SWEEPING THE FRONT OF OUR DOORS; A CALL FOR MENTAL DECISION

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What has become our honour and achievement today, as an independent State, was once the headache of those before us. The struggle and labour of Nigerian nationalists like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa is to believe in the necessity to unite our people. It is to unite the people of Nigeria and to ensure their freedom from humiliation and oppression.

54years after the 1960 Independence, we are back where we started from; struggling. We are struggling against tyranny and oppression, all in the name of democracy. We struggle against corruption and money laundering. We struggle for the most basic of our fundamental human rights. There is an army of non literate citizens and troops of unemployed youths constantly below the government’s jackboot of exploitation. Therefore, we are struggling against illiteracy and unemployment. We need not deceive ourselves; we all know the parts of “the labour of our heroes past” which are already in vain.

The gloomy clouds of crises loom in the sky over our Fatherland. As leaders of tomorrow, it is time to save our Giant from falling. The days of taking over the streets; protesting are over. Now is the time to liberate ourselves, break free and grant ourselves mental independence; independence of the mind. The mental independence is a form of ‘’each one plays his own little part’’ approach towards achieving the goals of our national independence.

This semester, make up your mind to vote wisely in the coming halls of residence, faculty and departmental elections. Kick out corruption by exposing that departmental or faculty president who is squandering students’ funds. This second semester, decide to work hard, prepare well for examinations rather than settle for examination malpractice. You have been thinking of wearing your native attire to class; try it today or the day after. The 1960 independence was also a struggle towards promoting our culture. Reading is the cheapest means of overcoming ignorance. Read a book, it will help expose your mind to a higher thought. Refuse to criticize your classmate or roommate based or religious or tribal sentiments. Take a risk; if the society says that there are no jobs, create them!

Compatriots, this is a call towards achieving the goals and objectives of our national independence. Like the old saying, if everyone swept the front of their own doors, the whole world would be a very clean place. There is no limit to what we can achieve if we play our different roles perfectly. Therefore, it is time to take up the challenge of regaining our independence, this time not from the British colonialists but from ourselves!

Once again, happy independence and welcome back!

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