Vunderkind
Social Member
It was not a curse neither an error that different protectorates were birthed into a country; Nigeria in 1914 after an unflagging and assiduous marshalling by colonial pioneers. The young Nigeria then did know that she was being birthed into a domain of unequal status where peace is unpronounced and where conflict and competition are prevalent.
After the amalgamation of the southern and northern protectorates, what came to the fore was the issue of leadership after of about a decade slumbering when the first political party was formed by the great father of Nigeria Nationalism, “Sir Herbert Macaulay". Many conferences and conventions followed as fora to bringing about an organized Nigeria, though with much self-interest from the colonial "dressers". Hence, the tussle for representatives prior and after the regionalization of Nigeria which saw the gradual development of political parties (Action Congress, Northern People's Congress, National Council of Nigeria and the Cameron, which later metamorphosed to National Council of Nigeria Citizens.)
Many of these foremost leaders, like Late Obafemi Awolowo, Late Anthony Enahoro, Late Nmamdi Azikiwe, Late Ahmadu Bello and others, fought relentlessly just for the singular purpose of ensuring that Nigerians were free from every manacle of humiliation, oppression and servitude.
The (October 1st 1960) independence day speech given by the Prime Minister, Sir Tafawa Balewa was such an enthralling, ensuring and enduring one. But instead of safeguarding this independence called “Shackle”, Nigeria is yet to be free from the then problems; dependency, immaturity and slavery and the newly generated ones; terrorism, corruption, kidnapping all which are tributary
Balewa said and I quote, “ this is a wonderful day, and it is all the more wonderful because we have awaited it with increasing impatience, compelled to watch one country after another overtaking us on the road when we had so nearly reached our goal. But now we have acquired our right status and I feel sure that history will show that the building of our nation proceeded at the wisest pace. It has been thorough, and Nigeria now stands well-built upon firm foundations”. But, is Nigeria really free? One should ask of great achievements that have been made ahead of those that attained independence after us.
In the now of Nigeria, at 54 years of independence, to still see that we suffer against tyranny and wants, we suffer against social conditions and unprecedented diseases; we struggle against ignorance, mental slavery and inferiority complex.
In fact, the most basic of human needs, we struggle to get. And so, one cannot but believe that the labour our heroes past is treading the path of aridity.
To make the matter worse, we so claim to be too religious and godly, yet, we do not know God neither do we fear Him. Corruption is even more prevalent in the house of God, at worst, people’s hearts are more vitiated. Thus, the way to be free (because our hearts are corrupt) hangs in balance.
Though we say we are independent, but we are never satisfied with our dear home, Nigeria. We rather prefer going to countries that can little or no better our lives, even poorer countries than Nigeria in the name of seeking for greener pasture. After all, we cannot be free and still be clamoring for freedom!
I feel affronted with the level of racial discrimination Nigerians are facing abroad, restrictions on immigration and such a degrading outlook we gain daily. Nigerians are being killed and are being painted black by the media. Yet, we long for more of those countries.
The ravage of continued violence in the country is highly barbaric and senseless! The government has almost lost her grip of the country and is scampering to gather the remaining particles from every nook and crannies. It’s disheartening to know that the abducted Chibok girls are still wailing in the den of Boko Haram.
But our situation is privileged because we tend to be satisfied with it, we encourage our servitude rather than working out our freedom which starts from the heart: a haven for ethnic, religious and political idiosyncrasies and dogmatism. Our mind must be consciously free before the remaining body attains its freedom. Thus, the freedom the country clamors for.
EWUOLA BAYO OLANREWAJU
400 LEVEL MASS COMMUNICATION, ABU, ZARIA
After the amalgamation of the southern and northern protectorates, what came to the fore was the issue of leadership after of about a decade slumbering when the first political party was formed by the great father of Nigeria Nationalism, “Sir Herbert Macaulay". Many conferences and conventions followed as fora to bringing about an organized Nigeria, though with much self-interest from the colonial "dressers". Hence, the tussle for representatives prior and after the regionalization of Nigeria which saw the gradual development of political parties (Action Congress, Northern People's Congress, National Council of Nigeria and the Cameron, which later metamorphosed to National Council of Nigeria Citizens.)
Many of these foremost leaders, like Late Obafemi Awolowo, Late Anthony Enahoro, Late Nmamdi Azikiwe, Late Ahmadu Bello and others, fought relentlessly just for the singular purpose of ensuring that Nigerians were free from every manacle of humiliation, oppression and servitude.
The (October 1st 1960) independence day speech given by the Prime Minister, Sir Tafawa Balewa was such an enthralling, ensuring and enduring one. But instead of safeguarding this independence called “Shackle”, Nigeria is yet to be free from the then problems; dependency, immaturity and slavery and the newly generated ones; terrorism, corruption, kidnapping all which are tributary
Balewa said and I quote, “ this is a wonderful day, and it is all the more wonderful because we have awaited it with increasing impatience, compelled to watch one country after another overtaking us on the road when we had so nearly reached our goal. But now we have acquired our right status and I feel sure that history will show that the building of our nation proceeded at the wisest pace. It has been thorough, and Nigeria now stands well-built upon firm foundations”. But, is Nigeria really free? One should ask of great achievements that have been made ahead of those that attained independence after us.
In the now of Nigeria, at 54 years of independence, to still see that we suffer against tyranny and wants, we suffer against social conditions and unprecedented diseases; we struggle against ignorance, mental slavery and inferiority complex.
In fact, the most basic of human needs, we struggle to get. And so, one cannot but believe that the labour our heroes past is treading the path of aridity.
To make the matter worse, we so claim to be too religious and godly, yet, we do not know God neither do we fear Him. Corruption is even more prevalent in the house of God, at worst, people’s hearts are more vitiated. Thus, the way to be free (because our hearts are corrupt) hangs in balance.
Though we say we are independent, but we are never satisfied with our dear home, Nigeria. We rather prefer going to countries that can little or no better our lives, even poorer countries than Nigeria in the name of seeking for greener pasture. After all, we cannot be free and still be clamoring for freedom!
I feel affronted with the level of racial discrimination Nigerians are facing abroad, restrictions on immigration and such a degrading outlook we gain daily. Nigerians are being killed and are being painted black by the media. Yet, we long for more of those countries.
The ravage of continued violence in the country is highly barbaric and senseless! The government has almost lost her grip of the country and is scampering to gather the remaining particles from every nook and crannies. It’s disheartening to know that the abducted Chibok girls are still wailing in the den of Boko Haram.
But our situation is privileged because we tend to be satisfied with it, we encourage our servitude rather than working out our freedom which starts from the heart: a haven for ethnic, religious and political idiosyncrasies and dogmatism. Our mind must be consciously free before the remaining body attains its freedom. Thus, the freedom the country clamors for.
EWUOLA BAYO OLANREWAJU
400 LEVEL MASS COMMUNICATION, ABU, ZARIA