Today is another remarkable day of my life. It is remarkable because I saw the spirit of been a true Nigerian in a Nigerian. This kind of habit is missing these days among those that head the helm of affairs of this country. It is only on by sheer luck that in Nigeria today, the common man can only see the people they brought to power after going through several protocols. At times, the protocols might fail their circumstance but during electioneering processes, they are as visible and accessible. So pathetic and disheartening that we find ourselves in situations like this.

However, I was so lucky that I was part of the law school students that Kanu Godwin Agabi (SAN) came to address on the 31^st of October, 2013 at the Abuja campus. The amiable gentleman came into the auditorium to address a good head of about one thousand aspiring young lawyers on what the society really needs from us as the 21^st century products. One would agree that this kind of lecture should be all about a lawyer and the way to proper ‘lawyering’. It is more than what we all expected. It was a lesson of been a real Nigerian that most people never aspire to be again. Permit my words but the truth must be told. Nigerians are no more Nigerians in the real sense. The government through the hardship melted on the people have made most people lose faith in the country. I know in one way or the other, things are not just right as compare to what we used to have in the past.

We all keep blaming the government for one problem or the other. We have forgotten so soon that we all are the government. We have in one way or the other added or removed from the mysteries the country is facing. Though, our government teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy. In most times, we must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, government is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the Nigerian precept that each individual is accountable for his actions. Kanu Agabi made it clear that the problem of the 21^st century is not different from the ones we have in the 1^st century. It was obvious that at the time the Prophets of God ruled their people, they were problems but rather than waiting for the politicians, the economist, the professionals to solve the problems, they turned to God for divine attention. One begins to wonder if this generation is that of the Prophets’. No is the answer but at what point as any of us woken up from his/her bed and prayed for Nigeria. At what point has anyone genuinely ask God for divine attention to Nigeria’s problem. It is as bad as this. Nigeria was never a nation that was given birth to in heaven but an artificial creation of group of people that deem it fit to live in oneness. If it is a product of the people, it suffices to say that the people shall come together and rebuild it. This has been done in countries that we now adore today. The likes of Japan, india, china, Malaysia were once faced with problems but they took the right step and they are making progress today. We also can help to build this nation as Nigerians.  We all know that an average American prefers America to his life. This is the kind of patriotism that Nigeria desires from us all. The quality of been a real Nigerian is reflected in the standards we set for our country.

It was well said when he made reference to the fact that power in Nigeria is now based on bloodshed. It was understandable to know that most people hold on to inferior ways or means to get to power. Most Nigerians even without been told would do anything to get money. We forget that money is a spirit that should be controlled by man and not the spirit of money to control man. It is good to aspire to greater positions in life but when we get there, we should learn to forget the right we have over others but remember the right they have over us as advised by the speaker. We should bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression. If we do not go after what we want, we will never have it. If we do not ask, the answer would always be no. If we do not step forward, we would always remain in the same place. Life is actually really simple but we insist on making it more complicated when we want to profit from the wrong ways of aspiring to be great.

We do not need to make fellow countrymen cry just because we want to be happy. Do not deny others of their daily bread just because you want to feed yourself and your family. We should always learn not to be fed with the rotten bread of corruption. Even decency has been swept into the ocean of corruption in Nigeria. Corruption has caused alot to us as Nigerians. We all have seen corruption has a way of life. It is now normal for you to bribe someone without thinking twice about the heavenly reward. It is a duty upon us as advised by the speaker to stand against all forms of corrupt act and be noble minded in all our dealings. You might be persecuted for doing this but we should remember that there is never going to be a time when you would not be hated either for good or for bad. It suffices to say that whether we do good or bad, someone is watching somewhere to make a comment. The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavour.

Nigeria is a place where history is not forgotten at all. Whatever we do in the cause of making this country great again as individuals would never be forgotten. Those that drag the name of the country into mud are facing the consequences of their actions. Either in person or through their generation, the stigma is on them. He encouraged us as young Nigerians to emulate great leaders like Mathma Gandhi and Marthin Luther King. These were leaders that fought for generations and race unborn. They lead good leadership styles and their names still remain on the lips of generations. They had good intentions and they made their country and race great. If things are done in the right way, Nigeria shall be a better place. A day would come in Nigeria when an Igbo man would name his/her child a Yoruba name, so also an Hausa man would name his/her child an Igbo name and a Yoruba man would name his/her child an Hausa or an Igbo man. This is the hope of Kanu Agabi and I pray this hope becomes a reality.

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