‘It seems to me
we can never give up longing and wishing while we are still alive. There are
certain things that are beautiful and good, and we must hunger after them’.
George Elliot
Introduction
See how time flies! The time is here again for yet
another celebration of our 52nd Independence anniversary. The
question is, is it a celebration or commiseration? Obviously, the times are not
favorable and safe as we seem to be surrounded by doom, pain and regrets.
Nigerians are painfully lamenting the state of terrorism and insecurity in the
nation – Boko Haram menace, reckless violence
in Jos, Maiduguri, Bauchi and other parts of the federation, terrible floods
and heightened insecurity across the country. Our people are desperately asking;
Is President Goodluck Jonathan really capable of taking the country out of the
doldrums? Does he have the political will of solving the hydra-headed problems
facing the country?
Painting a true scenario
Life to common Nigerians have become poor, miserable
and rough. Everywhere you go in the length and breadth of our land you see
pervasive poverty, institutional corruption, the vain superiority and supremacy
of the ruling class leading to monopoly of high key positions, thus giving rise
to a clique of wealthy and powerful rulers; you hear the cry of the oppressed
deprived of justice; you see the fear of oppression and domination by the
majority tribe and religion against the minorities; you also notice general
cynicism regarding governance as a result of the growing gap between the rulers
and the ruled, the rich and the poor, and lack of access to basic public
services and social amenities.
Blame and Victim mentality
Admittedly, the President is trying and glaringly committed
despite efforts of anti-democratic forces to sabotage him. However, all
stakeholders must give him their support to turn things around and take the
country to greater heights. It is all too easy, in this high-pressure and
high-tension situation to be swept along with the tide of blaming, complaining
and criticizing destructively. Apparently, our modern culture has become one of
complaint, blame, criticism and non-responsibility. Everything is someone
else’s fault. We commonly hear such statements as: ‘it is not my fault; I am not
to blame; I am framed; I am not guilty; I am not responsible; they caused it’
etc. In fact, the blame and victim mentality has grown in popularity in
our country in the last few decades. We always claim credit for victories won
or goals achieved, but never easily as Nigerian people admit our faults and
mistakes. Let us not be deceived; we must admit our sins and sincerely confess
our need of God for the way forward.
Our Endowments and Matters arising
The Almighty Creator has shown our country great favor in no
small measure. God has no doubt endowed us with all it takes (natural and human
resources) to develop and be among the leading economies in the world, but we
remain stagnated as a result of greed, carelessness, and recklessness by our
leaders and people. Unfortunately, we have become a country of lost and
untapped opportunities, potentials and lost dreams. We remain unchanged in our
deceitful nature. What we essentially need now to forge ahead positively is attitudinal
change and moral re-orientation, as William Jones (1842-1910) said:
‘The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter his
life by altering his attitude of mind’. The Holy Bible has categorically said
that two thousand years ago. The most important moment in our life is now. The
best time is now, the best place is here. So let us begin something today
with the help of God. For when God
supports us, no one can defeat us as a nation. Let us collectively manage
our resources, harness our potentials and maximize our God given gifts to make
Nigeria great.
Special Prayer for Nigeria
Special friends and beloved countrymen and women, let us
thank God with grateful hearts and reflect on our wishes and aspirations as
Nigerian people as I invite you to join me in my prayerful wishes for Nigeria.
This is my wish for Nigeria: Faith to believe in God’s promises; Humility to
admit our faults and to confess our sins; Trust to keep faithful; Courage to be
sincere, open and honest in the twists and turns of life; Strength to hold on to what is good; Patience to accept the
truth; A change from bankruptcy to
blessing; a change from burden to victory; Stamina to sustain our struggle for
freedom and entrenchment of democracy; godly heart to leave heart prints of
love, compassion, understanding, forgiveness and peace; Positive heart to
worship God in thick and thin and to grow and live for the future, and the Grace
to fear less and love more. O God, in failure and disappointment preserve our
faith; In success please keep us humble; Help us as a people to choose to love
rather than hate; to choose to build rather than destroy; to choose to
persevere rather than quit; to choose to forgive rather than curse; to choose
to live with honor and character rather than live in disgrace and shame; and to
choose to pray rather than despair.
Our internal raging Battle and Choice
It is my believe that as a people we can learn from this
beautiful native wisdom taken from the Irish get up and go 2011 Diary
challenging us to the decisions and choices we make: A Grandfather from
Cherokee Nation was talking with his grandson. ‘A fight is going on inside me’
he said to the boy. ‘It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves’. ‘One wolf is evil and ugly; he is anger,
envy, greed, self pity, resentment, selfishness, inferiority, false pride,
lies, guilt, arrogance and wars’. ‘The
other wolf is beautiful and good; he is friendly, joyful, generous,
peaceful, loving, humble, kind, just, compassion, forgiveness, and gratitude.’
‘The same fight is going on inside you, and inside every human being.’ The
grandson paused in deep reflection on what his grandfather has said’ then he
asked, ‘Grandfather, which wolf will win the fight?’ The elder Cherokee
replied: ‘the wolf that you feed.’
Fanning the embers of
Hope
Yes, it seems we have
been feeding the evil and ugly wolf in us and as a result our country is
bedeviled by all manners of criminal activities, terrorism and anarchy. Now our hearts are troubled and we
are having symptoms and experiencing signs of heart attack; our environment is
polluted and we are feeling dizzy and experiencing shortness of breath; there
are times when we are alone and feel deserted. In fact, we are almost getting suffocated. Our
people are fuming and blowing hot and our psychological tension is heightened.
Now is the time to stand up as a people against the many factors inhibiting our
spiritual and natural growth as a nation; now is the time to draw strength and
encouragement from each other in order to fan the glowing embers of hope. God
alone can respond to our deepest longings, aspirations, concerns, yearnings and
give true meaning to our lives as a nation and people. Only in Him can we find
direction and a sense of purpose.
Conclusion
Let me conclude with the appealing words of the Catholic Bishops
Conference of Nigeria given in a Communiqué issued at the end of the Second
Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), at Bishop
Thomas Mcgetrick Pastoral Centre, Abakiliki, Ebonyi State from September 10 –
17, 2011: ‘During the Golden Jubilee of our Independence as a nation, we
celebrated the labors of our past heroes which our national Anthem declares
shall never be in vain. To this end, we call on our leaders to renew their
vision for a greater Nigeria, and through good governance and honest labors, to
ensure the building of a greater nation bound in freedom, peace and unity. This
indeed is our challenge as a people. Let us not place regional and sectional
interest far above our national affiliation, but give adequate support to the
concept of nationalism and patriotism.
God bless Nigeria and
Happy Independence Anniversary!
Rev. Fr. Michael Adefemi
Adegbola Director, Media Service Centre Kaduna, Nigeria 2012
