GOING ON WITH ONE NIGERIA ? GOWON AT 80, NIGERIA 100 YEARS. Africans dont just give names, for names are a cherished identification of being. In Yoruba land in particular, we say Oruko ni nroni this implies the name one bears is esoteric of ones being, a determinant factor of what one is. The advent of the civil war in Nigeria if its lesson would be learnt, synchronised the bitterness and misery of war along with the value of peace. Nigeria name is derived from part of Gods creation, the Niger river that flows from Futa Jallon Island spanning through the length of northern, middle and emptying its water along its riches to the estuaries of a number of coastal states of Nigeria especially the Niger Delta. For one reason or the other, operation We tie started in the then western Nigeria, pogrom in the north, coup and counter coups and then the civil war, its carnage, misery and woes. To keep Nigeria one became a task that had to be done, Go On With One Nigeria G.O.W.O.N was an amplified signification for the abbreviation name of the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.. The war though was bitter in all ramifications the process for attaining Peace was through the platform of public oriented catchphrase No Victor, No Vanguished akin to the name Victoria Gowon. Of course, reconciliation, rehabilitation were twin process for reintegration of the aggrieved, till date, full integration for the purpose of building a virile indivisible sovereignty seems to allude us as we still germinate in the bitterness of the past tending to conflagarate our nations future even this year of our nations Centenary Anniversary, year 1914_2014. Since to an average mystical student, Nothing is said to be happening by Chance, the story of General Yakubu Gowon may have a slight relationship with that of Nigeria as a nation. Nigerias amalgamation of the North and Southern Protectorates came into being the time the entire world was engulfed in the 1st World War 1914-1918. The amalgamation was and is a process of Unity thus spelling unity for a uniting nation, General Yakubu Gowon and Victoria Zachary got married in 1969 during the civil war and a year after, the war was over, No Victor, No Vanguished.. I hate eulogising personalities but then I noticed great humility in the person of General Dr Yakubu Gowon whom the Son of Man was privileged to have a warm hand shake with in 2006 at the Stamp Launch of Literary and Scientific icon by the Nigerian Postal Service to mark the Pan African Postal Union Day on January 18 of that year. The postage stamps were those of Professors Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe and Abubakar Imam as Literary Icons, while Professors Ayodele Awojobi, Gabriel Oyibo and Dr Phillip Emeagwali were the stock of Nigerias Scientific Icons. He was not only the chairman of the occasion but also spoke glowingly of Wole Soyinka at that day when Dr Laogun Soyinka came to receive a pack of postage stamps on behalf of his father who once was quarantined for writing The Man Died. It was a moment of reflection on proving to us all the song of Bob Marley and the Wailing Wailers asking us humans to learn that Pussy and Dogs they play together, whats wrong with you my brother?. Hmmmm being privileged to be invited to the 80th Birthday of General Dr Yakubu Gowon exposed me to our need to seek for all round Peace as we mark this year the Centenary Anniversary of Nigerias Amalgamation so also as 2015 approaches and our nations Unity as a Sovereignty faces the Litmus test. Beyond what was said of General Dr Yakubu Gowon as a living legend what is very legendary again was the birthday lecture addressed by Dr George C. Fraser, himself a pride and legend to the black race though a generation of once a slave trade. He still prides in his blackness of origin and African ancestor. In seeking us see positivism in our slave trade past he said, :Without yesterdays sorrow you will be incapable of tomorrows joy. May I then ask if the amalgamation of Nigeria, the civil war and a few mishaps continue to be mere a misnomer or boulders on which we be raised to higher heights? Politics is one area of life in Nigeria that seems to be stalling Nigerias progress, many seek power so much to that stage of inordinate ambition. On this Fraser says, Power is for connecting the dots. Commenting further he submits that, I am because we are and because we are, I am .;When you change an individual life we change our world. These are values that need be inculcated if the message of true amalgamation will come into fruition. No one is the message but just that one is just the message. Both the old and young Nigerians are today troubled about the fate and fortune of Nigeria as we fast approach 2015 from a centenary of amalgamation rolling into year of political decision in To Be or Not to Be. Fraser noted, Youth is a gift of nature but age is a work of God he advises in point of leadership from mere rulership , You cannot love our people if you do not serve our people. We need more serving leaders he concluded. Still again the question, Going On With One Nigeria?. Yes, I say, we must and should but then the lesson is Oliver Goldsmiths assertion, You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips. Best Wishes for Peace Profound..
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 08:19:58 +0000
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