My recent vacation to Dubai and South Africa were not only eye openers to the opportunities that existed outside our shores, they were also opportunities to see how we as a nation differ from the other countries. It was an opportunity to identify what we have that can move us far, and what we have that currently still stands us ahead.
I have tried to express passionately the visionary leadership that Dubai possesses, I have also tried to describe some the closest things to a man made heaven. From the visions they still have however, the best is even yet to happen. Just two days ago, I got informed that the world project is being sold already. The world project is a man made island patterned after the map of the world, with each continent as an Island. I quipped, that at least if one cannot be president over the real Nigeria, he can at least try to administer the Nigeria Island in the world project. South Africa also was filled with breathtaking sites, and great entertainment parks. I thought I had fun at the Wild Wadi Waterparks in Dubai until I experienced the Anaconda and Golden Heights at the Gold Reef Park. I don’t know what world South Africa is classified as, but I’m certain it’s far beyond our world.
Having seen all these, when I look back home, and see our current state my countenance falls, however when I think deeper and see what we could be, my heart is refreshed, for their is yet hope for Nigeria. Did you ask why? Let me show you what I see.
Visionary Leaders
One of the clearly distinguishing qualities that sets nations appart, is the quality of it’s leaders. The people who shape it’s future and steer it towards the dream. Sometimes, these leaders have the priviledge of elected office, sometimes however, they occupy leadership positions by the fact that they have influence. Many atimes positional leaders occupy the front position, and stretch into the future without followers ending up with a mere stroll, while the leaders of thought and the philosophies that the people buy into, leave their homes with the intention of a mere stroll and movements are begotten. The visionary leaders of Nigeria are emerging, they are men and women, born in the secrecy of a village manger, born without fanfare, without the royal army blood nor the geneology of relationships with the powers that be. They are artistic teachers who with their quotes and words paint the pictures of the future’s in our minds with ink that cannot be erased. Our visionary leaders are in the cocoon, waiting patiently for their wings to develop. Watch the film 300, read the story of Gideon in the Bible. The medicine does not need to be oversized to do it’s work. Those that bear the fulcrum on which the future of our nation hinges are already with us, it’s an army of few, and you are one of them. 70% of our population are under 30. Imagine what can happen if we take charge of this generation!!
Workforce
The chinese language is fast becoming a language of the future, with the impending economic takeover by the chinese economy. One of the key elements that pushes China ahead, is it’s workforce. With a seemingly disadvantageous population of over a billion, China has positioned itself as the worlds manufacturing center. The cheapest prices of whatever you want can be found in China. That shirt that costs you N15,000 was probably made in China, and left china at N300 without the logo. Nigeria is the most populous black nation on the planet. With a little tweak in our policies, we can position ourselves to take the maximum advantage of our numbers.
The Nigerian Spirit
In any country on earth, it’s easy to know a Nigerian appart. We are cocky confident, passionate, diehard optimists and sharp. You know why stories of suicide are never rampant in our nation? It’s because the broke gate man, believes that as long as there is life, there is hope. His motto is, “no Condition is permanent”. He believes strongly that if he ends up a looser today, he starts on a fresh page tomorrow. I marveled at the laissez-faire attitude of the average South African, here is a guy with a National Passport that is Visa free to 95 of the choice countries in the world, languishing with a degree and sitting at home. Contrast that with Nigerians I have met, who practically made their way by road (car, camel and feet) from Nigeria to Morocco just to get over to the United Kingdom. Our will to survive is strong! If we put this spirit behind the emergence of our New Nigeria, we are unstoppable.
Human Capital
Guess it’s hard to be judge in my own court, however a survey of any of these fields, Medicine, Engineering, Technology, Economics, e.t.c, will reveal that some of the best brains in the world are Nigerian. An informed professor I was opportuned to listen to, categorically said that in any one of these fields if a meeting of the top 10 would be called, there’ll be Nigerians amongst them. That if the No 1 Citizen in America had an emergency operation today, a Nigerian will be on that operating table. I am yet to hear from any of my friends and classmates who went for any part of their education outside our shores who is not top 1-5% in his class. As far as I’m concerned, we were blessed not only with numbers, but with intellect. When we pass through the international checkpoints and say we have nothing to declare, we lie. There is sufficient between our ears to declare. Yahoo yahoo is an abuse of intelligence, it’s a perversion of business acumen. We only need to channel and harness this latent energy for the greater good of our nation.
