Thread by @tjpopie

I really think we need to focus on building national consciousness in every sphere. From schools, especially primary and secondary, to religious groups, media houses, film makers etc. 1/

#EndSARS
#MakeNigeriaWork
#NIGERIAPREVAILS
#EndBadGoveranceInNigeria

As we seek to build political consciousness, we should focus even more on building a national consciousness among the people. A nationally conscious people are more inclined to be politically conscious; 2/

History should be taught, as unbiased as possible, from childhood by teachers, parents, uncles, aunties, etc. Just 10 minutes a day would go a long way. Tell the stories. 3/

Parents, include these in your talks. Don't just do morning devotions with them. Do evening national discussions. Talk about what was good in your time. Talk about what was bad. Tell them what you think is wrong and what could be better... 4/

...Also, listen to their perspectives. You've been looking for ways to bond with them abi? This is one way. Visit historic sites together. Do activities centered around National history and culture together. Constantly remind them they could make the country better. 5/

Schools could have national consciousness days every month where each child is expected to dress like a national hero and come share the story of their hero, or something along those lines. The power of teachers and schools is really underestimated. 6/

Let them know that Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti wasn't just 'the Nigerian first woman to drive a car' but was a great human and women's rights activists who led protests and marches and, also fought for our independence. You have this responsibility. 7/

We could have summer school events and fun camps with excursions and trips. Don't spend all the time with children just teaching Maths and English. Look where that has got us.
Sponsor children whose parents cannot afford to pay for these events. 8/

Universities and other tertiary education centres could include history in their 'General Studies' modules. Make them compulsory courses. Student Union groups should have events surrounding these themes. Have competitions and debates among faculties and departments 9/

Churches, mosques and other religious groups have parts to play. 'National Sundays' shouldn't only be around October 1. Children Sunday school teachers could teach the kids about the country and help them see what God's desire and plan for the land is. 10/

Teach of nation builders like Ezra and Nehemiah. Teach them to pray for their country. Tell them about John Knox's "give me Scotland or I die" prayer. Tell them of his 'one man with God is a majority' motto. Read up. Tell them! 11/

Businesses can include small notes of history lessons in their packages. Include references and links to further reading. Include building national consciousness in your 'Corporate Social Responsibility' plans. Inspire the nation. A prosperous nation means great business 12/

Cartoonists and animation makers could work with storytellers and make these stories come alive in images and sell/share online or, in stores like the Supastrikas of days past. 13/

Filmmakers can recreate and reenact past events. They could show how green the land used to be and how it could be. They can water this parched grounds with the pixels of truth and light they put on screens.
Join book clubs. Start book clubs. Share what you're reading with us 14/

TV stations could have interschool competitions on the history and cultures of the land like the NTA 'Work It Out' and other ones we were always so eager to watch as children. People would sponsor. Just start it. 15/

We all have parts to play, however little it might seem. As we fight to #EndSARS , #EndBadGovernanceinNIGERIA and #MakeNigeriaWork we could look inwards and start to brighten the corners we find ourselves. 16/

I woke up with many thoughts and thought to share these

#EndSARS
#MakeNigeriaWork
#ENDBADGOVERNANCE

17/

*'the first Nigerian woman to drive a car'