POLITICS

 AMALGAMATION: THE FIRST NAIL IN NIGERIA’S ROTTING COFFIN.

It’s October 1, Nigeria’s supposed “Independence Day Anniversary.” But, while many Nigerians, especially those in the diaspora, will be gearing up to send goodwill messages, photos, videos, memes and even adorn themselves with the vibrant green and white - the national color of our beloved country to celebrate the historic occasion, maybe we should all pause and re-evaluate the actual state of Independence of Nigeria - for the umpteenth time. 

Let’s start with the simple meaning of independence, shall we? According to Merriam Webster’s dictionary, independence means “freedom from outside control or support.” Now, do a quick soul-searching taking into cognizance the recent happening in the country, and ask yourself the burning question - Is Nigeria genuinely independent? If yes, independent from what?

Let me tell you a story.

BACK IN TIME

Sixty-one years ago, the geographical region now known as Nigeria was divided into the Northern and Southern protectorate and was governed by the British - our most revered colonial masters. However, following the aftermath of World War II in the early 1950s, the decline of the British empire began as whispers for the independence of territories in Africa became a raging mob voice.

As benevolent masters, our British colonizers decided to grant the “Giant of Africa” its independence on a platter. After amalgamating the Northern and Southern protectorate consisting of hundreds of diverse cultures and tribes. Thus, both regions came together in holy matrimony on October 1, 1960.

In the honeymoon stage of this marriage, the celestial plains were the starting point as Nigeria was considered the focal point of Africa, not only for having the largest black population in the world, but for its infrastructures, level of development, tenacity and optimism of its people. After that, however, like all unequally yoked unions, cracks began to form as the partners started fighting for superiority and dominance. 

This endless power-play dragged the nation through the rabbit hole of civil wars and tribal hostility so much that 61 years later, Nigeria has fallen from its once enviable position as the giant of Africa, wobbling on spindly legs to keep its oversized body balanced while crying to mommy (the western world) to be saved.

 

PRESENT DAY

Now, unless you’re living under a rock with no access to information, tuning into Nigerian news is a surefire way to start the day depressed, as there always seems to be one calamity or the other. In Nigeria today, news of armed robbery, corruption, kidnappings, bombings and horrible deaths are so rife, they are hardly shocking. As a coping mechanism, most Nigerians have mastered the art of making fun of their own pain; otherwise, man fit craze.

Over the years, Nigeria has moved from one of the most prosperous Black nations to play tic-tac-toe with poverty, corruption and increased crime rates. In the 21st century, the “Giants of Africa” still lures its gullible citizens with election promises of water and stable electricity. However, the economy is in shambles and the Nigerian currency is giving gravity a run for its money.

What is the government doing you say? What it does best. Tightening the chokehold on its citizens. With poor infrastructure and no security, many foreign investors have left the country to more accommodating climes. For companies that stay, strict laws and bans will effectively end their reign. How dare they try to provide jobs and lift Nigerians out of the poverty line? 

This, among many others, is the government’s response on par with threatening its citizens for daring to speak about their suffering and borrowing more and more from the western world to the tune of trillions of dollars. Funds that will end up in the belly of a mysterious animal and go unaccounted for. 

From Leadership Newspaper on Friday, 2nd July, 2021- ‘’Each citizen may owe N217k by next year as Nigeria’s debt hits N43.4trn’’.  This is for a country whose population is estimated at 200 million citizens.

Again, I ask you, is Nigeria truly independent?