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Author: Ihechukwu Njoku
Posted to the web: 5/27/2009 8:17:35 PM

I believe reflection on the state of ournation Nigeria,Godâ's own nation, would evoke a deep sense of soberness and seriousness among allwell-meaning Nigerians. Selfishness has eroded so deeply into the framework ofour governance and society that motives and objectives are so often driven bywhat can be gained and the commitment channelled into a project is dependent onthe immediate reward received. The seeds of selfishness and greed have reaped aharvest of mismanagement and abuse. Responsibility has been warped to thebetterment of self and the detriment of the common masses.

 

Why? Because selfishness has overtakenservice, greed has driven compassion to the shadows, personal interest hasoccupied the position of national reform. Stories of lavish living echo amidsttales of death and decay of the masses in poverty and pain. Surely, the essenceof politics revolves around the common good of the people? Have we fallen sofar that the very purpose of our leadership has been lost and forgotten in thezeal to get, gain and gather? When will people rise up with one heartbeat, onefocus and one desire – the good of a nation and their people, not just plunderfor their pocket?

 

Arrogance and pride are so deeply engravedinto the fabric of our society that misappropriation and mismanagement havewielded their chaos and corruption as rapidly and regularly as the dusk turnsto dawn. And our beauty seems to fade as time continues to wane

1.     The beauty of a young man proud to fight for his country,
2.     The beauty of quality education available for all ready to work hard,
3.     The beauty of effective transportation and consistent lighting,
4.     The beauty of a pastors sermon filled with hope, not condemnation,
5.     The beauty of unity and oneness despite tribe or religion,
6.     The beauty of a fearless walk through the roads at night,
7.     The beauty of a dream and its journey to reality.

 

Sadly today, rashness and brashness havethwarted and thrown our rationale off course in an alarming manner. Normalcyhas slipped to a standard where corruption and actions without consequentialconsideration are the order of the day. Dignity has decayed, and values haveveered. What happened to those timeless principles that ignited our hopes of agreat nation, Godâ's own nation? Where did justice and liberty get lost amid thereasoning and rationale of our leaders? I once heard a wise man, Pastor TBJoshua, say, ‘If your actions are motivated by selfish interests rather thanGod, you are mortgaging tomorrowâ's joy.’ How true this statement has provedin the state of our nation today.

 

However, it is easy to air our views ofthese atrocities without daring to take on the challenge to be the change wedesire to see. Consideration of what constitutes that bright future, and whatthat necessitates for me and you is the way forward now. For one thing we know- hope remains while life exists. Such beauty and brilliance can still berestored if we are ready to throw aside the toxic garments of greed and avariceand embrace the task ahead with a passion born of belief and boldness, and acompassion hinged on service and sacrifice.

 

We have heard much talk recently ofre-branding this nation, but true re-branding starts from within – are-branding of our hearts and minds, our intentions and motives, our goals anddreams. Until we redirect our focus and re-channel our energies and efforts tothe common cause of justice, truth, honesty and integrity, the principles thatform the fabric of any progressive nation, the downward spiral will onlycontinue.

 

Let us stop deliberating aimlessly on ourwoes and worries and arise as a people together, with hope as our anchor andlove as our motor. Let us look within in order to rediscover our route, and letus walk out this great journey to restoration and restitution, with the flameof endurance and the light of love guiding and governing each stepping stoneand stopping interval - till we finish this race through Godâ's good grace.

 

The same principles that ignited the visionof our independence must be re-centralised in the causes and courses of bothour leaders and followers alike, if we are to realise that dream of a fruitfuland flourishing Nigeriawe can be proud of. Selfless service must be restored to both our purposes andpromises.

 

There is hope for Nigeria – if we can spend more onothers and less on ourselves, recognise and embrace our achievers, learn fromour experiences, grow through our mistakes and consider the good of our countyof greater moment than our own personal interests.