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.
Nigeria, great country, destined to rule the world
There’s no nation in the world as great as our Nigeria
With God, this Nigeria, God’s own beloved nation will rule the world
Yes, Nigeria, God’s own beloved nation, shall someday rule the world
God, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth
Help us to live together as one, brothers and sisters
Accepting one another in spite of our differences
Understanding and forgetting such differences
And working together side by side with our children
To build a strong and virile nation where in our diversity
Every citizen is treated equally and fairly.
God of Nigeria, give to all those to whom you have entrusted
The task of governing Nigeria to govern well in a manner that will glorify you
Give them the grace not to think highly of themselves,
But to in their entrusted little corners think of themselves as servant- leaders;
O God of Nigeria, give our leaders the grace to be selfless and patriotic;
Give them wisdom and hearts large enough to love and serve all;
Keep them away from greed and corruption,
So that instead of asking, “What’s in it for me?”
They will ask, “What’s in it for all of us?”
Give them the grace to in judgement be impartial, remembering the poor in our midst;
Showing no respect to persons, but acknowledging you always as the God of Nigeria who has placed them in authority over us;
Give them the wisdom to be broad and whole in thinking
And let them embrace strategic thinking and shift away from oil and genuinely diversify the economy
O God of Nigeria, implant in the heart, mind, spirit,
Soul and body of every Nigerian love for each other,
Respect for each other in an atmosphere of peace
Surpassing all understanding and having respect for one another’s faith Without recourse to religious bigotry in dealing with one another
On daily basis in word and in deed;
Let this spirit of love permeate every fabric of our society
So that whether in the North, South, East or West of our country
We shall in peace and harmony live together
In a country where there’s no North, no South, but one Nigeria;
In a country where there is no division as to ethnic nationality, but one Nigeria;
In a country where there’s no division as to indigineship, settlership, but citizenship only;
Where all Nigerians are citizens of one great and indissoluble country,
Having one mission, vision, one dream, one purpose, one destiny with one commonality
As one people, set to take over the world in all things-politics, science, innovations, technology, sports, agriculture, cultures, standard of living, social welfare and per capita income, etc.
Help us to build a nation where no one will be persecuted, killed for embracing or belonging to a Faith;
Give us the spirit as a people to strive for excellence, competitive performance instead of the usual recourse to hereditary privilege;
Help us to do God and not religion, church or mosque,
O God of Nigeria, give us the wisdom, courage to bring up
Our children in the fear and nurture of you;
Give them and the coming generations the grace not to give up on Nigeria;
But that they should act their own part in the rebuilding of Nigeria,
Never to be bitter, but be sufficiently angry
to challenge the status quo, committed, loyal and patriotic
And when they shall ask us in this national Odyssey,
“Are we nearly there?”
Let us then respond with love and inspiring words that
“We are not nearly there yet, but on our way
And we shall arrive very soon on eagle’s wings.”
Yes, we shall soon arrive on eagle’s wings
And some day our Nigeria will rule the world
Again we sing the song of Nigeria in unison:
Nigeria will rule the world!
- JOHN ODEY ADUMA
British Chevening Scholar