I guess I’m going to bring up a subject
many of you might and might not think about. It bothers me a lot, regarding
Nigeria. Where we are right now and where we are going?
You see I have this belief that without
sorting out our past, the future is one long difficult journey. Why did we upon
obtaining our independence decide to continue along the same path the
colonialists set before us? From what I have gathered in my small research and
reading we never really were rid of the British even after the iconic lowering
of the Union jack and the raising of our own symbolic national colours. They
stayed on as advisers and some were even present on the executive cabinet. Yes,
it was a transition not a booting out but where did we agree that their way was
the best way in solving our peculiar situation.
I’m not quite sure our leaders in those
days were ignorant of the diverse tribes and multiple tongues spoken by the
population of its earmarked geographical area but they still went ahead with
the whole independence idea.
Over 50 years after, one civil war and with
a continuously depreciating standard of education coupled with no clear
direction as regards national integration besides the NYSC scheme, you wonder
how we’ve managed to stay as one Country for so long.
When I look around at reference points or
similar situations such as ours (there aren’t many) I notice a constant process
of dialogue and reforms which unfortunately has hardly been present at our end
hence we’re left with borrowed laws and institutions that are governed by tired
and lazy administrators along with corrupt politicians who have no strand of
patriotism in them.
What am I even saying? I’m not even sure
anyone knows exactly what they’re being patriotic about these days. I always thought we would find a way to
develop a spin on the ‘Nigerian first- tribe second’ idea but alas my over-
positivity was just that; Positivity.
To be quite honest this question came to me
while I watched our Golden Eaglets coast home to win the World U-17 championship
just yesterday, I kept trying to understand how those moments of sheer ecstasy
could be much more prolonged, in terms of pulling us together for progress.
Elder statesmen and politicians have often used the glories of sports to ride
on our emotions, making huge investments in local clubs or national sides to
ensure they won tournaments or simply exceeded expectations but like all other
intentions and aims we as a country have ventured into for over 50 decades,
they all seem to be short term ploys and decisions.
Maybe it’s because the long term decisions
arise from really difficult questions. Questions which a lot of us have been
unable to answer, such a situation wouldn’t bode well for our collective good;
being unable to intentionally sit down and answer the difficult questions right
in front of us.
Power sharing, True Federalism, State
Police, Multiple Party systems or 2 party systems, Mode of representation, etc.
The list is endless and half a century after claiming we are fit to rule
ourselves we still have few long standing questions, just managed conjectures.
I am in no way calling for the secession of
states or disbandment of the current geographical entity called Nigeria. Far
from it, I’m simply wondering if we truly realise that we’re following a path
that was not determined by ourselves collectively. I doubt we fully realise the
fundamental importance of this key aspect of our history because if we really
did we wouldn’t treat it so lightly despite our brave claims to patriotism and
national pride.
I don’t know about the rest of you guys but
I can’t pretend, it has never been one of my outstanding traits. So when I hear
“Up Naija!” I’m always slightly confused. With all due respect to our heroes
past I really want answers, answers that will make me feel less subjugated.
Whenever I see my national football team
file out against another nation I want to be proud of not only their exploits
on the field but also of my country’s origins in History.
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