It's the eve of Nigeria's 49th Independence Anniversary.

A lot of us may feel that we have nothing to celebrate; some are of the opinion that Nigeria seems to be a perpetual under-achiever, yet to take its rightful place of respect and admiration among the global League of Nations.

While this may seem to be so, I'm of the opinion that we must be grateful that even though we're not where we want to be, we're definitely not where we used to be.

We've got a lot to be thankful for.

I must confess that I sometimes; get frustrated with the way things are.

My image of Nigeria is of an archer with his bow and arrow. He’s gone hunting and has been tracking a rogue wild lion that’s been ravaging his flock. He’s been on its scent all day; he’s tired, frustrated; but can’t turn back because he realizes that the lion that he doesn’t kill today will be back tomorrow. Just when he’s about to give up, he sees the target dead ahead! He reaches into his quiver and pulls out the lone arrow. He flexes the bow, pulls back the arrow and draws the bow as far as his well developed muscles can go and holds it there, in aim position …. in suspended animation and doesn’t fire yet. One year goes by, he doesn’t fire, 5 years go by, he doesn’t fire, 49 years later, he still doesn’t fire, his muscles are taut, the arrow’s ready to leave the bow, but he’s holding it still… waiting… because every good archer knows that the further you retract the arrow, the further and faster the arrow will fly.
God is the archer, Nigeria is the arrow, we are poised to do incredible things, capable of so much, and we know that once we’re released, we will go far but yet, it seems that we are in a freeze frame, frozen in suspended animation.

This morning, I took my frustration to God and asked Him why this was so; and He referred me to the scriptures; specifically, Numbers 14:28 which reads;

“Say unto your people, as truly as I live, says the Lord, I will do to you, the very things I heard you say”

That’s profound! The reason we have the Nigeria we currently have is because we’ve been saying the things that have created the Nigeria we have. Words are the seeds that build the future.

What have you said about Nigeria?

Did you ever say “This Nigeria, one day, we’ll buy fuel for N50”. Were you surprised when you heard that the pump price had been adjusted to N50? No you weren’t! You said “didn’t I tell you”?
The truth hurts!

In reality, you’re gifted to transform a particular area or problem of Nigeria.
Your greatest frustration is often indicative of the area of your greatest passion! What I mean to say is, “don’t agonize over the problem, organize the solution”.

Choose today to change your speech. Speak positively into and about Nigeria. Let your words build her. Let your words be the healing balm that soothes her pain, and slowly and surely, when we have a critical mass of Nigerians, saying the same things, Nigeria will rise again!

If you’re reading this, I want you to take some time out to say this prayer with me; it’ll only take a minute:

“O God of creation, direct our noble cause. Guide our leaders right, help our youth; the truth to know. In love and honesty to grow; and living just and true. Great lofty heights attain; to build a nation, where peace and justice shall reign”!

Does this prayer sound familiar?

It’s the second stanza of our National Anthem. What would happen if all over Nigeria, at 6am, 12 noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm and midnight, every Nigerian, in the comfort of their own home, school or workplace could pray this prayer?

We wouldn’t have corruption, religious intolerance, youth restiveness, kidnapping and militancy, police men taking bribes, public officials looting the Treasury or people driving against traffic.

What type of nation would we have if God answered this prayer?

We would UNDOUBTEDLY, be the world’s most desirable nation to live in.

From this Independence Anniversary and upward, I want to challenge you to build Nigeria.
If you’ve taken time to read this lengthy note, I do appreciate it, but now I want you to do please something for me…

I want you to write an article on what I’ve called “I WANT A NIGERIA WHERE…”
It must talk about the Nigeria of your dreams. ONLY SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE, DON’T SAY WHAT YOU DON’T WANT.

Let me explain… if I gave you a blank cheque, you would naturally write how much you wanted; not how much you didn’t want. Do you get it?

Please take time to read this article and send me an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

I’ll be choosing 4 people to either have lunch with or maybe something more….

I’ll be waiting.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Happy Independence Day.

FD