What Nigerians Must Remember
BY FAFAA DAN-PRINCEWILL
Half the nation is seventeen years old or younger. A staggering 70% of Nigerians are 30 or younger, while only a mere 3% have crossed 65 years. Nigeria is pulsating with youthful energy and promise with some risk of too many not knowing relevant basics. This youthfulness formed the backdrop for my thoughts as I got a call to contribute to the commemoration of Nigeria’s record 25 years of unbroken democratic governance. The call sparked a torrent of memories – the arduous struggle for democracy, the relentless fight for a voice. I listened intently as the caller’s persuasion grew, weaving a compelling narrative.
The timing, however, was far from ideal. Fuel scarcity had reared its ugly head once more, inflation galloped forward, and the chorus of job seekers and pleas for financial help swelled. Adding to this weight, another close friend, a former classmate and two close relatives by marriage all passed away in quick succession. The stark reality of Nigeria’s 56-year life expectancy settled heavily upon me. My caller insisted that I should write on any topic of my choice. I wondered if Nigerian journalists among others, those who stood in the trenches of the democratic struggle, have been lauded for their courage, patriotism and labour of love? Those foot soldiers, the ones who confronted national issues head-on, who took a stand and gave voice to the voiceless.
As a young lawyer brimming with idealism and a budding entrepreneur my dedication to public service entailed significant sacrifice too, at the time. I had donated a day each week, for over a decade to this very cause. My Wednesdays were spent as part of the editorial board at THISDAY and another day at another leading paper. It was a crucible that added spice and character to my developing worldview – a time of confronting critical issues, taking decisive stances, and shaping viewpoints. It was an education, a constant exchange of ideas, a space where we envisioned a better Nigeria together.
These experiences, these conversations woven within the journalist community, gifted me with an enduring understanding of our nation. I pledged to write a piece, but the question remained – what to write about? What narrative had yet to be woven? Should it dwell on the shortcomings, the unfulfilled dreams, the crippling debt, or the fractured political landscape? Or perhaps a call to our youth, urging them to stay or to leave, to Japa or not to Japa? Should I delve into the philosophical, explore the meaning, essence and promises of democracy or talk about Nigerian identity or unrelenting spirit?
Twenty-five years of democracy – our third attempt, and by far the longest. A democracy like some of those noisy, undying and rickety vehicles moving slowly in a slant but still covering miles. 25 years is less than a speck in the grand scheme of a nation’s life, yet an eternity for a nation so young, with citizens so young that only a tiny select few hold vivid memories of a time before democracy.
Clarity emerged – the focus would be on our youth. As a former youth leader and activist, now one of the under 3%, I decided to address what information, knowledge, and understanding our youth need to have, that could constitute the very foundation that every Nigerian youth should possess. Education, training, honed skills, and in addition a global awareness, a consciousness – these are the weapons we must equip them with. Awake, Nigeria!
Our story transcends mere colonialism – it stretches back to the ancient identity of the black people along the Niger River. But what truly defines a Nigerian? This piece is not a history lesson, but history holds undeniable weight. We must grasp the interconnectedness of our past, present, and future. The lessons learned from the past illuminate the path forward. Let us march onward, not in bitterness or but with a resolve to learn from past mistakes, a commitment not to repeat the errors and failures of the past,
The British ‘amalgamated’ Nigeria in 1914, a loaded term in itself, a term dripping with colonial arrogance. The initial military force, ‘The Hausa Constabulary,’ later evolved into the ‘Hausa, Yoruba, Mohammedan Constabulary.’ It is instructive to note that the first officer corps, the first 50 individuals, included 38 from the present-day Southeast and South South), only eight Yoruba Christians. Interestingly, the Fulani, while positioned as political leaders, were excluded from the military, especially the officer corps, making their grip of power isolated and dependent. This historical ethnicised military and the imbalances were reflected in the two coups of 1966 and continue to cast a long shadow.
We cannot as a nation seem to get away from these imperfections handed to us. In a recent debate in the National Assembly, we are still talking about recruitment by state quota into the military. The automatic admission of graduates from military schools into the Nigerian Defence Academy and the officer Cadre is still coloured by this uneven distribution handed to us. 25 years of democracy should usher in a military that is neither ethnic or politicised.
Understanding our past is crucial. Nigerians must not be prisoners of amnesia; Nigeria’s narrative must not be lost to the fog of forgetfulness. The elders have a solemn duty to pass the torch of our history to the youth. Woven into the tapestry of our struggles and sorrows lies the bedrock of our resilience, our unwavering endurance, and the echoes of hard-won victories. This is the saga of a people brimming with vibrancy and imagination, a nation forever poised to contribute its unique talents across every horizon.
The global landscape is shifting dramatically. Our beloved ECOWAS, a natural economic community, fractures under the strain of tensions between France and its former colonies. Shockingly, evidence has surfaced of a secret agreement between France and its colonies to essentially maintain a colonial relationship even after “independence.”
The British may not have left such a clear blueprint, but questions linger. Nigerians deserve to know the full story. As a people we need to equip ourselves for the emerging new world. As Nigeria celebrates its democratic anniversary, we must confront the layers of challenges we face. True freedom lies in breaking free from the mental shackles that hold us back.
The fight for a better Nigeria is far from over. Let us embrace our shared heritage, understand and accept our history, never be afraid to rethink, correct or reform while building towards a future that fulfils the immense potential of our great nation.
On this 25th anniversary of democracy let me, as it is said across the land, use as a point of contact my mystery caller, Olusegun Adeniyi, a well decorated journalist, serial author, served meritoriously in government and still serving the nation in Journalism, to salute all Nigerian Journalists that have contributed to the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria. A special toast to all the old men today who were part of that brimming pulsation of energetic youth whose sacrifices bequeathed democracy, never mind the warts and all.
In closing, let us raise a toast to Nigeria’s youth. You stand blameless amidst the nation’s struggles yet bear the weight of both its burdens and its triumphs. You are the anchors of our aspirations, the custodians of our blood-stained legacy.
Nigeria is your inheritance, a tapestry woven with both challenges and opportunities. While the path may not be clear, your potential knows no bounds. Across the globe, Nigerians have carved their names into the fabric of human achievement. Carry that torch with unwavering confidence and pride. As you march forward, the world will recognize your brilliance, creativity and courage, making room for you to claim your rightful place.
FAFAA DAN-PRINCEWILL A lawyer and Kalabari prince, Dan Princewill is a politician. During the Second Republic, he was a presidential assistant and in the aborted Third Republic, he was the National Youth Leader of the defunct Social Democratic Party (PDP). He was the Labour Party gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State in the 2023 general election.
