HAPPY INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY-The Nigeria of my Dreams-Odunayo Oluwatimilehin OYEWOLE

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY-The Nigeria of my Dreams-Odunayo Oluwatimilehin OYEWOLE

It all started with the unholy-wedding of 1914

The amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates

By the colonial Governor-General, Lord Fredrick Lugard.

Named after the great River Niger,

Flora Shaw, a British journalist, named the country—NIGERIA!

Then came the agitations by vibrant and patriotic Nigerian nationalists

The likes of Great Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikwe,

Tafawa Balewa, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, and others, in blessed memories.

It was a vehement push for self-government

To be freed from British imperialists

In proper terms, “As soon as practicable” said Anthony Enahoro

The euphoria that rocked the nation was unquantifiable

The long awaited independence is here, it was a victory at last

The labor of our past heroes, was indeed not in vain

Nigeria at 61: in search of peace, unity and progress

At this juncture, unity is the oil we need to unclog

The wheels of development obstructed by political instability;

Insecurity, farmer-herders crisis, kidnapping for ransoms,

And a host of other vices that are currently heating up the polity

The Nigeria of my dreams:

A country where political office holders rule with integrity,

Transparency and accountability!

A country where the citizens are law abiding!

A country where fundamental human rights are respected!

A country free of religious and ethnic bigotry!

A country where the security of every citizen is assured!

A country where best brains are not brain drained!

A country where education is given priority!

A country where workers do not have to go on strike

Before the government does the needful!

A country where graduates do not have to toil before securing decent jobs!

A country where the lives of students are not at risk!

A country you and I will be proud of in no distant years!

Together, we can make it happen.

Arise! Oh compatriots

Nigeria’s call obey

To serve our fathers land

With love, and strength and faith

The labor of our heroes past, shall never be in vain

To serve with power and might

One nation bound in freedom

Peace and unity!

Long live Nigeria!

Happy Independence!

Odunayo Oluwatimilehin OYEWOLE

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Courtesy-Oriental Times(facebook)