65 Years After Independence: Still One Nation, Still Divided
Independence Day |
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October 1st 1960 was the day Nigeria gained her Independence. It was a moment of hope and new beginnings for every Nigerians. Yet, looking at how far we have come, I can’t say we’ve made any significant progress as a country.
Sometimes I wonder if our colonial masters are proud of this social experiment they created, by merging northern and the southern protectorates to form an indivisible country called Nigeria. Is been decades but till now, we’re still suffering the consequences of that forced marriage.
Even after 65 years of been together we’re still not united. We still fight ourselves under cultural and religious differences. To make matters worse, the political elites who should be visionaries, weaponized this differences as a tool for personal gain. Thereby leaving the people to suffer in poverty, insecurity, and disillusionment.
- For instance, many people might vote for a particular candidate simply because he/she are from their tribe and religion without caring if the candidate is competent or not.
- Even the farmer versus herders crisis or the Jos conflicts have strong religious and ethnic undertones.
Despite all this challenges, the average Nigeria citizen is resilient and resourceful. That’s why we succeed, wherever we find ourselves in any part of the world. From our movies and songs that dominate the global stage to our entrepreneurial spirit that puts us out there in the world, Nigerians have shown that greatness runs in our blood.
The only thing we lack is unity because we have refused to embrace our diversity as a tool for growth, we’ve allowed it to divide us
As we reflect on 65th Independence Day, the ultimate question remains: will we continue to live like strangers that was forced by our colonial masters to share the same name, or will we finally rise above our cultural and religious differences and build the Nigeria we dream of? The future is still in our hands.
There is so much change in the world at the moment... From my perspective, it is predominantly deterioration. We have simply had it too good for too long. That does not make systems and people better in general... I wish your nation success in reinventing itself in the right way.
I think for a complicated country like ours, we need a serious restructuring that will remove power from the center and decentralize it to the region.. but I doubt that will ever happen..
Fight for it! This would be my solution for Germany and for Europe, too.
Every nation that emerged from colonial rule faces this same test: to move from imposed identities to a unity chosen by its people. I hope Nigeria, like Pakistan, continues striving toward that dream of a stronger, more inclusive future.
Keep writing, keep reflecting!!! Maybe, someday!