THE NIGERIAN PROCLAMATION: MAKING A STATEMENT

My people, the Nigerian Proclamation was a great success. We, Nigerian bloggers, managed to respond to the recent Nigerian elections and get international recognition for our efforts. The BBC covered the Nigerian Proclamation project and shared the initiative with millions.

I must take this opportunity to thank all of you who participated in the project. Our unified action made the world take notice. Thank you to the many individuals who read the document, who posted the Nigerian Proclamation at their blogs, websites, MySpace pages and Facebook pages. Thank you, also, to those who shared the document with others via email. Thank you to those who voiced your commitment and supported the initiative.

Additionally, I must thank Omodudu whose pondering got me curious as to how Nigerians could make a statement and potentially have an impact on Nigerian politics. As we can all see, we did manage to make an impact.

Remember, the goal was and remains to provide a forum for Nigerians to collaborate on ensuring that the mistakes of the past do not become the mistakes of our future. In fact, I strongly believe that participating in this project was a patriotic act because one had to care about Nigeria to read the Proclamation and share it with others. This was not a mere exercise in 'Naija bashing'. This was a way for us, members of the Nigerian family, to express constructive criticism and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

There were some who objected to the initiative and questioned its relevancy. Your thoughts on the issue were important and contributed greatly to what needs to be an ongoing discourse on Nigeria and the various means to improving the country. Nonetheless, to those who challenged the Nigerian Proclamation project, I hope that you too will find a way to serve our country and that when you do, you will allow all of us to support you in that service.

A few bloggers are working on a new project that will again give Nigerian bloggers a tool to make a statement on the state of affairs in our great country. It will be a means to work together to improve our nation not solely through dialogue, but by action. I will be depending on you to once again join together and act as an undeniable and formidable force.

NIGERIA, WHERE MANY ARE ONE.

PS: We must all be thankful for the peaceful democratic transition. Please read President Yar'Adua's Inaugural Speech. I am still searching to find online video/sound of the speech, so once I do, I will post it. Finally, take the time to remember that 40 years ago, today marked the beginning of the Biafran War which spelt the beginning of death and suffering for many. We must never again allow dissension to strike such a chord in our hearts so as to unleash the violence and bloodshed that our people experienced then.


Related articles:
- The Nigerian Proclamation
- Epilogue: The Proclamation
:Nigerian Proclamation on BBC
- The Nigerian Proclamation: One Year
- 2 Years Later: Nigerian Proclamation