Many years ago, I read through this rather small book, with the title, My path through the prison . This was basically the path to Nigerian greatness. I read it again and again and recently as a well-cultivated student of history. The effect on me graduated me from being totally flippant to serious reflection that had to do with intense agitation to provoke everyone to partake in the building of our dear nation. Useful to say that I was fully enthralled, involved and emphatic on the need to equip Nigerians for a complete overhaul to build and rebuild minds, structure and continuous development for the next generation. This had to do with my very existence as I learnt my young father had to die in the cause of the struggle.
The story highlighted rather succinctly my beginnings, the inception of my family glory and the fact that none of the political gladiators would never be the same again. Definitely bloody, sacrificial, trials and tribulations inclusive and this all in the name of ensuring that we do not remain mediocre inspiring everyone to be vehemently driven towards greatness. This battle for the soul of Nigeria was somewhat of two-pronged motivation. Self-focused in terms of ambition, National in a sense as we search for emancipation making to inquire about our readiness for the next phase. The differences in ideology, when you look at the North with the quest for Feudalism, the wild west, with the educated intelligentsia. The east with the hunger for the independence and industrialisation which it was prepared to attain any which way. All these needed to spur on a synergy that will allow for diversity and incur specialisation. Apparently, this was not to be as we instead witnessed the fiercest disparity, history has ever recorded. The differences and tribal divisions became more pronounced, many throwing caution to the wind, abandoning enlightenment to trivialities. This is what today remains a crippling force, not forgetting the villains, the opportunist, and aggressive illiterate who continue to stifle the focus to birth the Nigerian dream. As opposed to basically making our differences work for us, with brotherhood in mind.
Over the years we have all had to live with the clumsiness of the trading of blame. Candid statements seemingly saying categorically that Awolowo, Azikiwe, Balewa were all tribalist. Suggesting that they were too quick to attain or seek independence when Nigeria was clearly not ready. Even more derogatory is the matter of fact aspect some have held on to be so derogatory as to say they were all in it for their pockets or to build personal empires. On every occasion, of course, this will depend on the tribe, religion sometimes dependent on who chooses to engage your person at any given time.
A great deal of the time these conversations over the years can be so intimidating almost moving one to tears. The reality is that you cannot continually go home to refresh on the information. This makes it imperative for each individual based on connection and interest must be vast and well read on such issues. Readiness equips you before throwing yourself into deep ideological debates attending colloquium, conferences, and updating will provide for you, the platform for superior views, the fact that you are a part of it and you are sufficiently conversant is always a plus. This is also an insulator from bullies and does help one's mental state. The intrusion and exposure coupled with a wide spectrum will enable and open one’s eyes to intrinsic meaning one must be ready to accept that not even one's direct parent is perfect. That to me is the hardest part, especially when most of the people I have interacted with in my sphere of influence are totally besotted with Awo’s ideas and achievements. I experienced the elections in 1979 and till date, I have not seen or witnessed the tenacity and euphoria that my Granddad evoked. To the point of being idolised. Facebook has contributed a great deal to dig up on the past and history. Giving much relevant and vital information when needed. Such as the Nigerian nostalgia platform by Kehinde Thompson, Onigege wura's recollections, Mr. Kunle Olasope and many others like that. The traumatic experiences many confronted had kept them mute so this aspect is in itself a useful awakening. The fundamentals of our dear nation must be expounded and dispensed to totally alleviate the ignorance we are daily confronted with today. No doubt almost all our founding fathers were exemplary and out of the ordinary, it is only in realising and appreciating such heritage that we can forge ahead.
Amazingly enough we seem to be tracking the same moves, retrogressive by holding on to some anomalies. The only way not to recycle the error is through knowledge, analysis and considerable corrections. At some point we rejected the Military but rather than disappear, they resorted to taking off the uniforms and engaging in business as usual. This more or less stagnates and ensuring decadence to the extent that we are taking the backward turn. This is totally fruitless in all its ramifications. During the 2015 elections Tinubu intelligently shared that the war heroes were able to rule successfully as Presidents in America making such input relevant and development-oriented when given the opportunity, and we should not rule out people with such experiences. I was totally touched by his account and became exceptionally sold out to the change Mantra. Did he come out to deliberately manipulate the psyche of a whole nation. Or was he on the other hand equally deceived like so many of us. We do not know, clearly he must have been desperately seeking for the Nigerian dream or Utopia.
The political concept that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely can be the feature we see unfolding in this matter. The political student will be prone to ask why power must corrupt, especially as the focus is to ensure the greatest happiness of the greatest number. The tendency to injure rather that repair is draconian and quite frankly we must take the road to recovery and advancement.
The Scriptures do not fall short in describing human frailties as it says the heart of man is desperately wicked, who can know it? This to me is not a rhetorical question but an affirmation of man's cruelty. This aspect inherent in man must experience some renaissance and must be eradicated and minimised only through education and advancement or civilisation. The need to carefully select our leaders with the highest standard is uppermost. Last week, the UK was really scrutinising the leaders and would not even overlook the past experiences excused away as mere youthful exuberance. The belief that anyone who smoked cannabis or sniffed cocaine in the past and not just the present is likely to disrespect the laws of the land at any given opportunity was the general overview. Making some of them to openly make confessions on past innuendoes for public judgment. No stone was left unturned to attain the very best at the helm of affairs. These are standards we must emulate, shunning every form of embezzlement, corruption, bribery, misappropriation of funds, flippant voting behaviour must be totally frowned upon if we are to achieve effective governance. Equity, Law, and order must be promoted with the utmost respect. Acquisition through ugly means must be decried not celebrated, so as to encourage integrity in our youth and society at large. Many today one must admit are warped and have developed seared conscience and wrong attitudes generally. The level of evil is horrendous, the only people who are punished are the very poor and the one devoid of connection in high places.
At this point, I want to digress a little and quote the sage, when he pointed out that the children of the poor we refuse to train will one day attack the children of the privileged. The level of crime we are seeing today, the kidnapping, the total disrespect, and resistance to education and development by some groups, unfounded and baseless anger, and bitterness, total disrespect for law and order, vagabonds and debased in power all these reflect a mediocre and backward youth stemming from years of abandonment.
The next step really for the nation will be to pray. The Bible says the effectual and fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much. The Church must display righteousness and set the standard. In loving our neighbours as ourselves like the Bible teaches religious tolerance is ensured. Peaceful coexistence must be our watchword to stop the insurrection. The Marxist ideology stating its viewpoint that religion is the opium of the people is really subjective. We all owe it to our nation to curb the diversity, maintain some forms of balance by ensuring usefulness to God and country.
To be cont'd. .....
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