THE NATION AND NATIONALISTS IN NIGERIA

THE NATION AND NATIONALISTS IN NIGERIA

Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

Some time ago, I visited the national Panthéon in Paris. The Panthéon was originally built as a church dedicated to Saint Genevieve to house the “reliquary châsse” containing her relics. After many changes, it is now used as a mausoleum where the remains of distinguished French citizens are buried.  It is similar to the Panthéon in Rome. At the entrance is the motto: “Aux grands hommes, la patrie reconnaissante”, meaning "To its great men, a grateful fatherland". I read the brief history of some of the great men and women of France beginning from Voltaire whose statue is in the Crypt of the Panthéon. Then I read the literature on the tombs of Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Émile Zola, Jean Moulin, Marie Curie, Louis Braille, Jean Jaurès, Alexandre Dumas and Soufflot. These people contributed to the great nation that is today known as France. 

In their exploration, their focus and motivation was what they would be known for after their death. They believed that a good name is better than personal silver and gold and that it is better to be buried in the heart and memory of human beings than to be forgotten in a lonely marbled sepulchre. On the tomb of Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870), the author of The Three Musketeers is inscribed: "Un pour tous, tous pour un" ("One for all, all for one,"). The interment in the Panthéon is allowed only by a parliamentary act for "National Heroes" irrespective of class and tribe. This is confirmed by the plaque dedicated to those who saved some Jews from death during the Nazi period: “Under the cloak of hate and darkness that spread over France during the years of Nazi occupation, thousands of lights refused to be extinguished. Named as "Righteous among the Nations" or remaining anonymous, women and men, of all backgrounds and social classes, saved Jews from anti-Semitic persecution and the extermination camps. Braving the risks involved, they incarnated the honour of France, and its values of justice, tolerance and humanity.”

This visit rekindled my quest for our national heroes who have sincerely desired the unity and development of Nigeria. I thought about the origin of tribes, cultures and empires that have been amalgamated into Nigeria. I reflected on the series of debates on whether Nigeria can be called a nation. I reflected on the reasoning of some people for the call for the fragmentation of Nigeria. Is it really impossible to make a united Nigeria from our diversified talents of human and natural resources? What does the average Nigerian want to be remembered for? Can each of us write an epitaph that could be placed on the marbles of our tombs for people all over the world to read and be inspired? Can our leaders build a “National Pantheon” that could inspire people to live and lead an unselfish life for the sake of One Nigeria?

I thought of our political history and the personalities that have marked each epoch in the context of our national anthem that appears to define our vision, mission and objectives. Does Nigeria really have compatriots who are willing to obey the call to serve our Fatherland with love and strength and faith? To what extent have we preserved the labour of our heroes past by serving with heart and might one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity? Which of the heroes readily come to mind and where are their graves? Who remembers to visit their tombs to offer prayers on a regular basis? Is there a national holiday in their honour? Why did some Nigerians roared when a university was named after an acclaimed “political martyr”? Do we cooperate with God when we call him to direct our noble cause? In reality how noble are the activities of some Nigerians who are willing to create anarchy if they are not in power? What did some of our leaders do with the opportunity they had to guide and direct the welfare of the citizens? Why do some past rulers want to recycle themselves by all means? Did they perhaps forget something in “Aso Rock” or they want to complete the unfinished heroic offering of their first chance? Did they forget to remember that “opportunity comes but once”? To what extent has some of our privileged elders and leaders helped our youths to know the truth by positively empowering them rather than using them as their political thugs and terrorists. I can not understand why a person could think that he or she only has a solution to national issues just because we live in a country where millions of hidden human talents are oppressed, suppressed and not given the space to perform and be recognised. Perhaps a brief recap of our political journey since independence may help our enquiry in providing answers to our questions and puzzle.

Sir James Roberson was the Colonial Governor General of what is now called Nigeria from 1955 to 1960. From October 1, 1960 to January 16, 1963, Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe became the first civilian president of the Republic of Nigeria. With the military interruption of the democratic process in 1966, Nigeria experienced the dawn of the National Military Government from May 24 to August 31, 1966 with Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi becoming the Head of State from January 16, 1966 to July 29, 1966.  This regime struggled to confirm a conglomeration of “ethnic regions” into a nation.  Yakubu Gowon, who took over power from August 1, 1966 to July 29, 1975 gave the impression that Nigeria must be a nation by all means with the civil war giggle that, “To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.”  Murtala Ramat Muhammad took over power on July 29, 1975. He was assassinated on February 13, 1976 before he could translate his dream into reality.  His design for Nigeria died with him. Olusegun Obasanjo became the military head of state briefly and returned Nigeria to democracy by handing over power to Alhaji Shehu Shagari on October 1, 1979. This democratic process was aborted again when Muhammadu Buhari overthrew the democratically elected government of Shagari in a military coup on December 31, 1983. He introduced war against indiscipline and turned Nigeria into a glorified army barrack. On August 27, 1985, Ibrahim Babangida overthrew Buhari in a coup. He was able to sustain the military government till August 26, 1993. Democracy this time had a miscarriage with the annulment of the election that created the interim government that was headed by Ernest Shonekan who was forced out on November 17, 1993 by General Sani Abacha and remained in power until his death on June 8, 1998. Abdusalam Abubakar headed the military government till May 29, 1999 and returned governance to a democratically elected government of Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007 without military interruption. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua became president on May 29, 2007 but could not finish his tenure before his death in 2010. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan became the acting president till May 5, 2010 and became the substantive president with a transformation agenda. 

It is hoped that the Goodluck administration will bring about a country that may be recognised as a nation but the present intra-party and inter-party conflicts is gradually designing another definition for Nigeria. Can anyone tell Nigerians if this political fight is for the common good or selfish ambition? When shall we be tired of the deception of “returning power to the North, South, West and East?”  I keep wondering why poverty is still walking nakedly in some areas that have produced leaders in Nigeria if this drive for power shift is really for the interest of “my people”. What was the national status of Nigeria from 1960 to 1978 when we sang daily: “Nigeria, we hail thee” We prayed that God of all creation should help us to build a nation where no person is oppressed. Perhaps we were not patient enough for the answer to this prayer before the command: “Arise O compatriots, Nigerians call, obey!” May the hidden heroes and compatriots in Nigeria arise with a democratic space to truly shine! But we must keep these questions as guide: When you die, what shall be your epitaph? What shall you be remembered for on earth and in heaven? 

Fr. Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua is the Director of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja and Consultor of the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims (C.R.R.M), Vatican City