‘A lot has been achieved in nation-building, democratisation’
One frequently question at independence anniversary is: what is there to celebrate years after the Union Jack was lowered and replaced with the Nigerian flag of Green, White and Green in 1960? Our parents and grandparents lived under the drudgery of centuries-long trans-Atlantic slavery, colonial occupation and exploitation. They couldn’t, therefore, have imagined why their successors could question the desirability of freedom, even if it meant freedom to misrule to themselves, as we are regrettably doing today.
Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa’s 1000 historic word-speech in 1960 indicated that Nigerians were “impatient” to seize liberty from the British, in the knowledge they would turn underdevelopment to development. In Balewa’s account, since 1958, “every Nigerian has been eagerly looking forward” to independence. He went further that, “I cannot adequately express my joy and pride at being the Nigerian citizen privileged to accept from Her Royal Highness these Constitutional Instruments which are the symbols of Nigeria’s independence.”
It is commendable the Federal Ministry of Education re-introduced History in primary and secondary schools. Simplified editions of Walter Rodney’s How Europe Underdeveloped Africa (1972) and Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom must be compulsory reading to capture them young and put an end to unanswered frequently asked questions. So far, it is a mixed bag. Some progress one may say, but more in deficit.
There are many challenges (in surplus) with monumental corruption to match. But I still nonetheless agree with Walter Rodney that the balance sheet of colonialism carried no ‘credits’ at all. Colonialism, Rodney wrote, had only one hand-“It was a one armed bandit.” Colonialist Lord Lugard built railway line from Lagos in 1896 to Kano in 1911, (a total of 711 miles in 15 years) but with brutalised African labour. The objective was to foster the goal of exploitation of raw materials. Lord Lugard’s police force, in 1949 Enugu, massacred 22 coal miners for daring to demand for wage arrears, a historic tragic event which led to series of national protests that laid the basis for the struggle for independence.
100 years of colonial campaign de-industrialised Nigeria, but five years of regional self-rule started the process of Nigeria’s industrialisation which made, asked every Notwithstanding the current challenges, Nigeria and Nigerians have made some considerable progress in nation-building, especially in the areas of national unity and democratisation in record time, Nigeria the third largest manufacturer of textile in 1980. There is no doubt, whatsoever; we must celebrate independence and nationhood.
The challenge is how to reinvent Nigeria and fulfil the promise of independence; which is development. Which then raises another puzzle: who are the founding fathers of modern Nigeria? Better put: who and who fought for independent Nigeria? Notable nationalists like Herbert Macaulay, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa and Aminu Kano legitimately capture the imagination. And almost 60 years after, there is still some nostalgia about them: if you like, some cult of the dead. But also, there are almost forgotten millions of patriotic actors who gallantly fought for independence and served Nigeria. Yes, Nigeria and Ghana travelled a relatively peaceful road to independence compared to bloody armed struggles in countries like Angola, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Kenya and Namibia.
However, Nigeria’s independence in 1960 was preceded by mass resistance, mass strikes and protests with enormous sacrifices by first generation of Nigerian work force, Nigerian women (Aba women’s resistance of 1929), trade unions and labour movements in general. High point of labour’s resistance was in 1941. The National Union of Railwaymen (NUR), led by Michael Imoudu, president, and the union’s Secretary, Mr. Adenekan, matched through the streets of Lagos over eight kilometres to see the then Governor, Sir Bernard Bourdillion. The protest over hourly pay instead of monthly pay led to major victories for the workers.
Labour agitations included the 44-day strike of 1945 which was led by the very labour No 1, Imoudu. These agitations linked the demand for better working conditions in particular with the demand for independence in general. Nationalists increased the noise level of the demands of the trade unions for independence, but the likes of Imoudu, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti and many others should not wait until 100 years of Nigeria to be honoured. It’s time Nigerian leaders resumed duties to mark Independence Day as in India, Pakistan, China or Ghana. Presidents and governors and legislators who literally declare holidays for weddings of their children must observe important national/development days like October 1. Nigerians should reject the low key mentality of self-serving leaders and take the challenges of national development into their hands.
Notwithstanding the current challenges, Nigeria and Nigerians have made some considerable progress in nation-building, especially in the areas of national unity and democratisation. There are millions of stateless citizens in the world on account of failed states and collapsed nations. Following the brutal deposition of “Leader King of Kings of Africa,” Muammar Gaddafi, Libya which got independence on December 24, 1951, had since disintegrated into some terror cells. Somalia got independence July 1, 1960. It has since become a failed state in spite of common faith, language and culture. Sudan got independence from both Egypt, and Britain on January 1, 1956 (four years earlier than Nigeria) but broke into two after series of war with South Sudan. The new South Sudan, (54th independent country in Africa), with population of just 12,340,000 is a lamentably forgotten theatre of war of attrition between same brothers, namely President Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar, over who would be the president.
I agree with President Buhari that the unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is sacrosanct and settled in our constitution. Unity of the Federation is mentioned 31 times in the 1999 Constitution.