Nigeria @ 65: Need for sober reflection

Nigeria @ 65: Need for sober reflection

Fatai ADEWUYI

Historically, the amalgamation of 1914 saw the birth of Nigeria as a country under Lord Lugard while Nigeria became s sovereign state on first October, 1960 under Sir Tafa Balewa as Prime Minister and Nnamdi Azikwe as ceremonial President. So, to say that Nigeria is 65 years on 1st October, 2025 is indisputably true and it is factual. However, there is the need for sober reflection for when one considers that at age 65, Nigeria is still crawling – this is a cause for concern. Funny, the so-called giant of Africa is now seen as the tortoise of Africa! This really calls for sober reflection and not celebration by discerning minds. By diagnosis, the birth of Nigeria in 1914 was faulty as some historians see the amalgamation as mistake, which to them is major reason for the present woe of the country.

The amalgamation brought the union of the three major tribes that differ both in cultures and religions and perceptions together. To them, Nigeria is housing three supposedly countries so uniting them is an aberration. No wonder, the Ibo had attempted to pull out while the Yoruba nation’s is ongoing. The British colonialists that forged the union worsened the matter through their democratic legacy that favours the North which is their favourite. So, dominance of rulership is a planned work of the British colonialists.

So, my call for sober reflection is to address our mind and the need to proffer solution. Nigeria’s birth was faulty and how do we correct it? A Yoruba proverb says “Amukun eru re wo, oni oke lenwo, ewo wole,” meaning, causes of problem is deeply rooted and not upward. For, me it can be mended if we go back to the root and show love and bury our differences. We can stil be one nation with one destiny. That was the spirit of the founding fathers of the country that fought for the independence granted on 1st October,1960 – the likes of Tafa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Nnamdi Azikwe, Okotiebo among others. May their souls rest in peace. Let us celebrate the 65 years in sober reflection as we ruminate on the causes of our present woes and ways forward.

Adewuyi is CEO, Atmecs (Adewuyi Tijani Memorial Consultancy Services) 08130851574.