NIGERIA @ 54: WORTH CELEBRATING? Today, I summon every mind that cares to join me in embarking on this journey; where well know our pasts, see our decisive and political blips; and as well have insights to what can expunge those cankerworms truncating the source of our national happiness and objectives. If youre ready, kindly fasten your seat-belt and lets start the journey as I deliver my gospel unto thee. Fellow Nigerians, I am very happy that were celebrating today October 1st just like weve been doing since 54 years ago, when our great nation; NIGERIA attained independence from her British colonial ruler. Also, it is this same year that our Nigeria clocked 100 years since its inception in 1914. Of course, we have reasons to rejoice. that our country of over 170 million people, is undoubtedly the giant of Africa; having nearly 1/5 of the population of the whole continent; and being an indivisible home to over 300 ethnic and cultural groups despite the current insecurity problems facing it. Against all odds, Nigeria still remain a single country under the same leader. I know fully well that my zeal for candour and expressions today wont go down well with some individuals who wouldnt want the truth to be made known. In times like this, truth should be the sermon for every Nigerians. Truth creates absolute freedom. It frees the mind and inspires the soul to think for the better. For this, Ive been spurred on by the counsel of George Orwell who in honour of truth stated that, in a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act As a student of History, facts are very important to me. It is the missing link that helps to connect the dots between the visible and the hidden; and between the general and the specific. Fact or truth is the evidence that never cease to exist even when ignored for thousand years. Nothing serves a better guide than history. George Santayana said and I quote those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Therefore, I am compelled to tread the path of history in this our 54th Independence Celebration. The Political trajectory of Nigeria much like her entire history is checkered. If you trace back the political history of our country since independence in 1960 and you will better understand the horror of our faulty political foundation. The first democratic government ushered in an independent Nigeria but was cut short by a coup in 1966, a counter-coup in 1967, civil war from 1967 to 1970, military rule from 1970 at the end of the war until another coup in 1975, another unsuccessful coup in 1976 the then Head of State was murdered, continued rule of the military until 1979 when a successful political transition ushered in the Second Republic but it became a democratic process that did not leave a good mark on governance until it was cut short again in 1983 by yet another military coup but the discipline instilling but draconian regime was itself sent packing in 1985 through yet another coup. The succeeding regime ruled from 1985 until 1993. The hallmark of that regime was procrastinated conduct of a transition to democracy. When it finally, reluctantly started the transition process, it regrettably went ahead to thwart the political rights of citizens who had elected a democratic President by annulling the elections. I wonder if weve forgiven or can ever forget that regime despite responding to the public disturbance and agitation by installing an Interim National Government which was cut short only three months by another military intervention. The regime that followed was more heinous than ever-imagined by any Nigerian but thanks to divine providence that cut it short in 1998. A new season came but it was yet one with the military still in the saddle. That regime however surprised skeptics when it successfully conducted a transition that ushered in democratic governance in 1999 ending the long sixteen years of militarization of governance that materially defines the psyche of government in Nigeria. Thus, from 1960 to 1999- the military governed us for twenty-nine years while two flashes of pseudo democracy had a little more than ten years in all. Comparing the six years of 1960-1966 and even the shorter four and a half years of 1979-1983, the period of 1999 to date under democratic rule has been the longest ever season of such political system in Nigeria. Readers, hope youre not tired of this journey Im taking you? [Smiles]; take a rest and lets continue! Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil exporter, and the world’s 10th largest oil producer, accounting for more than 2.2 million barrels a day in 2011, inspite of this, our dear nation is yet to take its rightful place in the comity of nations since its fifteen years of democratic journey. The quality of the military/political elite and the depth of undemocratic culture, practices and nuances have worked to produce very disappointing output for the citizenry. Many of the features of military regimes like corruption, electoral malpractices, rigging, bribery, bad leadership,immorality, lack of respect for the rule of law, incompetence, non-tolerance to criticism, dictatorship, violation of Human Rights etc are still very apparent in our civilian but not democratic rule. These things remain impediments to our aspirations and goals. You can imagine Nigeria at 54 yet still complaining of bad roads, electricity failure, unemployments; and holding National Conference to determine whether it is a worthy union for everyone. Was it also not only a few years ago in 2006 that the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted such? Who were the people that discussed at that time and what did they resolve then and even now? Why is it that at fifty-four years, we never went beyond the amalgamation process to becoming a Country and subsequently transforming into a Nation? What are we even celebrating when our daughters, children are in the hands of their abductors? At 54 years, we ought to have built upon a solid foundation, learn from from India and other countries in similar situations like ours. By this, we would be far advanced from where we presently are. It is sad enough that we have not built well upon the foundation set by our nations founders. Sadder still is that those who currently lead us have even weakened and corrupted that once-sound, hopeful foundation. Our failure to immediately use the early days of independence to commence the nation building process is what I consider the biggest missed opportunity in the history of Nigeria. Our abundance of oil, people and geography should have worked favorably and placed us on the top echelons of the global economic ladder by now; but mismanagement and leadership weakness keeps pulling us backward. Corruption and spendings on frivolities reigns. The present Jonathans administration is a perfect example of what Im saying. As they are celebrating independence today, let our political leaders know that it is now time to pay that utmost sacrifice of leadership- lay down their personal gains for the good of the people they wish to lead. Leadership is not the office, the title, the authority, the mansion one occupies. Leadership is the ability to inspire,direct,motivate and encourage others positively to a successful end. What our nation demands of you all whether youre in PDP, APC or whatsoever political party you belong in the land today, is that you must immediately “transcend”, mobilize and use this opportunity to immediately unite and decisively take our country back from terrorists and other shackles holding it down. Again, as part of the obstacles to our greatness, since older generations have failed, I beseech all the youths of our land to wake up, to unite, fight and make sure they defeat before 2015. If the country divides, whats the essence of our quietude and patience all these while? That tomorrow were its leaders is now. We, the young people of Nigeria that takes over 50% of the population- educated or not should stand to path ways with this failure. Also, let our government return values for handwork; Reward creativity; reward bad behaviours from rich and big offenders with similar punishment with the commoners; Revamping of our oath of office; Employment and jobs opportunities should be made a long and mid-term top priority plan of the both the federal and state governments; Promote women empowerment programmes; et.c. Above all, good governance must eschew corruption and terrorism. Let those who are to hold public offices be screened of possessing of- character, commitment, competency and capacity. To all Nigerians, if youre not part of the solutions to the present situations in this country, then youre definately part of the problems. Thus, our independence celebration should be for rejigs and not for promoting rubbish. Readers, thanks for coming this far with me, we shall have cause to celebrate a better and worthy Independence Day soon, where citizens are all contented with the state of the nation. God Bless Nigeria! Happy New Month
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 09:50:59 +0000
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