NIGERIA @ 60 CHALLENGES ON SNAIL JOURNEY
Nigeria at 60
EDITORIAL
October 1st 2020 marks Nigeria’s 60th anniversary as an independent nation. History avails that on this day, the Union Jack bowed out for the Nigerian Flag. This signified freedom not only for colonial highhandedness, but also the socio-economic and political spheres of our human existence, as a sovereign nation. In other words, it was a day that gave us destiny in our own hands; to conceive, consummate and consolidate governance and social contracts.
Within these 60 years, Nigeria like most African countries had her share of military rascality through truncation of the First, Second and Third Republics respectively. The military ruled from 1966 to 1979 and 1983 to 1999. Nigeria witnessed the first coup in 1966 through the massacre of northern political elites like Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Sir Ahmadu Bello. This resulted to juntas of General Gawon, (1966-1975), General Obasanjo (1976-1979) General Buhari (1983-1985), General Babangida (1985-1993), General Abacha (1993-1998) and General Abubakar (1998-1999). The military truncated Nigeria’s democracy for about 32 years.
When the country eventually returned to civilian rule in the fourth Republic the military through General Obasanjo (now retired) ruled from 1999 -2007 and the current PMB who has been in the Aso Villa since 2015. These two had their shots in the same villa in khaki, but destiny has permitted same in mufti. What this means is like the saying goes “once a soldier, always a soldier.” The military mentality hardly gives way to civility. Here we are again. Out of the 20 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria, the ex-generals have a share of 13 years and counting.
We have recorded our gains and setbacks as a nation. Primarily, we can say we are not where we were just as we are not where we ought to be in the comity of nations. Some scholars on Nigerian History argued that the roadmap for a democratic nation has been jettisoned by successive administration. Some other Historians are of the view that divisive variables have been extoled above unity of purpose we signed for in Nigeria’s amalgamation of 1914. Thus till date, some section of the country is advancing course for secession. Nepotism, tribalism, clannishness and religious bigotry are some of the issues cascading Nigeria at 60.
Worst still, other issues like unemployment, corruption and restiveness have geared up insecurity in the country. At 60, every region of the country has its share of criminality. Insurgency, herders/farmers impasse, banditry and kidnapping are some of the crimes perpetuated in the northern divide of Nigeria. In southern Nigeria, there is the case of Niger Delta militants on the quest for resource control. The easterners are still mindful that “there was a country.” The westerners are plagued with issues of “area boys and godfather rascality.” In all these, there seems to be anarchy in the air.
Infrastructure wise, Nigerians enjoyed public amenities in the past, through the instrumentality of quality healthcare, good rail/road networks, original goods produced locally or imported. At 60, most people have traded conscience with due process. Our leaders have failed just as the followership in “putting culpability where culpability belongs.” No one takes responsibility for failure because no one asks questions. The media, the eye of the society has been compromised by sponsors to “change the stories.”
The major difference between then and now is that, there was honesty. Now, sycophancy has taken the place of truthful and fair criticism. No one in government wants to hear about their negative parts or failures. Everyone goes viral with falsehood in place of good governance, the rest is history. It is right to state that we have made considerable progress as a nation, but we are certainly not near where we should be.
For these 60 years, the country has raised individuals who are richer than some states. Personal interest has replaced patriotism. Most people mandated to control the resources of this country feel the sovereign wealth accrues from the “estate of their personal dynasty.” The public is presented with good policy documents, but what goes behind the scenes is not in the interest of nation building. The situation has placed us to a corner where you never know who is telling the truth and who is lying.
In truth, no nation progresses without the sacrifice, zeal and doggedness of patriots. The people who fought for an independent Nigeria never bargain for failure 60 years after. They wanted peace and unity of the nation; they wanted transformation through unprecedented development. It was not a struggle to divert public treasury to personal accounts. It was to enhance our unity in diversity. It was the idea that it should be “Nigeria first” in our dealings with fellow Nigerians and not the basis of tribal or religious alliances.
Our “heroes past” labored for peace and unity of this country. We all recited at one point or the other that:
…the labour of our heroes past
shall never be in vain
to serve with hearts and minds
one nation bound in freedom
Peace and unity.
Let us reflect on the National Anthem and the National Pledge to prick our consciousness. This way, we can better appreciate the country Nigeria as “Our Own.” The leaders and the followers are “guilty as charged.”
One of the greatest teachers of all times, Socrates says “An unexamined life is not worth living.”
