Two days ago,
we congratulated a colleague for his decision to relocate his family from
Kaduna to Lagos following the increased bombings in the North and the most
recent multiple attacks on churches on Sunday, 17 June 2012. This colleague had
lived the better part of his life in Kaduna, and had started a family there before he was posted to our Abuja office, so you can imagine that it was a
really difficult decision for him to make.
As we grieve
in the devastation of incessant killings in our country, I heard in the news
this morning as I drove to work that the Secretary to the Federal Government,
Anyim Pius Anyim has inaugurated a committee to plan for Nigeria’s centennial
celebration slated for 2014. A key highlight of the celebration to mark 100 years of the amalgamation
of the North and South in 1914 would be a compilation of Nigeria’s history. As I soaked in the news, the
recent diamond jubilee celebration of Queen Elizabeth II reign was a good
reminder that we need to preserve our history.
However, while
a compilation of Nigeria’s history is long overdue, I ask myself – Will Nigeria
still be standing as one country by 2014? Fifty-two years after independence
and we are in doubt as to whether we are truly free.
Speaking of
history, I recall our journey to democracy. It began with the passing on of
General Sani Abacha, and then came the interim government and thereafter, the election of
President Olusegun Obasanjo.
I was opportuned to be in the University then (no better place to have witnessed such an event) headed for the library to do some studying. The atmosphere was filled with jubilation and the least charade that it seemed like I had misplaced priorities. What was the occasion? I thought to myself. In no time, I learnt that the life of General Sani Abacha had come to an abrupt end. We were free at last! Or so we thought.
I was opportuned to be in the University then (no better place to have witnessed such an event) headed for the library to do some studying. The atmosphere was filled with jubilation and the least charade that it seemed like I had misplaced priorities. What was the occasion? I thought to myself. In no time, I learnt that the life of General Sani Abacha had come to an abrupt end. We were free at last! Or so we thought.
Two things
were noteworthy which I can never forget. Students in their ever ecstatic mood had managed to swiftly build a make shift coffin and they
were in procession with leaves depicting a loss, but as against the usual
gloomy faces and tears in a funeral there was jubilation and of course
pandemonium. Mind you, this was only one faction. The other faction had
hijacked an unfortunate Coca-cola distribution truck and they had declared free
drinks and a carnival for all. What a shame!
While I do not applaud those students for
their unruly behaviour. It was however a clear indication of the level of oppression we had faced from the Abacha regime. We celebrated then, thinking it was the end of
untold hardship.
Some months down the line, as we watched the swearing in of President Obasanjo, my mum shed tears as she couldn’t believe that Nigeria finally had a democratic government.
Some months down the line, as we watched the swearing in of President Obasanjo, my mum shed tears as she couldn’t believe that Nigeria finally had a democratic government.
