October the 1st comes with varying meanings for Nigerians for diverse reasons. For sexagenarians and those older who are reminiscent of that day in 1960, their feeling go from nostalgia to incurious feelings. While on another hand it may appear for the young, like a day almost habitually to bemoan the tepid realities of a contraption, borne by the socio-political and ethno-economic trials of the present. Nonetheless I will rather align that October 1, cannot be factually described as solely a day that elicits jinxed feelings. Quite honestly, I do not think there is luxury to dwell on anything near that description.

After this 61st anniversary, aspiration can be rekindled and a spirit of defiance, for audacity to rebel against this craze for divisive conquest that not only sows stunted growth but threatens the very foundations spoken of by the older few among us.

I too take it arguably that the visioned Nigerian Eldorado was to be birthed on the geographical but most importantly ideological amalgamation of an embodiment of the Nigerian spirit. But we are what we are! Largest collection of maybe most diverse Black people in one space, somehow we toxically breathing down on each other along the innumerable divides that colonial repudiation passed on to us, with a loudly yelled out whisper “You are Same but Different”. You are Nigerian, but Southern. No! Christian or but Northern, oh, not Northern, you are yet again, South-Southern, no you are not only South-Southern, you are Itsekiri too much so to be Ikwerre and far different from being Igbo, but yet again not very Igbo enough, so you are Osu! Middle-Belt, yes not Fulani enough to herd or barely Hausa enough…so you are good enough to be Tiv! Even so, the compartmentalization can continue endlessly. But definitions, they were or are supposed to be. Now they divide, so we fought and a minuscule few want to sustain the fights. Nevertheless, we are One, indissolubility is still not negotiable, sorry I won’t renounce that. Since after the Civil war, despite contending with long years of Military rule and an array of economic depressions, the year 2020/2021 has probably been one of the most difficult, particularly vis a viz joining in a global war with a health calamity amidst the worst forms of insurgencies and sectionist rebellions. We in ourselves needn’t be the adversary within. We must recognize that scars from injuries are there to remind that solutions though not convenient options, are available and healing is assured. Therefore, with recent happenings, one wonders whether ‘the labour of our heroes past will end in vain?? Sure, there are loyal Nigerians who will trudge against ridiculing what we treasure of six(6) decades of nationhood.  God forbid it that those advocating disintegration win, the breaking will never see an end.

Recently, a young development professional and social justice enthusiast was asked by a notable columnist “what her vision is for Nigeria in the next 50-60 years” her calming response in part resonates with me.” But I’m confident I have a consequential role to play. The place to start is not to be part of the problem I see but the solution. Whatever I do no matter how insignificant it looks (positive or negative) has a larger role to play in the scheme of things”. 

Going forward, the choice cannot be vague anymore. Nigerians cannot toy with nationalism and patriotism, eschewing “religiousism” tribal and ethnic rivalry or superiority, fighting corruption. The structure and systems of government institutions must be deepened, as a basic fact. Nigeria is our country and our means individual responsibility for actions and inactions. We ought to embrace peace and dialogue, shun secessionist ideas or movements, invest in the country, encourage law enforcement officers and public office holders showing empathy for their being targeted and murdered arbitrarily. Social media should also be used as a tool to portray the positives of the country and not the dissemination of fake news which has done more harm than good in the past one year. 

Let us not forget that great nations have rode on faults, becoming better, good enough for reference. Need I remind you that on 6th January, 2021 even the “Greatest” almost came to her knees. But for the defiance of her constitution, strong institutions and the solid will of her resilient patriotic citizenry. Consequentially, our institutions that have upheld their mandate must be empowered and supported, I will not shy from urging that sectional politicization of security challenges or the efforts of our forces must stop. Now more than ever, it is clear that Nigeria is at the brink of greatness, we all need to hold on and push a little bit harder to see that there is really nothing we cannot achieve as a United country.

