Ambode: The story of the Nigerian dream

Every champion's journey begins with a dream.” So goes the pay-off message of the Academy for Sports Excellence, ASPIRE, based in Qatar. We may not be talking sports here and now, in spite of the fast approaching World Cup in Brazil and the global fever it is generating, but in every sphere of life, winners are those who dare to dream big. And more importantly, take determined steps to actualize those dreams, against all odds.

Agreed, life itself is a test of will power; of grit and guts from people propelled by the CAN-DO-IT spirit. America with its several self-accomplished citizens, who started with barely nothing, rose to the top of the socio-economic ladder and prides itself on the American Dream. Here, in Nigeria, the quest is still on.

So, what makes the quintessential Nigerian Dream? What really defines it? What unique characteristics of greatness etch them visibly in the portrait of the persona of the archetypical Nigerian success? Is it the usual rags-to-riches story? Or, is it challenging story of that hitherto unsung individual who, by sheer determination to succeed, pulls himself up by the bootstrap and moves from total obscurity to that of the social, economic or political limelight?

OKE-AGBO: Reflecting toga of rurality

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Oke-Agbo Community Development Association (CDA), Mr. Wasiu Odujirin and his counterpart, the secretary of the association, Mr. Hakeem Muritala have lamented the infrastructural decay and security problem in the community, thus appealing to the state government to come to their rescue.

They made this appeal recently to our reporters who visited the ancient community, in Ikorodu division which has a multi-cultural population of residents, who are mainly farmers, peasant traders and Artisans.

In a brief interview with the PRO of the Community Development Association, Mr. Wasiu Odujirin, he said that the major problem facing the community, amongst others, is lack of regular supply of portable water. According to him, the two borehole facilities provided for the community by the state government and Hon. Abike-Dabiri-Erewa have not been able to meet the needs of the residents due to lack of regular electricity supply. Odunjirin said that their situation had been worsened by the rainstorm, which damaged some electricity poles and prevented the community from using the borehole as well as having electricity supply for the past three months.