The Nigeria of My Dreams, By AKOKO BENITA

As a proud citizen of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria, the giant of Africa, I often find myself in a train of thoughts that conjure up an image of a Nigeria that shows with great pride the outflowing and endless prospects of its citizens and its resources. In the Nigeria of my dreams, I see a father who is rest assured that his monthly reward as labourer is more than enough to cater for his family’s needs, I also see in my dreams a Nigeria where a mother has no doubt that a modest sum of ten thousand naira is able to provide a well nourished pot of soup and stew for the family and I also see in the Nigeria of my dreams where multiple jobs opportunities and benefits awaits a graduate to make his choice. This Nigeria of my dreams, a Nigeria of prosperity and stability I believe is not a mere fantasy but apparently a though reality that we have been training hard and struggling with for decades and it will come to pass when we make up our mind to look back at our weaknesses and our wrongs, and pull together the courage to unlearn, Learn and relearn so we can adjust, re-adjust and make a difference.

In the Nigeria of my dreams our economy has reached its peak and has undergone mind-blowing advancements that has opened a portal for vibrant and diversified opportunities for all. In my dreams, gone are the days of massive dependence on the extraction and export of natural resources instead, we have engaged in a platform of all round growth embracing talents and skills of the younger generations using advanced technology to aid our development. In this Nigeria, our mixed economic system is thriving as the business environment has improved and has a far wider infrastructure network that has with great force destroyed the barriers to growth. Alongside our economic progress, I see a Nigeria that has also witnessed dramatic reduction in crimes and social vices, in this Nigeria there is a robust and professional law enforcement system combined with an all-inclusive welfare system. In this Nigeria our streets, our homes and our routes are safe and secured allowing citizens to move freely without fear of victimization.

In my dreams I see a Nigeria that embraces and consistently follows due process, it is an orderly Nigeria where the rule of law is strictly followed and arbitrary rule is eradicated. It is a Nigeria where no one is trying to rush things unnecessary and our leaders, our teachers, our mentors and our parents teach the younger ones that life is a series of stages that work in accordance with time and fate.

I see in my dreams a Nigeria where teenagers and students are so focused and hellbent on been recognized in a positive way. I see a Nigeria where the number of dropout is small and schools are at their maximum population. It is a Nigeria where university students are so much that government see the need to build new ones.

In the Nigeria of my dreams the older generations who have witnessed the triumph and tribulations that has molded our nation’s history come together with the younger generations who are equipped with a fresh look and a unique knowledge of the global landscape to produce a harmonious collaboration to actualize a synergistic Force that propels growth. In my dreams these generations of great age range gap come together to craft policies and implement programs that seamlessly displaying wisdom of the past and the innovative solution of the present.

This is all about the Nigeria of my dreams, a nation that soars on the wings of good governance, economic prosperity and the boundless creativity of the people. It is a vision of a Nigeria where corruption is rare and youths channel their ingenuity into innovation that aid growth. A Nigeria where our leaders meditate on the lessons of our past, they think of the realities of our present day and imagine our aspiring future before making a decision. It is in my dreams a Nigeria where we proudly celebrate our diversity with outflowing love. So let’s roll up our sleeves, dust off our fears and get to work, with a little bit of luck, a whole lot of determination and the intervention of divine help we will build THE NIGERIA OF MY DREAMS.

About the Author : AKOKO BENITA OSAGIODUWA @akokobenita@gmail.com, is a Student of Standard Schools , a secondary school in Benin City and she is a child actress and writer .