NIGERIA:
A NATION OF CRISIS?
At the dawn of Independent Nigeria in 1960, there was high hopes for a cemented mutual- coexistence of the inhabitants- indigenes and residents of the former British colony. In the voices of independence activists, we had enough of imperialism meted by colonial highhandedness. For onlookers, it was goodbye to psychological, economic and social slavery.
However, events resulting to impasse would usher in the coups and counter coups; very bloody and vicious massacres (1965-1966). Mistrust, betrayal, nepotism, clannishness, hunger for power and impunity set in. The consequence would be the civil war between 1967 and 1970 which resulted to the death of millions on mostly the easterners (Igbo) divide of the war. Worse still, this would be the sown seed of discord and acrimony. The unity and diversity fashioned by the amalgamation of 1914 threatened.
The successive military regimes heralding a democratic regime in1979 would not help douse the tension in the land. This was chiefly a period that ushered in corruption and military rascality, which made a cabal of capitalists and feudal lords, who “personified” the common wealth. These military rascals who have tested power and the benefits thereof would bow to pressure to introduce the first civilian dispensation. This was rather a breaker, as the Khaki boys pushed aside the Shehu Shagari led democratic dispensation.
On and on, we are into the fourth republic where democratic governance has taken deep roots; more than twenty years of democratic adventure is no longer nascent. This has so far ushered in four (4) civilians (although two of them former army generals and Heads of State) presided over the affairs of the nation, below expectations.
One commonest misdeed of this democratic dispensation is a return to the “bad old days,” the struggle for identity; the question of “Nigeria is ours more than it is theirs.” This is prompted by the abuse or misuse of power, which breeds bad governance. Bad for us, one of the bye-products of bad governance is insecurity. Lives and properties of residents of Nigeria are no longer safe.
Inter and intra tribal/clan conflicts have dominated the stage where the centre can no longer hold as predicted in “The Second Coming” a poem by W. B Yeasts.
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart;
The centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.
Terrorism, banditry, communal clashes, and countless other forms of criminality have taken the centre stage. Drawing recruits from the unemployment pool, there are too many militants and mercenaries, sponsored by bad politicians on the loose and the country is no longer safe. One death alone is too many but our communities have suddenly become theatres of war. From north, south, east and west the story is the same. It is no longer news that the fall of regimes in the middle- east have generated in the large scale- proliferation of small and light scale weapons. The weaponry is accessed by the politicians and criminal elements for power usurpation. These weapons are never returned to the armoury; they are kept at the disposal of the criminals who use same to unleash terror on the unsuspecting populace.
The growth and development of the militia industry should be a worry to right thinking people. If this is not contained the boat will soon capsize. And, when the boat capsizes, no one will escape the torment of wide creatures in the sea.
Nigeria is the only country we have in this world. All people of good conscience but unite against criminality. Peace is sacrosanct and can be achieved by all means necessary. When you think it does not bother you, be wise, it will not be long before criminality stares at you. It does not matter if you are enjoying some level of immunity now. Karma is real!
