CREATIVITY or MADNESS ..See how Nigerians celebrate independent that got people talking

*Nigeria@60: Together!* 

On this day in 1960, my dear country got it independence. I can only imagine what it is to be a citizen of a colony controlled by foreign power, though, i find ideas on pages of books and it was then after, i could catch a glimpse of the happiness felt in the hearts of all and sundry in 1960. 

Over years of this anniversary, topics had always revolves around unity, just has this year them says 'together' like a husband that keep remanding his wife why they got married in the first place. I doubt if the peopling of Nigeria was a forced marriage, with the quantum of happiness expressed on this day in 1960 as i watch it several years later, displaying the event in a black and white video set. If it was, why would Tafawa balewa have said on that day " history will show that the building of our nation proceeded at the wisest peace....and Nigeria now stands well built upon a firm foundation " i still wonder if the euphoria state of that day overshadowed the realities.

The prospect around the world and among Nigeria in 1960 was promising and expectations were high that, with such quantum of mineral wealth and the most educated work force in Africa, Nigeria would become Africans first superpower and stabilizing democratic influence in the region. However, hope were soon dashed has it was engulf in various crises of military coups, civil war, political corruptions, ethnicity. Toyin Falola, stated in his book " history of Nigerian"this crises result from the issue of " National question "  the question of what is Nigeria? Who is a Nigerian? how does it came about? and how do we go about developing a national identity. These begging questions find solute in the fact that Nigeria is an artificial creation of the colonialists, bringing together people people of different origin, culture, ethnic and religion--- I doubt, if their is any country of the world with an absolute single group, with no minorities or majorities, certainly, not America that was peopled by migrants across the world, China that has over 200 ethnic minorities or European countries that have been grouped and regrouped beyond boarders over centuries.

The idea of non- existence of a cooperate Nigeria as a polity was accepted among the so called nationalist. Tafawa balewa that will later became the Nigerian first P.M had earlier stated that " Nigeria existed as one country only on paper... Nigeria unity was a British intention for the country " so was Obafemi Awolowo who stated that " Nigeria is a made geopolitical expression... a distinct appellation to distinguished those who lived with it boundaries " like wise Namdi Azikewe held similar views. It was on such views of ethnic chauvinism that Nigeria independence was founded upon. Thus no wonder the agitations of the IPOB and the recent oduduwa republic.

 The point to make here, is that, the bringing together of various region by proclamation of 1914 was only in addition to the already process of increasing intercultural exchange, through trade long established before the  arrival colonialists, made possible by natural vegetation that complement one  another and natural features like the river Niger that made communication possible among the people of the Niger area. While the motive for such speedy amalgamation is highly debatable, the collective attainment of independence in 1960 was an attestation to the togetherness of the people of this great country.

Nigeria is an indivisible country of different nationalities. It should be normal that members of each nationalities-- Hausa, Igbo, youruba like a Kikuyu, Ashanti, Croat or Welsh normally hold his own language and social customs more dear than others and it will not be surprising if he prefers association with other members of his nationality to other nationalities within or outside Nigeria. However, sense of loyalty to the state can be commanded among all citizens of the state. Also clash arisen from allegiance to the state pursuing its lawful ends and allegiance to the national group should be expected, but the state has to take precedence over it. In addition, loyalty and patroticism  should be instill through education and state wide groupings of persons should be emphasised. Communication, economic development and equitable distribution of social amenities and political power at various levels will help to foster the allegiance to the larger community and humanity at large.

 Sure Nigeria is old enough to have get it right but it so unfortunate it is still far from it. The economy is bad than ever and the political class is increasingly becoming corrupt and common man beared more burden than ever in endemic poverty. Since division can't be a better option, and also considering longest period of our democracy had been from 1999 till date, prayer for good governance and determinism attitude for real change is what we can all hope for.

God bless Nigeria..!!!

Happy independence day!!!

🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬

*Comrade Suleiman Muhammed Awal HISt class of 2019*