Youths of Nigeria, Citizens of Naija,
Inhabiter of a land so blessed but looks cursed,
Hearken to my joyful tidings
Of the Golden future time.

Soon or late the day is coming,
Tyrant rulers shall be o’er thrown,
And the fruitful fields of Nigeria
Shall be a blessing to us all.

Corruption shall vanish from our land,
Infant mortality shall be a thing of the past,
Democracy shall be a thing of beauty,
Our pride as a nation shall be restored.

Riches more than mind can picture,
Prosperity, good health, good infrastructure,
constant electricity, quality education,
Shall be ours upon that day.

Bright will shine the fields of Naija,
Purer shall its waters be,
Sweeter yet shall blow its breezes
On the day that sets us free.

For that day we all must labour,
Though we die before it break;
Men and women, young and old,
All must toil for freedom’s sake.

Our kids will forget what Up NEPA means,
Water shall flow when taps are opened,
We will have leaders, who truly lead,
In that time that comes so soon.

Youths of Nigeria, Citizens of Naija,
Inhabiter of a land so blessed,
Hearken to my joyful tidings
Of the Golden future time.

(Adapted from George Orwell’s Animal Farm – the anthem titled Beasts of England)

I was in JSS1 in 1991 when I first read the great book Animal Farm. I love the book so much that I have read it a lot of times. It is the story of a revolution. A simple illustration of how a subdued people can team up to achieve emancipation. It is a satire using animals to depict what actually happened in a real country.

This might be our last chance to defeat the cabal that has held us to ransom for a long time. People are angry but we must turn our anger to a positive force that would destroy evil and install good in our land. Enough is truly enough. All aspects of our nationhood is now a mockery and hope is fast fading.

But the question remains: Are we ready to do the rightful? Are we ready to chase out the idiots who have murdered a lot of our own. I speak for those who have died as a result of senseless road accidents caused by potholes? I speak for the mother who died at childbirth because our hospitals are moving mortuaries? I speak for the many that have died in the many barbaric ethnic and religious crises in our nation. I speak for the Nigerian child and youth whose futures are daily mortgaged in the favour of the foreign bank accounts of our moronic politicians.

Even if you are my relative and you have held a political post and as a result destroyed lives; I hereby disown you. Would every sensible Nigerian disown these idiots? Can’t you see they don’t care about us? If my dad and mom as much as vote for any of these idiots in the next general elections regardless of the fact that they are acquaintances in my LGA and State; I promise to go to the extreme and cut ties. Yes it has come to that, many of our parents are guilty of this wrong and they then wonder why many of their children don’t have jobs and are wasting away. They wonder why only 1.8% passed the last NECO examination. They should stop wondering and wake up to reality because they are part of the problem.

Same goes to every young person who will allow intimidation. The young person who won’t register for the Elections. The cowards who are going to sit at home on Election Day. The compromiser who will hurriedly leave the polling center even when he senses the ballot is going to be compromised. Never has there been a time when we can be so angry and justified than now. This might be our last chance to shut out the few who are destroying the rest of us.

It is just months to the elections but there are many things we can do. A few young people have shown example by marching to the National Assembly. The movement must continue and supported and it must not grow cold. We all have a duty to reach out to our communities and let them understand the need for freedom. It is possible! The 500 Naira used by the politrickcians can be rubbished when they are faced with the weight of the consequences of the stupid money.

Now back to the Animal Farm. The war was won by the animals. Farmer Jones and his staff were chased off Manor Farm. But the same comrade Napoleon who was part of the change became a tyrant himself. We know there are many with great resemblance to Napoleon but note that the time is up. There will be a spiritual dimension this time around. Be warned and go and watch Agogo Eewo by Tunde Kelani and you will understand. The bells of the gods will sound and the crooks will fall down and die. Nigeria, here comes your emancipation!