I have come to believe that for any economy to blossom into the
international level, political power plays a very important role, but
as great as political power is, economic power is equally important.
The problem I believe with Nigeria is simple…..we keep doing things the
same the same way and keep getting the same result. We are now in 2008.
It is time to start changing things up a little. Nigeria is in love
with oil. We have been in love with it since it was discovered in 1956
at Oloibiri, Rivers State. We fell so much in love with oil that other
countries got jealous and now want the oil for themselves. It’s like
you are married to the most beautiful wife in the world and your
friends and neighbors are always eyeing this fine lady, but one truth
to your relationship is you know your wife is not going anywhere.
People can come put their best efforts to pull her away from you but
she will never leave you and why shouldn’t they try, are they not men?
As a man and a husband, you will be doing your marriage a disservice if
you continue to concentrate on all these men eyeing your wife rather
than concentrating on treating your wife like a queen that she is.
My People, Nigeria is a beautiful woman, but her beauty, oil, is not
the only thing that she has. Oil is only a small fraction of what she
really has. Oil is not leaving Nigeria anytime soon. I believe that is
why it is called a natural resource. Why can’t we give agriculture,
finance, telecommunications, IT services, education etc, the same
attention we give oil? Let’s break out of our comfort zone; let’s show
the world that if we did not have oil we would still be a force to be
reckoned with. Can we set up organizations that will focus on breeding
the next generation that recognizes the other resources that we have in
Nigeria and use them to benefit the economy? Let us breed young
Nigerians in America, Europe and other advanced countries that will
help improve the agriculture in Nigeria, improve our exports, help in
creating healthy international relationships with banks and other
financial institutions in Switzerland and Europe. We need Nigerians who
will help in creating IT business solutions, build relationships with
the government of Japan, work with other developing countries in Africa
like Ghana or South Africa so that we can grow together. Nigeria has
great potential in the stock market and we need our people to take
advantage of this opportunity. We need Nigerians who are defiant even
in the midst of annihilation. Let’s teach our children to respect
others and also themselves. Oil is not the only thing in Nigeria. There
comes a time in history when the masses would have had enough and the
old people would not fight anymore. At this time, the ones in power
would have their hearts and their pockets full of greed. It will now be
left to the younger ones to make a difference. Young Nigerians, your
chance to shine has come, “GET YOUR SHINE ON”
Nkem Oji-Alala
Business Analyst
Reliant Energy
Noji-alala@reliant.com
