The socio-economic and political consequences of the partitioning of Africa by the Western colonial masters, at a point, became extremely unbearable by the people. The progenitors of modern Nigerian nation, most probably, dreamt of a happier, prosperous, and egalitarian society under self-rule. Over a period of time in the struggle for independence, Western education of the black elites provided sufficient steam that “toppled” the white hegemony. Alas, Nigeria was granted independence from the British government in 1960, exactly sixty (60) years from today.

Dear friends, I do not intend to write another article on Nigeria political history. Much have been written by respected scholars. The idea here, is to do a soul-searching review of the significance of our “independent” journey from 1960.

A logical way to access progress is to compare life between the contemporary with our pre-colonial standard of living. Of a truth, a lot of “progress” have been made. The good, the bad and the ugly are component parts of our experiential history. The idea of a perfect state could best be described as an over-rated utopia. For me, even the darkest moments in Nigeria’s annals could be converted into lessons for a prosperous state. The deep-seated tribal animosity, bigoted religious sovereignties and elevated political corruptions have created, perhaps, more dangerous black colonial monsters than the regime of white colonial masters. The post-colonial Nigerians have developed varied weird systemic symptoms of Naegleria fowleri which is a reference to “brain-eating amoeba” that can cause a rare and devastating infection of the brain called Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). Stage two signs of NF are
• Stiff neck
• confusion
• lack of attention to people and surroundings,
• loss of balance
• Seizures
• Altered mental status
• Hallucinations
• Coma
The supremacy of regional politics, senseless individualism and religious intolerance, has blind -folded most Nigerians, overwhelmed many people with confusion, lack of attention to the needs of fellow citizens and deluded judgement about the primacy of a united, virile nationhood. Our own bullish politicians have turned arable lands into killing fields. The value of coexistence has become, albeit, a mirage. When so-called leaders emasculate their people with hunger politics, rob national and state treasury of our commonwealth, sponsor ethnic cleansing in favor of their selfish political oligarchy and create death traps on our highways, they are worse than the barbarians. These are monstrous behaviors.

At the beginning of their independence struggle, the nationalists’ ideology was premised on territorial nationalism with emphasis on cultural connection of the people. A united people was considered a force to resist colonialism. Herbert Macaulay, (14 November 1864 – 7 May 1946) was the founder of the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) on June 24, 1923, Professor Eyo Ita founded The Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) in 1933 while northern-born, Harvard-educated scholar, His Excellency, The Late Dr. Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first Governor General and first President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, new leader of NYM merged with Herbert Macaulay to form the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in 1944. Zik’s concept was a national geography of a united country despite our diverse cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds for the pursuit of a “common” destiny and happiness. As at the time, the common problem of Nigeria were the colonial masters.

The pre-republic regional politics of the 1930’s and early 60’s had aroused and infused a seemingly dangerous parochial hegemony into the new nationalism. Heterogenic affections, ethnic violence, repression and oppression, in addition to corrupt personal interests, started rearing their ugly heads. It is strongly believed that the quest for an independent nationhood was the fertile soil on which the seed of black colonial monsters was sowed. Europeans had relinquished power to the new black leaders but the paraphernalia of ethnicity was too toxic to sustain an egalitarian nation. We began a downward spiral collision course. Things have fallen apart and the center could hold.

At 60, Nigeria has come of age. The need for a new national dialogue cannot be over emphasized. Ethno-cultural values must be respected. Religious differences must be tolerated. The life and welfare of every Nigerian must not be compromised by any political party or class. Every Nigerian deserves the right to be human, free, respected and protected. Every Nigerian leader should be responsible, people-oriented, and accountable. In matters of these cherished inalienable values, partisanship has no room.

There should be a bipartisan effort, nay, movement that ensures a local and national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth per capita in order to guarantee the quality of citizenship welfare. Political leaders should work hard to analyze econometric data to reveal moments of real growth in our economy. Our GDP deals with “the total value of goods produced and services provided in our country during the year;” It is “the final value of the goods and services produced within the geographic boundaries of a country during a specified period of time, normally a year.”

Food security should be one of the primary concerns of our elected office holders. Quality healthcare is non-negotiable. Protection of lives and property is a statutory obligation. Education and infrastructural development are paramount.

Rather than seek for ways to devour the electorates, our political leaders must constantly gauge constituency performance through the following aggregate expenditure scales:

1. Households consumptions – in food, clothing, shelter, health, education, etc
2. Investments by businesses – artisans, industrialization, equipment, agriculture, etc
3. Government spending on goods and services – capital expenditure, infrastructure development, maintenance of civil servants, pensioners, security, health, education, and so forth
4. Net exports, which are equal to exports minus imports of goods and services – do we have a robust manufacturing economy that sustains local consumption and encourage export. Excess export over import is a healthy omen for the economy. Ohafia can export food products, hides and skin, among others.

When we elect local, state and federal office bearers who are sensitive, responsive and responsible to the people, we create a substitution pathway for better leadership in our independent nation. The solution to true federalism is to oppose and reject any one who poses as a leader but lacks the character of honesty and transparency; anyone who diverts the people’s resources to enrich self; anyone who disregards human dignity. We must say “NO” to Black Colonial Monsters. There and then shall we cherish our INDEPENDENCE.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE!

God bless you all.

Rev. Daniel Imo
Founder, RDIF