As Nigeria marks another Democracy Day, I join millions of citizens in celebrating our democratic journey and our nation’s resilience. This occasion provides an opportunity not only to reflect on our progress but also to express our hopes for the future of the country we all love.
Mr President, many young Nigerians believed in your leadership long before you assumed office. One of the qualities that distinguished you from many political leaders was your ability to build people. Across various sectors of national life, you have raised men and women who have become leaders in their own right. Leadership, after all, begins with building people, and history has consistently shown that institutions and nations are strengthened when leaders invest in developing others.
The existence and longevity of your political structure and the influence of your protégés across different fields speak volumes about your commitment to leadership development. In contrast, many political leaders today struggle to build enduring institutions, viable political platforms, or successors who can carry forward a vision. This reality underscores the importance of leadership that extends beyond personal ambition.
However, politics and governance are not the same. While politics may win elections, governance must win the hearts of the people through tangible improvements in their daily lives.
Mr President, I recently lost my beloved mother. Her untimely death was largely a consequence of the challenges within our healthcare system. It is painful that in a nation blessed with enormous human and natural resources, many women and vulnerable citizens still lose their lives to health conditions that would be easily treated in many smaller and less-resourced countries.
As I mourn the passing of my beloved mother, I am reminded that countless Nigerian families continue to endure personal tragedies caused by challenges that should not define a nation as blessed as ours. The state of healthcare, insecurity, unemployment and other systemic issues should concern every citizen who desires a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
Mr President, beyond the healthcare challenges that contributed to my mother’s untimely death, I am equally concerned about the growing insecurity affecting my people in Kogi West Senatorial District, Kogi State and many other parts of our country. As a farmer, I have a personal understanding of the fears, uncertainties and hardships faced by those whose livelihoods depend on the land. Agriculture remains the backbone of many rural communities, yet countless farmers can no longer access their farmlands freely due to security concerns. Many are forced to reduce cultivation, while others abandon farming activities altogether to protect their lives and those of their families.
The implications of this challenge extend beyond individual farmers. When agricultural activities are disrupted, food production declines, food prices rise, household incomes are affected, and national food security is threatened. The burden is ultimately borne by every Nigerian family, particularly the most vulnerable. A nation blessed with vast arable land, hard-working citizens and abundant resources should not struggle to feed its people because those entrusted with producing food cannot safely access their farms.
I raise these concerns not as a critic, but as a patriotic Nigerian who believes deeply in the promise of our nation. Many young people want to see a Nigeria where farmers can cultivate in safety, entrepreneurs can invest with confidence, children can access quality education, families can obtain affordable healthcare, and citizens can live without fear. These are not impossible aspirations; they are the fundamental expectations of a people who believe in the greatness of their country.
It is because I believe in Nigeria and because I believe in the possibilities of your administration’s vision that I remain hopeful that these challenges can be confronted with courage, urgency and determination. The success of any government is ultimately measured not by policies announced, but by lives improved, communities secured, opportunities created, and hope restored.
Today, many young Nigerians are leaving the country in large numbers. For many, migration is no longer a choice but a necessity born out of frustration. There is a growing perception that any ambitious young person must seek opportunities elsewhere because leadership has failed to unlock Nigeria’s vast potential. This is a painful reality for a nation so richly endowed with talents, resources and cultural heritage.
Mr President, while I have highlighted some of the challenges confronting our nation, patriotism and fairness compel me to also acknowledge the visible strides being made under your administration. Across the country, Nigerians are witnessing developmental efforts that deserve recognition and encouragement.
The reforms, especially within the Federal Ministry of Interior, have demonstrated a commitment to improving public service delivery, enhancing institutional efficiency and modernising processes that directly impact citizens and investors. Likewise, the recent increase in the allowance of National Youth Service Corps members to a more decent take-home package reflects an understanding of the economic realities facing young Nigerians who dedicate a mandatory year of service to our nation. For many corps members, this intervention represents not only financial relief but also a reaffirmation that their service and contributions to nation-building are valued.
Furthermore, initiatives such as the Nigerian Youth Academy, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and other youth-focused empowerment programmes provide opportunities for skills development, education financing, entrepreneurship and human capital growth. These interventions have the potential to empower a generation of young Nigerians with the tools and opportunities necessary to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Equally commendable is the scale and quality of road infrastructure projects being undertaken across various parts of the country.
Good roads are more than physical structures; they are economic enablers that facilitate trade, improve access to markets, connect communities, attract investments and promote national integration. The ongoing infrastructural development across the nation is a visible testament to a commitment to laying the foundation for long-term economic growth and prosperity.
These achievements give many Nigerians reason to remain hopeful. They demonstrate that progress is possible and that government interventions can positively impact the lives of ordinary citizens. As a patriotic Nigerian, I commend your administration for these developmental programmes and reforms. My prayer is that these efforts will continue to be expanded and complemented by renewed progress in critical areas such as healthcare, security, agriculture, education and job creation, so that every Nigerian can experience the full benefits of our nation’s immense potential.
Yet, despite these challenges, I remain hopeful. I believe that if Nigeria gets leadership and governance right, many of our brightest minds will return home to contribute to national development. Our nation possesses everything required for greatness.
Akanbi, Omo Olodo Ide, as a passionate supporter of Arsenal Football Club, I understand the value of hope and perseverance. If Arsenal can rise again after many years of waiting, then I also believe Nigeria can rise and fulfil her destiny. Football shouldn’t be the only thing uniting us. I believe that our country can overcome its present challenges and become the prosperous, secure and united nation we all desire.
I remain hopeful in the vision behind the Renewed Hope Agenda and its focus on macroeconomic stability, tax reforms, national security, infrastructure development and human capital advancement. The true measure of its success, however, will be seen in the lives transformed, opportunities created, and dignity restored to ordinary Nigerians.
Mr President, on this Democracy Day, I encourage you to remain steadfast in your commitment to nation-building. May God grant you the wisdom, courage, strength and grace required to address the challenges confronting our nation and leave behind a legacy that future generations will celebrate.
Nigeria belongs to all of us, and every Nigerian deserves a country that works.
Happy Democracy Day, Mr President.
Yours in Nation Building,
Ojagun, a concerned Nigerian youth, writes via [email protected]
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