Nigeria yesterday in Jo'burg, South Africa humbled Burkina Faso in the just concluded African Cup of Nations competition which that country had waited for 19 frustrating years to roar and roar and roar at fellow African teams and afterwards be invited to take the cup home to celebrate the glory of their nation.The Super Eagles of Nigeria by that singular exploit brought smiles to the faces of Nigerians, home and abroad, where there was despondency, they have brought the nation hope; where there was pessimism, they have brought the nation optimism; where there were frustrations, they have given Nigeria enthusiasm; where there was; where hitherto there was sadness, they have given Nigerians joy. To Boko Haram and all those who said Nigeria had nothing to celebrate after having lived together for 100 years, the Nigeriageddonists-those who at the slightest national exigencies and challenges scream out: TO THY TENT O' ISRAEL; to those who have concluded in their minds Nigeria is a failed State; to those who have retreated to ethnic enclaves to take cover waiting earnestly for Nigeriageddon to arrive; to those leaders and their irresponsible media assistants, who by their unguarded utterances, chicanery, plots created, financed and are still finacing the monsters called Boko Haram; to all the worms and vultures, locusts in high places, past and present, who have eaten our tomorrow before it arrives, shattering dreams of idealistic and dreaming young Nigerians, who today keep knocking and knocking at NO VACANCY OFFICES in Nigeria; to all the foes of Nigeria who want that nation balkanised for reasons of religion; to all who have desecrated their holy grounds of service and still do, here, I say, here is a time to name and shame all of them publicly and ask them to bury their heads in shame. To the world, as I stand on the summit of the Niger bridge,with my legs bestriding our two great rivers- the Niger and Benue confluenced long before 1914, married together before history began, I ask for patience on behalf of Nigeria, I plead for understanding, and I must say you have waited patiently for Nigeria to show leadership, both in Africa and in the world, but this has not been the case, I no doubt understand your frustrations as the erstwhile giant of Africa lay prostrate at the Beautiful Gate of the world despite all her natural and human endowments, hence I plead again and again, just one more time, just a few more hits and a brand new Nigeria will emerge and lead the world in all things. To all friends and foes alike, permit me at this time to say: NIGERIA IS COMING, though she tends to falter occasionally to your great displeasure, I say Nigeria is coming to lead the world; to my fellow compatriots at home and in the Diaspora, I crave your indulgence to re-echo the Great Zik's immortal words: Gentlemen, (gentle women, mine addition), softly, softly, please, don't give up on Nigeria. To wonder boy Stephen Keshi and the incomparable Super Eagles of Nigeria, to all Nigerians severally, home and in the Diaspora, I say: Arise! Arise, run, overtake, fly, soar, soar and soar like the confident eagle and dominate the landscape, waterscape and the skyscape of the world, for this my Nigeria and your Nigeria and our Nigeria shall arrive very soon on eagles wings.
- JOHN ODEY ADUMA, EDITOR AND BRITISH CHEVENING SCHOLAR
- Nigeria Watch International
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