HAPPY ANNIVERSARY NIGERIA

Today marks my country’s 54th year of getting it’s independence from our colonial masters. Nigeria, a newly created country comprised a multiplicity of diverse ethnic groups which have generated complex systems of government.

The aim of the British masters was targeted at welding together these groups and territories, with diversity of culture at different stages of growth and development into a nation. In the process, the British Administration became aware of the historical diversity and uniqueness of the country. This attracted their respect for the country’s culture and tradition even as they disregarded others.

The 1914 amalgamation was not just a history, but a milestone and watershed in Nigerian record. Sequel to that, the present shape and size of Nigeria was carved out. It was a great beginning of a united and peculiar Nigeria. This was the very reason Binyavanga Wainaina opined that, “There is no country in the world with the diversity, confidence and talent and black pride like Nigeria.”

Despite the upheavals putting off the country’s light today, we must not let go the fact that Nigeria is answering the call of change and developmental stride in a rapid manner. The momentum of a brighter future of Nigeria of our dream has been gathered and we are already moving in that direction. Most often, we tend to tell the bad side of the story ignoring the good side of it. Hence, all we see is the evil, menace and the inhumane in the society.

The civil war must not be left out in this celebration, the experiences and lessons created made us who we really are today. The war had come and gone. The story of the war and what led to it has been told, is being told and will continue to be told. Though we have learnt our lesions in hard way, we hope and strongly believe that the past will not be ignored, but rather, it will be utilized effectively to avoid the mistakes of a grievous present.



I see a bright future in Nigeria; a powerful nation with well nourished citizens, beautiful smiling faces, peace in all nook and cranny and above all, a Nigeria bonded by love.

I am proud to be a black

I am proud to be a Nigerian

I am Nigeria.

Happy independence day Nigeria.



Acha Harrison

SLAVE TRADE IS NOT SELF TRADE

Don't give up, it’s not over, even when you fail, is not over, until you give up then it’s over.
Right from the days of the holy book, the only types of youth who fail and keep on failing are those who fail to realize their God given potential. I have come to realize that the greatest thing a man should dread is a youth with self confidence. The self confident youth remains the youth of the hour.

Four things comprises a resourceful youth which makes the world too small for his exploit; Perfected Thought, Positive Words, Productive Actions, and Prominent Deeds. The greatest imprisonment one can find himself is not poverty but rather self trade of potentials.
Looking at some great men who never gave up even when conditions were not favorable, they only had hope, vision, focus which made their plans and dreams a reality.

Many people who knew their potential never failed. Daniel in the holy book as a Babylonian slave, that fact never marred his dreams for becoming great; he made a name and did exploits even in another realm. Many of them did exploit even Joseph amongst others.

Unfortunately, most youths complain that their failure is traceable to their background which is the hindering factor to their aspiration towards greatness. I want to challenge you that even children of the African slaves made history not because they were from a slave background but because they made up their mind to become great.

We will be considering some African originated blacks who made their name international figures. Black skin to them was never a limitation; they saw slavery as a stepping stone to greatness. It may interest you to know that most of the Caribbean nations were first developed by Africans including about 300 Islands.

Martin Luther king (jr.) whose great grandfather is from Edo state, today is celebrated as a hero; a former great grandchild of a slave who never sold his inbuilt potentials. Today, his dream has come to pass and the world has come to understand what he meant when he said, “I HAVE A DREAM"

Also, Chiwetel Ejiofor whose grandfather was from Delta State, an Igbo man born fatherless. He grew up a captive. To many, this alone is enough to justify failure but Ejiofor never gave up. Today, his is forever a celebrated world class figure. He never saw failure as an option even when he was black mailed as a black, but he white mailed himself because he had a vision of greatness.

Who said you can’t make it? Have you forgotten George Washington Carver? He was the son of a slave, born in the farm, but made up his mind by making the farmland his stepping stone to greatness. Just put in a stroke more you will sail through.
Don’t religiously relegate yourself, don't slothfully slew your potential, don't mournfully meander at the pool of opportunity.

Lastly, if you can’t creep, sail, if you can’t sail, walk, if you can’t walk, run, if you can't run, fly, in all, just keep moving because you are almost there.
Don’t forget that, “No one is too young to impact their society & to be the cause of CHANGE" — Acha Harrison

Kessington Okwegwali.
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