I want to tell you a story
Once upon a time, wise men from the east who studied the stars and the times came to Herod the King of Israel (Nigeria). “Where is the baby born to be king of the Jews?” they asked.
“We saw the protest in Lagos, Abuja and other cities, and heard that the youths are there to herald the birth of the long awaited king (the new Nigeria).”
Herod got really troubled. The new-born baby (New Nigeria) would usurp his powers and make him nothing but a public servant who had to serve the interest of the masses. The new baby would deprive him his benefits as an absolute ruler in a bogus democracy. He made up his mind to kill the baby.
“Go and make a careful search for the child, and when you find him, let me know so that I too may go and worship him,” he instructed.
The wise men went in the search and indeed they found the baby among the youths, but following instructions from an angel on Twitter, they returned home by another route.
Furious at being deceived, Herod sent his foot soldiers out into the city. “Kill every baby (youth) you see, for in so doing, the baby Jesus (New Nigeria) will be killed. He lives among the youths, they are out on the streets to welcome him. Make sure you kill them all for only then can we kill this infant (New Nigeria).”
Foot soldiers were sent out on Tuesday 20/10/20. The target was the baby (New Nigeria), but many youths (babies were killed). It was a Black Tuesday, as the nation’s flag was repainted with the blood of the innocent.
The church refers to these babies as the ‘Holy Innocents’. The babies died so that the baby Jesus would live. Our youths died so that the New Nigeria dream might live.
After the massacre, Herod went to rest assured that the baby Jesus was dead. Same thing we see in Nigeria today. The Herods of our land are going back to sleep, certain that the “New Nigeria” has been killed in infancy.
What the Herods do not know is that an angel has already instructed Joseph to take the baby Jesus to a safe abode. The baby Jesus still lives.
The New Nigeria dream still lives, and will be manifested in due time (upon the death of the Herods).
Do not lose hope. Keep the dream alive in your heart. It is closer than you think. The hunger has already been stirred in the people. The youths have already known that a New Nigeria is possible – One free of ethnic and religious divisions; One where corruption will be spat upon; One where every Nigerian will be his brother’s keeper; One where hardwork and honest living will be hailed and celebrated.
By Ruth Okwumbu
