Should Independence have been delayed?

Nigerians from different walks of life express their minds on whether or not the country would have fared better if its independence, secured from British colonialists in 1960, had been delayed for national questions to be resolved

 We got independence at the right time – Senator Olufemi Lanlehin

This country got its independence at the right time with the right amount of struggle for freedom and independence by its emergent leaders. The country at independence was blessed with honest, educated and patriotic Nigerian leaders. Although they too, as human beings, had their faults, most of the enduring developments that Nigeria had were between 1951 and 1966.

The endemic corruption unleashed on all aspects of the society can be traced to the intervention of the military, particularly from 1985 till date. The major problem that Nigeria faces today is that of corruption and until this is successfully tackled Nigeria cannot move an inch forward.

We shouldn’t have got it on platter of gold — Samad Sanusi, a civil servant

 Maybe we would have fared better if independence had not been given us by our colonial masters on a platter of gold. I believe we would have been better able to manage ourselves if we had had the South African experience. I think we would have appreciated our freedom better than we do now. You can see the South Africans. Are the black majority not better now? Nigeria should learn from all these African countries and stop priding ourselves for nothing on the claim of being the giant of Africa when in actual fact we are nothing but a paper tiger.

We are not ripe for independence —  Adewale Rasaq, a graphics designer Rasaq

Our independence is not a very favourable one. Nigeria is a big mistake on the world map. We should be deleted and erased or joined with a successful country. I regret we fought for independence. It’s now I reason with the north who had said independence should be given not as soon as possible but as soon as practicable and as soon as we are capable of ruling ourselves. To be sincere we are not ripe for our independence, our leaders are unripe to rule us.

Delayed independence would have been a blessing — Vivien George, civil servant

I think a delayed independence would have made the difference for Nigeria. Take a look at South Africa: our youths go there to improve their standard of living. It is because the white men in South Africa did their best to develop the place. Though apartheid was a setback to the people of South Africa, we cannot wish away the fact that the government that was controlled by white men really developed the place. If the white men were to stay in Nigeria till 1990, it would have become a paradise on earth. A country without regular power supply, employment for its youths, medicare, standard education, good roads and industries can only be described as hell on earth. The security situation has worsened the whole matter.

 Delaying independence would have made us slaves — Alali Horsefall, human right activist

Nigeria would not have fared better if our independence was delayed. We would have been slaves in our country if the colonial masters were still around to manage our resources for us. The truth is that our governments have not been able to do things right. If you get it right as a leader in government, definitely, the people will be happy with you.

 Independence is good for us  — Ndubuisi Enechionyia, a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand

A lean freedom is better than fat slavery. Independence was good for us. After independence, we took off on a steady pace and each of the regions was doing relatively well until the military came in and set us back many years.

We were doing as well or even better than our peers were and some of our regions had economies growing as fast as any in the world. 1999 to date is our longest period of democracy since independence, and potential for greatness and development clearly abounds if we can get the right leadership. We are a one-problem country and they say a problem identified is half solved. That problem is corruption. It is at the root of all the deficiencies we have; from infrastructure to politics and election to ethnic violence to the economy to the judiciary etc. We have a leadership that is not willing to sacrifice for the progress of this country. We must sacrifice selves, friends, family, resources, and politics to be able to set this country on the proper path. Democracy requires a vibrant opposition, which is lacking here. We in the opposition parties are as bad as those we criticise. We have not been able to mobilise the people based on any policy direction on national issues, and the states we manage are no different from those of the PDP. Sacrificial leadership and vibrant purposeful opposition is lacking at all levels. 

Are the problems surmountable? Yes, yes and yes. My optimism stems from what has happened in Brazil, China, India, Ghana, etc. in the past two to three decades. They were drifting until leadership emerged that was ready to stand to be counted. Nigeria has gone several full circles of inept leadership and it is at that point in its political life where either we get it right or we should be ready for the consequences, some of which are manifesting already.

 It should have been  delayed – Nigerian Medical Association President, Dr. Osahon Enabulule

With the past and current socio-political experiences of Nigeria, it is indubitably clear that Nigeria would have fared better if the pro-independence crusaders and nationalists tarried a while to collectively settle the delicate questions surrounding the Nigerian state before rushing to achieve flag independence from Britain. Particularly, the basis of unity of the several nationalities ought to have been more critically resolved before moving ahead to agitate for independence. However, now that we have arrived at this stage of our national existence, we have no choice but to still come together on a transparent platform to resolve the Nigerian questions.

 Institutions faired better under British managers – Gbenga Kayode, a Master’s student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife

Facing the reality, Nigeria would have been better without independence. Independence should bring about happiness and an opportunity to manage one’s life. What happened in South Africa  is that the people endured colonialism, violence and repression for a long period to reap its fruit at independence. But independence has been a curse to Nigeria.

For instance, Oluwa Glass company in Ondo State was the largest glass producing company in West Africa. The economy of the areas was very good when the British managers were heading the company. The cases of NITEL  and many others are similar. What then do we call independence?

Over the years, Nigeria has faced a lot of challenges due to its inability to meet the peoples’ needs. In the last five and half years, the situation in the country has been so tense that the country lost a lot of her resources (human and material) to attacks (artificial  and natural disasters), like those from militancy to Boko Haram. Lives are no longer secure;  neither are properties secure. Some analysts traced these to the failure of the government in all areas of governance. What about the floods that swept away hundredth of people in Ibadan last year and the recent one at Lokoja? Celebrating independence, when we have woefully manifested our inability to manage our own affairs by ourselves,  is unfortunate for us. It also shows our ill-preparedness of another doomsday!

 We should hide our heads in shame  — Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, National Chairman, Coalition to Save Nigeria

We have nothing to celebrate after 52 years of flag independence. In 1960, we had powerful political leaders and statesmen with very robust pan-African credentials. Today, we see ourselves more from the veil and prism of ethnicity as Ibos, Hausas, Yorubas or Afenmai. The great heritage bequeathed to us by the sacrifices made by our founding fathers have been squandered by successive Nigerian leaders.

Although immensely blessed by God with amazing human and material resources, Nigeria is still grappling with challenges in virtually every sector. The agricultural sector is comatose, the industrial sector is dead and there are challenges in the power sector. We have no single healthcare centre of excellence in Nigeria. Our educational system is grounded. There is general infrastructural deficit. Indeed, Nigerians have over-subsidised the political leadership of this country in the past 52 years. Most Nigerians rely on personal boreholes for water, private educational institutions for sound education, and generators for light and so on.

It is heartbreaking and unimaginable for us to be celebrating Nigeria at 52 instead of mourning and soberly reflecting on how we all got it wrong. Instead of celebrating, we ought to hide our heads in collective shame and immediately get into a closet to fashion out how to put Nigeria on the path to national rejuvenation and recovery.

So, what really are we to celebrate at 52? Is it the fact that more than 75 per cent of the workable force is unemployed and no form of welfare scheme is in place for them? Or that we are still one of the only three countries in the world yet to eradicate the polio virus and the preferred destination for quality healthcare for most Nigerians is now India? Or the fact that Nigeria is the capital of corruption in the world?  So what is there to celebrate? Absolutely nothing!

 Independence is in order — Frank Ukonga, Director of Publicity, Mobilisation and Propaganda, Social Democratic Mega Party.

Independence came at the right time and it is in order. We have political and restive youth problems due to corruption, looting and indiscipline which can be addressed. Many great nations like US and Russia passed through this birth trauma in history. It was slavery and imperialism that underdeveloped us. So, it is proper as we liberated our people from bondage. We should step up our dedication to the Nigeria project through hard work, vision and sincerity.

Punch Nigeria