By James Ojo, Elom Sunday
As Nigeria move away from her centenary ''celebration'' in year 2014 -
something that calls for joy, but whose joy was hampered by her
enormous challenges, Nigerians remain optimistic as year 2015 unfolds,
with the hope of a better tomorrow.
Going down the memory lane, the amalgamation of the Southern and
Northen Protectorates in 1914 brought about the current state called
Nigeria. Since then, challenges had been her hallmarks, perhaps due to
what many called ''a forceful marriage''.
This sprout questions like: Are we really one Nigeria? Is there unity
in our land? As the case may be , it is a fact that Nigeria does
not really live in unity as we claimed to be. Nevertheless, it boils
down to what unity meant to us.
This reminds me of Odewale's words in the popular drama, ''They Gods are
not to blame'' written by a literary mogul, Rotimi Olawale.
It reads: ''The monkey and gorilla may claim oneness but monkey is
monkey and gorilla is gorilla''.
Amidst our religious, ethnic and tribal turbulence, it is obvious that
each tribe has attempted to pay more loyalty to their ethnicity than
to the central government - a bane to our so called ''federal system of
government''. Despite this we claim to be one, operating under the notion of
unity in diversity.
Hunred years of ''togetherness''! How has the journey been so far?
An analysis
Year 2014 undoubtedly was characterised by so many unmitigated disasters
especially those posed by the deadly militant Islamic sect Boko Haram.
At the outset their mission seems known to everybody as - ''war against
western education and creation of islamic state'', but in the long run,
they are fast turning into a religious-cum-political tool.
While many Nigerians became hopeless in 2014, thousands were killed,
thousands injured and many others in great trauma, nuturing the stigma
inflicted on them by these the Boko Haram.
Our over 250 Chibok girls taken captive would forever linger in our
memory. Our brothers killed at the Iyanya blast and many others killed
in the North remains indellible in the anals of Nigeria history.
However the future might looked unhappy but to resign oneself to it is
to be crippled fast. To this end Nigerians must move on. Moving on
with faith, with hope and with expectations.
We must borrow a leaf from USA who had once been in a tussle like this
but never relent. Today, other countries of the world look up to them
for various aids.
Giving Nigeria more expections and making more committments for 2015, President
Goodluck Jonathan on his first day of the year, made an address to Nigerians,
ensuring them of a better future, a better tomorrow. Parts of
his speech reads:
"Great People of our nation.
"I greet and felicitate with you all as we enter the New Year today.
As we mark the beginning of this New Year, 2015, a new nation is being
born. A new nation is being born because of the foundations we have
all laid, working together for the good and progress of our dear
fatherland.
" I join you all in thanking God Almighty who has brought us this far,
for continually bestowing His Grace upon us and for guiding our great
nation safely through all the challenges of the past year.
"This year, as in the year past, I reaffirm my commitment to work to
ensure a secure future for our dear country and the generations yet
unborn.
"Last year, we celebrated our hundredth year of nationhood. The year
brought us further progress, challenges and fresh opportunities.
" We have contended with the normal challenges of nation-building and
the unusual challenges of terrorism.
"But we have continued to vigorously confront those who seek to
destroy the bonds of unity that hold us together.
communities, driving them into exile.
" I want to assure you that the terrorists will not get away with
their atrocities: they will not win; they will be routed. As
President, I feel the pain of all affected communities and families. I
hear their cries and share their sorrow and pain.
" We will not forget; we will not look the other way.''
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