Nigeria at 52: Our checkered but significant history in focus

The multifaceted and checkered history of Nigeria is no doubt in question. Our history is obviously a mixture of oil and water; it is a mixture of rice and gravel, and until we are able to identify possible ways to ensure an effective separation of this mixture for a better future, we will remain stagnant like a hopeless pond waiting for the dry season. This is why on the 52^nd anniversary of our independence; Dailypost has decided to treat you to a banquette of both the sweat and bitter memories of our history.
The Race for Independence
Chief Anthony Enahoro played a major role in the attainment of what we celebrate today. Apart from the motion he moved for self-actualization in 1953 as against 1959, he will also be remembered for his continuous fight against the then Military Head of states, General Abaja. This was the beginning of a nation’s journey towards independence. Even though the Nothern elders opposed this motion, their eyes were opened to the fact that independence was important. We cannot forget so easily and quickly to commend the fight of the West African Student’s Union ( WASU) which agitated for the independence of Ghana and Nigeria. The role of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe towards the actualization of Nigerian independence cannot be over-emphasized. The Zikist movement gave Nigeria the needed hope that was going to take it across to the other side of the world (Independence) There would have been no better way to play with the green-white and green colour today without bringing back to memories the selfless struggle of Chief Obafemi Awolowo , and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Of course, the job of the nationalists was never in vain as few years after their endless struggle, Nigeria was granted the right for self-determination.
According to Zik “I fought against British rule, because I honestly believed that it denied me and my people the basic freedoms and fundamental rights. At the material time, I believed, as I still do, that in normal times no man should impose his rule on any people unless he has been elected to do so at a free and fair election. It was an article of faith with me than an African citizen should enjoy individual freedom under the law.”
The Niger Delta Struggle
It is often said that a selfless leader does not live to reap from his own sweat; it’s completely true that most people who struggle for self-emancipation often leave the scene even before their time. This is because they also try to live above their time. Saro Wiwa was a dogged fighter who embarked on a gradual revolution on the pages of newspapers and other books. The late author, journalist, and writer challenged the many injustices done to the Niger Delta people through his pen which he considered was mightier than the sword. He was banned from attending a protest meeting scheduled to discuss the fate of the Niger Delta people in 1994. However, four elders were killed during the meeting. The ‘Right Livelihood Award’ winner was indicted by the then Head of States, General Sani Abacha. He was sentenced to death by hanging alongside eight others. Despite the intervention of the International Community, the late dictator, General Sani Abacha, sent him to his grave. He died a gallant fighter; fighting for the emancipation of the Niger-Delta people. The recent clamour by the Niger-Delta youth was an offshoot of what he started. On this day, and on the 52^nd Independence anniversary, the nation’s flag cannot be hoisted better than refreshing your memories with Ken’s astute and dogged figure. His death put Nigeria in the spotlight, as the nation was suspended from the Common wealth in 1994.
Additionally, the struggle continued even after Ken Saro Wiwa had left the scene. Asari Dokubo mounted the podium in another campaign for the survival of the Niger –Delta people. Different anti-government groups emerged and kidnapping of oil workers became the order of the day. When the situation became unbearable for the government, the late Yar’Adua moved for a total reconciliation where the militants accepted to lay down their arms under the amnesty program. The success of the amnesty program of the late Yar’ Adua is something we need to reflect on today.
The Festival that shook the world:

 FESTAC ’77- There would have been no better day for a cultural revolution than on the 15th^, January 1977 when the great art and cultural ensemble of Africans and African-Americans was held for one month in Nigeria. It was no doubt a classic art and cultural exhibition that brought people of all races and nationalities to what is today known as FESTAC Town in Lagos Nigeria. The festival that took place in the main conference and cinema halls of the National Theatre, Iganmu and other parts of Lagos, justified that Nigeria and indeed Africa is endowed culturally and artistically. In Wole Soyinka’s defence for Nigeria’s African Arts and Culture as an original art form, he said, “There would have been no better justification that Festivals in Nigeria and in Africa are mere drama, after FESTAC 77. FESTAC 77 was arguably one of the biggest events ever hosted by Nigeria. On this 52^nd Independence anniversary, the sweet memories of FESTAC cannot be waved aside.
Cleansing the land:
4. June 14, 1999 was another remarkable date in the history of Nigeria. It was on this date that  the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo announced a seven-man commission called the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (HRVIC) otherwise known as the Oputa Panel. It was a reconciliatory move by the Obsanjo administration to look into the various human rights violations from the military era to May 28, 1999. The Commission Chairman was Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, and assisted by the Commission Secretary, Reverend Father Mathew Kukah. Though many people have held that the Panel did not achieve the purpose with which it was set up, Justice Oputa in a recent interview had argued that the commission was not set up to investigate and penalize, but to investigate and learn from the failures and mistakes of the past.

