It has been sixty-two years since Nigeria became independent. I would still insist that Nigeria's sticking together, or forcefully staying together, as one nation in spite of her diversity is a product of a miracle. Many within and outside Nigeria have secretly wished that Nigeria would collapse, maybe some still do, but to what end? That we have come this far as a nation , regardless of our "jaga-jaga", it means we can go farther as a nation.
Nigeria is still a very rich nation, perhaps the richest in the world, but is has suffered from poor leadership over the years. I know history books and documentaries credit our "founding fathers" with fighting for Nigeria's independence but the same materials conveniently chose to conceal embers of religious and ethnic tensions caused by some of these same people, which have been amplified over the years to what we are currently managing now. In any case, this is not the time for blame game; if we insist on that then we will eventually be forced to look into the mirror. The big question is, where do we go from here? To the prosperous Nigeria of our dream or to a disintegrated nation(s) of separatists?
A legal luminary, Afe Babalola (S.A.N), had once advocated for a sovereign national conference, hinting that Nigeria's constitution is faulty and even the National Assembly may not do enough to amend it. In other words, there should be a restructuring, a renegotiation of some sort, which should be brought about by carefully selected Nigerians to determine Nigeria's future as a nation. The outcome of that conference should inform a new constitution altogether for the next government to conform to. Anyone that knows how Nigeria operates must admit that for Nigeria to make any meaningful progress restructuring is inevitable. Power is concentrated at the centre, running a lopsided bi-cameral legislature is rather too expensive, states depend on the federal government for their security, all these should inform a need for a radical redrafting of the constitution.
A working Nigeria is still possible under the right leader, better still a benevolent dictator. Next independence will definitely meet Nigeria under a different President. Regardless of who that person may be, I have a feeling that that person will be better than Buhari. In the meantime, let those who have been praying for Nigeria continue to pray for Nigeria and let those who have been working for the nation continue to do so.
See you next week!
#FreeLeahSharibu
#SecureNigeria
P.S
I have decided to not retrospectively analyse any news of the previous week in honour of Nigeria's Independence Day and I hope you understand.
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