Nigeria: A Name Greater than Gold
Nigeria—
a land blessed with brilliance,
minds as sharp as blades,
souls burning with the fire of possibility.
But intellect, unguided,
can wander into shadows—
where drug lords reign,
scammers weave their fragile nets,
and petty thieves trade destiny for dust.
Two hundred and thirty-two million strong,
a people vast as the ocean tide.
Imagine—
if every drop of that tide turned toward light,
toward creation, invention, compassion—
what nation could rival you?
I have traveled far.
In America, I heard the complaints.
In England, the same whisper.
In South Africa, weary voices said,
“We do not want them here.”
And I asked, “But why?”
The answer was one word—
reputation.
Scripture has spoken:
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” (Proverbs 22:1)
My Nigerian brothers and sisters,
your future does not lie in gold,
nor in fleeting riches,
but in the immortal wealth of honor.
True intelligence is not deception.
It is honesty.
It is compassion.
It is humility.
Yes—life is hard.
But life’s greatness
has never been built by crime.
It is built by integrity,
by the patience to plant seeds,
and the courage to guard them
until harvest.
Nigeria,
the world waits for your rising.
The question remains—
what name will you choose to carry?
Copyright ©
Chanda Katonga
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