Nigeria is 60!
First of October 1960 was way before my time, but history sort of tells me it was a struggle for Independence, it was not just "given" Nigerians made a demand and people who some today might call our "founding fathers", led that charge.
Independence "given or achieved" it came, for all Nigerians or (the group of tribes and tounges) clustered into one nation and named Nigerians strangely enough by one who is not of them.
1st October 2020, it's 60 years of Independence.
What a word Independence ? Who were we dependent on and for what ? or was it actually the reverse ? Who were dependent on us and for what ?
Could it be our wealth and natural resources the colonial uninvited guests came to help themselves and were so dependent on it that they so plundered it lavishly that up till this day you see the relics of those plundering?.
The British Museum in London, still "holds" some answers,I bet you they believe those acient Benin Kingdom artifacts held at the museum may not speak. Hence the museum can say, "We offer to lend" how do you lend the rightful owner his property! forcefully taken hundreds of years ago? Let that sink in for a second.
Who ever connied this word "Independence" day, thats being celebrated by "dependent -independent" nations, honestly he did you a great disservice because it framed and sets a wrong mind set then in 1960 as much as it does now.
I rather sixty years ago our founding fathers had decided to christen that day, "Awakening" (Coming into existence or awareness ) or something else and not take in the name Independence ( freedom from the control or influence of others or self rule ) as given by the so called colonial master's.
If not anything at least the word (Awakening) is a process and might most likely have kept challenging us every 1st of October unlike this word (Independence) that tells you or frames an impression that, you are free, that's an obvious lie even in the Nigeria of today 60 years on.
How independent are you when you import the processed form of what you produced in the crude form? How independent are you when the borrowed system you chose to govern yourselves with,has not created a just and equitable nation but one so sectional and unbalanced, yet you find it hard to modify this system and better govern yourselves ?
How independent are you when a belief has been so entrenched that almost everything locally made "sucks" and you enjoy only the "foreign imported stuff"?
How independent are you when you still borrow or taken loans from the same very "colonial club"?
It does leaves the question are you really independent? or is anyone really independent for that matter?
"Those who came to depend on you told you, you're NOW! independent and you celebrated " .....wished someone has told them then, cut the crap! We don't need Independence,we just needed to renegotiate the terms to "mutual dependency" and since you had a head start, you have loads of payback to do first.
No Nation is an Island and more so in the morden day "globalised" world. Time and space are so bridged by technology that the term independent as it relates to any nations may not be entirely true it's just plain rubbish, you may disagree but that's just what I think. To plainly put it, many "independent" nations in highly volatile parts of the world pay Big Brother aka America for protection, otherwise, they would be run over by their furiously jealously next-door neighbours - still doubting ?, then maybe ask Kuwait.
Some may say it's just a word ? however from where I come and what I believe (the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible) then word or more like using the right words are important
We could say we are independent but we really are still not yet awake or the alternative we can chose to agree that though we may still require dependence but constantly we stay the phat of "Awakening" as a nation.
Happy first of October everyone, whatever you call the day or the celebration,it's all good - for me today,am remenicing ,reading and watching the stories of those everyday "Nigerians" that achieve uncommon feats - they are the true independents in a nation of dependents
Like the story of the young lady selling self made tiger nut juice and kunu around her town in a cooler and got gifted a motor bike by the kind hearted film maker (Omoni Oboli)
or the smartly dressed chap,in a tie selling friuts from a push cart
,or the creative young lady using her gift of make up to recreate impressions.
How about my wife,sold out to the course of working with children and young people who require special needs even while waiting 10 years and counting for her own bundle of joy.
How about the many men of faith who have by faith and grace of God built lives, homes and continue to inspire change by walking the talk and preaching what they practice.
To those Nigerian who continue to invest thier hard earned money in businesses despite the difficulty to run one in an economy so unstable - you're appreciated you're celebrated today.
Lastly to the many Nigerians in diaspora who never forget home and keep ensureing their off springs are not overshadowed by popular cultures but grow up to value Africa,its cultural values like family , respect, support, & faith.
For all of these people your beautiful stories reaffirms a believe that in this nation filled with many distractions lately and pigion hold perspective of what achievement ,happiness or real wealth looks like.
These folks are constant reminders that if you stay your course ,put in the work , dedication and keeping enjoying what you do, heaven smiles on you in due season - and that little (5 loves & 2 fishes) will surely become overflowing.
Stay Awake ! not Woke...
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