One of the most important lines and maybe the most emotional in Nigeria’s National Anthem, “The Labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain” lays more burden on the contemporary generation of Nigerians to fulfill the dreams and convictions of the forefathers of this country more than any other. Captured in the fourth line of the modern Nigerian National Anthem adopted in 1978, 18 years after the country’s independence and eight years after the Nigeria-Civil War, underwrites the vision and sweat of founders of independent Nigeria.
The summation of this vision can be captured in the words of prominent founders of the country. One of them is Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe – the Zik of Africa. During his inauguration as the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of the Federation of Nigeria on 16th November 1960, few days after Nigeria’s independence, he delivered an emotional speech titled “Respect For Human Dignity”. The historical speech captured the vision and the desire of all Nigerians for Nigeria and Africa at the time on the rule of law and protection of basic human rights within the country. In his words, he echoed, “Let us bind the nation’s wound and let us heal the breaches of the past so that in forging our nation, there shall emerge on this continent a hate-free, fear-free, and greed-free people who shall be in the vanguard of world task force, whose assignment is not only to revive the stature of man in Africa, but to restore the dignity of man in the world. ”
Upon examination, unfortunately, it seems what Dr Azikiwe and his compatriots dreaded are now rife in the country today. They dreamed of a “hate-free, fear-free, and greed free people”. Sixty-two years later, the country’s diversity has become its undoing. Her national endowments have become her doom and her ruling class, her end. Today, Nigerians fear to visit some parts of the country to avoid being targets of religious and tribal hate. Others are denied positions they merit because of where they come from or the god they serve. Corruption, misappropriation of public funds, nepotism, clanism, terrorism and hatred have become the order. No one is bordered. There is fire on the mountain, in the words of the music sensation, Asha, and no one is running. This is not the labour of our heroes past.
The economy of the country is at its worst ever. The inflation rate hitting 20.95%-the highest in seventeen years, drastically reducing the purchasing power of the poor and the middle class. Unemployment rate continues to climb. Now, at over 33.3% – a global record and without a clear-cut real report of underemployment. The quality of education continues to nosedive. In 24 months of the last two years, students in various tertiary institutions especially universities have not been in school for over eight. At basic and post primary levels, pupils and students are left to study in dilapidated infrastructure with little or no access to books or other learning materials.
In truth, this is not what the heroes past laboured for….
As Nigeria celebrates her 62nd independence anniversary, the day calls for deeper sober reflections, actions that must be taken to regurgitate the hope of citizens more than celebrations. As our children match today in various public spaces to celebrate this moment of “freedom” and our leaders stand on podiums to take the salute, we must truly re-assess our journey so far. Can the Nation boldly celebrate success on this occasion? Can her young boldly tap her chest and hope for a better future?
All governments from the sub-nationals to the federal must in reality take urgent steps to save this nation. Her predicament has outgrown regional, religious, cultural, and nepotic solutions. Concrete, well thought out and sincere actions must be taken to restore hope among her citizens. Her citizens are also obligated, at all times, to do the right thing.
If the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain like we sing and continue to sing, then this is the right time, to go back to the drawing board and save our dear Nation.
Arise, O Compatriots! Nigeria’s call, obey!
WRITTEN BY DAVID OKPOKWASILI
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