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We Rise, We Shine: A Tribute to Nigeria at 66
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By Tolulope A. Adegoke
“Sixty-six lanterns lit, and not one flame asked permission of the wind. That is the arithmetic of this land—where the storm arrives first and the light arrives anyway. We were not handed a smooth road; we were handed feet, and feet have always been enough. What others call odds, we call the weight that gives our stride its meaning. So let the doubter keep his ledger of our failures; we keep a different record—one written in the stubborn grammar of a people who wake up, try again, and refuse to hand their tomorrow to anyone else. This soil does not owe a blessing to the mouth that curses it. Speak well of her, then, not because she is finished, but because she is still becoming—and becoming is the holiest thing a nation can do. We rise. We shine. Not after the storm—inside it.” – Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD
Introduction: The Audacity of a Nation’s Hope
There is a peculiar kind of strength that is born not in the absence of hardship, but in the furnace of it. It is the strength that refuses to be extinguished by the storms of adversity, the strength that looks at towering mountains and dares to imagine a path over them. This is the strength that defines Nigeria. As we mark sixty-six years of nationhood, we do not gather merely to recount the ease of our journey, for the road has been anything but smooth. Rather, we gather to celebrate a profound and unyielding resolve: the decision to rise, and in rising, to shine.
The story of Nigeria is not a fairy tale of uninterrupted triumph. It is a complex, textured narrative of a people learning to govern themselves, of a federation of over two hundred and fifty ethnic nationalities striving to forge a common destiny. It is a story punctuated by growing pains, by moments of national introspection, and by challenges that have tested the very fabric of our unity. Yet, it is precisely within this crucible that the Nigerian spirit has been refined. We rise, not because we are oblivious to our challenges, but because we have made a conscious, collective decision to be resilient—to confront our difficulties head-on and to overcome them.
The Anatomy of Nigerian Resilience
Resilience is a word often used lightly, but in the Nigerian context, it is a lived reality. It is the trader in Onitsha who, despite economic fluctuations, opens her stall at dawn with a smile and a prayer. It is the tech entrepreneur in Yaba who, against the backdrop of infrastructural deficits, codes the next solution for a global market. It is the teacher in a rural community who, with limited resources, inspires a generation to dream beyond their immediate horizons. It is the farmer in the Middle Belt who, season after season, plants seeds of hope in a land that has known both bounty and bloodshed.
This resilience is not a passive endurance; it is an active, creative force. It is the ingenuity that birthed the mobile money revolution, the Afrobeats genre that has taken the world by storm, and the Nollywood industry that tells our stories to a global audience. It is the intellectual prowess of our scholars, the indomitable spirit of our athletes, and the creative genius of our artists. When we say “We Rise,” we are acknowledging this irrepressible energy. We are affirming that no challenge—be it economic recession, security concerns, or social unrest—can permanently dim the light of a people determined to succeed.
The Certainty of Our Arrival
We are a nation in a hurry, yet we must also be a nation with the patience of a farmer. The journey to national greatness is not a sprint; it is a marathon. We may stumble. We may take a wrong turn. We may even, at times, feel like we are moving in circles. But the crucial thing is that we are moving. We are learning. We are evolving. The mistakes of yesterday become the lessons that inform the policies of today and the vision of tomorrow.
It may take a while, but it is certain that we will get it right. This certainty is not borne of arrogance, but of an unshakeable faith in the Nigerian project. It is rooted in the knowledge that a nation of such immense human and natural potential cannot be permanently held back. Our youth, our greatest asset, are increasingly innovative, globally connected, and fiercely patriotic. They are not waiting for a perfect Nigeria; they are actively building it, one startup, one social movement, one creative work at a time. The trajectory may be zigzag, but the destination—a prosperous, united, and equitable Nigeria—is non-negotiable.
