Once upon a time, Nigerians relocating abroad were not taken seriously. Today, the tides have changed.
Today, Nigerians who stay back in Nigeria despite the state of things are not taken seriously. One day, the tides will change.
On the day that the tides shall change, it will be like the story of two brothers – one, having been a traveller all his life, had forgotten the demarcations of their father’s lands; enabling the one at home to “corner” all the lands.
Travelling out of Nigeria is not a bad thing; it is said that travellers are wiser than elders – but travelling with the intention of turning your back on your Country is the most hurtful form of disloyalty.
If the countries we intend to dwell in were built by humans, why are we so reluctant to rebuild ours even if it has crumbled? Why do we give up so easily whenever Nigeria is the issue at stake?
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If relocating abroad is a sacrifice for the future, staying back to repair Nigeria is a better and more noble sacrifice.
Nigeria, even in her ruins, is still the best place on Earth.
Nigeria is the best place on Earth because it is probably the only Country in the world with a semblance of all the seasons in the world.
Nigeria is the best place on Earth because it is one Country in the world without a myriad of earthquakes, landslides, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes or tsunamis. Even the flooding it occasionally experiences eventually becomes beneficial to her flora and fauna.
Nigeria is the best place on Earth because it is one Country with all the known minerals of the world under her belly.
Nigeria is the best place on Earth because it is one Country in the world where all known shades of food, wine, women and music can be found.
Nigeria is the best place on Earth because it is one Country in the world where all known crops can be grown.
Nigeria is the best place on Earth to make money and enjoy it.
Thus, if a Nigeria in ruins is still the best place on Earth, what do you think a rebuilt Nigeria would be?
To you who abandon Nigeria in her time of distress, do you abandon your mothers when they are sick?
Abandoning Nigeria in her time of need may bring you wealth and personal development but of what use is wealth surrounded by poverty? If a lion is attacked by ten hungry dogs, what can it do?
What Nigeria needs is not personal wealth but collective wealth built on the resilience of the people. Personal wealth will aggravate insecurity but collective wealth will guarantee lasting peace.
Nigeria is a sleeping giant. You may dispute her vigour but you can’t deny her size. You may consider her as “big for nothing” but when people see a giant, the first thing they appreciate is the size.
Stay back and repair Nigeria. A rich man in a foreign land has no more value than a poor man in his own country.
The ‘Alternative Viewpoint,’ penned by Flight Lieutenant Christopher Uchenna Obasi (Retired), is a sophisticated weekly column that delves into the complex dimensions of socio-political issues. While it concentrates primarily on the African context, the column also casts a wider analytical net to encompass global affairs. Through incisive commentary and in-depth analysis, it aims to offer alternative perspectives that challenge mainstream narratives and provoke thoughtful discourse on critical matters.