Nigeria my beloved best country, the future is you and me. These were the words of a song composed in the early nineties by a patriotic Nigerian and I am sure it is a good point to start.

Surely we have an image on ground as a nation, improving on or reconstructing it would be a good synonym for building it and at one time or the other we all have failed this nation by neglecting to do our part.

By we, I mean, students, teachers, parents, children, Government Leaders, followers, Religious Leaders, Old and young alike and it is time to wake up to the fact that the Image of a new Nigeria starts with us.

“Do not fear change, for it is an unchangeable Law of progress” says John Mason  

To have a better Image is to be ready to change our Opinions, mindsets and beliefs and to use this change in us to cause a change in our respective areas of     influence or sectors of participation, be it education, sport, politics, Business entertainment, Religion etc.

As I proceed in this writing these are just some points we must not miss; that everyone is involved, that desire is paramount, that words are powerful, that knowledge is needful, that teaching by words and actions is necessary, that service is important, that self sacrifice and love cannot be sidelined and that integrity is a lifeline for a better Image.   

The banking sector was subjected to change under the Leadership and commitment of Charles Soludo and surely banking has been made easy in Nigeria . That is part of the Image building we seek, for we now have Nigerian banks competing well enough in international markets and stocks exchange.

The telecommunication sector (although not yet at its best) was subjected to change and now almost everyone in Nigeria can afford to communicate.

Right now fake drug and food importers and makers would think “thrice” before they try it because of Prof. Dora Akunyili of NAFDAC.

Twenty years ago, the Nigerian Films and Music industry was nothing to be proud of. Now Nollyhood is ranked 3rd in the world and is the pride of Africa in entertainment. Coach Yemi Tella guided his boys to win gold medal at the world youth championship. Coach Samson Siasia got us silver at Beijing . These are just a few of where our Image has been enhanced although there is still a long way to go.

However, those involved in the strides listed above decided to give their best and they are Nigerians like you and I.

A nation does not make the people, the people makes a nation. A school does not make its student and teachers, the teachers and students make the school. An institution does not make its staff, the staff makes the institution. A church does not make its congregation, the congregation makes the church. So also a name does not make a family, the family makes the name.

Positive development, grants strides, great discoveries, progressive revolutions, testimonies of great character, heart-driven leadership, supportive followership, acknowledgements and standing ovations that men and women in great nations of the world, in great schools, institutions, churches and homes have received are a product of the commitment to change in the hearts and minds of the constituent members of these places. If and whenever there has been a change or drastic improvement that necessitated a better Image, someone or a group of people were committed to it.

At the heart of every great discovery and development was a desire. A desire to explain the principles governing falls caused Sir Isaac Newton to discover the Law of gravity and for sure his name can never be forgotten even if history is re-written.

Henry Ford had a strong desire, a passion to make people mobile, to solve the problem of covering long distances in a shorter time with a measure of comfort and this caused him to work tirelessly at making the first motor car and even improving on it.

Sir Thomas Edison’s discoveries were for sure more than the electric bulb and I am sure every time a light bulb comes on, men and women who are thoughtful enough for the time being will remember his name.

The ideas of investment and education for all in the heart of Chief Obafemi Awolowo has left his name on our lips till now. Although, the present cost of education is alarming.

These men made good names for their families even when that was not their goals, their goals were just to influence the next man for good; But also importantly they made or contributed to the Image of their respective countries.

John F. Kennedy 35th  president of the USA once said “Think not of what your nation can do for you, think of what you can do for your nation” and I am persuaded that this is a slogan that should be in the mouth of every Nigerian for a new nation.

Foreigners will not make our nation better, they can be a part and will contribute to making it better, but it starts with us, with you and I. We complain, moan around and blame every other person but ourselves. Creative and talented young people are leaving   Nigeria everyday when they have a part to play.

Governments have come and gone, some have done the little they could, while some have done other wise disappointing and stealing from us. Of course, the government has its role to play, still it starts with a desire in the heart of every Nigerian.

Jamaica was not too popular a little while ago except for their “Rasta Music” but one man, one young man Usain Bolts has put his nation’s name in the mouth of everyone in the world by doing the best in what he knows how to do, winning gold medals and breaking world records in 100m and 200m athletics at 9.69s and 19.30s respectively in the just concluded Beijing Olympics. The better Image of our nation starts with everyone doing and not just doing but also being committed to doing with all integrity, discipline and reverence for our creator what they have to do for themselves, for their neighbour and eventually for their nation.

Every positive change or development in any sphere of life started through the words of someone or some people. Someone said “How forceful are words spoken rightly. Words are seeds, words are full of power, words do not die, words spoken rightly are unstoppable.

Those that are familiar with the biblical story of creation would know that the whole world was created by words and the holy book records it that the Almighty upholds the world by the word of His power. Dr Martin Luther King’s words in his popular and breath taking speech “I have a dream” in 1963 is just an example of words that created change as Senator  Barrack Obama, an African American represents the democratic party of the USA as its presidential candidate for the first time in history.

The warlord and the main character of the 2nd world war Adolf Hitler surely did not know all Germans one on one but his words reached their heart till they believed they were superior to the world especially the Jews. Words in action again, although negatively.

It is no news that over 90% of Nigerians curse rather than pray for this Nation. Men and women alike, young and Old all speak negatively out of frustration and compromise but that is definitely not the way out. God bless Nigeria should be our watchword and we will surely see the blessings in action .

 The framework of the whole body is maintained by what each joint supplies and this applies to our nation Nigeria , the change we await and national Image we seek is going to be a collective effort with every age group, economic sector, gender, religious sect etc. doing its part.

An egg is what becomes the cock and small seedlings become big trees. Children are the heritage of parents and the future of a nation. If Parents and Teacher alike can teach children not just in words but in deeds the principles of knowledge acquisition at the expense of pleasure seeking for ”knowledge is power”. The principles of integrity, commitment and self sacrifice surely the children will grow to live that way. “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is grown, he will not depart from it whether in business, politics, or entertainment etc.

Furthermore, if politicians and government officials can live for service and integrity and not for selfish interest and motives bribing their way through and wallowing in corruption. If Religious Leaders will teach and live the truth and nothing but the truth against all odds. If businessmen and trade personnel can be honest in their scales. If manufactures will produce at good quality bearing the interest of consumers at heart. If Law enforcement agencies will serve the populace like they pledged in integrity and all honesty. If Artisans like carpenters, Tailors, Mechanics etc will only give their best to what they do and be true to their words. If Immigration and custom officials will keep to the books in monitoring import and export. If every Nigerian will do his part, then we are ready to build our Image, then we are ready for a change.

Also, to fear God and keep His commandment is the foundation of change. Men that disregard their maker have only chosen to disregard progress and I am sure we have chosen progress in Nigeria .

Finally, 50 years ago, China would not dare call any car “made in china” but now, the Chinese car Chery is a toast of cost effectiveness and fuel efficiency, with elegance. 20 years ago, Malaysia would not dare export oil (not crude) but they lead in exportation of food and body oils now.

70 years ago, An African American would not even dream of sitting by a white lady talk less of becoming a presidential aspirant but now Sen. Barack Obama is the president of the USA . These are Images that are good for these nations and they were brought  about by change.

Rome was not built in a day but their was construction and building everyday till Rome was finished. So our change may not be instant but as we tirelessly and committedly work at it; Nigeria would become the toast of the world or better still, the best nation to live in.

                                                                                                     by oyewusi oluwafemi