Nigeria Shines Against All Odds
To shine against all odds is the quintessential Nigerian story. It is to excel on the global stage when the home front is fraught with difficulties. It is the Nigerian doctor performing groundbreaking surgeries abroad, the Nigerian professor leading research at top universities, the Nigerian artist headlining international festivals. These individual and collective successes are not anomalies; they are reflections of a national character that is intrinsically brilliant.
The Nigerian diaspora is a testament to this. From Houston to London, from Toronto to Dubai, Nigerians are making their mark, contributing to economies, cultures, and knowledge systems. They are not just surviving; they are thriving. And in their success, they carry a piece of home with them—a resilience, a vibrancy, a hustler’s spirit that is uniquely Nigerian. This is the light that shines, a beacon of what is possible when the Nigerian spirit is given room to flourish.
A Word on Cursing the Land
There is an ancient wisdom that is deeply relevant to our national conversation: the land that you curse may not be empowered or capable enough to bless you in return. To constantly disparage one’s country, to speak of it only in terms of its failures and to ignore its immense potential, is to poison the well from which one must drink. Patriotism is not blind allegiance; it is loyal, constructive criticism married to a deep and abiding love. It is the difference between a prophet of doom and a partner in progress.
We must be careful with our words. Our words shape our reality. If we speak of Nigeria only as a cursed land, we sow the seeds of despair in our own hearts and in the hearts of the next generation. Instead, we must speak of a land of promise, a land of resilient people, a land that is worthy of our best efforts and our most profound hopes. The same land that some dismiss is the land that has produced some of the world’s most remarkable minds and most vibrant cultures. To bless Nigeria is to bless ourselves, for our fate is inextricably linked to that of the nation.
Sixty-Six Years: A Commemoration of Hope
Sixty-six years is a significant milestone. It is a period that allows for reflection on how far we have come from the hopeful dawn of independence in 1960. We have weathered civil war, military dictatorships, and the turbulent transition to democracy. We have seen our economy rise and fall with the vagaries of oil prices. We have faced the scourge of terrorism and the challenges of internal security. Through it all, the Nigerian state has remained, and the Nigerian spirit has endured.
As we celebrate, we are not celebrating a finished product. We are celebrating a work in progress. We are celebrating the audacity of a people who, despite their differences, have chosen to remain together. We are celebrating the promise of a future that we can build together. We are celebrating the fact that, in the words of our national anthem, “the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain.”
Conclusion: A Blessing for the Journey Ahead
God bless Nigeria. This is not just a phrase; it is a prayer. It is a petition for divine guidance, wisdom, and protection over our land and our leaders. It is a prayer for the healing of our divisions and the strengthening of our unity. It is a prayer that we may be wise stewards of the resources and talents with which we have been so abundantly endowed.
As we step into the next chapter of our national story, let us recommit ourselves to the principles of resilience, hope, and hard work. Let us be a generation that builds bridges rather than walls, that plants trees under whose shade we may never sit, and that speaks life into our nation rather than death.
We rise because we must. We shine because our light is too bright to be hidden. We overcome because our collective will is stronger than any challenge. It may take a while, but the destination is sure.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Happy 66th Independence Anniversary!
Dr. Tolulope A. Adegoke, AMBP-UN, is a globally recognized scholar-practitioner and thought leader at the nexus of security, governance, and strategic leadership. His mission is dedicated to advancing ethical governance, strategic human capital development, resilient nation-building, and global peace. He bridges the worlds of academic rigor and practical application, contributing to leadership discourse at the highest levels of policy and practice. He can be reached via: tolulopeadegoke01@gmail.com, globalstageimpacts@gmail.com
Metro
International Day of the Girl-Child: Pad Me A Girl Foundation Holds Menstrual Health Outreach in Ogun
The Pad Me A Girl Empowerment Foundation has taken its menstrual health campaign to Igbesa High School (Junior), in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, providing free sanitary pads, menstrual hygiene pamphlets, exercise books and pens to over 100 schoolgirls to promote menstrual health, dignity and education.
