I imagine this may be a troublesome matter for me to debate; even from the title, I could offend some and may be a supply of asking deeper questions by some, however in all I search the apology of anybody that felt insulted, particularly these versed within the discipline of historical past or these with destructive firsthand expertise of the colonial period.
This isn’t an article that offers detailed happenings in the course of the colonial period, nor an article that mongers resentment, however reasonably asking deeper questions on our continent, the nation, and its individuals. It was supposed to be a paradigm shift in quest of the foundation causes for our battle towards growth 60 years after independence. That is an article in search of solutions to some basic questions concerning the connection between Nigerians and their colonists.
Let me first start by asking some questions.
Why our railway system was higher about 70 years in the past, when it was managed by the British?Why our pioneer political leaders, academics, civil servants, army officers, police, and directors educated underneath the British colony have been the most effective, and since then, the standard of these aforementioned professionals has deteriorated.
Why was our golden period as a rustic between 1960 and 1975, precisely a decade and a half after independence, however but we’re unable to provide leaders/followers that may march us towards the dream of our forefathers?
I started formulating these questions a very long time in the past after I encountered books written by the impeccable historian Max Siollun. Three of Max Siollun’s books about Nigerian historical past, particularly between 1950 and 1999, embody ‘Oil, Politics, and Violence,’ ‘Troopers of Fortune: Buhari to Babangida,’ and ‘Troopers of Fortune: Abacha to Obasanjo’.
Max Siollun was a historian with an uncanny present for objectivity, consideration to particulars, and the power to narrate occasions as when you have been current. I discovered his books unputdownable. He was in a position to relate many of the main political occasions that occurred in Nigeria that birthed the fashionable state we’re in; from the occasions previous to independence, the political rivalries of the primary Republic, the coups and counter coups, the civil struggle, the regime from Gowon, Murtala/Obasanjo, the second Republic of Shagari, the primary Buhari Period, the Babangida regime, the Abacha time, and the early a part of the Obasanjo presidency.
What is exclusive about Max Siollun was his lack of prejudice in narrating happenings as if he was an outsider. Prejudice was widespread to many writers about Nigeria Historical past, however Max was completely different. I discovered anybody that has not learn his books tremendously missing about what’s Nigeria.
Lately, whereas I used to be watching a BBC documentary by Jeremy Paxman about British Empire and it’s legacies particularly within the international locations they’ve colonized and the lasting impression they’d on the natives tradition and lifestyle, I started to marvel on the impact they’d on our lifestyle each positively and negatively.
British spent over 200 years ruling India/Pakistan and left in 1947 swiftly and unharmonious not even the identical method they left Nigeria. Indian inhabitants was many instances bigger than the Nigeria’s and extra ethnically and religiously numerous with Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs, but right now 70 years later, India was in a position to heal it’s wounds and march towards a brighter future making the most of its massive inhabitants as a market measurement. As we speak they’re among the many prime world Medical tourism web site, a Haven for Data Know-how, and a Haven for Leisure, regardless of their challenges of poverty, overcrowding, and spiritual variety.
Anyone fascinated by international affairs is conscious of the rising echo of Kenya right now Within the African continent. Kenya is among the many prime economically viable international locations in Africa regardless of their non Oil dependency. Their economic system was not depending on oil like ours, they have been colonised by the identical British, they’ve undergone a number of painful durations, however nonetheless Kenya is marching as a really protected and creating Nation.
Among the many key components for Kenya’s progress was the presence of Asian/Indian individuals who have been initially imported by the British in the course of the colonial period and have been later allowed to be assimilated as indigenes when the British left. Most of Kenya Agricultural sector was dealt with by these Indians as much as today.
About 15 years in the past, when the Naira forex was extra good and secure, many people can keep in mind the massive variety of Nigerians trooping to Kenya for research. This portrays their degree of instructional requirements.
Historical past of South Africa can by no means be separated from their painful battle for self independence. South Africa was a rustic inhabited by numerous teams of Europeans; from Dutch, Germans, Englishmen, and Australians, most of their lands have been confiscated and the as soon as host have been turned in to beggars and slaves.
Regardless of such painful experiences, coupled with their lengthy battle with the apartheid regime and combat for freedom till across the Nineteen Nineties, South Africans have been in a position to flip the pages and make good use of their blended society to their profit economically. As we speak South Africans has a fast-growing economic system, sports activities tourism, and are politically secure. Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have been trooping into South Africa in quest of greener pastures.
