Right from the time of amalgamation of the Lagos colony with the southern protectorate in 1906, to the historic amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914, giving birth to an entity called Nigeria, the journey of this nation has been of ups and downs.
The nationalist struggle for the emancipation of Niger Area from the clutches of the British was such a fierce intellectual battle, devoid of rancorous and violent approach employed by some other nations to get theirs e.g South Africa. However, it is not to say that the independence was gotten on a platter as we were made to believe.
The roles of individuals like Herbert Macaulay, Zik of Africa, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Mrs Funmilayo Kuti, Anthony Enahoro, Ernest Okoli, Bode Thomas, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, Michael Imoudu etc, in the struggle for Independence was no child's play. They suffered persecution, intimidation, arrests, yet they were undaunted.
Upon getting Independence, the political class got enmeshed in intra party wrangling and inter ethnic suspicion, leading to breakdown of law and order, which became the excuse for the khaki boys to strike, just five years, three months, two weeks and one day into Independence.
The military class dealt a severe blow to the nurturing of our democracy. They never gave the politicians the benefit of doubt in overseeing the affairs of this nation.
Unfortunately, the military dragged this nation into a prolonged civil war. Though some other reasons may be adduced as the cause of the war but for me, it was just an ego issue between two officers that shutdown the country between 1967 and 1970. May we never witness such stupidity in this land again.
The nation paddled on, having military and civilian governments substituting one another, until 1999, when military rule became an aberration. Today, we're celebrating 58th Independence Day Anniversary and uninterrupted civilian rule in Nigeria.
To me, the perseverance, determination, steadfastness, resilience and doggedness of Nigerian masses in weathering the storm and keeping this nation as an indivisible geographical space, since 58years NOW, can be linked to A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILE.
HAPPY 58TH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION!
Signed:
SHAKIRU SEIDU
Publisher, MegaXpression Magazine.
The pride of Ikorodu Division.
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