The outreach, held on Wednesday, October 21, commemorated the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, whose global theme is “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights!”
The programme brought together girls from Junior Secondary School (JSS) 1 to 3 who participate in the school’s reading clubs for mentorship, reading activities and menstrual health education.
It was convened by Oyelami Yetunde Anuoluwapo and Blessing Kappo, teachers and Teach For Nigeria Fellows at the school, following an appeal for sanitary products, learning materials and health education support. The Foundation’s founder, Theresa Moses, responded by providing the requested items and facilitating an interactive session on menstrual hygiene management.
Speaking at the event, Moses said she was inspired by the girls’ determination and aspirations, stressing the need for sustained investment in their health, education and future.
“Invest in girls and Nigeria will rise. Every girl deserves dignity, education and the right to dream beyond child marriage. That is why we are here; to ensure no girl misses school because of her period,” she said.
She emphasised that access to menstrual hygiene products and accurate information helps girls manage their periods confidently and participate fully in school activities.
In a letter of appreciation, Oyelami and Kappo described the outreach as impactful and inspiring, noting that it enhanced the girls’ understanding of menstrual health, hygiene and self-confidence. They also said the support would help promote the students’ hygiene, school attendance and dignity.
“You did not just give pads; you gave our girls confidence and hope,” the teachers wrote on behalf of the school community, expressing gratitude to the Foundation and hope for future collaboration.
Mrs Amarachi Eze, Assistant Divisional Commissioner of the Nigerian Girl Guides Association, Ado-Odo/Ota, Ogun State Branch, also commended the Foundation for supporting the girls’ hygiene needs and development.
“We sincerely appreciate the Management of Pad Me A Girl Foundation for joining hands with the Association in supporting our girls on hygiene management. May God Almighty continue to uplift your foundation. Thanks for joining hands in the development of girls in our schools. Bravo,” she said.
The Foundation’s Media Coordinator, Mr Oluwatosin Simon Faleye, called on corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support initiatives that address period poverty and help girls remain in school.
“For over a year, we have been committed to ending period poverty and keeping girls in school. We call on corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support this cause for the betterment of Nigeria,” Faleye said.
The celebration also featured a student drama presentation highlighting the effects of child marriage, alongside reading and mentorship activities designed to encourage the girls to understand their rights, value their education and pursue their aspirations.
The Foundation also acknowledged the continued support of its sponsors and partners, including Access Bank, Pro Star Sports International, BL Consulting, Vita Baites Foods, Checkers, Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the 10th Nigerian National Assembly, the Senate Committee on Women Affairs (SCOWAS), as well as individuals and media organisations whose contributions have supported its broader mission of ending period poverty, promoting menstrual health education and empowering girls and women.
Abia State governor, Alex Otti, is set to flag off the reconstruction of Uratta Road and Old Express Road in Aba, two major routes which poor condition has disrupted transportation, commercial activities and access to residential communities for years.
The governor’s media aide, Ferdinand Ekeoma, in a statement on Wednesday, said that work on the roads has begun ahead of the scheduled official flag-off.
The two roads are considered important to Aba’s commercial and industrial activities, with Uratta Road connecting several adjoining streets to Port Harcourt Road and Old Express Road. At the same time, Old Express Road serves as a key route within the city’s industrial layout.
Ekeoma said the roads had suffered neglect for more than 24 years, leaving some sections impassable and forcing residents and businesses to contend with difficult transportation conditions.
According to the statement, Uratta Road provides access to more than 100 adjoining streets. Its poor condition has affected residents, traders and small-scale manufacturers who depend on the road to transport goods and access their businesses.
The statement said the road had become waterlogged and overgrown with weeds, discouraging commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators from using it.
Similarly, the deterioration of Old Express Road forced heavy-duty truck operators, fabric merchants, spare-parts dealers and small businesses to use longer routes, increasing transportation costs and affecting productivity.
