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Desisting from Using Negative LabelsDesisting from Using Negative Labels
Part of the problem with us Nigerians lies in how we choose to label ourselves. While we can all agree that there are a few powerful rogues who have had their tight grip on the control of our dear nation, we should not be careless in labelling our country negatively. In our populace of over 130m, a minority, though powerful are the rogues who not only need to be exposed, but disciplined, ostracized or whatever needs to be done to cleanse our nation. Nigerians collectively should not have to be bare the stigma of being lumped or clumped with them.
When we use negative labels we simply set ourselves up for international ridicule. Most of us are upstanding citizens and unfortunately not everyone is either interested in politics or can actually be active politically, but in our simple individual ways we can each do things to contribute to positive changes in our nation.
Our daily actions and public utterances are a bigger reflection of how other nations view us, and whether we are upstanding in our professions whether it be at home or abroad are all indices of how we are measured.
Whether we do things for our communities and nation or whether we just selfishly heap up wealth for ourselves and families are all indices of who we are and how others perceive us.
Our biggest indicator of who we are though is reflected in how we address ourselves. This reveals how we truly feel about ourselves and our nation. If we act like a defeated nation foreigners will seek to continue to exploit us. If we continue to run ourselves down, then others will authenticate our utterances and equally run us down. How then do we lift our heads up in public to defend ourselves if we ourselves have provided numerous opportunities for outsiders to devalue us collectively instead of simply recognizing that we just like every other nation have some really bad eggs, whom we are truly ashamed of and we are seeking means of curbing, before they lead our country to total ruin?
It is truly a shame what they greed-driven have done to our country, but change is not impossible, and it begins with each of us, slowly permeating into our families, organizations and communities and eventually our nation the values we want to uphold. If the head continues to be unruly, the neck [we the people] can become a magnificent force in deciding which way we want the head to turn. When we realize that we can't just throw up our hands up in the air and give up, and also follow all our speeches, discussions and advices with with positive tangible actions, then we will begin to effect change, albeit a little at a time.
Fellow Nigerians keep your heads high, seek to do that which is right and honourable and God will guide us individually and collectively as to how we can all contribute to making Nigeria a better place.
Cxsm
6th Aug. '08
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