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Rehimusals:
October the 1st comes with varying meanings for Nigerians for diverse reasons. For sexagenarians and those older who are reminiscent of that day in 1960, their feeling go from nostalgia to incurious feelings. While on another hand it may appear for the young, like a day almost habitually to bemoan the tepid realities of a contraption, borne by the socio-political and ethno-economic trials of the present. Nonetheless I will rather align that October 1, cannot be factually described as solely a day that elicits jinxed feelings. Quite honestly, I do not think there is luxury to dwell on anything near that description.

After this 61st anniversary, aspiration can be rekindled and a spirit of defiance, for audacity to rebel against this craze for divisive conquest that not only sows stunted growth but threatens the very foundations spoken of by the older few among us.

I too take it arguably that the visioned Nigerian Eldorado was to be birthed on the geographical but most importantly ideological amalgamation of an embodiment of the Nigerian spirit. But we are what we are! Largest collection of maybe most diverse Black people in one space, somehow we toxically breathing down on each other along the innumerable divides that colonial repudiation passed on to us, with a loudly yelled out whisper “You are Same but Different”. You are Nigerian, but Southern. No! Christian or but Northern, oh, not Northern, you are yet again, South-Southern, no you are not only South-Southern, you are Itsekiri too much so to be Ikwerre and far different from being Igbo, but yet again not very Igbo enough, so you are Osu! Middle-Belt, yes not Fulani enough to herd or barely Hausa enough…so you are good enough to be Tiv! Even so, the compartmentalization can continue endlessly. But definitions, they were or are supposed to be. Now they divide, so we fought and a minuscule few want to sustain the fights. Nevertheless, we are One, indissolubility is still not negotiable, sorry I won’t renounce that. Since after the Civil war, despite contending with long years of Military rule and an array of economic depressions, the year 2020/2021 has probably been one of the most difficult, particularly vis a viz joining in a global war with a health calamity amidst the worst forms of insurgencies and sectionist rebellions. We in ourselves needn’t be the adversary within. We must recognize that scars from injuries are there to remind that solutions though not convenient options, are available and healing is assured. Therefore, with recent happenings, one wonders whether ‘the labour of our heroes past will end in vain?? Sure, there are loyal Nigerians who will trudge against ridiculing what we treasure of six(6) decades of nationhood.  God forbid it that those advocating disintegration win, the breaking will never see an end.

Recently, a young development professional and social justice enthusiast was asked by a notable columnist “what her vision is for Nigeria in the next 50-60 years” her calming response in part resonates with me.” But I’m confident I have a consequential role to play. The place to start is not to be part of the problem I see but the solution. Whatever I do no matter how insignificant it looks (positive or negative) has a larger role to play in the scheme of things”. 

Going forward, the choice cannot be vague anymore. Nigerians cannot toy with nationalism and patriotism, eschewing “religiousism” tribal and ethnic rivalry or superiority, fighting corruption. The structure and systems of government institutions must be deepened, as a basic fact. Nigeria is our country and our means individual responsibility for actions and inactions. We ought to embrace peace and dialogue, shun secessionist ideas or movements, invest in the country, encourage law enforcement officers and public office holders showing empathy for their being targeted and murdered arbitrarily. Social media should also be used as a tool to portray the positives of the country and not the dissemination of fake news which has done more harm than good in the past one year. 

Let us not forget that great nations have rode on faults, becoming better, good enough for reference. Need I remind you that on 6th January, 2021 even the “Greatest” almost came to her knees. But for the defiance of her constitution, strong institutions and the solid will of her resilient patriotic citizenry. Consequentially, our institutions that have upheld their mandate must be empowered and supported, I will not shy from urging that sectional politicization of security challenges or the efforts of our forces must stop. Now more than ever, it is clear that Nigeria is at the brink of greatness, we all need to hold on and push a little bit harder to see that there is really nothing we cannot achieve as a United country.

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How I wish my dear country people will listen...