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Redefining Nigeria; The Way In and Out of the Present

Redefining Nigeria; The Way In and Out of the Present

Over the years, there are ill-fitting pictures people around the world imagine when the word ‘Nigeria’ is heard. Corruption, violence, terrorism, poverty, and hardship are only a few of the emblems Nigeria bears among other countries. This is why it is important for us as a nation to figure out ways for redefining Nigeria.

Redefining Nigeria

While it is true that these things exist, it’s bewildering that not many people know Nigeria beyond her menacing attributes. This right here has to be one of the poorest evaluations of ages; to sum the country up based on the attributes people have chosen to see.

There is really no country without its own unfavorable conditions and undesirable qualities. Some only get to be louder than others, sometimes based on sentiments and racial prejudices that find expression via the air.

From the terrorism index as one instance to start with, some of the most desirable nations of the world are also not free. Point of fact, splitting the ‘endless’ list of nations into four equal quarters, the supposedly desirable nations are more placed upwards than downwards in the very first quarter of the division. Isn’t it worthy of thought how some of these countries bear the names of their fascinating qualities more than their hazards?

I suppose that the good qualities of some of these other countries are often more magnified than the ugly sides. And this is why we all judge some nations as ‘black’ beyond their colors. While some others who are as black as Nigeria are excluded and tagged ‘habitable’. Meanwhile, the only set of agreeable superior qualities some other nations can boast of above Nigeria is lesser sunburn and fluent tongue.

A thoughtful reason why Nigeria is often relegated among other countries is because of its people’s standard of living. This argument can be more traceable to an external factor than internal.

It’s subtle, but not many seem to know the level of pressure mounted on Nigeria’s currency based on its level of importation. (Although the same exists among a few other countries that dangle within the same range of life standard). The more importation, the lower the currency’s value, based on the economics of supply and demand. One might feel, why then does Nigeria import so much? Isn’t it because there isn’t enough internal intelligence and manpower to produce? But the answer here is apparently a ‘No’.

The internet has made the world a global village, anyone and almost everyone has access to the affairs, the culture, and in a way, the economy of countries they may never reach in their lifetime. This has only made it easy for some countries to sell themselves to other countries. They do this by convincing them that their ways and products are better off, thereby influencing people’s judgments through the usage of enticing words and visuals that dims their faith in locally made products.

Then, the people of the country on the lower side of the scale develop trust in products made out of their countries to the favor of another country’s economy and to the detriment of the economy of their own country.

This is the story of Nigeria, and it has been a major reason for the standard of living we now see in it. It’s a serious hit against its economy.

It’s a simple tactic from the seemingly wiser countries, it works always. So it’s safe to say that the standard of life seen in countries like Nigeria can be traced to countries that practice economic slavery with the fetters of internet and whips seduction.

The process doesn’t stop there, the people of Nigeria are further made to believe that their leadership system is the source of this hard luck. Leadership systems could have some cracks here and there, but it’s everywhere, we see it from the comments of people that stay in developed countries. There is more to what affects the economy of a country than its leadership.

Coming off the basis on which countries are widely accepted or rejected; as humans that we are, there is more to life than money, material comfort and social rating. In our right thinking, man’s innate inclination would rather tilt towards values, morals, sanity and originality.

Values that accord Nigeria as one of the Greats

Judging by values that define the true greatness of a country, below are a few values that accord Nigeria as one of the greats;

  • Honour and respect: A mere child in Nigeria has a natural sense of order. He or she understands the importance of an elderly figure and respects such as one. Even when there is really nothing to gain from it, the Nigerian child still respects. This culture right now is scarce, and to think of how Nigeria still upholds this value despite exposure to all manner of principles that encourage feral freedom, it’s mind-blowing. This is greatness.
  • Sanity: Frankly, I’d rather have my children and me sleeping on the streets than have us having sex on the streets without shame or a sense of abnormality. While it is excellent to be prosperous economically and be sane equally. Still, I will regard the former as ‘great’ and the latter as ‘grass’. Beyond sexual sanity, speak of natural affection; level of care and commitment within families, genuineness of bonds between neighbors, and a certain level of selflessness. These things are great.
  • Hospitality: While there are rumors of war amidst its diverse tribes, a vast majority of Nigerians only see their diversity as a strength rather than a weakness. The sense of tolerance and acceptance among the majority has made it difficult for the ill feeling among the minority to end the sense of commitment that exists among the people. With different means of expression based on the tribes, the level of hospitality and warmness among the people of Nigeria is one that other nations should learn from. You’d mistaken the visit of an old friend for a wedding party in a Nigerian home.
  • Sense of Responsibility: In Nigeria, no one wants to be a liability, neither to the parents, friends, or the government. Right from teenage age, parents, societies, and circumstances teach boys and girls how to be responsible early enough. Having seen what life really tastes like, a young adult of 21 in Nigeria would amaze you with his or her level of wisdom and maturity.

Considering these standards and many more Nigeria possesses as a nation, Nigeria in every right judgment should be considered a great nation and its people should be proud of it. There should be no sense of intimidation or inferiority publicly or privately about being identified as a Nigerian. This is the true Nigeria, a great one.

Michael Bright

Michael Bright is a freelance content writer who has been in the business of content writing for a few years. A young Nigerian, born in the in the late 90s, a native of Akure. Ondo state. Yet to be married, he has dedicated a chunk of his passion to his career, to see himself evolve into a force to be reckoned with in the ‘world of writing’. With the use of words, he has educated, informed, inspired and touched the lives of many, even as he makes his living through same means. Due to his level of excellence and vastness in his field, he has earned himself various chances of working with top and start up businesses, individuals and companies. He has a philosophy of hardwork and continuous self improvement as the source of great success. Also, because of his religious background; as a Christian, he has an attitude of committing his ways to God and believing that all success ultimately comes from Him. Writing to Michael Bright is not just a way of making ends meet or a way of getting engaged with one thing or the other, writing to Bright is a way of finding fulfillment, as he accord it as a special endowment he can use to change the world in his own capacity and also as a way to make things easier for people he can touch, such as business owners, website owners, magazines publishers, etc. Michael Bright happens also happens be a lover of football.