Then I started to surprise, was the distinction in Nigeria’s conditions because of our non-mixed society with Asians or Europeans that gave added benefits to Kenya and South Africa? Or was it as a result of quick interval of contact we had with the British (1880-1960) in comparison with Indians who have been colonized for over 200 years? I feel the reply can be the mixed components.
Since independence, we have now been making an attempt completely different approaches to financial growth, regime after regime, authorities after authorities. Each chief created his personal path solely to be deserted when there was a change in authorities. We’ve not portrayed self-discipline within the execution of long-term plans (Nationwide Financial Growth Plan). That imaginative and prescient was since deserted with Normal Yakubu Gowon’s regime.
We’ve deserted the industrialization coverage of Sir Ahmadu Bello; the inexperienced revolution of Alh. Shagari, Operation Feed The Nation by Obasanjo; the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) of Babangida; the Warfare In opposition to Indiscipline (WAI) of Buhari/Idiagbon ; the nationalization insurance policies of Abacha. And because the return of democracy in 1999, the sample has not modified: Obasanjo’s financial reform, Yar’adua’s 7-point Agenda, Goodluck’s Transformation Agenda (TAN), APC/Buhari’s ‘Change’ mantra, and now Tinubu’s Renewed Hope.
The issue was not with the insurance policies in themselves, and in my private view, it was partially not with these leaders I’ve listed above (personally, I noticed them as superb and patriotic people). The issue was with all of us Nigerians, from the leaders to the followers. We’ve all contributed to our scenario: the corrupt civil servant, the mischief marketer that hoards, the unproductive youth, the nepotistic chief, and many others.
We’ve a really advanced nature and habits that generally marvel. We’re very spiritual at one excessive and a really indisciplined society on the different excessive. We preach sanity, honesty, and love, however our actions present precisely the reverse.
Having learn Walter Rodney’s e-book on ‘How Europe underdeveloped Africa,’ I failed (and lots of analysts too) to see that as the only excuse for our underdevelopment. As the favored Hausa saying goes, “Idan Bera da sata, Daddawa ma da wari.” We are able to’t proceed shifting blames on one another and count on that will change the situation. Nations like Pakistan, Malaysia, Iran, Ethiopia, Indonesia, India, Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, Brazil, the Philippines, and Thailand have gone by comparable issues we have now confronted, and nonetheless right now they’re in a single downside or the opposite, however nonetheless have been in a position to change the narratives and switch the adversities into their strengths.
In fact, I absolutely sympathized with the tragedy and cruelty our forefathers have gone by throughout slavery by the Whites, however we are able to’t proceed to dwell on the previous and count on issues to vary. Let’s carve our personal future by God’s grace; let’s create one other Asian Tigers in Africa!
I’m not denying the truth that as much as right now there was proof of invisible palms taking part in a job in shaping lots of our inside political and financial choices (The Chatham Home, the Brook Institute, and many others.), however my argument was that we appear higher off underneath the colonial administration with an efficient police, instructional system, judiciary, transportation system, and taxation system.
With out prejudice, I hope individuals would assist my argument in regards to the White Man’s nature of following orders, pondering for the good thing about his unborn grandchildren, planning forward, and due course of. This was in whole distinction to our chaotic nature, love for fast gratification, and ethnic bigotry.
I’m not on a approach of completely condemning our lifestyle, for certainly we (Africans) are good individuals, courageous, agile, hospitable, and good-spirited. We’re solely in want of excellent route.
On a approach ahead be aware, we have to make our economic system extra open, particularly to Indians, Pakistanis, and Asians in a coordinated method that will guarantee profit to us in addition to them. We have to strengthen our establishments like Banks, Electoral, Police, Navy, Universities, analysis facilities, and most significantly, the judiciary.
We have to combat nepotism, ethnic and spiritual bigotry to be able to enable meritocracy to be the order of the day in Nigeria. We have to benefit from our massive inhabitants as a market’s capital. We have to benefit from our youth and their untapped potentials. Could Allah assist Nigeria to be extra peaceable, affluent, and united.
Saifullahi Attahir wrote from Federal College Dutse.[email protected]
