IS NIGERIA WORTH DYING FOR? I smoke in my room last night; yes I did. I smoke out thoughts of disbelieve, resentment and sentiments about Nigeria. I was up and awake. I saw 30th of September as it passed through the night till the arrival of a brand new day, in the starry freshness of the morning dim light. I choose not to blink my eyes for sleep. Yes I was smoking. I was drilling with my thoughts through the times and ages Nigeria has passed through. I was awake as many Nigerians were on the 30th of September, 1960. Indeed it dawned on me that our dear country has a long way to go. Not so long, I called out in rhetoric: “is Nigeria worth dying for? Indeed, Nigeria is still on the highway to Nationhood. We have a long way to go in galvanizing the multiple ethnic divisions into one body, not to be divided by thoughts and prospects of our people. Last night, I cast my mind at the sweet sermons told to us by our leaders who were fortunate enough to lick the fresh milk from the tender breast of young Mother Nigeria. They told us how they had access to free education. They told us how they were given meals tickets and treated as crèches while in college. It is however appalling that these few fantasies which our fathers enjoyed have been waded off existence. Behold a country which does not love its people. A country whose sleeves have been shattered, so rough that it can no longer sheath the skins of its people; cold and shiver congeal everyone. We are in an unpredictable generation. A generation which has nothing for its people save regret and nostalgia. A nation which its’ people cannot tell their future. They told us endless stories about tomorrow which never comes. Our leaders betray us. In the early days of Nigeria, they were pleaded with to go to school. These days, our parents and teachers, those we behold as role models, push us out of the school gates in pursuit of their self interests. I asked myself, if it was in the early days of Independence, do you think ASUU will lock up the school gates? I doubt if they will. Even if at all they do, there would be a government, so keen and kind to hear them. Last night was sweet, though saggy for me. My thoughts sagged into the realities of Nigeria’s experience today. Our leaders are heartless. They care less for the fortunes of their people. I went to visit the member representing my constituency in the state House of Assembly. He knew my mission for the visit so he denied me assess to him. I was actually going to interview him about the tardy rate of education development in my constituency. He wasn’t reachable. I sent him a text: “...It may not be good for me to go to press without hearing from you as the constituency representative except you wish otherwise...”; immediately he replied: “I am in UK”. You see? Must our leaders hear the voice of force and threats? Yes they often do. That is why sometimes I don’t seem to blame ASUU so much. They are protesting a perceived positive course. They put pressure on the government. They cast spell on the political leaders for been insensitive to the course of education. They believe they are fighting for Nigeria. The military stand on the boarders to shield its territorial integrity; others stand on the hills, mountains, rivers and in the air to guide the land and space Nigeria. They die in droves each time they are been attacked by terrorists. The police face same fate. They sacrifice their precious talents and lives for the peace and unity of this country. Do we talk about the teachers? They strain their voice and nerves to pass the precious virtues which they have in their brains. They engage in endless research to update their knowledge all for the sake of Nigerian education. How about the children? They are found everyday sprinting on the streets to serve our peopled country. They hawk to sell and save; to eat and live in peace. The civil servants are to be more pitied. They cultivate their concerns to serve the country which pays them some farthing for survival. They have a lot to lose and so little to gain; yet they keep serving. Is Nigeria worth dying for? Well your guess is as good as mine. But then, I have this poem which I dedicate for the day. I tag it The Poem of the Day: Others may forget but never will I The Green Flag of Victory which flies so high Its FREEDOM and JUBILEE for you and I To plough, to reap, to eat and Dine HAPPY INDEPENDENCE! EMMANUEL SHEBBS
Posted on: Tue, 01 Oct 2013 07:39:13 +0000
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