Wonder what is happening to our memories—our ability to recall how it all started back in 196o when we were set free by the colonialist. Things seem to have happened so fast, especially after going through a civil war and almost breaking apart as a nation. Years after the civil war, events of the last few months are nothing but reminders of those dark nights of war between the National troupes and the Biafran soldiers.
Yet the embers of war are being fanned again; perhaps, by people who were still in their mother’s womb when the first war took place. Once again some individuals with short memories or perhaps, for their selfish interest, are once again fanning the embers of tribal war. Our strength lies in our ability to pull resources together—ability to stay as one and remind the rest of the world that we can pull through regardless of our diverse nature, culture, tradition and beliefs.
With a population close to 200 million people, Nigeria cannot afford to miss its steps in this theatre stage. Our pride as a nation lies in the fact that we have men and women in various economies of the world, contributing to new discoveries in science, technology, politics, and a host of others.
We are better off as one—therein lies our strength. Why go our separate ways when we can collectively take Africa’s most powerful black nation to the pinnacle of success?
While independence and ability to determine one’s fate is tempting; it by no means guarantees success. No nation knows this better than the Scots who have elected to remain as a member and part of the United Kingdom. Lest we are consumed by greed and selfish desire to break out of the nation called Nigeria, we must not fail to ask a few questions of ourselves. Is it worth it?
We must rise above parochial and selfish interest. We must pull through as a nation, and send a strong signal to the rest of the world.
