SIR: Since the amalgamation of our nation, along our journey through time and history, destiny has led us to seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Many did not see a future for us as one nation, but thanks to our strong will, unity and faith we are still here today as one. True, we find ourselves in times of drastic changes; things are not as they were and will probably never be. Yet it is on the winds of uncertainty that our wings of faith must fly. There seems to be imminent collapse in the framework of our existence as a nation! From unusual bombings to baseless massacres; decline in our education system, leaving our youths to feed themselves with crude education since the government has failed them; to vile politics and chronic corruption etc. Yet, a second look at the state of things shows that it is not the beginning of an end.

Our fate solely depends on us. More like simple mathematics: you work, you eat, you live, you desist, you starve and simply cease to exist. Beloved Nigerian youth, I remind you, that you have the power, you are the power. Remind yourselves that this is a democracy, your government, by you and for you. So for change to occur it must start with you! You are a great people, of great wealth and great talent. Once a great philosopher used a simple metaphor to explain such an event, saying “do you expect the armed robbers and thieves to be where there is no wealth of any kind? No, of course; they only visit those places where there is certain presence of all sorts of treasures.”

Nigeria is a land of great treasure. And it is the responsibility of those who possess those treasures to protect them. In our case it would be our responsibility to protect ourselves, our people, for more than anything, we are the treasure. Do not think that our current leaders are enjoying these times any more than you are. In fact if truly they are leaders, it ought to hurt them much more.

The little we can do to help them help us help ourselves is that we give them our humble cooperation without demur. We must also help them with some words of encouragement. The little ‘Thank you’ and once in a while ‘God bless you’ go a long way in boosting the morale of such humble public servants.

• Hidayah Harazimi,

Baze University, Abuja.