The Surge with Boma Lilian Braide on The Southerner Newspaper
Monday, November 24, 2025

Dear Chinua Achebe,

Your immortal words, “Things fall apart; the center cannot hold,” echo louder today than ever before. Although written decades ago, they read like a prophecy, a prediction, a stark warning of the devastation that has befallen us.

We’re trapped in a living nightmare Achebe, a nightmare from which we can’t awaken. Our nation’s life support is failing, and the machines are flatlining. Nigeria, the giant of Africa is dying, and we’re helpless as it crumbles before our eyes. The slow-motion collapse is agonizing, and it’s a pain that’s too much to bear

In one week, we’ve witnessed the abduction of 25 innocent school girls in Kebbi and Niger State. Their dreams, hopes, and futures, hijacked by terrorists’ cruel whims. Their parents, relatives, and friends, living in hell, wondering if they’ll ever see their loved ones again. The pain, anguish, and uncertainty are suffocating. It’s a wound that won’t heal, a scar that won’t fade.

In this same week, when I thought we’ve had it all, the unthinkable happened in Kwara State, a church, a place of solace, raided, leaving blood and tears. The bereaved’s cries still echo, a haunting reminder that nowhere is safe, not even the house of God.

The flames of insurgency spread, consuming everything in their path. Borno burns, Zamfara is under siege, and people live in fear. It feels like evil forces have descended upon us, and we’re powerless to stop them.

We’re losing our heroes, our brave soldiers, our generals, and our officers. They’re falling in the line of duty, giving their lives for a country that’s failing them. Their sacrifice won’t be forgotten, but it’s a stark reminder that no one is safe, no one is spared.

Our institutions are failing us, Achebe. ASUU threatens to strike, and our children’s future hangs in the balance. Doctors are on strike, and the sick are suffering.

Nnamdi Kanu’s life-imprisonment sentence sparks outrage and anger while Bandits and Terrorist negotiates openly with our leaders.
And I’m here wondering, Is this justice? Is this the Nigeria we want?

We’re consumed by internal wrangling, party squabbles, and distractions. Our leaders are more concerned with power struggles than our nation’s crumbling state. The PDP, Labour Party, SDP, and other political formations are embroiled in crises, deliberately orchestrated. It seems to distract us from real issues.

Achebe, you once chronicled the disintegration of Igbo society, the loss of cultural values, and the impact of colonialism. Today, we’re facing a similar crisis, but this time, it’s self-inflicted. We’re our own colonizers, our own oppressors, our own destroyers and selfishness eat away at our core.

*Achebe’s Warning, our Responsibility:*

Achebe warned of collapse when the centre cannot hold. That warning is now our reality. But prophecy is not destiny. We can rebuild, revive and redeem Nigeria if we unite beyond tribe, religion and party.

A CALL TO ACTION!

Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu(GCFR) the gloves are off! The world watches as Nigeria burns. The US Congress holds hearings on killings and insecurity, while NASS which should be more concerned is eerily quiet, distant and unbothered. It’s time to act!

Deploy surveillance cameras, drones, and resources to track terrorists and kidnappers. Tighten security and bring our people home.

To NASS:
Where’s the outrage?
Why is there no public hearing organized by NASS?
Why is the US Congress asking the questions you should be asking?
Why are you all not demanding action and holding the executive accountable?
Break your silence! Represent the people who elected you. The time to act is now!

To my fellow Nigerians: LET US RISE UP AND DEMAND ACTION. Call representatives, flood social media, and make our voices heard. WE WILL NOT BE IGNORED!

We can rebuild, revive, and redeem ourselves. Let’s unite, put aside differences, tribal affiliations, religious differences and personal interests and save our nation. We can no longer afford to be spectators, watching as our nation burns. We must be the change we seek. We must rise up, and save the soul of our dear nation.

Let us fight for a Nigeria where our children can grow up in peace, where our women can walk freely, and where our men can walk with dignity. Let us fight for a Nigeria where justice is served, where corruption is a thing of the past, and where our institutions work for the people.

The road ahead will be long and arduous, but we must not falter. We must press on, fueled by our collective anger, our determination, and our hope for a better future. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our nation to act now.

Nigeria, our beloved country is bleeding. The wounds are deep, but we can heal them. We can rise above this darkness, and we can shine brighter than ever before. But it requires a collective effort. Let us unite, let us rise, and let us fight for a better Nigeria.

The time to act is now before “there was a country” becomes our epitaph.