The Rains Are Here Again!

By

Joshua Ocheja

majorjoash@yahoo.com

 

April, the fourth month in the year signifies the dawn of a new season. A season when we begin to see the greenness of nature. A season when we go to the farm to sow seeds. A season when nature avails us the basic necessities of life manifest in water and food at little or no cost. A season when the dry bones shall rise again.

 

The Rains are here again, and just may be the beginning of a new dawn for Nigeria. The cloudy clouds of uncertainties surrounding the elections have finally given way to rain fall. All hail Nigeria the beautiful land of plenty. The land of the most privileged people on earth. The land where foreign investors want to invest and be sure of good dividends. The land that breeds intellectuals that have ruled and would rule the world in no time.

 

Are we not blessed in this country to experience a change in government in this special month that God decided to let the rains drop from heaven?

 

I sit in the solitude of the four walls of my room and could not help but reminisce about the new Nigeria. The new Nigeria that is devoid of corrupt practices, a new Nigeria where love and harmony reigns supreme. A new Nigeria where a Yoruba man would savor a delicious meal of TUWO in his Hausa neighbors house without fear of food poisoning.

 

A new Nigeria where our Christian brothers and sisters would interact freely with our Moslem brothers and sisters. A new Nigeria where our graduates no longer roam the streets in search of jobs. A new Nigeria that works to the admiration of the industrialized nations of Europe and America.

 

Nigerians, its time to capitalize on the raining season to sow seeds of love, peace, harmony, love, sincerity of heart and of purpose. Its time to rise up and say NO! To corruption, NO! To Ethno- Religious conflicts, NO! To other acts inimical to the interest of this great country.

 

A food for thought: what makes the world go round? What inspires our actions and inaction's? What principle creates harmony and peaceful co existence among the multi ethnic groups?

 

Emotional intelligence, self-realization and control, an in depth understanding of the workings of the human mind. Nigeria is on the path to greatness! All hail the United States of Nigeria.

 

This is the Nigeria of our dreams; we must get there, but not without hard work, commitment, sincerity and honesty. Thank God the elections have come and gone and the rains have started. We must pick up our hoes and cutlasses, irrespective of our religion, tribes and differences and go back to our rich arable land as embodied in our coat of arm to sow seeds of Good health for all, Sound Educational system, Functional Civil service, Organized private sector, Reformed banking industry, Peaceful coexistence, Constant and steady Electricity, Potable pipe borne water, Functional pensions scheme and the likes.

 

Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, the Peoples choice to lead us to the Nigeria of our dreams, and if I may quote him verbatim: “I HAVE ACCEPTED YOUR VERDICT AND THE CHALLENGE. MY TEAM AND I SHALL TAKE NIGERIA TO THE NEXT LEVEL, THE NIGERIA OF OUR DREAMS!”

 

He has said it himself, I strongly believe he was not under any form of duress when making this statement. He has said it and God helping he will do it.

 

Yar'Adua the President, Goodluck Jonathan the Vice President, translating to let us pray! and Goodluck. What a combination! Not much must have been heard of these men, but believe me you they are silent achievers, they are educated to the core. They have an in-depth knowledge of the numerous problems rocking the boat of this great country. We, as concerned citizens of this country owe this new tag team just one thing- active co-operation. We all know Nigeria is not for experimentation again. Yes what about his ill health? The power of life and death is in the hands of God. Those that claim to be healthier than God himself can slump and die within seconds! We should preoccupy our minds with the new Nigeria of our dreams and not wishing the death of a fellow human.

 

This is a special letter to Yar'Adua, you did it in Katsina State, we all know because the records are there for our perusal, but remember you are now in charge of 37 Katsina States put together. Not just that, a very complex one at that. Also remember that there exist some wolves in human clothing's that never for one day wish this great country well. Beware! Do not surround your self with sycophants for you will end up being one. Listen to advice from reasonable people that have distinguished themselves in their chosen field of endeavor. Put God into a central plan in your quest to take us to the Nigeria of our dreams. Rule with honesty and integrity that has been your trademark, never mind, some people will never see well in whatever you do. Do not listen to them for they lack ideas and work to do. I know Atiku Abubakar will join you in this race its only a matter of time. The rest I can not tell, but God is in heaven.

 

Wishing you abundance of good health and soundness of mind. I have seen the Nigeria of our dreams, what about you? Nigeria! The best is still possible!