WHICH WAY NIGERIA AT 60, AS WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE?
October 1, 2020 | News
Looking at the journey so far since Nigeria got independence, and to do justice to such subject matter, will be like writing an encyclopedia with many lengthy paragraphs and pages.
WHICH WAY NIGERIA AT 60, AS WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE?
Looking at the journey so far since Nigeria got independence, and to do justice to such subject matter, will be like writing an encyclopedia with many lengthy paragraphs and pages. But in other to be precise, many of us older ones, and the well-learned younger generation of Nigeria’s history, are quite familiar with the fact that the crusade for Nigeria’s Independence, spear-headed mostly by educated Nigerians, was not an easy one. This agitation came to a hilt with Chief Anthony Enahoro’s motion for independence on the floor of the then Federal House of Parliament in 1957. And according to Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa at Independence Day on Saturday October 1,1960; “Today is Independence Day. The 1st of October, 1960. A date to which, for two years, Nigeria has been eagerly looking forward to. At last, our great day has arrived, and Nigeria is now indeed an independent Sovereign Nation.”
Then the British Union Jack was lowered for Nigeria’s symbol of self-rule as the country’s Green-White-Green flag was hoisted by Gen. David Ejoor. For certain, there was a “sense of pride and patriotism for being a Nigerian back then”. We also recall the July 1961 U.S. first official visit of Nigeria’s First Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who was invited back then by John F. Kennedy and one could not help but notice how NIGERIANS WERE WELL RESPECTED and received then. In fact, there is need for us to take a look at the video on YouTube via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT5m9Fn9RBg, to really understand what we are talking about here. Nigeria was well respected by the International Community back then. The video not only took us on an exciting time-travel to the 1960s when the enormous hopes invested in Nigeria by the world caused it to be deeply respected everywhere; it also took us on an excursion journey into the minds and characters of some of our immediate post-Independence leaders and the lofty dreams and aspirations they had for Nigeria.
Between July 25 and July 28, 1961, the late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and his modest entourage of about 10 key Government Officials (in contrast to the unwieldy heard of indolent hangers-on that accompany Nigerian Presidents on foreign visits these days) visited the United States at the invitation of the late President John F. Kennedy (as a Special Guest in Washington DC), during which Tafawa Balewa visited major historical landmarks in representative parts of the United States and “addressed a special Joint Session of the United States Congress” that was convened in his honor.
Only a select few are accorded the honor of addressing a Joint Session of the United States Congress. Certainly, no Nigerian Head of State has been accorded this honor since Tafawa Balewa, as far as we are aware. According to the website of the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, since 1874 when the King of Hawaii first addressed a Joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, there have been only 112 such privileges granted to foreign leaders and dignitaries. Tafawa Balewa’s powerfully delivered speech to the Joint Session was punctuated many times by loud, sustained standing ovations. That is not a regular occurrence, either. And in all the cities he and his entourage visited, which included New York, exultant crowds of Americans came out to wave at them hospitably, and U.S. Government Officials bowed reverently when they shook hands with the then Nigerian Prime Minister. SUCH WAS THE DEPTH OF RESPECT NIGERIA INSPIRED IN 1960S IN AMERICA. Back then, neighboring countries like Ghana and its citizens were trooping to Nigeria for ‘greener pastures’. But today, young Nigerians are the ones trooping out in droves to Ghana, South-Africa, Libya, Botswana, Kenya, Angola, etc. Indeed, our post-Independence generation, the military era and now the new civilian generation have ruined the entire country.
Fast forward to today, Nigeria at 60 on October 1st, 2020, the Dreams of our Nigerian Founding Fathers have all been crushed. Where is Nigeria now? What happened to us? The close to two decades of Military dictatorship, plus the advent of Civilian administration since 1999, have left a Nigerian populace that is more disappointed with its political leaders than before. Nigeria is 60 currently, but all we see around us as Nigerians, is the rising hunger, hardship and poverty, high-profile corruption at all levels with reckless abandon and impunity; increasing insecurity flamed by our political leaders and threatening the unity of the nation; every sector replete with dysfunctional attributes that make them serve only the interest of the political class to the detriment of the common man, and the list is endless.
Sadly, with everything that is currently happening in the country, which have been shaking and threatening its unity, it is even more worrisome to note that our political leaders at all levels are going about their often ‘self-centered-driven agendas’ – like people who have not learnt, and are not willing to learn from the mistakes of the past, which have brought us to where we are today. Even with the glaring reality that, for some couple of years now, it is becoming more evident that the “majority of Nigerians no longer believe in the structural arrangement of the country and the way things are going”, the custodians of our collective wealth and resources are trotting about as if ‘all is well’, when in fact it is not.
