THE SUPREME MESSAGE TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA AT 64: THE MAKING OF A NEW NATION – NIGERIA
INDEPENDENCE CAN BE GIVEN: NATION CAN NEVER BE A GIVEN, IT MUST BE CONSCIOUSLY CREATED FROM THE WITHIN
THE GREATEST CHALLENGE WE FACE AS A PEOPLE IS THAT, WE HAVE NOT YET CONSCIOUSLY CREATE A NATION OF OUR OWN
THIS IS A GLORIOUS CALL AND ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS PRESENT GENERATION
By Musa-Ododo Abdulrahaman
Through the instrumentality of British Imperialism GOD brought together the greatest concentration of Black people on the surface of the Earth, called Nigeria today. This is never an accident, there is a Purpose!
In the evolution of society, every generation must discover its own mission; they either fulfill or betray it. The generations of our great Founding Fathers, gifted to us an Independent Country. These great men never betray their mission.
Through their meekness of Wisdom, they handed to us an independent country, that we never had to go to war with the colonial masters to achieve.
To support this historical fact, let us look at some of our founding documents:
The Nigerian first Prime Minister, Alhaji Sir, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa of the speech declaring Nigeria Independence – October 1st, 1960, Said: “Today ceremony marks the culmination of a process which began fifteen years ago, and has now reach a happy and successful conclusion. It is with justifiable pride that we claim the achievement of our independence to be unparalleled in the annals of history…” He said further that “This great country which has now emerged without bitterness or bloodshed”.
Let me quickly corroborate this with the reaction of another of our great Founding Father Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe to Nigeria’s first military coup – January 15, 1966,. He said: “Violence has never been an instrument used by us as Founding Fathers of the Nigerian Republic to solve political problems. In the British tradition we talked the colonial office into accepting our challenges for the demerits and merits of our case for self government. After six constitutional conferences in 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960, Great Britain conceded to us the right to assert our political independence as from October 1st, 1960. Non of the Nigerian political party ever adopted violence means to gain our political freedom and we are happy to claim that not a drop of the British or Nigerian blood was shed in the course of national struggle for our place in the sun”.
Verily, this great country came into existence without bitterness or blood shed, this was indeed unparalleled in the annals of history. This Noble acton is a testament that those great men truly fulfill the mission of their generation.
The Call and the Responsibility of this Generation
What is the Mission of our Generation, are we Fulfilling or Failing?
Our great Founding Fathers had bequeathed to us an independent country. Through their struggle and sincerity of purpose, the British conceded to them the right to our independence.
Please at this juncture, it is very crucial and worthy to note, that independence can be given, but Nations can never be given, they are earn from the Within! Great and unified Nations are Conceived and are Born from the inside. This is the True Freedom, and the most important task in the process of nation building. Without this, we would not be able to attain to the full potential of our development as a people, and Nigeria will not be able to Manifest her Great and Unparalleled Destiny!
HERE COMES THE MOST GLORIOUS AND IMPORTANT TASK FOR OUR GENERATION!
How Do We Consciously Create a New Nation – Nigeria?
It is an established truth that great and unified nation do not happen by historical accident, is never a happenstance. It is a product of a Conscious Statecraft.
Nations are created, if we do not consciously create one, we can never build any. This is an eternal universal principle that is applicable to all society on earth. This is a Law of Nature! So, Nigeria can not evade this Principle.
What is the New Nigeria?
The New Nigeria is a Conscious Creation of a New Nation, with a Clear and Well Defined Unifying Purpose, Established by Eternal Principles and Driven by Lofty Ideals.
To create a New Nigeria of our dream, we must as a people thoroughly examine and profer answers to these Five Realms of Questions.
These are the most Pertinent and Fundamental Questions of Life and Vital Ingredients in the Creation of Nation:
- Who are we as a People?
- Where is our Unifying Purpose?
- What are the Foundational Principles of this Entity called Nigeria?
- Which Philosophy Impels the Character of this State?
- What is our most Cherished Aspiration/Ideals or What is the Nigerian Dream?
These Fundamental Questions will speak to our:
- National Identity
- National Purpose
- National Principles
- The State Philosophy and
- National Vision
Without answers to these most important questions, there can be no nation, and if there is no nation, what do we build?
The clear definitions and answers to these pertinent questions are the Foundation upon which Real Peace, Durable Unity, and a True Human Civilization can be Built.
And a United, Purposeful, Peaceful, and Prosperous New Nigeria will be Born!
A Great Nation that will be the Pride of Africa and of Humanity as a Whole!
GOD Bless Nigeria!
Yours for Nigeria as a Global Leader!
Musa-Ododo Abdulrahaman,
Founder/President,
Initiative for Discovery of Nigeria Heritage and Endowment (IDNHE).
Project Coordinator,
National Policy Dialogue.
www.nationalpolicydialogue.org