Nigeria @ 50
Sep 27th, 2010 by admin
It’s been a while since I blogged but am back to mykrossroads. So much has happened in Nigeria and is happening. Though, the news making the rounds are the many events lined up to celebrate Nigeria’s fifty years of existence come October first. Despite the perennial challenges facing the nation, Nigerians are leaving no stone unturned as they celebrate. The occasion will entertain rather than focus on critical issues facing the nation. To celebrate the occasion, lots of proposals have been written as many hope to be part of the line-up of events in a big way.
As the juggle to partake of national cake goes on, I am content to celebrate as a passerby, preferring to pray for the nation as it prepares for a serious challenge, the 2011 elections.
Fifty years ago when Nigeria gained its independence from colonial masters, conditions were much better, life was safe and secure. Today, it is the opposite. As the hype for October first mounts, I wonder why Nigeria, an oil producing nation with an abundance of resources is not improving the underdeveloped educational sector in the country. So much is being earmarked to mark the occasion yet it is doubtful if the nation will meet the millenninuim Development goals and vision for 2020.
Our focus has to change, there has to be a rethink. It was Wole Soyinka who concluded sometime in 1984 in a ruminative mood that his was a wasted generation. Are we heading the same way? The focus of Nigerian leaders has to change. The change will come about if there is a change in leadership style. Nigeria needs responsible leaders who can take the bull by the horn and address the national malaise. The destiny of Nigeria is in our hands. Once we have a credible leader, things will begin to fall in place.
At the moment, the ongoing debate is on zoning the presidency. Who cares where the next President comes from anyway when there are more than 400 hundred languages spoken in Nigeria. Nigeria needs a leader!
Anyway, as the drums roll out and we celebrate, Nigerians must remember the great men who fought to keep us united, importantly, those who lost their lives in the process. However, as we all celebrate, how involved will the Nigerian child be? How important is the voice of the Nigerian child and will the average Nigerian truly understand the reason behind the celebration when he can hardly afford to feed and clothe his family? In any case should Nigeria celebrate in a big way? When many label it a failed state or a failing state.
As reported by Idumange John in This Day Newspaper, “poverty walks in the streets, our roads are just metres from ‘hell’ and the few industries are winding up because they cannot operate in darkness. Unemployment is unimaginably high, the quality of education is at its nadir, a rent-seeking class with empire-building tendencies have besieged the land. We are all comfortable because Nigeria is a criminal enterprise where the “banks operate like Casino Centres’. It is a nation where everything is a gamble”.
So, what has the nation achieved at fifty? At least the country has enjoyed democracy for more than a decade that is certainly something to celebrate. Nevertheless, while others focus on the many problems in the country, I shall celebrate a blessing of being alive to witness a milestone in the history of Africa’s most populous nation. In this light, we must celebrate the coming of age of the nation, Nigeria. We must celebrate the victories in the struggle to keep Nigeria united; we must celebrate and celebrate we must because we will someday overcome the crises.
The nation has crawled and struggled to get to the golden age, so, I am hopeful, above all content in the knowledge that we will continue to age gracefully. Others may again question the years, but with years gained, come wisdom and maturity. This is a gift Nigeria cannot throw to the dogs. So, are we ripe enough to tackle the demands of the twenty first century? Is Nigeria becoming a waste-land? Is Nigeria going to remain green, never to ripen and open up for greatness or are we and I sincerely hope not, going to end up like Goliath in the Bible. Hopefully, the boast of our strength today, will not lead to our death. Our problems will certainly not kill us; Nigeria, must begin to see with eyes and hear with ears to gain the insight as well as the understanding that will equal its years of existence.
The giant of Africa must begin to address the anomies in the country because the struggles to remain afloat must cease.