Do We Still Have Heroes In Nigeria-Post Independence?

Excerpts from this years independence celebrations have got me wondering if we really still have heroes in our beloved country Nigeria. I got into a conversation with my father recently, he is an octogenarian and pretty vast in his knowledge of events back in the 60s till date. 

He said " Nigeria wouldnt have been what it is now if not for heroes like Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe(zik of Africa), Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Anthony Enahoro etc. People who put national interest ahead of personal interest, people who rallied the call for a united Nigeria and freed us from the strong grip of colonialism."  Of course one cannot argue with stories like this, but after independence we have  really shot ourselves on the foot with our choice of leadership, starting with the millitary regime and the countless coup. In recent times political elections havent being really free and fair and government fiscal and monetary policies havent been quite in line with each other. 


With the countless looting of previous governments over the years, Nigerians have grown bored with our leaders, especially the youth; except you have been working for one political party you probably would see that there is a dearth of heroes, mentors to look up to in Nigerias political class.

Elsewhere  in the society, youths are starting to find role models not heroes in spiritual pastors and motivational speakers. The subject of patriotism is no longer in the dictionary of a lot of youth. I pray we change, because a country without heroes, is a country without hope.