The government said the road reconstruction is part of its broader effort to restore Aba’s infrastructure and strengthen the city’s commercial base.
Aba, one of southeastern Nigeria’s major commercial centres, hosts manufacturing clusters, markets, and small and medium-sized enterprises that depend heavily on functional roads to move raw materials and finished products.
The government said the reconstruction would improve market access, reduce transportation costs, facilitate the movement of goods, and support businesses operating along the affected corridors.
Ekeoma cited the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road as an example of the administration’s infrastructure programme, noting that improved road access encouraged shops to reopen, attracted manufacturing activities and increased property rents along the corridor.
The government also said the new projects would complement other road interventions in Aba, including works on Ohanku and Obohia roads, as part of efforts to improve connectivity within the commercial city.
Beyond road construction, the administration said its projects include drainage systems, solar-powered streetlights, and pedestrian walkways, which it described as necessary to improve safety, accessibility, and flood resilience.
Ekeoma said Governor Otti views infrastructure development as an economic strategy rather than merely a construction programme, arguing that better roads would help businesses operate more efficiently and create employment opportunities.
He also quoted the governor as saying at an earlier church event that his administration is shifting attention from basic infrastructure improvements to healthcare, education, technology and industrialisation.
The governor, a former bank chief executive, was elected in 2023 on the Labour Party platform, defeating candidates from the major established parties in a state historically dominated by the Peoples’ Democratic Party.
Otti has remained in the Labour Party despite the defection of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
His administration has made rehabilitating Aba roads and public infrastructure central to its governance agenda, presenting the city’s recovery as essential to reviving economic activity across Abia State.
MILO Nigeria, in partnership with former Nigerian national team captain and MILO Brand Ambassador Ahmed Musa, has concluded the inaugural MILO × Ahmed Musa Sports Clinic and Tournament in Kano, providing 2,500 young footballers with professional coaching, mentorship and competitive football experience.
Over two weeks, participants took part in 10 coaching sessions and competed in matches under the guidance of Ahmed Musa and experienced coaches. The programme combined practical football training with lessons in teamwork, discipline, resilience and confidence, equipping participants with skills and values that extend beyond the pitch.
The initiative culminated in a tournament at the Ahmed Musa Sports Complex in Kano, where Khamis Football Academy emerged as champions of the inaugural edition. Participants also received cash prizes, certificates and football equipment.
Speaking on the initiative, Gilbert Tweneboah-Koduah, Category Lead, MILO, said: “At MILO, we believe sport is a powerful platform for young people to discover their abilities, build confidence and develop values that extend beyond the field of play. Our partnership with Ahmed Musa brings together MILO’s longstanding commitment to sports development and the experience of an athlete whose journey from grassroots football to the highest level of the game can inspire the next generation. By combining his experience with structured coaching and competition, this programme has given young footballers in Kano an opportunity to develop their skills, learn from experienced professionals and better understand the commitment required to pursue their aspirations.”
For the participants, the clinic offered an opportunity to learn from an athlete whose football journey began in northern Nigeria and progressed to the highest levels of the sport, making his experience a source of inspiration for aspiring players.
Commenting on the partnership, Ahmed Musa said: “Nigeria has incredible football talent, but talent alone is not enough. Young players need good coaching, regular competition and people who will guide them. I am proud to partner with MILO and share some of what football has taught me. My message to these players is simple: keep training, listen to your coaches and work hard every day to improve.”
Musa also called for greater investment in grassroots football, emphasizing the importance of giving young players access to quality coaching, structured development and regular competitive opportunities.
The MILO × Ahmed Musa Sports Clinic and Tournament builds on MILO’s longstanding commitment to youth development through sports in Nigeria. Through its school-based and grassroots sporting initiatives, MILO continues to create opportunities for young people to participate in sports, develop their abilities and embrace values that can support them both on and off the pitch.
