On the 1st October, 1960 Nigeria got her independence after years of enslavement, cultural submersion and economic exploitation, imperial rule and impunity of the colonialist. The earth rejoice and the spirit of our hero’s past reunited in felicitations of our victory and emancipation, the nationalist who constantly and consistently resist the yoke of this European’s subjugation through their antagonistic journalism sigh relieve and loud the great feat they accomplished.
The children leap for joy, African birds sang in rhythm, the Leafs shook, our green grasses sprang her blades and blossomed, at the lifting of freedom flag. Nigeria our own, Peace, Unity and Progress became our motto for there on. We’re alive to a new dawn, to a new life, to a new birth, to regeneration. Our heroes who lay down their sword in the game of thrones haven passed the baton to us, aren’t taken for granted as posterity keep their memory fresh and alive.
No doubt, we were eager to have control of the East, West, North and South to ourselves. Freedom is something to behold and feel, it glitters, more precious than gold, we won’t trade it for nothing. Oh! freedom, Oh! freedom, is the sounds of father’s voice we always heard. Though young and tender but we’re stupid to understand, because, we know how it tastes, feels, and sense to be liberated. Waking up each morning at cock crows without missing anyone around and in the neighbourhood felt a good day and beautiful turn to us. Stereotypes were broken on the pedigrees of those who in past had visited the exploiters inhumane, boundaries were set up, a new plan was drawn, a new orientation was made and a new Nigeria was given. We were ready to rewrite our story, to change the narratives.
Although we’ve been participating actively in decision making before, it was without sovereignty. Thus, independence brought need to form indigenous government, have a ruler of our own, and make our laws that’ll guide and direct our conduct, affairs and determine our relationship both locally and at international frontier. we did got it. We choose our leaders ourself, for ourselves (democracy) and at some point they imposed themselves (military regime), yet its self rule. They represented our voices, protected our rights, led us and we were loyal to them. Successive generations passed the liberation message for successors understand of what we’ve been through and to know and learn how to be part of the state leadership, the leaders of tomorrow.
However, there came a time when the children which we brought up in the precept of love, care, freedom and leadership became corrupt and hatred began to flow among them. The cup of freedom so cherished has now become a tool used to fetch brother’s blood. Forgetting the freedom we fought for stands for love, harmony, value, faithfulness and patience. The cup of freedom is now being used for ridicule among children. Our vision has now been turned to the worst nightmare. The struggles of our fathers, our heroes is now being swept under the mat. Now it seems we are better off enslaved with all system of our economy and life working than claiming freedom, yet we are not free. Our right has been smuggled away from us, our properties taken away, our peace taken away and fear is being imputed in us towards our brothers by those who are suppose to uphold us. We no longer sleep with our two eyes closed and windows open because of the fear of our next door neighbour.
Inspite of all this,we still upheld the foundation of our dear country as a strong nation. We never gave up on our dreams and visions whenever we remember that we are the giants of Africa. We wakeup each morning for a better tomorrow denying the fact that tomorrow was yesterday. Even our children that we call leaders of tomorrow are now seen as leaders of the future, not even the nearest future.
Nevertheless, we won’t just stop doing what we know best. Now is the time to make decisions and change the book cover to the content of the book. We won’t give up on tomorrow because we have missed it but we will keep hope alive that another tomorrow will come and our dreams and visions will be accomplished. Let’s go back to were the bloods were shed, where we lost our pride, where we exchanged blood for freedom and strengthen our path and rebuild the foundation of our dear nation. Together we stand divided we fall, the progress and success of this nation should be our topmost priority because this is our father’s land.
– Oguche Rejoice Iye
Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba. Kogi State.
