Daily Independent (Lagos)
Femi Asiru
6 July 2009
opinion
Lagos — National anthems are meant to inspire the nationals of every country; it is therefore not surprising to see some people becoming emotional and shedding tears of joy when their national anthems are sung. Nigeria's present national anthem was adopted in October 1978 when the then military government decided that the anthem adopted when we attained independence in 1960 had become inappropriate. No referendum was, of course, held in the country to determine the alleged inappropriateness, but the military junta at the time, as usual, knew best what was good for Nigeria.
In keeping with our adopted national anthem, can it be said today that Nigerians, especially our political leaders, are "serving our fatherland with love and strength and faith"? I very much doubt so, considering the degree of self-interest apparent in our governance. Over the years, our governments have failed to realise that the welfare of the people is their primary responsibility.
Or how else does one explain the high rate of poverty in the country in the midst of abundant resources available to the governments? It is no wonder, therefore, that social crimes have continued to escalate in the country, thus giving Nigeria a bad image in the international community. Immigration and Customs authorities at foreign airports will continue to treat Nigerians with disrespect as long as they hold the view that the average Nigerian is either a rogue or drug carrier.
Government should initiate policies that will create jobs for our unemployed youths and also tackle the energy crisis so that, like Ghana, we can enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply. Our roads should be motorable to save Nigerians the agony of spending unnecessarily long hours on the road. It is when these are done and security of life is assured that the cost of doing business in Nigeria will be more competitive and companies will then have second thoughts about relocating from Nigeria. Militancy in the Niger Delta area will also be curbed, although the area deserves an urgent special attention.
What do we say about "the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain", another line in the anthem? Chief Anthony Enahoro, a nationalist of the first order, who moved the motion in the then House of Representatives for Nigeria's independence from British colonial rule, cannot be a happy man today because patriotism in the land appears dead. Of course, with regard to our dead heroes - to name just a few: Herbert Macaulay, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Alvan Ikoku and Mallam Aminu Kano - they must be weeping in their graves about the state of our nation.
Why on earth has the Federal Government failed so far to honour Chief M.K.O Abiola, a man who won the presidential elections in June 1993 but was denied the opportunity to become President and who died in prison because of his rightful claim to his people's mandate? No honour can be too great to bestow on such a man. To me, the present system of awarding national honours, where you have to apply in the first instance, is a joke. Apart from soldiers whose duties include dying for the country in case of need, it is doubtful if any Nigerian of today is willing to lay down his life for the country, given the experience of the late Chief Abiola.
Instances abound where Nigerians have been mistreated abroad and the government has done precious little to seek redress, whereas no nation can afford to mistreat an American, Israeli or Briton outside his country without their nations retaliating appropriately. Great Britain once went to war because the ear of one of its nationals, a Mr. Jenkins, was cut off in a foreign land. When our government shows that it cares for its people anywhere in the world, the spirit of patriotism will be strong and Nigerians will then be prepared to die for their country.
We are urged "to serve with heart and might, one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity". Where is the peace in the country, given our experience in the Niger Delta area and religious uprisings from time to time? Where is the unity when tribalism still prevails? The hypocrisy we currently have in the country has to stop. Nigeria needs a truly federal constitution and NOT the unitary one imposed on us by the military junta in the guise of a federal constitution. Perhaps, Major-General Aguiyi Ironsi would have been alive today if he had simply operated a unitary government without signing the Unification Decree into law in 1966. If we are "to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign", let us revert to the Parliamentary system of government which we had practised before and understood very well; besides, it is much cheaper than the Presidential system which is an albatross on the necks of impoverished Nigerians.
For a nation "where peace and justice shall reign", the votes of the people must count. In other words, we must have free and fair elections. The Justice Uwais report on the conduct of future elections is an aggregation of the voice of the people and government has no business tampering with it unless the government itself is not sincere in its promise to ensure that Nigerians have credible elections in future.
Femi Asiru wrote from 8B, Marine Road, Apapa.
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