Poignant reflections on Nigeria at 64

On October 1, 1960, Nigeria, today, with the appellation, 'the giant of Africa', gained her independence from the Great Britain, after 76 years under British rulership.

Britain took over Nigeria in 1884 as one of its colonies, after the Berlin Conference in Germany, which divided Africa by the European powers.

It is believed that Nigeria's independence could have come seven years earlier after one of the country's foremost nationalists, Anthony Enahoro, moved a motion for self governance in the British-led Parliament in 1953.

But as it is said, freedom is not served ala carte. The British colonisers, alongside some prominent persons from a particular region, felt Nigeria was not yet mature to be allowed to govern itself.

However, foremost Nigerians like Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa and others, who like Enahoro were some of the nationalists who fought for the country’s independence.

The nationalists had to use their knowledge to prove the imperative need by presentations at the parliament and with solid logic. On the other hand, British needed to consider the gain and loss from Nigeria since British was under a turbulent era: Nazism in Europe was over, but Communism and the Soviet Union was increasingly powerful as well as America. The available resources to Britain were limited, so it’s necessary for the British to balance the risking of losing their power in the world.

But after many conferences, dialogues and nationalistic agitations, the British eventually granted Nigeria independence but their footprints on how Nigeria governs itself have not completely left the country.

Since Nigeria got independence 64 years ago, the colonisers have transformed into another form of colonial masters — neo-colonialists. Though the colonial masters have left the shores of Nigeria, they still call the shots on how the country should be governed with their overt and covert interference in the economic and political affairs of the country along with their Western cohorts.

As the situation has panned out over the years, our leaders have simply become lackeys in their hands and they (erstwhile) colonialists are hell-bent on ensuring that our independence is merely in papers and not in reality.

They, in cahoots with their allies, through different international institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and others, have ensured that our leaders don't get it right through their economic-cum political strategies and strategems that they don't apply in their own countries.

Small wonder, Nigeria, a country, that is richly blessed with both human and natural resources is today still groaning under the heavy weight of unemployment, poverty, hunger and starvation, 64 years after.

These "benevolent" crooks called former colonial masters have made it possible to tinker with the mindset of our leaders to the extent that don't think right as well as cajoling them to churn out ill-advised policies that are anti-people.

If not, how would one describe a country that has all it takes to be among the First-World countries but are still battling socio-economic crisis with the citizens battered by hunger, bad governance, starvation and poverty, after 64 years of freedom.

In this 21st century, there is virtually nothing that Nigeria is not importing from abroad with its attendant capital flight to satisfy the idiosyncrasies of the neo-colonialists and their foreign collaborators.

Shamefully enough, even common toothpicks are imported. The worst is the importation of refined petroleum products when the country is blessed with abundant oil and gas resources. Even when one of our own took the bull by the horns to establish a refinery, the oil mafia, in collaboration with some foreign powers don't want the refinery to succeed.

Nigerians are inundated daily with policies and policy summersaults, all in a bid to frustrate the Nigerian businessman from achieving its potential and by extension reducing the economic burden foisted on Nigerians by lack of government's will power to enforce rules and crumble the oil cabal holding the economy by the jugular.

What about the political elite? They are greedy and rapacious that they don't want the masses to breathe. Their stock in trade is to weaponise suffering and poverty in a bid to subjugate the citizens who have already been sentenced to hopelessness and despondency by their brutal rulers.

Apart from the current administration in the country, which for now, appears to have pepperred Nigerians the most with its thoughtless policies, successive administrations in this country had their own issues in transforming the country for the greatest good of the masses.

However, a few administrations tried their best to deliver on good dividends for the people, but along the line, they had issues because of their fraternity with corrupt politicians and some foreign powers who did not want the country to be totally liberated from their strangleholds on the country's economic ecosystems.

From the wailings and weeping of many Nigerians across board and the painful consensus they reached, they have passed a verdict on the government: Nigeria is not working and it is teetering on the brink of the abyss.

The current administration, having failed to admit their economic blunders, have been gambling with policies upon policies, yet they appear to have been eclipsed by the gargantuan problems besetting the country with practically no hope on the horizon.

