Whenever we hear the slogan, "uplifting the people and uniting the nation," what comes straight to our minds is a television station but this time it is different. It is no news that Nigerians have not smiled in large numbers since the inception of the new administration.
One of the first things we were greeted with is the massive and gruesome killing of innocent Nigerians by aggrieved supporters of a particular political parties...we will always remember the demystification of NYSC during this period. This incident was followed by the start of continuous bombings up North and the seeming clueless approach of the President who at some point exclaimed: "Boko haram have infiltrated my administration." The bombings were so consistent that we got used to this part in our daily news that when the terrorist group goes on break we 'miss them'.
Secondly last year opened with the sore taste of price hike in petrol - the subsidy things. Where for the first time since I was born (though not so long.. lol) we saw Nigerians march nationally against oppression. The march and the days of collective strike...lol. Then our nemesis, boko H started again. We have seen the unnecessary introduction of the 5000 naira note rejected and these among other national topics that is laden with discontent. But for the first time, we are seeing that change...
For the first time since our dear president assumed office, Nigerians are smiling collectively and it is for no other reason but Football. Our dear footballing team left the country unheralded. Im not even sure they even believed that they could win anything. Many Nigerians were left disappointed following the sack of Samson Siasia the former coach of the Super Eagles and like they have been doing in recent times, they just cannot fly. We were watching to see how far they will go in the on-going AFCON. And we were not disappointed as there was no spark to their game in the first three matches and when they drew Ivory Coast in the quater finals, many believed that was their last match of the tournament. Emmanuel Eboue did not help matters with his less-than-sensible twitter rants. Then...Gbam! Sunday came with a surprise.
Super Eagles of Nigeria flew over, plucked the eyes, broke the trunks and caged totally the Elephants of Ivory Coast. Nigeria completely appeared rejuvenated and revived and the Eagle that seem to have been on a retreat soared high and strong. Nigeria defeated Ivory Coast, the most star-studded team of the tournament. And for the first time in along while I saw Nigerians congratulating each other. If you were not aware you 'd think that the Nation just won the tournament. But they have only progressed to the semis. The joy was so widespread that for the first time in a long while people who never knew each other started hugging and congratulating each other and praying that by chance the Nation wins the tournament cup. Sunday was the beginning of a happy and hopeful week for the Nigerians who seem rather accustomed to disappointments and bad news from a their National representatives. And today, Wednesday again, amid the protest of OAU Postgraduate students who were callously denied light for no just reason in their halls of residence, Super Eagles did it again.
The day started with a show of discontent from the residents of Postgraduate Hall of Residence in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, who were denied light for three days running for no reason but everyone would not want to miss the semi-final clash between Nigeria and Mali. Its been a long while since the Nation got to this point, in fact they could not qualify for the last edition of the AFCON tournament. But today, the Eagles completely obliterated their opponents, trashing Mali by 4 goals to 1. And again, everyone was happy...or is happy.
Looking at this situation and the raised hope of the common Nigerian about the possibility of the Nation winning the Nations Cup, you don't want to lose the spectacle of people standing in groups and chatting with smile and happiness written all over their faces. And for the first time in a long while, the common Nigerians are happy. I grew up under this kind of atmosphere where there was joy and optimism when we want to talk about politics and the Nation...and especially sports. And gradually, are we returning to that time again?
Nigeria is through to the finals and for the first time since I was born , My Mom called me to express joy that Nigeria is through to the finals and to also hope that they win the cup for the country. It remains to be seen if this joy will be capped with the cup or not, but one thing is certain, Super Eagles are presently "upllifting the people and uniting the Nation" again amid our social political imbalance.
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