Social Culture
One of the other key things we are blessed with that distinguishes us from other nations is our networking. We sincerely care about getting in touch, socializing with family and friends and actually relating with our neighbours. There is a lot we can achieve via the power of synergy, and we have a culture that draws us together, making us more powerful.
Natural Resources
I understand that a CIA report has it, that the most precious natural resource that Nigeria has is surface table water. Not oil, not gold, toumaline or tantalite. Surface water. There is still much oil in the land neither do we have a scarcity of arable land. We are also still discovering new precious metals and gemstones. If we tap 1/4 of our resources, and channel the funds aright we can become a wonder to the cities around us.
The Nigeria of our dream will not arrive without effort, neither will it emerge by solo effort, but as we align and create the picture of what we would have it be we’ll get there. Slowly but surely, the snail also made it into Noah’s ark
Three hearty cheers to a Nigeria that celebrates 1yr+ of uninterrupted power supply, a Nigeria without potholes, a Nigeria with 8 lane highways, a Nigeria with banks that fund the real sector, a Nigeria where the common man can get bank credit, a Nigeria where things work, a Nigeria whose passport and residency is sought after, a Nigeria that it’s citizens are proud of associating with. Let’s bring back the glory!
Great piece Bro…..
We would be great again
Naija4real
I feel so happy to see my brother Oderinlo o. James trying to give his best few monthss after i told him about this exciting site…
I am glad something this positive is about to kick-off at last and i will be more than glad to be a part of it even if am just an on-looker, but i know i will be more than that. I am too loaded to be just an onlooker.
I have always dreamed of a been a part of a movement for change, i have always wanted to be the voice of the week and the proctector of the less-priviledged. I have always thought of a day when i will be in the fore-front of a revolution that will make Naija one of the Many wonders of the world, and put her in her right place.
I have always prayed for a day when the likes of the Chairman of Ayobo/Ipaja local government council area will be made accountable for the mis-managements of funds and revenue aloted to him in the last 4years, I will be glad to witness the scene where he will explain how the Green Plate-Number of his Official Toyota SL got missen and was replaced with a Blue new private Number. I will love to be there when the DPO of Alagolo police station is made to explain why his men extort money from people and motorist both day and nite with fear, where the money they get go to and his duty as a DPO analysed with the rave of crime and harrasment going on his locality…I believe it has to start in our locality before we take the march to Alausa or Aso Rock.
I wil love to love to place an article in the proposed magazine every time it is published and i believe Basket Mouth will be a nice name cos it will carry the people along and yet send the signal to all concerned.
About the sponsors, I believe MTN should be a lovely Inclusion in the prospectives…list.. They’ve been doing a lot of stuffs that has to do with the youths, and i believe its time they take it to the positive side of the youths,not just music & stuffs…Good information is should be part of there game, and they can be the voice of the people. Glo goes with it already and NBL .. i no say he no easy, but >>>Man D— oga me sir, i think you can help abit with that…and anybody else who can do a thing ot two should not back-out…
I am going to be at the yankee when its will start and am sure you will wanna be there…lets get the balls rolling people!!
I agree totally with everything you wrote on the ‘envisioned Nigeria’.I am one of those who believe strongly that Nigeria has more than is enough to be a giant ,not only of Africa but of the world.Nigerians are among the most resourceful, most enterprising and most resilient.The only thing we need to do is to embrace change in every area of our national lives.It is only by doing that that we can usher in a Nigeria that will be a pride to Nigerians and an envy of other countries.We must make up our minds to always act right in everything we do whether or not anybody is looking at us.For those who are weary of doing good ‘cos they think they are the only ones,I want to tell you that you have brothers and sisters in some of us.I have decided as a matter of principle to always end my speech at public functions with a word about Nigeria.For those who are spoiling our image(yahooyahoo),I will like to admonish them to desist from such acts ,there are so many ways of making cool money.One of the ways is what I teach on my blog:www.iretiishola.blogspot.com-how to make money from shares.
Nigeria will be great again.
How many of us know who our senators and representatives are; both nationally and locally. I am from Surulere and I dont who these people are.
First we need to know them because they represent us. Whatever they do is representative of us as citizens. If they represent US they MUST be accountable to us. Therefore let’s get their information and publish it. Let us email, text, call, and write letters to them.
Lets invite them to functions and ask them to be transparent. If our present law are too kind to corrupt politicians let us sponsor new bills or amend the current ones and make them harsher like that of China where politicians are killed for lying not to mention stealing of public funds.
