SHAFEEQ UMAR SHAFYSOFY

THE NIGERIA OF MY DREAM

When I close my eyes, the Nigeria of my dream is a perfect one. I see in my dream, Nigeria as a friendly country. Communities co- exist without wars. Neighbours sit and sat outside their homes without fear of poison, violence or malice. The roads are free of potholes. Crops grow in their time and are allowed to mature before being harvested. Spring water is collected and bottled not some hastily treated gutter water, packed and sold to gullible consumers.

As soon as i close my eyes, life is easier; education is smoth qualitative and affordable, adolescents pay attention to improving their minds, preparing to makepositive changes in the society and becoming greater than their parent. Violence is non-existent. Cheating is unheard of, corruption is gone and prostituting is an old tale.

In my dream, I am not afraid of tomorrow. I do not look at the youths and wonder what their future will be! I do not educate them on how to stand for their rights and fight for them. In my dream, Nigeria is a land of equal opportunity. Whether a northerner, a southerner, a muslim or christian, prospects are open for all.

But then, as i woke up from my dream, the first welcome i got was a news flash: Bomb blast in so so place. I picked up the news paper and the face of a missing person stared at me.There is a noise that grows louder every minute. I listen, there is a quarrel between two neighbours;" who is is more corrupt, this  Minister or that governor?" I feel  sad, disappointed and grouchy. There is no water, there is no light. Corruption is on daily bases.

Then my fears return to the youths in the future. How will it be then? How can they escape the harsh environment that is Nigeria's reality today? I close my eyes merrily.....and Idream again.. ..I am very sure that all Nigerian youths have the same dream like me.

Shall we continue to dream and become blinds forever?

So i challenge and encourage my fellow youths not to close our eyes and continue day-dreaming but rather open our eyes and face the reality and look towards realising ourdreams!!!

Awake thou sleeping hearts............It starts with you