My birthday gift to the Nigerian Child

On My Birthday today, i've decided to celebrate the Nigerian Child.

 I hail thee! You are a survivor! You are a champion! But I've few things to tell you. For your own good and to help you make ample use of your time and efficiently engage your resources. 

Though you fought hard from the womb, know that the battle is not yet over. Only tenacious and dogged people succeed in Nigeria. Nigeria is for  hustlers, although the mercy of God is still available.Some in their hustle and pursuit of greener pastures outside Nigeria have died, become slaves or are languishing in prisons across the world. Yet most Nigerians are determined to leave the country by all means, not minding the odds.This is because, except you are of the privileged few, you must fight hard as an average Nigerian Child to survive. Even the state (Nigeria) doesn't really have good and honest plans for you, an example is how the educational system has  eroded ,degenerated and abandoned, that only few schools are still up to world standard but are very expensive. Little learning goes on in our schools and most times not consistent with the capacity needed in a 21st century economy, making our graduates less attractive in the world labour market, except they are retrained. Most parents now desire their children to school abroad. Schools are without facilities, quality and committed teachers, but we are busy spewing out graduates with only certificates but zero capacity.

In Nigeria the rich and those in authority only plan for their children and how to keep their generation out of poverty forever, even if they need to perpetually keep you in poverty to enrich themselves. Sincerely, If you don't exercise caution, you will be exploited and be used as an instrument of enrichment. Reason why most Nigerians are underemployed and living at the mercies of their employers. Even those in the civil service are not treated better, which is why strike actions is the order of the day. Most civil servants now literally beg and engage in all manner of corrupt and nefarious practices to meet up with their financial obligations. 

Moreover, there may be plethora of programs, purportedly meant to empower you, but behind the scenes are those it is really meant to enrich. If not, why do we still have high unemployment rate? Why does it seem as if no effort is been made? Why does things get worse instead of getting better? This is because we are yet to be sincere with ourselves. We are yet to tell ourselves the hard truth and make necessary sacrifices and amendments for the future generation. We are yet to start doing the right things as a nation.We are still playing around hoping that things will change someday while sowing the wrong seeds. Many have died in their quest for better life. Many have lost their lives while serving this country. The truth is, we hardly value life here. A lot of things have beclouded our sense of reasoning that we now arrogantly reason wrongly and make wrong decisions to the detriment of the future generation. To us now, there are things more important than life, especially money and power. So many have taken to crimes to survive or get back to the government. But I advice you not to do same.

In this fight for survival many have died, many have lost their self-worth,esteem and dignity in their effort to survive. Integrity, honesty and good faith are no longer encouraged in our country, instead, corruption is applauded, so also nepotism, favouritism and mediocrity. Even parents, teachers, religious leaders, now openly and subtly encourage corruption.These are personalities that heads strong institutions that are meant to mould, shape, direct and redirect our young ones, but are today propagating corruption.This is the extent we have degenerated as a society. Recently, a child who was sitting for Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination told me how she was ridiculed, mocked and directed to a different class for refusing to involve in examination misconduct spearheaded by teachers and examiners. The child became demoralized and needed counselling because those who should inspire her to do the right things are now doing the opposite.

 Where are we really headed to, what kind of society are we really building. No wonder things are no longer working. Things have fallen apart and the center can no longer hold . Since, one can no longer freely uphold right and acceptable principles and values without being ridiculed, mocked, victimized and frustrated in his/her efforts to climb higher in life. It is very clear now that it is easier and faster for one to advance in Nigeria, if one is dishonest, dubious and corrupt. Many now engage in all manner of abominable conducts, in order to earn a living and advancement in life. Sincerely, the challenges are enormous making most Nigerians very religious, diabolical or a hybrid of the two.

But I want  to assure you that you never did wrong accepting to be born a Nigerian, neither did God do wrong for sending you here. But you must take a stand, you must fight for your future, you must not allow yourself to be deceived. Go for knowledge, go for empowerment, go for skills, decide to be different, don't follow the crowd. Be honest, be sincere, imbibe right values and  be diligent in developing yourself. It may not pay now but it will pay later. Don't allow corrupt, dubious and adults with zero integrity, to destroy your bright future. 

You are a survivor! You survived starvation in the  womb. You survived fake, low quality  and substandard drugs, food and drinks prevalent in our country.You endured stress and hardship mum faced in her job, while you were in the womb. I am glad you never gave up, as a result of insecurity, ethnicity, atrocities and wickedness in our country. The truth is that many pregnant mothers and children have been hacked, butchered, Kidnapped by armed robbers, ritualist and other heartless and barbaric individuals. Many have died in the Hospitals and maternities with little or no facilities. Quacks are patronised because of inability of many to pay the bills of good hospitals, and many have died in their hands. But yet you still survived all these. The truth is, God kept you and he is still ready to see you through the remaining battles.Don't give up, it will soon be over, but dare to be different.

If you are a Nigerian Child or you know a Nigerian Child, who is caught in the web and desiring to stand out and be different, feel free to contact me on My line and social media platforms. God bless you.

©Francis C. Ekwemeze Esq.