Our speaker in the lower house is using our public fund to buy fleet of us$100,000 S-class as official cars. What is wrong with Toyota Camry.
That money can be used to equip our police and increase their salary.
Remember that Democracy is government of the people by the people.
Judging by the number of people who visit this website and the kind of feedback I’m seeing, I believe that there are quite a few Nigerians out there who are itching for a change in this country and (hopefully) willing to partake in the change. Even if it’s just a handful of dedicated Nigerians there is no reason why we can’t make it. I, for one, am one who is desperate for a turn around in this country. I am glad to see Deolu breakdown the many opportunities available to us. It is now left us to work towards renewing our minds and orientation. It has to start somewhere and I believe the time is now and the place is right where we live. I read an email a few days ago that said ‘let it begin from the churches’. Let’s set good examples whereever we are. The onus is on anybody in a position of authority (manager, supervisor, head of family, pastor etc). It starts right there and it starts now. I don’t think there is going to be any parting of the sea or heavenly miracle to show the turning point. It will have to come from you and I. It’s not just about a change in our political leaders, it’s about a change in all of US!!!
all suggestions as just been falling into the right place, but i believe that if there is going to be any change, we should start with ourselves, the people around us, only then can we take the movement to the next level.
It is true and very important for us to know the people that stands in our place in the sit of power, not everyone knows who represents where in the different houses at both State and federal level. Once the movement kicks-off, i believe we should involve the different people that represents us and make them do that which is right. Nigeria is gona be great, but notin go change if we sidon like say he no concern us.
Tell someone today that Naija go better very soon. I know that things are gonna change and be very very good when i am young and still very much in my prime. But it might never change if i sit down and do nothing. This applies to everyone and i believe that everyone out here is ready for the revolution.
The time is now, lets make things work.
Our leaders must be accountable to US. If anyone has information about them pls lets publish it. Pls get their email and let them know we are ready for a NEW Nigeria. They are not in Abuja to share our NATIONAL CAKE. They are supposed to have offices in their states as well, not only in ABUJA. Where are these offices? I am sure they get allocation for them.
The main duty of the House of Assembly is to create laws-simply. They are elected to reflect issues that affect their locality. For example, the legislator who represent Surulere will begin by having a home in surelere, having an office in Surelere, then in ABUJA. He or she must be accessibe to people from surulere because he or she was elected to represent Surulere and serve our interest not LORD over us.
His job is to try and influence laws that will benefit Surulere. Such as ensuring that there are new employment, Police security, education, health, clean enviroment and good roads. There must be transparency as well. We should know how much Surulere gets and we should be part of how it should be spent. Dont let those OLD fools destroy our future.
What are their names and address?. Please unmask them. If they mess up. We will petition EFCC and IPCP as a body, lobby to have them impeached and sponsor a legal action against an errent leader. Eventually we will work together to elect another person who will reflect a New Nigeria.
This is just an example using Surulere, it can be replicated in Mokola in Ibadan, or Isoku in Ijebu Ode or anywhere in Nigeria.
I am proudly Nigerian, plus or minus. Change must begin from me and I shall right my wrong.
Egbon,i can really feel the flow of the message,i am so confident that we would get there…but the 70% you mentioned of whom i belong, needs great help in terms of rescue from the decay ravaging…but i know it would definitely take a remnant,thanks 4 the clarion call for responsibility, i love you Sir!
I just got 2 know about this site today n am so glad 2 know there are nigerians who still believe in Ngeria. See, the Nigeria of our dreams is not far away if only the average Nigeian will wake up to know that there is nothing inferior about his name, colour, tribe or country. The lkes of America or even India never relied on outsidepowers to build their country. We must do the same; believe in ourselves, and our potentials. what the man in Washington can do, a man in Port Harcourt can do it even better. let’s encourage the likes of Philip Emeagwali and Chinua Achebe to come home and help build a New Nigeria. Meanwhile, I’ll start doing what I can to make Nigeria great again.
It wil be more than great if our leaders and the ones who claim to represent us can me made to really represent us and not embezzle money in our names.. I think it is time we know what the colour of the national cake is and what it tastes like.
Before i forget, I almost got sore stomach laughing today when i saw able bodied wives and mothers that are not lawma staffs sweeping the mainroad in my arrear today, can anybody guess why they are sweeping the pot-hole filled road///????? Because Fashola is coming to inspect some part of the area, so they are trying to make everywhere look good. I laughed when i saw what they were doing not bcos it was funny, but if i had to cry, it would have been blood coming out of my eyes.
