Independence: Celebrating Nigeria’s 63rd Year Of Peace, Transformation And Unity -By Mukhtar Garba Kobi

It is universally true that a country is referred to as independent when it is able to run all internal and external affairs without interference or foreign control, Nigeria is a country located in West Africa which was colonized by the British. The country was granted independence in year 1960 after series of struggles by our elites who were diverse in religion, tribes and regions but strived and worked together as one for the emancipation of all. Nigeria shares land borders with Niger Republic in the North, Chad and Cameroon in the East, Gulf of Guinea to the South of Atlantic Ocean and Benin Republic in the West; the country that is endowed with both natural and human resources.

There is no developed country that reached its current state without passing through tough times, Nigeria is on the verge of development, hence challenges are inevitable but resolving them by leaders paved way for evergreen transformations. In 1914, British colonial administration amalgamated the Southern and Northern protectorates to a single colony and protectorate of Nigeria, the amalgamation of over 250 diverse ethnic groups and two separate provinces was obviously related to the first military coup in Nigeria and the subsequent civil war. The Nigerian civil war was a devastating experience as both sides lost thousands of loved ones and properties worth millions were destroyed.

Moreso, Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo are three major tribes in Nigeria which are known globally for their befitting cultures. Participants from Nigeria during Olympics games and other sporting activities forget differences to perform excellently in their different categories; maintaining such spirits has been the reason for Nigeria’s development and unification. The country has variety of renewable and non-renewable resources; some are even yet to be tapped or discovered, each State that made up the federation has one or more natural resources which made it unique from others. Resources that could be found in Northern Nigeria include coal, tin, limestone, perishable farm-produce and crude oil.

In the same vein, some States in Southern part have abundant crude-oil which has been helping country’s economy since its discovery in 1956. They also have palm trees in excess uncompared to those in the North, there is no single State that could give residents everything needed without relying on other States; working together for common good is therefore sacrosanct. Government’s efforts in indigenizing and supporting local factories paved way for many to develop commercially, our dreams of succeeding in all paces of human ramifications could only be achieved if we tolerate the lapses of others, understand one another and put the country over our personal interests.

It is a lesson upon us that some regions of other countries that decided to secede are dwindling in poverty, unemployment, human rights abuses, border wars are always aggravating. An African proverb says ‘when two brothers fight to the death, strangers inherit their wealth’, it means that if a country sink in war, others they see as minor end-up getting their valuable resources and wealth. Despite challenges of inadequate water, fragile electricity, jutting unemployment, unequipped schools and hospitals still the level of patriotism remained firm as there are good leaders doing their best and sectors are improving gradually.

In summary, there is need for leaders at all levels to standardize the living conditions of the populace irrespective of heterogeneity and without bias. Referendum, constitutional review and information sharing with all subordinates should be championed by leaders so as to give room for people-driven leadership and accommodate fresh ideas of developments. To forge for more national unity, political parties that adopt names, logos or motto with ethnic, geographical or religious connotations should be proscribed. We should know that people clamoring for war have already sent their family members abroad; ironically they are igniting war while indirectly preventing their loved ones from being injured or killed.

Lastly, everyone could be responsible for bringing positive or negative changes because our present actions and inactions determine the future. If God want, He can create us practicing same religion, speaking similar language and cohabiting in a single geographical location. Instead, in His wisdom, He created us in different sizes and shapes, different races and cultures, different faiths and modes of dressings, foods and traditions varies just for us to tolerate one another for developments to reign. Citizens could be part of government by trying to know what Councilors are doing in wards, kinds of bills members are passing in State Assemblies, what Governors are projecting for States and then beseeching to be aware on what Mr. President is doing for the whole nation. Together We Can Make Nigeria Great Again!!!

Mukhtar writes from Bauchi and can be reached via garbakobim@gmail.com