Open Letter to President Jonathan

Early 2006, I wrote President Olusegun Obasanjo, pleading he starts work on the dream Great Nigeria. Past Nigerian leaders dreamed of Great Nigeria too but unless a dream is interpreted and implemented, it remains a dream or mere illusion. The Great Nigeria dream has not been interpreted or implemented. But it is no fantasy. It happens that no Joseph has stepped out to give clues.

Sir, I am not a preacher or the son of a prophet but I know for sure that Nigeria’s greatness is of God. Nigeria has everything she needs to be great.  If she fails to answer her calling, just too bad! Any man or nation that heaven blesses highly must not toy with it. Nigeria’s greatest assets are human, not oil. If the core assets are not well managed, they will turn disasters; walking bombs… just beginning to show.

Greatness is never accidental. Great nations give the world something great and none became great with imitating others. Nigeria’s greatness was given. The black race has not given the world one great nation. It lies with Nigeria. One great man does not make a nation great. Nelson Mandela was a great man as also Alexander the Great, but they did not make their countries great.
Mr. President, it is impossible to fix Nigeria without knowing her. Nigeria’s past leaders failed because they did not know Nigeria. Did they sense the

significance of the Rivers Niger and Benue, they would have joined hands and success would have smiled on them and the nation.
Sir, mass poverty, corruption are avoidable; curable diseases that Nigeria can fix in 15 years. If she cannot wipe mosquitoes in six years, then what hope with armed gangs? Surely Nigeria will do a dozen great things over the next 10 years.

Apartheid, greed, corruption, deceit, conceit, mass unemployment, disunity, poverty, wickedness, diseases, indolence, insecurity and impunity have joined forces to scorn Nigeria. Mr. President and all Nigerians are dared to fight or submit. Sir, will Nigeria fight or submit?

Apartheid rules Nigeria. Democracy cannot hand three percent of a nation 75 percent of her wealth. Let’s face it: Neither the National Assembly nor the National Conference is the problem or solution to Nigeria’s woes. The Presidency– leadership – is!
Mr. President, I beseech you in the name of God Almighty: Please start work now on the dream Great Nigeria. We have wasted years at high costs: despair, avoidable pains and deaths. Nigeria is at the crossroads. More delays, one false step and the costs would be one too much.

Anokwuru Richard Anyamele,
Lagos