persecution

Help our land find honour
Place her on the path of truth

Help her develop and become renowned
Let her be an example to Africa

Let her prosper, let there be wealth
Everywhere in Nigeria

And thank God
That he placed us among the people of Nigeria – Shehu Shagari

After reading it I felt a kind of renewed hope, a sense of purpose, the need to act, to be aware, to believe and have faith that our fallen heroes never gave up, they fought (intellectually) to the end.

When we recite the national anthem, there is a part that says

The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain

Our heroes are have gone to the great beyond, but we can carry on from where they stopped, all we need to do is to believe.

Yes this country is a mess right now, corruption, nepotism, insecurity, insurgency, tribalism etc are growing by the day, but if we just believe and hope that we can make a change then we can act based on that and move this country forward so we won’t burden our kids with this mess.

Running to other lands may give temporary comfort, but the truth is no matter how long you stay there they will never treat you as part of their own and you can’t change the fact that you are Nigerian

Besides, a lot of Nigerians are doing great at home and abroad, a Nigerian boy became the 2nd in a National competition in the UK in mathematics, another Nigerian student became the first African to have first class in Law in a University in Reading, In Nigeria we likes of Seun Osewa, Otto(CEO of slum to school) ……..I can go on and on about great Nigerians (both young and old, at home or abroad) doing great things, it is in these Nigerians that we must find hope, inspiration, followership, leadership and greatness.

I don’t know about you but as for me

I pledge to Nigeria my country
To be faithful, Loyal and Honest
To serve Nigeria with all my strenght
To defend her unity
And uphold her honour and glory
So help me God
Ameen

God bless Nigerians, God bless Africans and the rest of humanity.

Many a nigerian have visions for Nigeria but can't afford the support if only the visionaries and missionaries can preach the Great vision and mission they have to other Nigerians?, if only we the youths can come together for unison and cohesion there would be revived hopes?, if only we youths can solicit for support and utilise our power because i believe the power lies in us?, if only we the youths can drop sentiments and think accurately?, if only we the youths do not segregate but promote unity?, if only we youths can reject riches and fight for good name( the bible says it all )?, if only we the youths can listen and don't act immediately but with procedures( because acting almost immediately can result to a mistake )? and if only we the youths can rally around for our voices to be heard and our words to read not hiding in the corner of our room waiting for magic to happen? IF ONLY THE YOUTHS CAN !!! But it's after we think then we remember that we have a family somewhere or we want to build a family somewhere but nonetheless we can make it no matter the amount of road blocks, circumstances, rejection E.T.C with DETERMINATION.

THE POWER LIES IN THE HANDS OF THE YOUTHS and that is the reason why youths are being manipulated by greedy politicians but until we realise this?, we might have realised this but ARE WE READY TO FIGHT FOR A CHANGE.
THAT CHANGE STARTS WITH ME AND YOU .
THANK YOU.