To commemorate our country’s 60th Independence Day, we asked a few of our colleagues their dreams for the nation. We hope their responses inspire you as much as it inspired us.
I aspire for a country that protects every female individual. I desire to live in a country where violence against women is not treated as a mere misunderstanding, where domestic violence is not treated as a mere lover’s spat. I dream of a future where female victims of abuse are treated with respect – where they are not blamed or shamed for the harm caused to them; harm that they had no control over. I dream of a future where perpetrators are brought to justice and not rewarded with senatorial positions and award plaques. In summary, my dream for Nigeria is to become a country with equal rights, representation and access to opportunities for both genders.
– Bisola Evboren; United Capital
The Nigeria of my dream is one where ‘openness’ is the day’s order.
As a nation, we must journey into the future with renewed determination, fresh ideas, systems, approaches, leaders, and reviewed policies. In other words, we need to prioritise transparency, not just from our leaders but as citizens too. Integrity and transparency are the pillars of national transformation. A good place to begin is by renewing our minds.
– Olivia Emeana; Africa Prudential
I look forward to a Nigeria that puts the education of her citizens first before anything else. Education is crucial to nation-building; the education level of a country decides whether a country is developed or not because only the educated population can lead to better capital formation. Education leads to the establishment of a system, processes and paves the way for better utilization of resources, both human and material.
– Emmanuel Ohumaegbulem; Avon Medical
As a little girl, I saw a mother whose daughter was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver. She was turned back at the emergency department of a hospital because her mother could not afford the deposit. Ever since then, I have dreamt of a Nigeria where a vast majority of her population has a health insurance cover; where our law enforcement actually works to curb crime, and where acts of insurrection and brazen violence are not rewarded with amnesties.
– Dr Ejior Onoro; Avon HMO
I dream of a prosperous country where every Nigerian will live in dignity;
where public servants will be servants and not lords over citizens. I dream of Nigeria governed by decent people rather than criminals who parade themselves as politicians. I dream of a country that rewards hard work and excellence, where entrepreneurs are the richest, not merely politicians. I dream, I dream, and I dream of a better Nigeria. I dream of a brighter future for our children. I dream that all Nigerians work to make these dreams a reality.
– Abdulnafiu Sanusi; Afriland Properties
I have a dream that one day our democracy will be founded on ‘’one man one vote’’ with no incidence of ballot box snatching on election days. I look forward to a Nigeria with ample job opportunities for her citizens and necessary infrastructures such as good road/transportation system, good water, uninterrupted power supply. I dream of that Nigeria where our education is comparable to 1st world’s standard and citizens in all economic class can enjoy good and quality education instead. My dream for Nigeria is a country free from tribalism, where every citizen is safe regardless of location, where peace and unity reigns. Above all, my dream for Nigeria’s future as a country is where people will worship God in truth and uphold our values of hard work, honesty and good name.
– Gladys Nwaeje; Afriland Properties
I dream of a country that firmly embraces its destiny as a true continental power; a country where we leverage our enormous natural resource endowments to produce a more equitable system.
Once we empower Nigerian youth – who are too brilliant to conform to mediocrity in the first place- we will have a Nigeria that all citizens are proud to call home and are happy to use their talents to drive the nation’s development.
– Omosefe Agwoje; Heirs Holdings