If you are hurriedly sweeping the roads that as been laid bare and dirty for months because fashola is coming, then what his he coming to see, that we are enjoying a clean environment. if you we are busy filling up the pot-holes and clearing the gutters when fashola is coming, aint we the one telling him that the area is ok and that we don’t need his presence. if the roads are good, and clean, are we not telling him every thing is ok meanwhile its the irony of the situation we are trying to paint.
I get weak in limbs sometimes when i see the kinda things this people do, especially the woman who are suppose to be our mothers, they are the one that are making these changes near impossible, they collect #500 and throw away #5m, they encourage our local politicians to continue in crime once they can get there own #1000 everytime to tell us more lies and syphoon public funds, They don’t get to think that Bisi Yussuf is only using them to cover up for the funds he was suppose to use in maintaining the road, and he’s only giving them the one one thousand naira as there cut from the loot and embezzling activities he been doing all the time he was suppose to make the road get better and the environ cleaner, they seem to forget that, there place is not under the hot sun in the market, rather that they are suppose display there wares in lock-up shops in this markets, but this is impossible cos Bisi Yussuf and Shakiru had already spent the money meant for renovating and rehabilitating Ipaja market on his personal project in Gemade Estate and Bada and he already gave them #1000 from the fund.
They can’t out to complain becos they think they can’t change a thing or because they think thats the way it’s suppose to be or probably they found out that they got #1000 from the #10m meant for the project…and they can’t complain no more, rather they grumble within and continue to live a hardnock life.
Good i think I’d gone thinking again, concerning the magazine. I think it is cheaper to start with the online vesion before it graduates to hard copy…
my senate president hope you are having a nice time.
I am part of that NEW NIGERIA… and i know deep inside me that it can work… but no man is an island as you said, so we all need to put hands and heads together and make the Nigerian dream a reality.
@deolu… may God keep that stuff btw your ears that makes you a true leader! … and the hair too …
and so the revolution picks up….
Its nice to know that so many people still believe in a “new Nigeria” but we have to be careful in all that we say, do or plan to do.we have to differrentiate this “movement” from others which claim to wish for the emancipation of nigerians (or a section of) only to carryout acts which are completely and totally unforgivable.let us not be carried away by our passions for a better country only to have our lofty ideals hijacked or derailed the way of others, past and present.The Fredrick Fasheuns(refuse to consider Gani Adams!),Nzeogwus,Gbenga Ademoyegas and Ben Gbulie of this world will not forgive us if we make the same mistakes as they did.Passion is natural in youth,but we must add restraint and exercise maturity.
We must know what we wish to achieve(specifically) and how.
There is so much to be said and so little time.see you all in Igando.
I was listening to Zig Ziglar’s message on GOALS and something struck me sharply.
Countries that have “made it” and are regarded as “1st world countries” or “world leaders” have at one time or the other had CLEARLY-DEFINED GOALS.
Or how can you explain how a country like China in the 80′s became World Leaders in Steel Manufacture and later world leaders in Textile Export (also in the 1980′s).
Please have a quick read of the following article: http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/2007/09/25/123977/China-could.htm
A statement that stood out for me was: “But the industry is still booming. Most analysts think Beijing’s target of 30 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity by 2020 is too modest, as China is already nearing its 2010 goal”
The above got me thinking in the following line…………What is Our Goal as a Nation??
What visible Goals have our leaders set that the populace can identify with??
I believe we need to begin to set CLEAR Goals as individuals, groups, and definitely as a Nation!
See you all at the TOP!!!
Deolu, it is not surprising to me that you can recognise this differences, it boils down to the fact that you have Nigeria right in your heart.
Many Nigerian leaders have travelled more than you have ever done but i believe it is not as if they lack the vision or understanding but the problem is related to greediness.
However the most important thing i see is that the Nigerian youth are getting more disillusioned by the day thereby channelling their intellect wrongly(yahoo yahoo).
Talking about natural resources we have so many of them but i really do not actually believe in that. What i strongly believe is that the best natural resource any country can have is it’s youth.
Unfortunately our is been left without integrity and yahoo yahoo is the only source of pride.
Just like you i am really thinking and working towards something i will call a revolutionary education that will be channelled towards the youth 15year old and below.
They seem not to be totally disillusioned and we are looking at a vision of the next 20yrs when they will be ripe to start been decision makers.
