I was thinking this morning ...... about Independence Day

Independence Day

I was thinking this morning..... about Independence Day. I woke up this morning with smiles recalling how as students in the early eighties we looked forward to Independence Day. How with freshly washed and ironed uniforms, we all troop to the Warri Township Stadium for the Independence Day match past. Oh, we took every step with great expectation of a glorious future for our nation. Today, 57 years after we were granted independence, we are still grappling with potty training issues. At a time when only last Monday, Dubai launched the world's first self-flying taxi, we cannot even boast of a decent taxi on a decent road, instead our own pacesetter state was donating 1000 power generators to the Nigerian Police. Oh God, where did we get it wrong?

 

As I sat by the edge of the bed lost in thought, my mind drifted to my 57 years old colleague getting ready for retirement. With his children out of university, he was ready to step aside, confident of facing what lies post-retirement. But why is Nigeria still a baby at 57?

 

Could it be because of bad leaders? Yes. Could it also be because we are docile followers? Yes. As I hung on to that line of thought, I recalled the Ugandan Hon. Fred Mukasa Mbidde of Democratic Party, who in deference to his party position had told the press, 'I have consistently stated that I will not kowtow in their poohoo.' Even as I smiled at his statement, knowing fully well that 'the guy dey learn work where our very own Patrick Obahiagbon is,' I realized how apt a point he has made. We the followers have not only been docile, we have been kowtowing in the poohoo of our past and present political leaders.

 

I know from college that 'kowtow' means to bow down in adoration, and recently found out that 'poohoo' means useless cries of pain made when one is pooing. Think about it, we know the politicians are looting us dry. Looting the money meant for education, health care, power and even our pension. We shout and wail on social media, but when the next thief is discovered to belong to our political party or tribe, we excuse it. We let it go. For the rest of us, these same people return in different garbs shouting on top their voice how they have become politically born-again and now want to better our lives. We vote them in again. Ah, we are kowtowing in their poohoo.

 

Step it down one level. You see parents support their kids to beat the school laws by smuggling contraband into the hostels. Some even go further to support malpractice in schools, because the noise all around them is how the end justifies the means. More and more parents are failing their children because we are no longer the moral and spiritual beacons we are expected to be. Oh, a broken family is a broken nation. We all are kowtowing in their poohoo.

 

As we look forward to another 12 months when we will return to celebrate Nigeria at 58, I beg you, do not kowtow in the poohoo of those that are dragging us down. We must return the ancient landmarks. The scripture says in Hosea 14:1, 'Nigeria, come back! Return to your God! You're down but you're not out.'

 

Happy Independence.

 

....Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey.