Nigeria was born in 1914 when the Southern and the Northern Protectorates were amalgamated by the then Governor General of Nigeria, Lord Fredrick Lugard. The colonial masters knew what was their intention with this machinations but the natives did not had a clue that the amalgamation was to help the colonial masters in the furtherance of the exploit and slavery of the Africans, especially the Nigerian people. Years after years, the agitation for independence reached its crescendo and the colonial masters have no option than to let go of their hook and grip over Nigeria. The smart colonial master did not just vacate the seat of power, they succeeded in setting the country up for imminent destruction because they are part of the first election that produced the first set of leaders and every seed that was sown then grew over time and bore much fruit in our days, making the political class repeating the same blunder of the past. And instead of things getting better, it seems as if we have not make any meaningful progress.
The active members of the society, students and the Nigerian media rose, fought and demanded for self-government and sovereignty. The demand was eventually granted on October 1, 1960 when the British flag was lowered and the Nigerian flag hoisted signaling the beginning of self-rule, self-government and self-determination.
October 1st 1960, the day the declaration for Nigeria independence was made, there were funfair, great joy and celebration, with much anticipated hope that in a short time we shall become the most powerful nation in Africa continent because at 1960, the most educated people in the whole of Africa, the most civilized men and women are from the country of Nigeria and Ghana. The two countries have the best infrastructures and more expectancy, unfortunately for Nigeria the joy, hope and aspirations were short lived. Why, because Nigeria got independence from external colonial masters and now found herself in the hands of internal colonial masters.
The trends continues unabated for so many years and 56 years after, we are struggling to start all over again. Sunny Okosun said which way Nigeria, which way to go?
In the first Republic Nigeria was good. Even in the succeeding administrations, Nigeria fared well and the economy boomed. Nigerians worked with a united mind, putting aside religious, tribal and political affiliations to develop the young but promising nation.
They were all interested in building the young independent nation to grow and become a great and successful nation in the world. There was neither segregation, disunity nor agitation for personal or regional aggrandizement.
All sectors of the economy experienced boom and national life was better for all Nigerians. Agriculture and education were specially given attention since these were observed to be the plank upon which the development of the nation rested.
Educational institutions were far better and products from them were given due recognition unlike what obtains now. Facilities in the institutions were standard and students then were well trained. The agricultural sector was given due attention so as to provide food for the teeming Nigerian populace.
Jobs were available for Nigerians. The competition between the whites and black Africans had given way to a completely black world where friction was no more. Peace reigned and there was food for all. That was the good old days, the post independent years in Nigeria. This good days continues until the days of oil boom, immediately we forgot everything that gave us a good beginning and we abandoned the real elements of nationhood that make us command the attention of all nations of the earth. Sad to say, we are now paying dearly for lack of vision, planning and good leadership in our land.
Instead of long term investments in productive sectors of the economy, Nigerians opted for the easiest and quickest way of making wealth through contracts, commissions, foreign exchange deals, drug trafficking, and oil bunkering, among others.
This is the beginning of the “get- rich- quick- syndrome” that is still affecting the psyche of Nigerians till date.
The impact of the visionlessness and rudderlessness have impacted the nation badly and today, it looks as if we have missed it. Yet in the midst of all these, a people who sit in darkness shall see light, if we are ready to rewrite the story, change the tide and recompose the music.
Malaysia and Singapore was rated badly by UN and World Bank in the mid 1960, and what did the leadership of these countries did? Instead of bemoaning the problems and become perplex with the conditions of their country, they rather chose to prove UN and World Bank wrong. Under the space of 30 years Singapore broke the world record as the first nation that navigate the stormy weather of change within a shortest period in the history of the world. From third world to first world was made possible because they have a visionary, selfless, purpose - driven leaders, and the leaders lead by example. Power of exemplary lifestyle is very vital in taking a nation out of the woods.
Nigeria is at a very critical juncture in our history, since independence we have always be revolving round the same inglorious position, repeating the same error but now we have no option than to rewrite the ugly and unbecoming story, except we do that with proactive measures from the leadership to the least of the citizens, the story will remain the same.
The poorest country today can feed other nations if we cares to do the needful and change the tides. Our 56 birthday should be a time to go back to the drawing board, do check analysis, diagnose Nigeria and come out with the best medication.
No comments:
Post a Comment