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Hurray! 50 big cheers to Nigeria!!!

“Today is independence Day.” – Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s First Prime Minister on October 1^st 1960

About 50 years ago, the quote above rent the air as the first sentence, and first line of the speech presented by Nigeria’s first and only Prime Minister –late Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa on the ceremony of the Independence of Nigeria as a sovereign state.

Nigeria is situated in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the West, Chad and Cameroun the east, and Niger in the North. In the south its coast lies on the Gulf of Guinea, part of the Atlantic ocean. With a population of over 140 Million, it is known as the most populous country in Africa and the eighth in the World.

This wasn’t so about 50 years ago. It had about 25,000,000 people that made up the population. According to the late Prof. Stephen Leacock (Dec. 30, 1869 –March 28, 1944 –former lecturer, head of department of Economics & Political Science and Professor Emeritus at McGill University, Montreal), “The climate never varies; each day is awful. White people cannot live there; those who survive go home.”

About 50 years ago, there were all in all 5,000 whites, but a large proportion of them were missionaries, nurses, and teachers, holding down a job, not a country, along with the clerks and traders of the steamship companies and the Staff of the Government House. Three guns (3^1/2 inches each), Four battalions of infantry, one mortar and a signal school class, make up the whole National Defence of Nigeria. Even at that the whole army was black, except the officers. Someone said if there was to be mutiny at that time Nigeria could rise up and kill all the white officers, but why will they do that at the first instance?

Before independence, there was real government, the Government House was at Lagos. With mostly the Nigerians running the state. Those in the inland govern themselves through their Chiefs, Emirs and such relevant titles their people know them with. This was the indirect way of ruling the whole regions put together.

About 50 years ago all the revenues raised in taxes cannot keep Chicago running for six months, but today there is Petro-dollar, Human resource, Solid minerals and recently ICT that is doing wonders in the development that even led to the relocation of one of the headquarters of a GSM company from South Africa to Nigeria.

Today, Nigeria has earned to herself the credit of constructing the fastest growing federal capital city in the world. The federal Capital was moved from Lagos to Abuja. It started with three-lane roads, now it’s embarking on six-lane roads in order to manage vehicular traffic.

About 50 years ago, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa said, “ In these days of rapid communications, we cannot live in isolation, apart from the rest of the world, even if we wished to do so.” Today, there is the Internet, The GSM and the easier accessibility to air Transportation.(There are 22 airports in Nigeria with paved runways, and 21 Airstrips).

About 50 years ago, the late prime minister closed his speech with “God save our Queen.” But today; to utter ‘God’ has been replaced by ‘Allah.’

About 50 years ago, Nigeria “emerged without bitterness or bloodshed” but today it’s sad to say that many lives have been lost in cold blood and vehement bloodlettings.

About 50 years ago, the late prime minister opened a “new chapter in the history of Nigeria and of the commonwealth and indeed, of the world.” Today, we have a recorded history of 14 previous and current Leaders after Independence, 10 past and present senate presidents, 11 Past and Present Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. 7 Speakers of the Federal House of Representatives (past and present). Today, we have six geopolitical zones, 36 States including the Federal Capital Territory, 774 Local Government Areas, Today, we have 8,540 elected councilors, 1,205 House of Assemblies. 24 well-consolidated banks. We have 27 federal Universities, 31 State Universities, 33 Private Universities.

Today, We have 13 different organizations concerned with security in the Military, Paramilitary, and Agencies. With the Nigerian Police divided into 12 zones.

To say Nigeria has not grown and developed does not need consulting the late professor of Economics, Stephen Leacocks in his grave but to compare his penned thoughts with what is tenable today in Nigeria.

With doors opened to the world, Nigerians are listed among every 5 blacks around the world. Today, we have the Philip Emeagwali (a Nigerian), who Bill Clinton (former president of United States of America, the most popular democracy in the world) addressed as the Bill Gates of Africa.

This same Bill Clinton recognized the resilience in Nigerians as the most happiest people on the planet earth.

Today, the political terrain is so stable that Each cabinet minister receives annually N29 Million including allowances. Each Senator is paid N28 Million per annum. Each House of Reps member receives N22 million. N1.4 Billion as Estimated total payments to presidential aides in emoluments per annum. N539 Billion as total payments to council chairmen/women and councilors in Nigeria’s 774 LGAs. N36 Billion as total salaries of House of Assembly members across the 36 states. N1.3 trillion Estimated annual salaries, allowances and fringe benefits of Nigeria’s political office holders at all tiers of government.

Not to worry you with the very lengthy history of political entries and exits of past leaders and coupists making wonderful speeches in this Country let’s browse through few of the many, like Major Chukwuma Kaduna’s

“In the name of the Supreme Council of the Nigerian Armed Forces, I declare martial law over the Northern provinces of Nigeria.”

To President Nnamdi Azikiwe’s reaction with the statement

“ Violence has never been an instrument used by us, as founding fathers of the Nigerian Republic, to solve problems.”

To General Yakubu Gowon’s

“ Countrymen, as you are all aware Nigeria has been immersed in an extremely grave crisis for almost eighteen months…let us therefore march manfully together to alter the course of this nation once again for all and to place it on the path of progress, unity, and equality.”

As if Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu was waiting for Gowon’s speech, he declared,

“ Fellow countrymen and women, you, the people of Eastern Nigeria: conscious of the supreme authority of Almighty God over all mankind, of your duty to yourselves and posterity…I, Lieutenant Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria…do solemnly proclaim that the territory and region known as eastern Nigeria together with her continental shelf and territorial waters shall henceforth be an independent sovereign state of the name and title of The Republic of Biafra.”

