BY MUSA-ODODO ABDULRAHAMAN
The eternal process of death and rebirth in the transformation of a nation refers to the cyclical pattern of decline, transformation, and renewal that countries often experience. In the eternal cycle of death and rebirth lies the secret rhythm of nations, the silent and often invisible pulse that shapes civilizations across generations. Death and rebirth are not mere biological or cosmic phenomena; they are the sinews of societies, the hidden scaffolding upon which cultures rise, flourish, and decay. In this light, Nigeria stands not as a singular instance, but as a profound testament to the vitality and necessity of rebirth – a nation whose spirit, wounded and weary, yearns for a conscious renewal, for a return to the purity of purpose that often slips from the hands of history.
The truth about rebirth is that it is not simply a hopeful restart but a deep reckoning with the self, a peeling back of illusions, identities, and failures until all that remains is the essence of what can be. For Nigeria, this process must go beyond political reform or economic adjustments. The cycle of death and rebirth calls for something far deeper: an acceptance that what we have called Nigeria must pass away to reveal the Nigeria that could be – the Nigeria that must be born, not as a continuation of the past, but as a transformation of the collective heart and consciousness.
The current state of Nigeria, many would argue, reflects the archetype of a nation on the edge of death. Not in a literal sense, but in the sense of a stagnant spirit, an essence that has lost its potency, entrapped by the failures and betrayals of those who were supposed to lead it forward. But what has been lost was never truly Nigeria; it was only an incomplete vision, a fractured identity conceived at a time when the collective spirit was yet to find its roots. Nigeria has suffered from the weight of borrowed dreams, unclaimed destinies, and unattended possibilities. It has been ensnared by a veil of illusions, some imposed by foreign hands, others embraced by its own sons and daughters.
This national death, if we dare to look at it unflinchingly, is not an end but a profound beginning. In the darkness of loss lies the clarity of rebirth, and it is only when a nation accepts the dissolution of what no longer serves it that it can rise to meet its true potential. This is the alchemical process that history has embedded in every culture, every people, but it is only unlocked when there is an awareness, a conscious act of creation, which Nigeria must now undertake with unwavering commitment.
The rebirth of Nigeria is not a passive act. It cannot be delegated to the hands of politicians alone, nor can it rest solely in the minds of intellectuals. It is the collective awakening of each citizen, a shedding of the layers of complacency and a rejection of self-doubt that has haunted this nation for so long. The new Nigeria that must emerge will be forged not in grand speeches or impressive policies but in the silent and courageous decision of every individual to become a part of something greater than themselves. This is not the Nigeria of convenience but the Nigeria of conscious, purposeful rebirth, where each soul becomes a living stone in the foundation of a nation that reflects the highest aspirations of humanity.
For a nation like Nigeria, whose roots are steeped in diverse histories and traditions, this rebirth demands a return to the foundational principles that have been ignored in the rush toward modernity. It requires a reinvigoration of the values of unity, peace, and mutual respect that lie beneath the surface of our fractured narratives. But rebirth is not about the restoration of an idealized past; it is about the reinvention of a present that holds promise. This new Nigeria, if it is to truly live, must be crafted with a respect for its diverse heritage, but also with a vision that transcends those differences, uniting all under the banner of a common destiny, a shared dream that is not limited by regional, religious, or ethnic bounds.
The peculiar case of Nigeria reveals a nation with an extraordinary destiny, a land endowed with natural riches, a resilient spirit, and a people whose potential has yet to be fully realized. But this promise can only be fulfilled if we are willing to let go of the Nigeria that has been – if we are brave enough to let that Nigeria die. This death is not a loss but a liberation, an opening up of space for the emergence of a Nigeria born from wisdom, integrity, and a fierce commitment to equity and justice. The new Nigeria will not rise from the ashes of the old by accident; it must be summoned into existence through conscious creation, through the deliberate alignment of every decision, every action, and every vision with the ideal of a nation that transcends itself, that becomes a beacon not just for Africa but for the world.
In this process of death and rebirth, we come to understand that Nigeria is not a passive player in its own destiny. It is not waiting to be saved; it is waiting to be realized. The Nigeria that must emerge is one that each citizen must take part in birthing. This is a sacred task, a mission that is etched into the soul of every Nigerian who dares to dream beyond the limitations of today, who dares to imagine a nation that stands as a testament to what is possible when a people come together with a shared sense of purpose and destiny.
As we stand on the threshold of this national rebirth, it is imperative to recognize that this transformation will not be swift or easy. It is the work of a lifetime, a legacy that will be passed down to future generations. But each step taken, each small act of courage, each moment of integrity will contribute to the rebirth of a Nigeria that reflects the highest aspirations of humanity, a Nigeria that serves as a model for unity, peace, and progress. This is the Nigeria we must now consciously create, not through force or fear, but through the unwavering commitment to a vision that transcends self-interest and embraces the potential of a nation reborn.
In the end, the process of death and rebirth is not just a national phenomenon but a personal one. For Nigeria to be born anew, each of us must also undergo our own rebirth, shedding the old and embracing the possibilities of the new. Only then can we truly be worthy of the Nigeria that is waiting to emerge – a Nigeria that is not just a place on a map but a symbol of hope, strength, and the enduring power of rebirth. And in this cycle, in this eternal process, we find the true essence of Nigeria: a nation that has yet to reach its full potential, a people whose story is still being written, and a destiny that calls to each of us to participate in the conscious creation of a new and lasting legacy.
Abdulrahaman is the Founder/President, Initiative for Discovery of Nigeria Heritage and Endowment (IDNHE).
Project Coordinator, National Policy Dialogue.
www.nationalpolicydialogue.org