Here comes the day. The day we were free from colonial enslavement. The memorable day we walked out plainly from the imperialist dungeon. The illustrious dawn where Nigerians were baptized with a purified water of volition, and were robbed with a dignified garment of self-rule. Giant of Africa autonomy occasion painted the cloud of black race with a rainbow-like colour, green and white. A merriment atmosphere that engulfed and entrapped Nigerians greenish heart that, “if it’s feasible to ride horses in their bellies, no hiccup would ensue.” A reminisce of October 1st, 1960. Today mark another birthday anniversary of the Chief of Africa. Does it call for a National celebration or in-house desolation? A rhetorical question that does not need an answer but a deep meditation from my audience.
Yes! The Nigeria water was gurgle and a new species of fishes were introduced after the banishment of the colonial master for their chameleon subjugation offense. We enthroned our kinsmen to be at the realm of the country affairs and we relaxed into our tranquility sofa, picturing the country as a heaven on earth garden with the most propitious bounties. However, disappointment is the dividend that the country board of directors tabled before its shareholders. A deficit account that keeps accumulating at the end of each fiscal year – is the annual report presented by the imperial majesty that has his throne in the edifice of Aso-villa. The hyenas have truly shown their claws, gripped their prey and stripping them off, of economy buoyancy. A pathetic situation that has made many Nigerians to have a re-think of having the emissary of Queen of England back in the country to inaugurate the phase two of vassalage – “neocolonialism” against self-incarceration perpetuated by the pharaoh(s) of the land who put up a barricade to obstruct the free-flow of economy remnants as enjoyed in the reign of British thralldom.
A quinquagenarian nation who has nothing to boast of than her legendary standpoint in the global criminal register. Her leading position in the league of poverty ravaged societies. A nation that is booming in insecurity, that looks forward to taking the crown from Afghanistan. A role model to other nations in unemployment craftsmanship. Despite her ignominious outstanding, she thinks of rolling out drums and having a discreditable parade to mark her jubilee. What a misplacement of priority! Do we truly deserve this year birthday celebration? Perhaps, to appreciate God that hasn’t switched off the machine of life in our chest.
Of course, insecurity has been a national outbreak that has permeated the nook and cranny of the country. An un-rejected evil accessory in the wardrobe of every Nigeria, given as a birthday gift from our erroneous picked messiah(s) as a form of compensation for our undiluted fidelity. A glass of accessories that has a necklace of banditry; a wristwatch of kidnapping; a diamond ring of insurgency; and a bangle of herdsmen clashes. Rendering her leaking generosity with the body lotion of suicide. A wondrous ornament that gave Nigeria the ticket to participate among the most elegant nations in Miss World contest. Nigeria, a fast growing nation in insecurity, many hope that this would be her last birthday. God forbid, the few optimists muttered.
Adding another feat to the country disgraceful national book of record is the recent xenophobic attack in South-Africa. A shameful act that has its king card placed against Nigerians not once but a number of times. Contentment in terms of sentencing her indigenes to national torment is below the par. Sadly, she was unsatisfied with the break-even point and she thought of outsourcing for an international accomplice that could assist in roasting Nigerians in Diaspora in their inhumane pan. This emanated from the unsheltered abode that exposes her citizenry to the life-threatening conditions at home and issuing them an unrestrained visa to flee the country. This maltreatment doesn’t solely feature South-Africa in the persecution magazine of Nigeria. It has the feature of our close neighbor, Ghana, the world most powerful country, USA and among others. A cyclical tide that will keeps expanding if not checkmated with a 360 transformational economy policies. These industrious Nigerians that made Nigeria a leading Africa country in Diaspora remittance in 2018 with $25 billion repatriation deserved better treatment from the government not a coward plaintiff in Africa or Europe international court of law.
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Going by the Yoruba adage that; if we do not remove the gound of the eyes and show the eyes it’s releasing rheum, the eyes will be unaware of its doings. This illustrates the Nigeria crucible. At this juncture, the country white disgraceful fowl would be weighed on the scale of world economical index, IMF, in comparison with other nations’ fowl whose birds are of the same age group.
Nigeria, Singapore and Malaysia are of the same age bracket when it comes to independence. Singapore was part of Malaysia federation till 1963 before she left Malaysia and became a sovereign state on August 9th 1965. This shows that Malaysia was a mother to Singapore and was an independent state before Singapore. Her shackles of colonialism were broken on August 31st 1957.
According to 2019 IMF report, Nigeria was ranked 28th on the table with a population of 200,963,599, 4.76 trillion GDP and 2,366 GDP per capita. In the same vein, Malaysia took the 33rd position on the table with 31,949,777 population outlook, 4.03 trillion GDP, and 12,601 GDP per capita. Not over-looking Singapore stance on the table. The country found her placement at the 38th position on the table with a population of 5,804,337, 3.68 trillion GDP and 63,363 GDP per capita.
A critical examination of the report easily let loose the puzzle of Nigeria predicament as a stray state in a solitary desert that missed her economy bearing among her prudent peer. Having a close evaluation of the three countries per capita income clearly revealed that Nigeria is nowhere to be found among the two countries economy fortresses. World leading economy such as USA, China and India are soaring in a robust atmosphere of riches as a result of their inclusive embracement given to their population and holding firm to this God-given resources that was providently refined and having returns that is more valuable than a precious stone is not a lotto won by them. Albeit, the reverse is the case in Nigeria, a population that ought to be a rocket that will fly Nigeria into the ambience of powerful countries turn her asset into an object of immolation. Yet, we think of celebrating this prodigal land that keeps offering her fruits for sacrifice.
These two countries are highly ranked in education, health care, life expectancy, personal safety, stable business environment, quality life and housing than Nigeria who always takes her unenviable back seat. According to 2016 report of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), they made known after an interview session with the former Malaysia High commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Datuk Lim Juay Jin who disclosed that about 13000 Nigerians are studying in various of their educational institutions. A number that would have inflated in this our current chronic epileptic educational status. Many Nigerians are still trooping out in masses for their academic sojourn in the most stable and friendly environment. A trend that will continue if not abated with some flourishing interventions.
Wake up Nigeria!!! Is the morning anthem in the tongue of Nigerians. She replied that, if there is still life, there is hope. We responded anxiously that a long-awaited hope will flood the heart with an incurable ailment of despair.
Welcome to the new Dawn!
Long live my fatherland!!
God Bless Nigeria!!!
Dauda Taoheed Olawale, a NYSC corps member writes in from Abeokuta
and then