Then Gowon later declared

“citizens of Nigeria, It is with a heart full of gratitude to God that I announce to you that today marks the formal end of the civil war.”

Enters, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed;

“Fellow Nigerians, events of the past few years have indicated that despite our great human and material resources, the government has not been able to fulfill the legitimate expectations of our people. Nigeria has been left to drift.”

On his exiting in cold blood, enters General Olusegun Obasanjo,

“ The Supreme Military Council has been meeting to consider, among other things the conclusions of the military Tribunal appointed by the Federal Military Government to try those involved in the abortive coup of February 13.”

Enters President Shehu Shagari,

“ Fellow Nigerians, we have witnessed today the birth of the Second Republic of Nigeria. With the swearing-in-ceremony this morning, I have formally assumed office as your first executive president.”

Enters the return to military rule, Brigadier Abacha’s speech,

“Fellow countrymen and women, I, Brigadier Sani Abacha, of the Nigerian Army address you this morning on behalf of the Nigerian Armed forces. You are all living witnesses to the great economic predicament and uncertainty which an inept and corrupt leadership has imposed on our beloved nation for the past four years. I am referring to the harsh, intolerable conditions under which we are now living. Our economy has been hopelessly managed. We have become a debtor and beggar nation…yet our leaders revel in squander mania, corruption and indiscipline, and continue to proliferate public appointments in complete disregard of our stark economic realities.”

Then Enters Buhari-Idiagbon after an excellent introduction by Abacha. Next, the Maradona himself, the authoritative chess master player; enters General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida,

“ Fellow Nigerians, when in December 1983, the former military leadership, headed by Major General Muhammadu Buhari, assumed the reins of government, its accession was heralded in the history of this country. With the nation at the mercy of political misdirection and on the brink of economic collapse, a new sense of hope was created in the minds of every Nigerian.”

He further stated,

“Since 1984, however, we have witnessed a systematic denigration of that hope. It was stated then that mismanagement of political leadership and a general deterioration in the standard of living, which had subjected the common man to intolerable suffering, were the reasons for the intervention….let me reiterate what we said in 1984: This generation of Nigerians and indeed future generations have no other country but Nigeria. We must all stay and salvage it together. This time it shall be pursued with deeper commitment and genuine sincerity.”

Later he declared annulment of June 12,

“ Fellow Nigerians, I address you today with a deep sense of world history and particularly of the history of our great country. In the aftermath of the recently annulled Presidential Election, I feel, as I believe you yourself feel, a profound sense of disappointment at the outcome of our last efforts at laying the foundation of a viable democratic system of government in Nigeria.”

After General Babangida ‘stepped-aside,’ Then came in Chief Ernest Shonekan,

“ Fellow colleagues of the Interim National Government, I have summoned you this evening on an unusual occasion. Earlier today, I met with the Secretary of Defence in company of Chief of Defence Staff and chief of Army Staff, and we discussed the state of the nation…It is common knowledge that the ING is a child of circumstance. It was conceived in crisis and born in crisis.”

Enters General Abacha as Head of State,

“ Fellow Nigerians, sequel to the resignation of the former Head of the Interim National Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Chief Ernest Shonekan and my subsequent appointment as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief, I have had extensive consultations within the Armed Forces hierarchy and other well meaning Nigerians in a bid to find solutions to the various political, economic and social problems which have engulfed our beloved country, and which have made life most difficult to the ordinary citizen of this nation…This regime will be firm, humane, and decisive. We will not condone nor tolerate any act of indiscipline. Any attempt to test our will, will be decisively dealt with.”

On the demise of General Abacha enters General Abdulsalam Abubakar commenting on the death of Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

“ Fellow Nigerians, it is with a very heavy heart that I address you for the second time since destiny bestowed upon me the mantle of leadership of our beloved nation. Exactly one month ago, we were shocked by the sudden passing-away of our late Head of State, General Sani Abacha. As we concluded the official 30 days mourning of this great loss, we are now challenged by another national strategy. The passing-away yesterday of Chief Moshood Abiola was as sudden as it was tragic, particularly as he died on the brink of his release from detention. For me personally, and for the nation at large, this must be one of the saddest moments of our lives. I never envisaged that I will be faced with such momentous tragedies within the space of one month.”

Enters General Olusegun Obasanjo, and then Alhaji Umaru Yaradua. Upon his demise, enters the ‘lucky’ president , His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the current performing man of the moment.

What Nigeria failed to measure-up in, according to Professor Leacock’s essay is in the fact that Nigeria never took and I don’t think will ever take the game of crickets seriously. Considering the fact that Sports has never been taken seriously most especially by the male folks. Recently, the women made us proud by bringing home the Silver in the recently concluded World women’s football tournament.

In conclusion, after about 50 years of melodramatic political overtures, it’s not just the Queen of England that needs all the saving by God, And so with the words ‘God Save Our Queen’ I also say ‘God Save and Bless Nigeria!’

Apostle (Dr.) Genesis A. Dawuda

Administrator

Centre For World Rebirth

Phone: 08028063695 | 07027001527

Website: www.drgenesis.com

E-mail: info@drgenesis.com | centreforworldrebirth@yahoo.com

References;

Leacock Stephen(Prof), “Last Leaves” Dodd, Mead and Company, Inc. 1945 New York

Jonathan E. Aliogo, “Current Affairs” De Joe publication & Communications Ltd. 2009 Nigeria

Jonathan E. Aliogo, “Great Nigeria Speeches” De Joe publication & Communications Ltd. 2009 Nigeria

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