This is what i will call success rather than other things that are generally known as success. We hope to bring this opportunity back home after been in diaspora for this long.
May God help us all.
@all
Can we start pulling articles and topics together for the magazine? I’ve currently started work on something I’m certain will push us into the New Nigeria reality. Let’s just push our thoughts into action, and as we gain credibility to be able to do the same, nothing becomes impossible.
We need TRUE LEADERS in Nigeria!!!!!!!!!
==============================
I would like to say that many of us in this forum are True Leaders. We may not be in a position where our Leadership abilities have been tested before, but I would like to think we’re all leaders in the making.
A True Leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.
I would like to believe I’m correct by saying Adeolu has displayed the qualities of a True Leader. There are certain values he exhibits and certain qualities he displays that has clearly drawn us all to his website, and I feel each member of this forum also has that same ingredient in him or her.
Have you ever heard of the term “Like Minds Attact”???
So far, the friendships I’ve developed on this forum has been GREAT to say the least and I see in each of my new friends an unique character: simplicity and intent of purpose.
One exemplary person I’ve developed a relationship with is Josh. I would like to believe he’s a True Leader.
If each and everyone of us can lead exemplary lives day-to-day, we will be closer to achieving the Nigeria of our Dreams!
Have A Wonderful Weekend!!
skybaba
I am glad everything seems to be fallen in place and good enough, we seem to be all set.. but i believe our goals needs to defined and detailed.
I think all roads should lead to yankees in igando, but when will that be… articles plenty…oo wey i wan drop..:)
inspiring barrage of thoughts and strengths. these are a typed expanded transcripts of recent thoughts and proactive solutions . I think its high time we brought into reality those things we envision Nigeria to be. Especially as another “birthday celebration” approaches.
I believe we need to get those things together, strapped up with a deadline to be able to facilitate things.
oga D, fire on!
@ All
I we going to let all the ideas, for the dream Nigeria just go down just like that..or we just being Nigerian..
I ve not heard a word about all the plans that were flying in the air when this post was new.. are we ever gonna make it to the yankees in igando, every gonna print a page of “Basket Mouth” or ever gonna nail one corrupt rep member ..???? Where are we??
the new Nigeria would cover many grounds i know Dubai, South Africa and other places have beautiful landscapes but i know that the new Nigeria would be greater we shall dive into politics,fashion,entertainment,education and with over 100 millionaires groomed by you the green white green would be loved by all. please tell me when the new Nigerian club would commence i need to know how soon
Gudday sir i want to say thanks 4 coming to delsu to lecture us its nice meeting u sir.sir with all due respect i will like u to b one of my mentor so dat i can grow in all ramification of my life.my regards to your better half and araoluwa.
thanks
frm
chisunum joshua
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Adeolu Akinyemi Says:
Adeolu Akinyemi Says
September 27th, 2007 at 9:36 pm e
@all
Can we start pulling articles and topics together for the magazine? I’ve currently started work on something I’m certain will push us into the New Nigeria reality. Let’s just push our thoughts into action, and as we gain credibility to be able to do the same, nothing becomes impossible.
That something I was working on, is billed for unveiling soon… you can read about it here..
sir, when we start to campare Naija with other countries, one gets more saddened with why things arent working.
i read that malaysia came to our land in 1960 to get oil palm and today, they are the highest producers of oilpalm in the world. the question is; what happened to the country where they took it from?
Nigerians are determind,passionate,risk takers,intelligent, smart and patient people and these are few of the keys that make for succss in any endeavour in life.
i belief if it is happening in southafrica or dubai or anywhere else in the world, even more more can happen in this beloved country of ours if we want it bad enough.
on leadership: A good leader is one who has a great dream of a greater future for his people and have clear vision of the destination.
visionary leadership is the greatest virtue any Nigerian leader must posses if Nigeria must get to her promised land.
on synergy: Nigerians need to understand that if we can apply the way we network to our national goals and policies, we shall be great.
it is often said that insaniy is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different result. very true. it grieves me that many youth like myself have very great dreams for our country and are willing to even die for the cause but what keeps repeating itself is poor leadership at the highest echelon in the land.
sir, do you know that journalists are told not to snp the president from a close range? why? because the pictures they snap will reveal to the whole country how sick and pail looking thepresident is. and so anyone who violates the order will be taken to jail. how pathetic!it is so sad that we know this guy is really sick but people will rather die than have him leave office.iif 2025 will be visisble is it not supposed to start now?