By Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu
Nigeria had existed from time immemorial and her citizens dwelt in peace and harmony. There was no cause for alarm and they had no reason to blame anyone for their woes and problems. Fatefully, in the early 19th Century, Nigeria witnessed an intrusion, a preoccupation of her territory from the Atlantic in the South and from the desert in the North.
The Hausa man in the North knew very little about power, cattle rearing and violence. They were merely farmers in their enclave, until they were surrendered by turbaned men in the desert, whose faces were covered, sitting on their camels and you could barely see their eyes. They sat on top of their camels aiming their poisonous arrows on the local residents. These archers were ruthless coercing the Hausas to submission and servitude.
On the other hand, the Igbos in the South resisted by scaring the British sailors away who had landed from the Atlantic. These sailors were determined, dressed like mafias, armed and in the likeness of Christopher Columbus.
They did not find it easy striking a deal, being welcomed, or having a bargain and the slave trade routes. When the British had completely emasculated the indigenous people of Nigeria, they sought for ways of sharing the booty, continue their beneficial interaction with Nigeria. The Fulani in the North entered into a bargain with the British, promising that they would use
Hausa Language. That was how the marginalization of the indigenous people of Nigeria persisted and that has led us to think today that Nigeria has a problem even after independence and colonial rule.
Therefore, some would still ask; what colour is the problem of Nigeria and I would respond by saying that the problem of Nigeria is in a tinted colour meant to deceive, frustrate and mislead a passionate seeker.
One would be wishing for an expose into the intriguing, stifling condition of the national and individual lives of Nigerian citizens but the truth is that Nigeria has no problems. It is an invaded space, occupied and pre-occupied. It is an area for hunting where the hunters came in with different species of dogs and hounds. Nigeria is yielding a lot dividends, returns to the invaders but the indigenous people are used as guinea pigs.
In 2019, Aljazeera had reported that Nigeria has a mental health problem and in 2024, some are of the view that governance failure, crime and insecurity is the problem. Nigeria is a rich country blessed with both human and natural resources.
Solid minerals mined from Nigeria include: uranium, tin, iron ore, coal, gold, limestone, lead, niobium, zinc etc. Nigeria has an arable land and even after the discovery of oil (petroleum, natural gas, etc.), our leaders in the 1980s went on to introduce austerity measures.
Some while standing on the pulpit have offered prayers as a solution to Nigeria’s problem
while others have opined that bad habits, stubborn wills, inflated egos, evil thoughts, crippling fears, secret prejudices, misguided ambitions are some of the problems. You might be keen to observe that some years after Nigeria’s Independence, most of her leaders were non-indigenes who danced to the tune of the western powers and European neo-colonialism.
They came into leadership not to better the condition of the people but to feather their nest, replenish their pockets and heed the call of those that gave them power/back-up. The red crude in Bonny Island was in high demand by technologically advanced countries of the world and what happened – Then, unashamedly, someone in high profiled position in government told the youths and impressionable young minds that Nigeria is a very poor country.
Incidentally, the faces of governance in Nigeria are in cruelty and temerity. To govern is to legally control a country or its people and be responsible for introducing new laws, organizing public services etc. From the definition, we can deduce that the government is responsible for how people live their lives, obey laws, remain law-abiding.
It indicates that the government contributes in one or another to crimes, poverty, death and livelihood of citizens. The three levels of government in Nigeria intimidate and frighten the masses. Like hungry lions, they pounce on the
flesh of the masses to satisfy their lust. A time will come when the government will relish the idea that IMF or World Bank has approved or advised them to generate revenue from citizens walking on the asphalted roads. We are not far from paying for ‘air’ in Nigeria where drinking water is out of reach due to soaring inflation.
Certainly, times are hard; recession takes place all over the world but that of Nigeria is different, partly because it is man-made and corruption-induced. The staggering statistics of instability and mismanagement in Nigeria do not in any way bother an average Nigerian politician.
The culture of looting and embezzlement must continue with the full assurance that the only thing permanent is change. Obviously, the wealth of Nigeria is nowadays a matter of ‘turns’ and when it is your turn, you decisively siphon as much as you can. No one can criminalize politics in Africa and the case of Nigeria is quite different, where opportunists scamper and scramble for the national treasury.
As a citizen in Nigeria, you can never make a plan, set a target and have it actualized peacefully. The selfish rule, greedy policies of the political leaders and unstable economy frustrate genuine plans, intentions leading to frustration.
Interestingly, most manufacturing companies in Nigeria have left the country and the remaining ones reduced quality, quantity and increased the prices of their goods to avoid
unbearable cost of production; all to the detriment of the masses. Nigerians should weigh the cost of living and dying, check their economic conditions, make effort and see what could be done about it.
Waiting is a waste of time. Situation of things is not likely to get better but it would get worse. Many countries of the world had the same experience, took action that led to the transformation of their countries.
Conclusively, I welcome Nigerians to the big leagues. In countries like USA, the players for the Super Bowl are the biggest and meanest in the country. Now, majority of Nigerians are challenged either to join the big players or die hungry and some are making various attempts through hook or crook. We seem to deceive ourselves in Nigeria that we’re facing a common enemy – hardship, suffering.
It’s a lie! We all face a personal battle – call it tribalism, nepotism, corruption, marginalization, intimidation or fear. Anyone can choose to challenge the enemy holding Nigeria and her citizens hostage. We have learned from history that nothing comes to those who wait but all things come to those who prepare. Nigerians are eagerly waiting to hear or see their conditions changed positively. It’s an expensive joke! The government and the politicians are willing to give them the worst.
Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu St. Anthony’s Catholic Comprehensive Institute, Agulu – Anambra State.