The return of Biafra

Chief Ralf Owazurike: The formation of MASSOB on September 13, 1999 by its leader, Chief Ralph Uwazurike was with the sole aim of using nonviolent method to emancipate the people of southeast and parts of south South geo-political zone from their long years of political seclusion. This movement championed by chief Ralf Owazurike had challenged the Federal government on different remarkable occasions to allow for a confederal constitution which will allow the igbos to secede.  For the first time since the Civil war, Owazurike and his fellow fighters had raised the flag of the Republic of Biafra. Till date, the group are yet to give up on their struggle for change. However, one key area of weakness of the group is that it’s members are scattered across other countries, even as it enjoys little patronage by great politicians from the east.

A country on the verge of Anarchy

Removal of Fuel Subsidy Protest: For the first time in the history of the nation since 1999, when civilian administration took up the mantle of leadership from the military, Nigerians had embarked on a nationwide protest that paralyzed the nation’s economy for more than one week. The protest that hit the nation through different channels described Jonathan’s government as insensitive and incapable of handling the nation. However, for the timely intervention of the leaders of the National Assembly, the protest was suspended after much deliberation. The protest has redefined the rights of Nigerian citizens whom the government has realized are key in the formulation of any new economic policy.
The day our brothers left us

ICJ’s judgment on Bakasi: Recently, the Bakasi people have accused the Nigerian government of throwing them away to foreign land and have threatened to make a violent move if the government of Nigeria does not do anything to return them from the hands of those they have considered their enemies. However, it all started on that terrible day, October 10, 2002 when a judgment was passed by the International Court of Justice (World Court), The Hague,  that the rich oil peninsula had been ceded to Cameroon. This judgment has not only affected the geopolitical history of the country, but has also affected the economy of Nigeria, in fact in the most negative way. 52 years ago, the people of Bakasi had not thought that a day would come when they will become strangers in their own land.

 When Religion threatened our existence

Sharia Law; The introduction of Sharia law did not only create some internal disputes in Nigeria, but had also threatened the unity of the country. The application of Sharia law in the administration of different states in Nigeria was far off the hook as Christian in most Muslim states were seen leaving the North because of the fusion of religious law into government.  One of the exponents of Sharia law, Ahmed Sani Yerima had threatened to deal with both Christian and Muslim defaulters. The saga continued until 2002 when Amina Lawal, a 30-year-old divorced Muslim woman who had a child out of wedlock, faced charges of adultery in a Sharia court. The public protest over the death sentence passed on Amina drew the attention of the international community that ordered that Amina be released. It was after then that the Nigerian judges devised a way of separating the law of the state from religious law.
The twisted History
June 12, 1993 was the most awkward day in the history of our country. It was a day of twisted fate, hope, and expectation as the election considered to be the fairest ever conducted in the country was annulled by the then Head of State and Political Maradona, General Ibrahim Babangida. If Abiola who emerged victorious in the election had taken over power, the other long era of dictatorship in the unfriendly hands of General Sani Abacha would not have taken effect. However, the annulment was greeted with a mass rally across the country as mobilized by the late Kudirat Abiola  in defence of her imprisoned husband.  In support of Kudirat and her family, Nigerian rose against the cruelty meted on Abiola. The elimination of Abiola and Kudirat by the heartless military truncated the envisioned new Nigeria that Abiola had promised during his manifesto.  Everything worked against the future of Nigeria as it plunged into yet another long military era. Today, we celebrate independence with every available freedom granted us by our democracy. The lost hope and the twisted future have been found today. But, are we going to forget people like Abiola who gave up their lives for the nation even as we celebrate our independence today?
Middle East in Nigeria
When we began to heave some sigh of relief for holding unto our precious and invaluable democracy, we were again confronted by some beasts from within. The insurgence of Boko Haram has put  Jonathan’s government through a terrible trying moment as different Nigerians who live in the North have paid dearly for the fight they know little or nothing about. The group that are yet to make any particular demands from the government , have intensified their campaign since  their leader, Yusuf was killed.  Recently, the Joint Military Task Force had claimed that it had recorded tremendous success in its campaign against the dreaded Boko Haram, as its spokesman and their hideous have been ransacked.   There will be no better Independence anniversary without our understanding that we are indivisible people regardless of our ethnic backgrounds, and this senseless man inhumanity to man must stop.
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