One Nigeria: Opportunities and Threats - By Olatuja Gabriel-Wealth

Olatuja Gabriel-Wealth (Selfstrong)

The youth in politics advocate and an entrepreneur, Olatuja Gabriel-Wealth, a.k.a Selfstrong, said on Monday on a One Nigeria Reality Project platform that he believes that Nigerians can live together in peace and harmony. He went ahead to state some of the Opportunities and threats in One Nigeria. See the details below:

I believe in one Nigeria. I believe we can live together in peace and unity and truly serve our Fatherland. I believe that the labours of our heroes are not in vain. Everything we truly need in us. I believe in our great culture and diversity.

Nigeria is a country with diversities of nations, tribes/ethnicity, languages/dialects, religion etc. These diversities were amalgamated by F. Lord Lugard in 1914. The amalgamation has brought us together as a people of common interest and aspiration. If our diversities and differences have been well managed by our leaders such that there is room for everyone’s or group’s voice to be heard, our diversities would have been more of strength rather than complexity.

Our Heroes such as Azikwe, Ahmadu Bello, Awolowo etc worked vehemently to unit Nigeria, they worked with the interest of the people at heart. They laid down principles of unity that the majority of the succeeding leaders failed to follow and which has subjected the nation into the mess of disunity and agitation for selfish interest rather than national interest.

We now have leaders who want to go to power to represent their family and not their constituents. We now have leaders who devised our diversities as a means to get quick gain. We have leaders who want to divide us, leaders elected but who consider themselves as lords over the people. We now have leaders who are interested in worsening our fears and worries, killings, poverty, tyranny...

For Nigerians to live together in unity and harmony, we need young, vibrant, able and capable people who can be in the forefront of revolutionary move, people who will provide a platform like national dialog and conference to bring together the different diversities, fair hearing on concerns, contributions/suggestions and support for togetherness and thereafter implement the result that will be favourable to address the concerns of every group.

Opportunities 
1. Population/human resources: with the population of over 98 million people, we can achieve more result; we can accomplish better growth in our economy if our human resources are being harnessed.
2. Religious diversity – With our religious diversity, we could portray moral values which could guide individuals to be good ambassadors of their nation.
3. Ethnic diversity – Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups with great cultural values. Harnessing our strengths is an opportunity that could be geared towards national development.

   4. Natural resources – Nigeria is one of the countries endowed with innumerable natural resources, including solid, liquid and gaseous minerals. All these in our possession are supposed to position Nigeria in the forefront of world economy.
       5. Weather /climate – In Nigeria, we have favourable climate and good weather condition that is favourable for human and animal living and crop production.
    6. Fertile land for agriculture – The shores of Nigeria is fertile for any type of crop. If the prospects in agriculture are tapped into, Nigeria will be one of the best foods producing countries the world with high level of foreign reserve.
    7. Aquatics: We have fresh and salt waters that are good for fish farming, hydro-electric power generations etc. We don’t have any excuse for lack of electricity.
     8. Solar and Renewables: Nigeria has good level of solar and wind energy which can generate excess of our power consumption without hassle.
    9. Democratic system of government – We operate a democratic system of government of the people, by the people and for the people such that everyone make immense contribution to national development.

Threats

1. Ethno-Religious sectionalism – some politicians have succeeded in dividing Nigerians along religious and ethnic lines to achieve their selfish goals. They trigger violence among the people using ethno-religious devices to cause vices.

2. Bad leadership is the major problem we are facing in Nigeria. We have leaders who don’t have the interest of the people at heart. We have leaders who use the constitution and the loopholes to enrich themselves. We have leaders who have Selfish political interest rather than the common interest of the people.

3. Insecurities is a threat to the lives and properties. People are being killed and properties are being destroyed. No one seems to be secured/safe anywhere. Terrorism by bokoharam, Fulani herdsmen killings, northern crises, armed robbery, kidnapping, oil pipeline bunker etc.

For us to live together in peace and harmony, the government has a lot of responsibility ranging from issues that cause agitations to provision of basic living standard and livable society. Government should encourage manufacturing, creativity, innovations, and professionalism. Government should encourage peace and oneness among us all.

For us to have quality representation at the at all levels of government, we need to have electoral process devoid of manipulations by some political elites. The fundamental human right of the people should be protected.

To my fellow youth, let’s take our future into our hands and stop leaving our hopes and aspiration for some selfish individuals who have held the fortune of the nation captive since 1960. Let us all begin to play in the pitch of politics. We are credible, we are idealistic, we have the passion, we have the strength, we can turn things around.

Let’s all arise, the world is waiting to see credible, competent, innovative, inventive, passionate and result-oriented leaders in our public offices and political space to cause the disruption we clamour for.

Every day, I think of giving birth to a new Nigeria that will be the centre of the world economy and prospects.

I believe in One Nigeria, I believe in our unity. I believe if we stop hating, there will be peace and harmony. I believe that food and shelter can no more be luxury. I believe that our hopes and dreams can become reality. I believe we are the chosen pride of Africa.

I want to see everyone committed towards national greatness. I want to see every Nigerian work towards the healing of our land that’s soaked with the blood of innocent people. I believe we can wipe away out tears and heal our pains by ourselves. I believe I have a lot of ability to take our nation forward. I want to see us enjoy good road, electricity, free and quality healthcare, other infrastructural amenities, good jobs for the youth, security of lives and properties, quality education system to mention a few.

I stand for One Nigeria

Email:  [email protected]. Mobile: 08067380225.