Nigeria at 63: Independence without Leadership is like a ship without a captain

I hesitated to respond to earlier Happy Independence Day greetings, as it is indeed not a feeling I identified in me right now.

Our hopes and dreams as a people have been trampled upon by deliberate activities of a few citizens entrusted to lead, protect, and provide. These few in the last decade and more so in recent months have upturned the hopes and dreams of the majority by their acts of sabotage.

The truth about Nigeria is that we deserve better. A nation where all are regarded, esteemed, and safeguarded. Sadly, the trust of the people has been savagely extirpated by agencies of government we believed would rise up to the call of our fatherland.

Rather than serve, they have opted to murder sleep, and now we, the people of Nigeria, drift asunder. Few remain, still working hard to fly the flag, to sustain hope. Many gaze afar, desperately seeking other lands, like 'Andrew', decades ago, 'Japa' is the new option.

I listened and watched the images in a recent video https://youtu.be/Ozdemq8qFtM. The oratory is familiar, a voice of hope. Beckoning to the millions of faithful Nigerians to yet keep hope alive.

However, those who steal our people's future will not find sleep. No, their days may be numbered, and their progeny will be ashamed to be called by their name.

As the promise of a new dawn, so shall all well meaning citizens invoke a New Nigeria. Not one marred by leaders with a stolen mandate. So-called leaders who fuel division, derision, and ethno-religious crises. Whose past is unknown and their raison detre is anything but for the greater good. The 'Obidient' spirit defines our New Nigeria. Anything and anyone unable to meet these standards would have to step down for truth and justice to lead our great nation.

Until then, we may celebrate our hopes for a future truly independent Nigeria.