Nigerian Independence!! From what? -By Kayode Are

Kayode Are

Nigeria celebrates. It is her 55th Independence anniversary. Officials may put up parades and social functions, to mark the day, at public expense. It is their duty to do so, but the litmus test is what the people who are supposed to be celebrating really feel. Apparently, to the average citizen, quite a few shares the euphoria and many see no cause to celebrate.

Those born before Independence and had the fortune to live through or survive the critical phases of development the country went through know why there is a cause to celebrate. Even, some relish the good old days; they want to celebrate, relive the experience and tell their story. What they witnessed each Empire Day and the flourish with which the Independence Day was celebrated up to the 70s. That generation is by the dictates of nature, dying out. Leadership matters in everything. Suffice to say that if leaders by their conduct of affairs in the public interest give cause for celebration, the people will rejoice, when occasion such as this, warrants. Why do citizens of other countries approach similar occasions with more joy than we do?

Someone remarked that youths and young adults today were not as excited about Independence Day as their elders were at that age. It is an interesting question which begs answers depending on who you ask. Some say the youths cannot identify with the event because they do not know the significance of what is being celebrated. Others say young adults are disillusioned by what they perceive as negative trends in the country or are battling economic burden and unfulfilled expectations at the personal level. They are unable to identify with an ancient event which they cannot feel its impact on their well-being. This calls to question how well Nigerians understand their heritage, national symbols and national values.

The reality of the 21st Century is that we live in an interdependent world where no country is independent in the true sense of the word. Like Bill Withers sang in “Lean on Me”, we all need somebody to lean on. Big countries need small countries and vice versa. In some circumstances, countries need their enemies and rivals as well as their friends. Note America, greatest power, depending on Russia to lift her astronauts to the International Space Station even for a fee. The concept of independence is a mere historical notion. By now, Nigeria has done enough to rid itself of the bogey of colonialism which is no longer important to the largest segment of its population, the youths. It would serve a more consolidating function if we replace Independence Day with National Day, maybe on the same date October 1, although there are other dates which merit equal consideration. Other significant dates include the amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria, which centenary was celebrated last year, the establishment of regions, Republic Day and the formal end of the civil war. Our children deserve to imbibe the significance of these benchmarks of national development. One worries when 40-year-old Nigerians hardly understand the events which led to these landmarks. What then would they teach their children and grandchildren?

The emphasis of a National Day is to celebrate Nigeria and her ideals. The Nigerian nation is still work in progress. The unifying idea of a National Day is one that present and future generations can assimilate and celebrate. Acceptance cannot be unconditional but driven by adherence to national aspirations. Here, we can spin off Isaiah Berlin’s essay on “Two Concepts of Liberty” to posit negative and positive independence, to describe what use is made of independence. If independence is used to advance the purpose stated in the country’s coat of arms: “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress”, that is positive. If the contrary is the case that is obviously negative. What does this imply for those who govern and those they govern? That independence gives a certain level of control which denies the luxury of blaming others for whatever position we are in. Positive independence prescribes that people are governed the right way that will make them happy with governance. No individual official, elected or appointed, is ordained a messiah who knows it all. Every leader must follow rules and obey the will and interest of the people. Can it be said that Nigeria is more united and peaceful today and the average citizen is happier the way he is being governed at any level, than he was before independence? The answer ought to be yes.

The anniversary of Nigeria’s independence is a reminder of where we came from and how we reached where we are now. Helen Thorpe reminds us that what we now call our country was built on the ladder of bones- the bones of British and European administrators, merchants, priests, soldiers and sailors, and some spouses. A majority lost their lives and were interred in Nigeria. The significance of place names bearing the imprint of past colonial officials has been drowned in the hubris of modernity. That Victoria Island Lagos was named in honour of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) in whose reign parts of Nigeria became British colonies is significant. So is the fact that George V Street Onikan was named after King George V (1910-1936) in whose reign the amalgamation of Nigeria took place. The selfless contributions of the early governors- Lugard, Bourdillon, Carter, Richards etc- to the development of Nigeria is well-documented and quite inspiring. In recognition of these early efforts, it is important to accept that celebrating independence is not the repudiation of the past but the appreciation of the pillars upon which our progress and advancement were pinned. We cannot claim independence from the ethos of industry and communal labour through which our forefathers, servants of the British Crown, and pioneer political leaders, laid the foundation of modern Nigeria.

National values and symbols are very important. One great value from our colonial past which we should not be independent from is oneness. To hear that some Yoruba fellows were elected as councilors in Kano and Gusau and Igbo and Hausa individuals elected as councilors in parts of the West, sounds like tales of the unexpected in today’s politics. We need to return to that era of tolerance and national integration and avoid the contemporary absurdities we are witnessing on the Plateau and other places. The image of togetherness is essential for peace and positive collaboration instead of haggling over the sharing of resources. Oneness suggests equality of stakes and the reality that we can take for granted equity justice and a fair share, for all, in the management of national issues.

To end this piece is the argument between father and son on whether the symbol of Nigeria, the Eagle, is green or red. Son argued green on the basis of the national football team called “Green Eagles”. The father rightly pointed out that the eagle on our coat of arms is red- a colour that depicts strength. So officially our national symbol is Red Eagle. Who is right? It matters more that there is a confusion and that our nation’s symbol may be other than most think it is. The challenge of sincerity and the parable of lingering and unsettled issues make it difficult for the Eagle- red, green or both- to soar to higher heights.

Are, a former Director-General, Department of State Services, wrote in from Lagos