Independence Day: Nigeria at 56 - by Reuben Abati
Goodluck
Jonathan's former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity who is a
columnist for The Guardian, has written yet another interesting piece to
Nigerians. It's a must read.
Reuben Abati
As Nigeria marks its 56th Independence Anniversary, very few
Nigerians would expect any form of celebration or excitement.
Independence from colonial rule in 1960 has brought the country so much
to be cheerful about, but 56 years later, also a lot of regrets.
I am not one of those who imagine that we would probably have been
better off if we had remained under British rule, but that there are
some Nigerians who still entertain such impossible thought indicates the
depth of the people’s anxiety about Nigeria’s post-colonial reality.
The big issues are well-known: the failure of leadership,
corruption, and perpetual anxiety about the future. Every October 1,
Nigeria is described as “a crippled giant”, a “toddler”, “a broken
nation”. And the various editorials, year after year sound so repetitive
as they focus on an economy that is not working, the failure of public
infrastructure, leadership crisis, the bad habits of the political
elite, religious and ethnic violence, disunity, national insecurity, and
so on.
As we mark October 1 this year, we should perhaps avoid the beaten
path and draw attention to the reasons why we should be happy with our
country and proud to be Nigerians. Whatever problems we may have, hope
is not lost. We are still the country of some of the most talented
people in the world.
Nigerians are gifted, hardworking and in many ways exceptional.
This is the country of Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Jelani Aliyu,
Chimamanda Adichie, Philip Emeagwali, Kanu Nwankwo…It is the land of
great achievers of all time in all fields of human endeavour. It is the
heroism of the talented Nigerian who has put this country’s name on the
global map that I remember as I think of Nigeria at 56.
I also look around and admire the energy and creativity of the
Nigerian youth. Those young men and women who are excelling and whose
distinction inspires some level of confidence in the Nigerian system.
For more than 20 years, we have been lamenting that the Nigerian
education system has failed, collapsed or to use the usual phrase,
“fallen”. But this same system continues to produce young men and women
with amazing talents. With a better education system, the harvest could
have been richer and better, but oh come on, the entrepreneurial
ingenuity of the Nigerian youth, their sheer brilliance and industry
reassure us that if we could get it right, this country will yet attain
much greater heights.
We are in every way, a blessed country. Beautiful flora and fauna:
the poor fortunes of the national currency has not affected that.
Abundant mineral resources: we only need to manage these better and
properly. Travel round Nigeria: our diversity is inspiring. And when
you attend any social event in Nigeria, watch out for the gaiety, the
beauty of cultural expressions and the capacity of the average Nigerian
to force drama out of every situation. When people talk about Nigeria
from a distance, they tend to focus on the negatives: the high crime
rate and the mismanagement of resources, but no one denies the fact that
this country has what it takes in every regard to be as great as it
once was and still be greater. That is what I think of as I reflect on
Nigeria at 56.
We are also a country of resilient people. It is what keeps us
going. There may have been a sudden rise in reported cases of suicide in
recent times, but most Nigerians are fighters. They are ready to
survive under any situation. They are determined. They never lose hope.
They have this special ability to cover up their frustrations, dress up
nicely and go to the church or the mosque or other places of worship,
and dance and pray and ask God to take control. This may be a form of
temporary escapism, but the confidence with which the average leaves
everything to God and draws strength from so doing is a unique national
characteristic.
We are still the biggest market in Africa. Many investors may have
shut down their businesses and fled the country due to the current
economic recession, but as surely as night follows day, they will
return. The Nigerian market boasts of over 200 million people who need
all kinds of services. This country will always be a destination for
those who want to sell and buy and invest. We may be weak, but we are
still a giant nation.
There may be violence in the North East and other parts of the
country, but Nigerians are generally peace-loving and hospitable. As we
celebrate Nigeria at 56, we should remember that this country has
survived a civil war; it has survived religious and ethnic violence. It
has remained one entity despite calls for its dismemberment.
What is required is a re-dedication to the ideals of unity and
national progress. This is not a task for the leaders alone, but for all
Nigerians, young and old, male and female. We must collectively resolve
to make this country work and to ensure that the forces of good do not
allow negative forces to overwhelm a nation which has the potential to
become one of the greatest nations on earth. People make nations. But
too many Nigerians are experts at the blame game. We shift
responsibilities. We fail to act as true citizens.
And the greatest irony of it all is our religiousity and the gap
between private and public morality. When you see religious Nigerians,
they can quote the Holy Books with such expertise you’d think they have
deposited those books inside their brains. When they pray, they do so
with such fervour, you would assume they have a direct telephone line to
God. When they wear religious garments, they put up a mien that
encourages you to lower your guard. But at other times, they do not
translate their religious piety into daily life. This is a part of our
national persona that is at the root of all the problems we face.
Our institutions still need to be strengthened. The failure of
institutions accounts largely for the spread of despair in the land. We
also need to give full effect to the words of our national anthem. The
second stanza in particular is a prayer that should be reflected upon
for the precision with which it captures our main national needs. “Oh
God of creation/Direct our noble cause/Guide our leaders right/Help our
youth the truth to know/In love and honesty to grow/And living just and
true/Great lofty heights attain/To build a nation where peace/And
justice shall reign.”
Independence day should be a day of citizen pride. It should be a
day of sober reflection. It should be a moment when the entire nation
should pause, and look back and look forward into the future. Nigeria’s
journey as an independent nation may have begun in October 1960, but our
history goes far back into the past, even long before the Amalgamation
of 1914. We are a nation of different peoples, cultures and ethnicity
brought together by destiny, and circumstances and colonialism. To
transform this into real nationhood is the main challenge we have faced
since 1960. As we mark Nigeria’s 56th independence anniversary, let no
one blame the British for the various fault lines that continue to
affect our nation. The British ruled Nigeria for 46 years (1914-1960).
We have been in charge of our own affairs for 56 years: that is long
enough for us to get our acts together as a people and as a nation.
Leadership counts – sincere, honest and purposeful leadership, that
is. It is the duty of leaders to show the people the way. Too many
Nigerian leaders have no idea in what direction the people should be
led, and this has been an abiding source of all-round confusion. I began
this piece promising not to complain as Nigeria turns 56, but it is
hard I suppose not to do so. But let no one despair. Surely, it shall
be well with Nigeria.
About the Author:
Reuben Abati is a columnist in The Guardian and former Special
Adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
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