By Martin Odiete, Abuja

A Nigerian author, Taiwo Mise has said that the task of building the Nation and making it a better place is the collective responsibility of all Nigerians and not that of Government officials alone.

Taiwo Mise, a Foreign Service Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this to news men during the launch of the book in Abuja on Wednesday. She noted that she was inspired to write the book with the sole purpose to bringing change to Nigeria and to show the need for young Nigerians to treat her like it is really theirs.

She lamented that people do not really believe in Nigeria as was her case before she left the country and so maintained that it is so important for someone to ignite hope in young Nigerians to know that they can achieve their dreams as Nigerians.

Speaking, “I left for Morocco at age 17 and kept a journal as I was determined to document my experience and was fascinated by the infrastructure and everything in Morocco and I wanted a replica in Nigeria.

“I was convinced that many young Nigerians like me needed to know about life outside Nigeria and my journal made me realise that we needed to love Nigeria more and treat the country the way we will treat anything valuable to us”, she recalled.

She said that the responsibility to fix Nigeria is not for the government alone, but a collective responsibility of every citizen.

“I hope the book inspires you to believe in yourself first that you can be anything you want to be irrespective of your challenges. I hope it reminds you that we all have individual and collective responsibility to do right by Nigeria”, she ended.

The launch of the book “A Walk in the Desert: The Diary of a Nigerian Scholar in Morocco and a Call to Building the Nigeria of Our Dream”, attracted top dignitaries from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by the Minister, Geoffery Onyeama, Retired Ambassadors, Captains of Industries and Senior Government Officials.

And while addressing the gathering, the Minister showered encomium on Taiwo stressing that it takes a special kind of confidence to write a book. Expressing his delight he said he was fascinated listening to Taiwo Mise describe how she coped in Morocco and walked in the desert with faith in her heart and a lot of courage. He said Taiwo is a special talent adding that the title of the book captures the challenges we all face as individuals as we are all walking in our own deserts alone.

“When you share your experience you teach and inspire other people and I felt inspired listening to her experience”, he stated.
“I have no doubt that Taiwo will walk out of that desert into an oasis and all the very best that this world has to offer”, the Minister said and assured her of his support and that of the Government.

Ambassador Ozo Nwobu, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Mozambique and former Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who reviewed the book with a sence of indebt working relationship with Taiwo said the book has 12 chapters and 175 pages. “Mise is listed in the Library of Congress as an author”, he recalled.

He revealed that Taiwo student life in Morocco was not all about school and academic work but she took time to socialize and expose herself sufficiently to the Moroccan culture. The food, the culture, architecture and advanced state of their infrastructure is in sharp contrast with what is obtainable in Nigeria.

“The book called for a better Nigeria as she refused to fall into one of those who sees no future in Nigeria. She is working hard to better the country and is contributing to nation building.

“Mise believes in the soft power of the Nigeria creative industry and a strong advocate of the common Nigeria identity.
“She is a patriot whose destiny has changed her life, and I have no doubt that this work will someday be incorporated into the full edition of her autobiography when she’s ready for that.
“It will certainly be a delight to read. I strongly recommend the book, it is easy and readable”, he said.