IS NIGERIA WORTH DYING FOR?
I smoke in my room last night; yes
I did. I smoke out thoughts of
disbelieve, resentment and
sentiments about Nigeria. I was up
and awake. I saw 30th of
September as it passed through
the night till the arrival of a brand
new day, in the starry freshness of
the morning dim light. I choose
not to blink my eyes for sleep. Yes I
was smoking.
I was drilling with my thoughts
through the times and ages
Nigeria has passed through. I was
awake as many Nigerians were on
the 30th of September, 1960.
Indeed it dawned on me that our
dear country has a long way to go.
Not so long, I called out in rhetoric:
“is Nigeria worth dying for?
Indeed, Nigeria is still on the
highway to Nationhood. We have a
long way to go in galvanizing the
multiple ethnic divisions into one
body, not to be divided by
thoughts and prospects of our
people.
Last night, I cast my mind at the
sweet sermons told to us by our
leaders who were fortunate
enough to lick the fresh milk from
the tender breast of young Mother
Nigeria. They told us how they had
access to free education. They told
us how they were given meals
tickets and treated as crèches
while in college. It is however
appalling that these few fantasies
which our fathers enjoyed have
been waded off existence.
Behold a country which does not
love its people. A country whose
sleeves have been shattered, so
rough that it can no longer sheath
the skins of its people; cold and
shiver congeal everyone. We are in
an unpredictable generation. A
generation which has nothing for
its people save regret and
nostalgia. A nation which its’
people cannot tell their future.
They told us endless stories about
tomorrow which never comes.
Our leaders betray us. In the early
days of Nigeria, they were pleaded
with to go to school. These days,
our parents and teachers, those
we behold as role models, push us
out of the school gates in pursuit
of their self interests. I asked
myself, if it was in the early days of
Independence, do you think ASUU
will lock up the school gates? I
doubt if they will. Even if at all they
do, there would be a government,
so keen and kind to hear them.
Last night was sweet, though
saggy for me. My thoughts sagged
into the realities of Nigeria’s
experience today. Our leaders are
heartless. They care less for the
fortunes of their people.
I went to visit the member
representing my constituency in
the state House of Assembly. He
knew my mission for the visit so
he denied me assess to him. I was
actually going to interview him
about the tardy rate of education
development in my constituency.
He wasn’t reachable. I sent him a
text: “...It may not be good for me
to go to press without hearing
from you as the constituency
representative except you wish
otherwise...”; immediately he
replied: “I am in UK”.
You see? Must our leaders hear the
voice of force and threats? Yes
they often do. That is why
sometimes I don’t seem to blame
ASUU so much. They are protesting
a perceived positive course. They
put pressure on the government.
They cast spell on the political
leaders for been insensitive to the
course of education. They believe
they are fighting for Nigeria.
The military stand on the boarders
to shield its territorial integrity;
others stand on the hills,
mountains, rivers and in the air to
guide the land and space Nigeria.
They die in droves each time they
are been attacked by terrorists.
The police face same fate. They
sacrifice their precious talents and
lives for the peace and unity of this
country.
Do we talk about the teachers?
They strain their voice and nerves
to pass the precious virtues which
they have in their brains. They
engage in endless research to
update their knowledge all for the
sake of Nigerian education.
How about the children? They are
found everyday sprinting on the
streets to serve our peopled
country. They hawk to sell and
save; to eat and live in peace.
The civil servants are to be more
pitied. They cultivate their concerns
to serve the country which pays
them some farthing for survival.
They have a lot to lose and so little
to gain; yet they keep serving.
Is Nigeria worth dying for? Well
your guess is as good as mine.
But then, I have this poem which I
dedicate for the day. I tag it The
Poem of the Day:
Others may forget but never will I
The Green Flag of Victory which
flies so high
Its FREEDOM and JUBILEE for you
and I
To plough, to reap, to eat and Dine
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE!

What a rendition! To answer your rhetorical question though, I can't and only a few civilians can actually do! Though many are on the path to doing so without being fully aware.