The country Nigeria we are experiencing today is totally different from the Nigeria of yesterday that we were told about by our fathers and the elderly ones that have lived to witness how the country was peaceful and everything was moving fine.
Back in those days, Nigeria was known to be “a giant of Africa.” The people were known to be hardworking, accommodating, loving and caring. There was no fear in people. People were moving freely, embarking on night journeys and arriving safely. Food was cheap, the dollar was favorable to us then, education was very standard, and everything was just okay.
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Everyone who wanted to go to school went. They wanted to be the best, because of the benefits attached to it. Anyone who had the opportunity to attend school would work hard to see that he came top.
Those who weren’t lucky to attend school found their way to the farm and they were doing well; no cause for alarm, no fear of bandits coming to destroy their crops.
There were always job opportunities waiting for graduates. Corruption was not as serious as it is now; there was nothing like “you must know someone who knows someone” before you can get admission into school or even a job.
A lot of things have really changed this time around. The situation today is deteriorating. We no longer have peace of mind, we now live in fear, the education sector is bad, insecurity is now becoming normal.
People no longer value education because of the incessant ASUU strike. Young people now prefer cyber crime to going to school.
We no longer travel by road, air and sea peacefully without the fear of being kidnapped or even being killed by bandits.
We have rising cost of food items, fuel scarcity, among others.
We want our Nigeria of yesterday back. If possible, we want it to be better where everyone can live peacefully and afford things.
Fatima Usman is a 300 level student of Mass Communication, IBB University, Lapai
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