In the year 1914, this country came into being as a result of the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates by Lord Frederick Lugard. And on the first day of October, 1960, this same country was granted her independence from the British imperialist and gained her republican status in the year 1963. Since then, many people have been seeing Nigeria as a failed nation. A nation, Awolowo described as "a mere geographical expression"1 was sadly referred to by Ahmadu Bello as “the grave mistake of 1914”2 and by Tafawa Balewa as a "mere British intention"3. From blogs to forums and all over the social networking websites, the saddening stories of the Nigerian state have been widely published by various political pundits. Unfortunately, they failed to realise the truism of the Chinese proverb that states "fine or not, it is my country's wine."
It is true that the Nigerian nation has been facing a lot challenges. It is true that plagues dance ballet at her doorstep. It is true that Nigeria is neck-deep drowning in the messy waters of social and economic uncertainties. According to the UNESCO, 70% of her population may be living below the poverty line of one dollar a day4. It is no doubt that poverty may be singing lifeless tunes for many of her citizens to dance. Though the former education minister, Dr. Sam Egwu has said that over 80% of the Nigerian Youths are not just unemployed but are also “unemployable”5 and unemployment may have become a natural phenomenon to the populace. It is true that despite the fact that Nigeria is the largest oil producing county in Africa, her currency keeps devaluing and she still maintains her prestigious position as one of the twenty poorest countries of the world. What a feat she may have achieved!
Our health centres may be synonyms for death-centres and our power sector may be plummeting into an eternal chasm of darkness. Our economy may be rolling down the steep slope of diminishment and our education may be in a sorry state that when one put a pen to paper, it may not be anything to write home about. Our land flows with milk and honey, yet our skins may bear the horrific tales of hunger. Many may see Nigeria as a land cursed with bad leaders and selfish public officials. Many, like Dr. Tunde Bakare may see Nigeria as a nation "under attack by the twin forces of violence and corruption, a state of anarchy and lawlessness".6 Nigeria, to many may be a nation constantly baptized with bloodcurdling waters of explosive devices by the terrorists, a nation that is miles away from peace. To many, Nigeria may be that nation where tribalism, nepotism and gruesome ethnic conflicts have a field day ruling. Nigeria, many may see her as a country that has plunged into a "peculiar mess"7 that recovery is almost impossible!
However, I see my dearest country from a very different angle. Nigeria, to me is like a little baby that has to go through her teething period and I have an undaunted hope that the future will be bright. Nigeria, to me is a fatherland that we all are responsible for building a glorious prospect for. It is to me a motherland that all of us have to create for her, an everlasting happiness. Nigeria, to me is not the mistake of the "erroneous marriage of 1914"8, because I am a product of that marriage and I am not a bastard. But, Nigeria to me despite all the ranging chaos and crisis is still a nation "bound in freedom, peace and unity."9 To me, Nigeria is a land of tolerance, where a family will consists of a Muslim father from the south and a Christian mother from the North, with their children divided between the two religions and yet living in peaceful co-existence!
Nigeria to me is like the palm seedling battling with weeds and unfavourable weather conditions but which in the end is bound to grow to a tall palm tree smiling to the grandeur radiance of the sun. Nigeria to me is still that colossal giant of Africa, who was, who is and who will continue to be the symbol of a glorious Africa. Nigeria is a great nation of good people and industrious youths who are constructing brilliance landmarks in their homeland and all over the world. Nigeria to me, is a land of resilience where despite commotions and myriads of setbacks that bedevilled her, she still stands tall, unshaken from her roots.
Wole Soyinka once sang, "I love my country, I no go lie. Na inside am I go live and die…”10 Nigeria to me is a country worth being proud of, it is a country many have died for, many are dying for and many will die for. It is a country worth dying for, a country I love and which I will continue to treasure as long as I live. Though saddening happenings may have pushed some people to refer to her as "a wasted generation"11 but I beg to disagree that Nigeria is not wasted. Nigeria is a fertile and a fruitful land.
In conclusion, it is no gainsaying, that Nigeria is a country many foreigners wished to be part of. To me, Nigeria is a land of rich cultures and languages. Nigeria is a land of boundless opportunities, a land of freedom and a land of peace. Nigeria to me is like a stone, which the builder had earlier rejected but which has no place now save to be the corner stone. How well again can I sing melodiously what Nigeria means to me than to agree with Chinua Achebe that "...in my next reincarnation I want to be a Nigerian again"12
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