By Precious Awire
The need for awareness becomes necessary for many citizens to know how everyday decisions in their lives can impact the lives of people around the globe.
In terms of awareness on global issues, it is not out of place to say many Nigerians have chosen to ignore happenings in the world. However,this is not unique to Nigeria and is a challenge faced by many nations around the world.But awareness among Nigerians goes beyond global literacy, but more of self awareness as citizens and individuals of a developing country.
Writer Stephen Covey said: “In our personal lives, if we do not develop our own self-awareness and become responsible for first creations, we empower other people and circumstances to shape our lives by default.”
He emphasises the need to become responsible for ourselves or we be subject to the will of others. We claim to be in control of our own will but rather we are being manipulated by several state actors and social Influencers living in the fear of death everyday.
Citizens have left the country due to hardship and systemic failure. State actors do nothing, but come up with new ways to embezzle public funds. Nigerians who felt the need to abandon the country have made Japa popular.
What a shame this generation of Nigerians have become unlike the days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo or Nnamdi Azikiwe where we fought and died for what we believed in.
According to Haile Selassie, “A well-informed public opinion is essential to the growth of political and social awareness. Only he who is informed can comment intelligently on his nation’s development and only by such comments can errors be corrected and progress stimulated.”
An average Nigerian is unaware of the developments in his/her local government. He/she is ignorant of economic and political changes in the world apart from sports. We focus more on the entertainment.
Hence, we are being easily manipulated. At this juncture, it is important to encourage education and media literacy to ensure that citizens are informed about important issues both domestically and internationally. This is imperative to the nation’s growth and development.
What do we want as Nigerians?
What does the government owe us?
What do we owe the government and the world?
These are the questions that need to be asked from citizens.
The late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo said: “Nigeria is not a nation. It is a mere geographical expression. There are no ‘Nigerians’ in the same sense as there are ‘English,’ ‘Welsh,’ or ‘French.’ The word ‘Nigerian’ is merely a distinctive appellation to distinguish those who live within the boundaries of Nigeria and those who do not.”
As Nigerians we should strive to make the country great again by getting abreast of issues and contributing to discourse that can reposition the nation.
•Awire is student at Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State.