The Daring Nigerian Spirit
BY YEAT ANGO
To some, Nigeria is a failed system. A country filled with disappointments, with a high rate of corruption; a country that has blood on its hands.
While we may have those who think otherwise, others may think all is well. We could refer to the latter as the ignorant. Some even feel they don’t even belong to the country. This set of people has always fought for their independence and never see the presence of the government.
History has it that Nigeria was amalgamated by the British colonialists where all federating units were forcefully joined. The road has never been easy, but we are still moving. Though the country faces threats from secessionist elements and insecurity, the country is still battling to keep the dreams of our founding fathers. There is a high rate of emigration, with many professionals running out of the country for greener pastures.
However, we still do have people who would say: We die here. And that’s the Nigerian Spirit! Despite diversity comprising no fewer than 250 ethnic groups cutting across Nigeria, the task of unifying these groups have always posed great difficulties. Though there are drops of hatred that are politically motivated, Nigeria has always been governed by the policy of divide and rule. The leaders who have refused to back down from their political high seats to groom youths for leadership responsibilities. It’s funny how the future leaders are all grown up, but they have not been mentored to be leaders in the real sense of the world.
These men have taken advantage of our religious and ethnic divides to bring us down. When elections come, it’s not about who is eligible enough to take on such positions, rather it’s about them belonging to either one part of the country or what religion they belong to.
The queues are one of the best places to meet random people and make little conversations here and there. This is where an average man comes to get fuel during a scarcity or in the banks and see how the Nigerian spirit comes alive. They don’t mind being strangers or being Muslims or Christians. It is a well known fact that the Nigerian music industry stands out above its African counterparts, which other countries are quite envious of. It doesn’t stop Nigerians from boasting about this.
When foreigners tend to throw shades at our celebrities, many Nigerians are always willing to pick up the gauntlet to defend their fellow countrymen and women. In such instances you’d see the unity in our diversity. During frequent discussions with my parents, we talked about how Nigerians haul insults at our leaders all day long, cursing at them. However, an outsider dares not say a word against Nigerian leaders; else you buy a market you can’t sell“. Now, that’s the Nigerian Spirit!.
A place where people can proudly show and say they’re Nigerians without feeling ashamed, that is the Nigerian Spirit. We say this, Nigerians love themselves a whole lot, but our leaders who are power drunk have caused us to despise ourselves, making it look as if our unity is absurd, and the task of remaining a united political entity an act that is merely mirage; to be pursued but never attained.
The Nigerian Spirit is one that gives us hope that just maybe we could have a better Nigeria without corrupt power drunk driven leaders. So, let the Nigerian man in you arise and try to make things better, not just for you but for your future as well. A committed citizenship is indispensable in the development of nations. The daring Nigerian spirit is essential, but it must be complemented with commitment and trust in the Nigerian Project.
Ango is a student of Law. University of Abuja, Gwagwalada