One would have thought that, after 21 years of Nigeria’s supposed Democratic rule, which ordinarily should have greatly improved the living standards and wellbeing of the Nigerian common masses that went through hell under the hands of the Military; it is however sad to see how Nigerian Politicians have not only pauperized its citizenry, but have also widened the gap between the rich and the poor, the governed and the government, the haves and the have nots. This leaves one to conclude that indeed, ALL OF THE EXPECTATIONS, HIGH HOPES, ASPIRATIONS, AND PROMISES OF A BETTER NIGERIA BY OUR FOUNDING FATHERS THAT STRUGGLED FOR OUR INDEPENDENCE; HAVE ALL BEEN DASHED AND DRAGGED ON THE MUD BY THE ACTIONS, INACTIONS, DECISIONS AND INDECISIONS AND SELF-SERVING TENDENCIES/ATTRIBUTES OF THE COUNTRY’S POLITICAL LEADERS AT ALL LEVELS OVER THE LAST SIX DECADES.
The saddest part in all of this is the fact that, the ‘same crop of political leaders’ that are “wolves in sheep’s clothing” have continued to recycle themselves within the system to remain relevant in the scheme of things, and to continue to hold on to political power and influence. That is why, already, they have started gearing up for 2023 general elections as to which region would produce the next President; to continue the ‘vicious circle’ of bad governance, abdication of statutory duties, self-perpetuating high-level corruption, gross unaccountability to the public, gross abuse of the rule of law with impunity, and so on.
While we honestly believe and pray that God will ‘divinely’ turn things around in the interest of the common masses of Nigeria, let Nigerians themselves also start (and continue to support those already) doing things differently by: stop praising political leaders at all levels for doing ‘nothing’; demand for more accountability from our political leaders; realize that the future fate of the nation is in our hands, hence, we all have our parts to play for a better Nigeria.
However, like I often admonish, let us continue praying that our “present crop of political leaders” at all levels of government, will have a change of heart, adjust their ways, by learning from the past mistakes, and the examples from other developed countries’ governments across the world, on the way forward for Nigeria. We can make our democracy work if, and only if we allow the principles that guide it, to work in the Nigerian system. The voice of the people is the voice of God. It is time for “people-oriented goals” to be genuinely and holistically pursued/implemented with disregard to all other selfish interests, sentiments, and political affiliations. AS WE WISH NIGERIA A HAPPY 60TH INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION, LET US ALL STRIVE TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS.
Zik Gbemre.
October 1, 2020.
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
Looking at the journey so far since Nigeria got independence, and to do justice to such subject matter, will be like writing an encyclopedia with many lengthy paragraphs and pages. But in other to be precise, many of us older ones, and the well-learned younger generation of Nigeria’s history, are quite familiar with the fact that the crusade for Nigeria’s Independence, spear-headed mostly by educated Nigerians, was not an easy one. This agitation came to a hilt with Chief Anthony Enahoro’s motion for independence on the floor of the then Federal House of Parliament in 1957. And according to Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa at Independence Day on Saturday October 1,1960; “Today is Independence Day. The 1st of October, 1960. A date to which, for two years, Nigeria has been eagerly looking forward to. At last, our great day has arrived, and Nigeria is now indeed an independent Sovereign Nation.”
Then the British Union Jack was lowered for Nigeria’s symbol of self-rule as the country’s Green-White-Green flag was hoisted by Gen. David Ejoor. For certain, there was a “sense of pride and patriotism for being a Nigerian back then”. We also recall the July 1961 U.S. first official visit of Nigeria’s First Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who was invited back then by John F. Kennedy and one could not help but notice how NIGERIANS WERE WELL RESPECTED and received then. In fact, there is need for us to take a look at the video on YouTube via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT5m9Fn9RBg, to really understand what we are talking about here. Nigeria was well respected by the International Community back then. The video not only took us on an exciting time-travel to the 1960s when the enormous hopes invested in Nigeria by the world caused it to be deeply respected everywhere; it also took us on an excursion journey into the minds and characters of some of our immediate post-Independence leaders and the lofty dreams and aspirations they had for Nigeria.
Between July 25 and July 28, 1961, the late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and his modest entourage of about 10 key Government Officials (in contrast to the unwieldy heard of indolent hangers-on that accompany Nigerian Presidents on foreign visits these days) visited the United States at the invitation of the late President John F. Kennedy (as a Special Guest in Washington DC), during which Tafawa Balewa visited major historical landmarks in representative parts of the United States and “addressed a special Joint Session of the United States Congress” that was convened in his honor.
Only a select few are accorded the honor of addressing a Joint Session of the United States Congress. Certainly, no Nigerian Head of State has been accorded this honor since Tafawa Balewa, as far as we are aware. According to the website of the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, since 1874 when the King of Hawaii first addressed a Joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, there have been only 112 such privileges granted to foreign leaders and dignitaries. Tafawa Balewa’s powerfully delivered speech to the Joint Session was punctuated many times by loud, sustained standing ovations. That is not a regular occurrence, either. And in all the cities he and his entourage visited, which included New York, exultant crowds of Americans came out to wave at them hospitably, and U.S. Government Officials bowed reverently when they shook hands with the then Nigerian Prime Minister. SUCH WAS THE DEPTH OF RESPECT NIGERIA INSPIRED IN 1960S IN AMERICA. Back then, neighboring countries like Ghana and its citizens were trooping to Nigeria for ‘greener pastures’. But today, young Nigerians are the ones trooping out in droves to Ghana, South-Africa, Libya, Botswana, Kenya, Angola, etc. Indeed, our post-Independence generation, the military era and now the new civilian generation have ruined the entire country.
Fast forward to today, Nigeria at 60 on October 1st, 2020, the Dreams of our Nigerian Founding Fathers have all been crushed. Where is Nigeria now? What happened to us? The close to two decades of Military dictatorship, plus the advent of Civilian administration since 1999, have left a Nigerian populace that is more disappointed with its political leaders than before. Nigeria is 60 currently, but all we see around us as Nigerians, is the rising hunger, hardship and poverty, high-profile corruption at all levels with reckless abandon and impunity; increasing insecurity flamed by our political leaders and threatening the unity of the nation; every sector replete with dysfunctional attributes that make them serve only the interest of the political class to the detriment of the common man, and the list is endless.
Sadly, with everything that is currently happening in the country, which have been shaking and threatening its unity, it is even more worrisome to note that our political leaders at all levels are going about their often ‘self-centered-driven agendas’ – like people who have not learnt, and are not willing to learn from the mistakes of the past, which have brought us to where we are today. Even with the glaring reality that, for some couple of years now, it is becoming more evident that the “majority of Nigerians no longer believe in the structural arrangement of the country and the way things are going”, the custodians of our collective wealth and resources are trotting about as if ‘all is well’, when in fact it is not.
One would have thought that, after 21 years of Nigeria’s supposed Democratic rule, which ordinarily should have greatly improved the living standards and wellbeing of the Nigerian common masses that went through hell under the hands of the Military; it is however sad to see how Nigerian Politicians have not only pauperized its citizenry, but have also widened the gap between the rich and the poor, the governed and the government, the haves and the have nots. This leaves one to conclude that indeed, ALL OF THE EXPECTATIONS, HIGH HOPES, ASPIRATIONS, AND PROMISES OF A BETTER NIGERIA BY OUR FOUNDING FATHERS THAT STRUGGLED FOR OUR INDEPENDENCE; HAVE ALL BEEN DASHED AND DRAGGED ON THE MUD BY THE ACTIONS, INACTIONS, DECISIONS AND INDECISIONS AND SELF-SERVING TENDENCIES/ATTRIBUTES OF THE COUNTRY’S POLITICAL LEADERS AT ALL LEVELS OVER THE LAST SIX DECADES.
The saddest part in all of this is the fact that, the ‘same crop of political leaders’ that are “wolves in sheep’s clothing” have continued to recycle themselves within the system to remain relevant in the scheme of things, and to continue to hold on to political power and influence. That is why, already, they have started gearing up for 2023 general elections as to which region would produce the next President; to continue the ‘vicious circle’ of bad governance, abdication of statutory duties, self-perpetuating high-level corruption, gross unaccountability to the public, gross abuse of the rule of law with impunity, and so on.
While we honestly believe and pray that God will ‘divinely’ turn things around in the interest of the common masses of Nigeria, let Nigerians themselves also start (and continue to support those already) doing things differently by: stop praising political leaders at all levels for doing ‘nothing’; demand for more accountability from our political leaders; realize that the future fate of the nation is in our hands, hence, we all have our parts to play for a better Nigeria.
However, like I often admonish, let us continue praying that our “present crop of political leaders” at all levels of government, will have a change of heart, adjust their ways, by learning from the past mistakes, and the examples from other developed countries’ governments across the world, on the way forward for Nigeria. We can make our democracy work if, and only if we allow the principles that guide it, to work in the Nigerian system. The voice of the people is the voice of God. It is time for “people-oriented goals” to be genuinely and holistically pursued/implemented with disregard to all other selfish interests, sentiments, and political affiliations. AS WE WISH NIGERIA A HAPPY 60TH INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION, LET US ALL STRIVE TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS.
Zik Gbemre.
October 1, 2020.
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes