There is the problem of poor power supply, unemployment, fuel shortage, misdeclaration of assets, budget loss, book-haram, herdsman invasion, loss of pride, betrayal and a whole nest of they. When one problem decays, another arises. I can vaguely remember a few topics, like a guy who was sentenced to 12 months in prison for urinating in his neighbor’s soup pot, and a politician who was fined just a few coins after embezzling a large chunk of the national treasury. . I vaguely remember the facts of those many numbers, because they are no longer trending. Back then, my friends and I would grab our phones and check out the latest on those topics. Today, we review the fashion news, but once it’s off the trending list, we’re off the cases; not like then, when we followed the subject for months.
I don’t remember when, or what strategy was taken, but I have realized that we have lost hope. Nigeria’s most challenging problem as of today is the brokenness of spirit. Each new generation arrives with a renewed spirit, waiting to burst forth and affect change. Different generations, same weapon: Hope! And the same enemy has always invested their broken spirit. The biggest enemy we face is ourselves. We can cry all we want about how former president Goodluck Jonathan failed to create enough jobs, or how Babangida was rumored to embezzle. Even if the ‘oga at the top’ turn out to be guilty of the mountains of accusations heaped against them, what would they be guilty of? They would be guilty of broken dreams, not broken spirits; they would be guilty of broken hearts, not loss of hope. It is true that they may have abused the opportunity to serve, but that should not mean that we all must betray our hearts and the unborn generation.
A Nigerian does not need to speak, just the reaction on his face would say everything after hearing the lingo, “E go better”. No one thinks it would be better for Nigeria, so every man’s dream is to make things better for themselves and perhaps for their families.
It’s just a challenge, the break in the spirit. And this begs the question, what is the balm for a broken spirit?
Everyone broke on their own terms, and therefore everyone should heal on their own.
Christians need to hold on to the part of the Bible that says “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
Muslims should believe more than ever that the Koran says that “We have sent down in the Koran what is healing and mercy for those who believe.” (Surat Al-Isra: 17:82)
Philosophical individuals should remember that a man of honor should never bow down in the face of unpleasant circumstances.
What religion! What belief! The point is to heal in the best possible way, only the result must be a renewed vigor, a renewed strength to fight hopelessness, encourage our neighbors, hope for the best and prepare for the worst. And always fondly remember “to serve our country with love and strength and faith”.