Hey! Its Christmas again! You know, there was a time that Christmas connoted so many positive things to me (and dare I say to so many Nigerians as well) but those times somehow feel like centuries ago(...and I am not old...at least not in my opinion). Everyone was happy and there was loads of love and joy to go around, somehow all that vanished- not because we stopped wanting to keep spreading all that joy but because we seem to have somehow forgotten how to or rather, that we have plainly just forgotten! And then, who can blame us, what with the fuel shortage (and despite that, heavy traffic!), ever upward hike in the price of everything, lack of power supply...(need I continue?)! My plea though is that as Nigerians, we should live up to what we are known for(within and outside our shores)- suffering but still smiling! Now dont get me wrong, I am not asking that we just accept the status quo. What I am asking is that we try to in some way maintain our stability but in the midst of it all, chart a course (or courses, whatever it takes) for moving our country forward. We keep looking to the top for solutions but really, the bulk of it rests with us. How about each and every one of us beginning to do those 'little' things that we can do where we find ourselves and see if things do not turn around, maybe slowly but indeed, surely! One might wonder why I have decided to talk about Nigeria's sorry state(pun intended) during this joyous and merry (?) season but I think, why not? When else will we get to remember the less privileged and the down-trodden? When else than now when everyone is making those new year resolutions? Do take time out to think about not just yourself and those dear to you but think about her as well- Nigeria - and what you can do for her and what you can give back to her as well because contrary to what many of us think, she has given us so much more than we can ever give back!
Merry Christmas Nigeria!!!