Re-Thinking Nigeria: Beyond Myths, Illusions And Self-Deceit

 By Pat Utomi

Nigeria is a mess right now. A huge mess. Even the blind can see it. And the deaf can hear the cry of anguish of Nigeria’s children. Can the country be rescued? Possibly. But the myths, years of delusions of grandeur and criminal capture of the Nigerian state threaten the possibility.

*Utomi

Last week one of the great TV interviewers in Nigeria, Charles Aniagolu, asked me the big question. How did we get here?

I resisted the temptation of the immodest but frank answer:   go and read just about everything I have written in the last 40 years.

Those Who Saw And Conquered Ebola – Gov Fashola

(2014 Independence Anniversary Address By Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola) 

Dear Lagosians,

Today, the 1st of October 2014, we are once again celebrating the anniversary of our independence from British colonial rule.

Today marks 54 (Fifty Four) years since Nigeria became an independent sovereign nation, following the germination of a seed that had been sown seven years earlier, when in 1953, Anthony Eromosele Enahoro introduced a private member’s bill demanding self-government.

Governor Fashola At 54th Independence Day Parade

(pix:e247mag)

For emphasis and clarity, let me repeat that by records and history Nigeria is 54 (Fifty Four) years old irrespective of what the centenary revisionists say.

We have never celebrated amalgamation day. We have only celebrated Independence day.

When our first Prime Minister mounted the podium on the 1st October 1960 he spoke to an independent and newly born nation. That happened 54 (Fifty Four) years ago, not 100 (One Hundred) years ago.