"True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorship are made".- Franklin D. Roosevelt.
On this day, as I struggled out of my bed, after a previous night of watching a live televise of the much awaited presidential media chat. I groaned in my heart with mixed feelings about the future of my country, Nigeria. I could not stop, but continued to ponder on the past and present hullabaloos that we have experienced as a Nation. Then, I asked my self a mind-boggling question; Are we there yet?
I looked around, but to no avail. For there is no one to give me a definite reply.
Then, I remembered that according to history, on October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained independence from Britain. At exactly five decades and three years ago, after the endless struggles of our standing and fallen heroes, we were given a right to freedom as a nation by the British Governments who colonised us. Hurray! Thank God! We finally made it!
...And so many shout of joy did rented the air on that fateful day.
The 'fathers of independence', there and then had a
strong and promising vision for the country, Nigeria.
No doubt, our forefathers wanted a country of true virtue. where; unity, peace, love, equality, prudence, fairness and justice would govern our principles; quality education would be free and compulsory for all; basic social amenities would be readily available and accessible; a fully-functional democratic system would be in place; qualitative and affordable healthcare would be for all and sundry. Hence, the crucial need for the freedom.
And when we got the freedom, everyone looked forward to seeing a change. Hopes and aspirations were high. Dreams and visions were building up in citizens hearts. Alas,we only had a
shaky and limited development. The first, second and third republic could not stand the test of time due to the strong military interference. The several period of military reign were characterised by Shenanigans decrees,draconian and anti-people oriented policies.
All these greatly hampered the freedom,development and social
security of an average Nigerian man thus raping the dream right from infant.
Hope for a better Nigeria prompted the need for the beginning of the fourth republic in 1999. But alas! this period even ushered in more clogs in the nation's wheel of progress. The lingering ills of corruption, bribery, kidnapping, robbery, militancy, oil-theft, ethnic and religious tribalism, electoral violence,impunity and nepotism, all of which have been reigning for 53years, has never stopped to exist, but instead gained a daily momentum.
All thanks to the unpatriotic leaders and blind followers!
"Nobody is going to give you the education, you need to over throw them". -Assatar Shakur.
The bile of this situation is that the youths who are literally,
mischievously and simply regarded as, 'the generational leaders', are the tools being used to carry out all of these vices in the nation. No much blame to them!
They have been deprived of their right to free and qualitative
education which could have placed them on the right track. Instead of our leaders to for once get there acts together, religious and political sentiments keeps tearing them further apart. Corruption has been the bane of the nationhood,cutting across all strata of the economy, even to the civil society organisations. The security system is so porous that several militant and religious sects keeps springing up on a daily basis, even attacking and running over the military.
Education is now only for the rich and wealthy, as the son of the common man, who could only afford the much under-funded public educational institutions, stand a high risk of sitting hopelessly at home during the usual 'festive' industrial face-off between the governments and their teachers, over pecuniary gains. Our democratic system still lack strong and viable institutions. No culture of strict adherence to the rule of law. We are simply yet to get there as a nation!
As an independent sovereign nation, 53years is enough to correct all these woes that has plagued our wheel of progress and set us among the committee of developed nations, making judicious use of her much endowed human and naturally resources, in tally with the visions of the 'fathers of independence'.
With love, unity, strength and faith. The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain!
God bless my country, Nigeria!
Happy Independence Day!
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