I was not born until a couple decades after Nigeria’s independence but I can identify with the euphoric atmosphere, the hopes and the faith of our forebears. The struggle for independence was finally a success. I am part of their dream of a land of peace and plenty, a land of freedom from oppression and tyranny, a country of equity, equality and justice. They yearned for unity and progress.
The celebrations were well documented for us who arrived later. Everyone wore a wide smile on their faces.
Sixty-four years later, a United, prosperous and peaceful nation wherein justice and equity and the laws rule remains a dream. As far as prosperity is concerned, nations that were on par and even below Nigeria in 1960 have left us behind. The task of nation building remains elusive as almost nobody sees themselves first as a Nigerian rather we are all more entrenched in our tribal affiliations than ever. Nigeria remains an orphan whose purpose for existence is to be exploited.. The land is engulfed in violence and insecurity. Insurgencies, Banditry, Inter-tribal and communal clashes, kidnappings and cultism have taken the place of peace. In place of unity and national cohesion is mutual distrust fuelled by primordial interests and often ignited and exploited by ignorance and unscrupulous leaders. Lady Justice seems to be thinly veiled in Nigeria as her actions have most often been biassed in favour of the high and mighty. They are bold to tell you to seek redress in court should you be dissatisfied with their unlawful conducts.
Citizens groan under oppressive economic policies that take everything from them giving nothing in return. Inflation is in tens of units and it keeps looking north.
We can go on and on. But how did we get here? How is it that every little thing that could be counted as blessings in other societies has turned up a curse for Nigeria? Why are we so many in numbers yet so few in patriots? Why has oil, a lubricant, turned to a cog in the wheel of progress? Many would lay the blame on the foundations of inequality and unresolved agitations prior to independence. They accuse the colonial masters of festering future crises by promoting one group above others. In my opinion, Some also blame citizenship for the woes bedevilling the nation. While many conspiracy theorists would want you to know how the powerful nations are keeping us down.
While there might be some grains of truth in all these, to my mind, leadership is the culprit. Nigerians of all languages and religions live together peacefully. They help one another and do things in common. Many Southerners have Northerners as their destiny helpers and vice-versa. Ethno-religious crises are political manipulations by the leaders for their own end. The first cases of such conflict substantiate the point. After being criticised for spending on jamboree without achieving what they were sent to London for, Dr. Azikiwe instigated the Igbos in Lagos that the press were critical of him because he was Igbo. Hence the Igbos were said to start buying machetes in case of Yoruba-Igbo war. Another instance was when the northern leaders stormed out of parliament in Lagos and declared they would not go back. There was palpable tension and fears of armed conflict. Both happened in the ’40s and continue to date. Boko Haram, Banditry, and separatist groups have been traced to political leaders. The Civil War itself was a war between our leaders and every right thinking Nigerian ought to see it that way. We were just their pawns.
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Socio-cultural and ethno-religious differences, rather than dividing us, should be our strength, given good leadership.
Again, the advanced countries cannot be focused on downing only Nigeria nor even only Africa for that.
But why have many other countries been able to move forward? Leadership makes the difference.
As for blaming the citizens, it is the most uncharitable thing to do. Leadership exists to chart a course, to act as a pathfinder for the people to follow. It exists to serve the people. But most Nigerian leaders are selfish individuals who lack vision, value and focus. They exist to steal from the common purse. Reason they award contracts at all is to use it as a conduit pipe. When called out, they appeal to their ethnic sentiment. The sum of a contract in Nigeria is often enough to execute at least four of such projects.
Unfortunately, these ilk of leaders have now invested deeply into the media and civil society who serve as the watchdog. The judiciary said to be the last hope of the common man is largely compromised as everyone has joined in the rat race to loot the commonwealth.
The poor put their hope in God but are also being ambushed by charlatans who fleece them of what little resources they have left.
To save the whole, the ailing parts should be sacrificed. No form or type matters less. The effectiveness and efficiency of a good government is desirable for Nigeria to progress.
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