From the goings on in the country in the last few years, Nigeria is not truly independent. In all aspects of our national life, name it politics, economy, security, energy, power, judiciary, among others, nothing spectacular is happening.

Though it is not yet Uhuru for Nigerians, in the last 64 years of existence as an independent country, the ability to emerge as a united nation after the civil war (1967-1970) is a noteworthy accomplishment.

Many nations that experience civil conflicts do not achieve such unity and often fragment into smaller entities. Also, the endurance through the June 12 crisis of 1993 also stands out as a testament to the resilience of the Nigerian people against governmental deceit and oppression.

The dramatic increase from 45.14 million in 1960 to approximately 200 million today presents significant challenges in providing adequate education, healthcare, and security. The capacity of government to manage this growth effectively has been called into question.

The perceived lack of competence and creativity in governance has contributed to ongoing struggles in addressing the needs of such a large and diverse population.

The call for self-assessment and inventory-taking at such a pivotal moment in history is essential. It's crucial for both leadership and citizens to engage in open dialogue about national priorities and to hold systems accountable for delivering essential services.

As Nigeria celebrates its 64th anniversary, it serves as an opportunity for reflection, learning from past challenges, and setting ambitious yet achievable goals for the future. The hope is to enhance the living conditions for all citizens and ensure a prosperous legacy for future generations.

In the area of security and safety, Nigeria's situation reflects a profound crisis where security and economic stability are severely compromised. The presence of groups like Boko Haram undermines governance and creates an environment of fear and instability, significantly impacting daily life and the economy.

The soaring inflation and currency devaluation exacerbate the struggles of ordinary citizens, making basic necessities increasingly unaffordable. This multifaceted crisis illustrates the challenges facing the country in achieving true independence and stability.

The escalating inflation and food insecurity highlight a critical crisis in Nigeria, where many citizens struggle to meet basic needs. With inflation rates soaring and food prices skyrocketing, the notion of food security has become a distant memory for many. The deepening poverty and hunger illustrate a broader systemic failure that undermines the nation’s independence.

Moreover, the deep-seated ethnic and religious divisions further complicate the situation. Unlike Rwanda's efforts to foster unity post-genocide, Nigeria remains fragmented along ethnic and religious lines, leading to mistrust and competition for power and resources.

The historical scars from the civil war have not healed, and the federal character principle meant to ensure equity is often ignored, exacerbating feelings of marginalisation.

The nepotism and favoritism seen in recent administrations perpetuate this cycle, making it challenging for the country to forge a path toward genuine unity and progress. Without addressing these multifaceted issues, the prospects for a stable and independent Nigeria remain grim.

The issues about Nigeria’s approach to unity and governance underscore a profound disconnect between ideals and reality. The strict adherence to the federal character principle in educational admissions, while disparities in resource allocation persist, highlights systemic inequities that challenge national unity.

The metaphor of Nigeria as a "crippled giant" resonates deeply; the country has vast potential yet struggles with fiscal irresponsibility and corruption. The spending on luxury items while seeking debt forgiveness illustrates a troubling misalignment of priorities.

Calls for restructuring, whether through a shift to a parliamentary system or a national conference, reflect a growing desire for meaningful change. The recommendations from the 2014 national conference, if implemented, could provide a roadmap for addressing the underlying issues that hinder progress and unity. Until such steps are taken, the notion of independence will remain largely superficial, as the nation grapples with its internal divisions and governance challenges.

All these are great interventions on how to make Nigeria great. It shows that the system the country is practising currently is not working optimally and the government cannot continue to operate what has clearly failed all of us.

The government of the day must rise up to the occasion. It must take adequate measures to implement any of the suggestions that has been made or make moves to institute its own solutions. Nigerians cannot afford to remain this way.

And until the Nigerians take the bitter pill as already prescribed and make the government address the economic quagmire plaguing the country, we cannot receive any cure for our sickness. Until that happens, Nigeria is not independent. We should stop deluding ourselves and the civilised world.