I Have a Dream:The Nigerian Dream

On the 28th of August, 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his electrifying speech “I Have a Dream”. He visualized the day when the Negros will be free from the shackles of segregation and will be treated just as equally as the Whites; and yes his dream did transcend the dream world to the world of reality. Well……I also have a dream;the Nigerian Dream.
I have a dream that one day our great country Nigeria will no longer be seen as the stronghold of corruption but will be seen as the citadel of integrity, loyalty and accountability.
I have a dream that one day the wealth under our feet (our natural resources and the like) will no longer be concentrated in the hands of a few individuals but will be spread across the coffers of all Nigerians.
I have a dream that one day the corridors of power will no longer be populated by thieving, corrupt, visionless politicians but will be traversed by honest, capable and above all change-hungry patriotic citizens.
I have a dream that Nigerian workers (especially those occupying posts in public offices) will no longer rely on the “get what you can while you can strategy” but will acknowledge the fact that there is dignity in labour.
I have a dream that every Nigerian worker irrespective of his class or duties will take to heart this quote by Martin Luther King: “If a man is called to be a street-sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven played music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say here live a great street-sweeper who did his job well”.
I have a dream that one day the love affair between oil and Nigeria will cease and other sectors of the Nigerian economy will receive as much attention as the oil sector is receiving and will be treated just as well as the oil sector is being treated.
I have a dream that one day the words most spoken in our ministries, our schools, in the labour market will no longer be “who do you know” but will become “what do you know” and “what can you do”.
I have a dream that one the Nigerian society will no longer thrive on the principles of nepotism and favouritism but will thrive on the principle of meritocracy.
I have a dream that every Nigerian will recognize the fact that we must shoulder some responsibility and that the task of electing leaders who can deliver rest in our hands, because the so-called politician who is rigging the elections is doing so by enlisting our help.
I have a dream the: The Nigerian Dream. You may say: “forget o jare and thank God you are just dreaming because before all you are talking about can be achieved in Nigeria only God knows”, well Martin Luther’s dream saw the break of dawn, so can mine. I believe that Nigeria will become the most desirable nation to live in by 2025 and you and I are going to make it happen. We are in crucial times here in Nigeria; this is the moment of truth, and we have no other choice but to answer the clarion call, throw off the shackles that have come upon us as a result of past events and break forth into a future of endless possibilities.