I have been hearing about reincarnation which is the rebirth of a soul in the form of a body. People make statements with it a lot. I have heard some people say; "In my next life, I won't be a Nigerian" or "In my next life, I will be born to a wealthy parent." People tend to lament undesirable situations with such statements.
When I reflect on my life journey so far, I thank God for the wins and the losses. They make me stronger and more focused. In some instances, I would have thought of giving up on my country by wishing never to be born in it in my next life but each time I look at the broader picture, I abort such a wish from my mind.
I was born into a family that had everything except wealth. My parents weren't rich but they could afford the basic needs of life for us children. My father wished to have more but what he had was what all his years of hard work could make available to him. He was content.
When I was growing up, I saw rich kids in the neighborhood and I wished that I was privileged like them. However as I was growing older, I realized that human needs are insatiable. Some kids that I was willing to be like were also willing to be like those whose parents were richer than theirs. At that point, I looked back and saw some kids behind. I maintained this act of not just looking at those ahead of me but to also look at those behind till the present moment. I decided to look at the life that I am living holistically and I realized that there are aspects of good living that rank ahead of riches.
While growing up, there was love and peace of mind. Someone was there to sacrifice himself for his children if need be. I can't ask for a better family. I wish to have my parents richer in the next life but if the condition is for me to either come to this life through them while maintaining the same economic status or to come through a different wealthier family, I would choose the former without hesitation.
If I am to come back to this life a thousand times, I wish to be the child of my parents.
Another thing that I enjoy and wish to maintain if I have to come back to this world is good health. This is priceless.
On the question of which country that I wish to originate from, if given another opportunity to live, I would choose Nigeria over and over again.
I love this country for many reasons. The culture of the people is unique. Though tongues may differ, the love binding the people is strong. Nigeria is a country with great potential. Nigeria is a land of opportunity. Nigeria is a country when one can flourish and reach the zenith.
Some people may wonder if I am talking of the same Nigeria where the economy is crawling and insecurity ravaging the land. Inter tribal hatred has been on the increase lately.
My answer is yes, I am talking of the same Nigeria. Nigeria, at independence, had the potential of becoming a great Nation before now but leaders through the years squandered such opportunities and let the country down. My forefathers were among the causes of today's predicaments. If they had shown more interest in nurturing the identified potentials instead of personal aggrandizement, the country would have been among the developed world.
Instead of despising Nigeria, I despise those that contributed to making the country what it is today. I look more at how my actions should correct some of those anomalies in my little way instead of cursing the country and wanting to escape from it. If others in the counties that my people are running to had behaved like us in ruining their country's economy and security, no one would be going there. They value their country and guard the system against destruction. We can do the same here if we are serious.
If I am to come to this world again, I am willing to meet a better working Nation but if the condition is either to be born in Nigeria as it is right now or originating from a different country, I would choose the former. I wish to come back as a Nigerian as many times as possible.
In my present life, I promise myself that, by the grace of God and patriotic commitments of agents of change, I will witness a Nigeria where other Nationals will be rushing to get our visa for greener pastures in direct contrast to the way Nigerians are jumping over themselves at embassies in their efforts to leave the country for greener pastures in developed economies.
As for my gender, I would like to maintain it if I will be coming to this world again. Though there is a lot of pressure on being a man, I would like to still come back as one. I love taking responsibilities, especially that of family.
If there is anything I will like to change about myself, I will reconsider my career path. I would like to serve in the military to protect Nigeria. They sacrifice a lot for our stability as a nation and I wish I considered joining them earlier before now.
In conclusion, my journey so far isn't a bad or regrettable one. I learn lessons at every stage of it. If I am to come back again, I will choose my family and country. I will only reconsider some decisions that I took in the past.
Thank you for your time.
