Perfectness is something every citizen of a country dreams of, perfection is a ‘being’ of no harum-scarum, perfection in a country is when there is complete legitimacy, full dividend of democracy and government. Though all the aforesaid condiments are surreal in any present democratic dispensation, not even in Saudi Arabia or the smallest state within a state, The Vatican, but still a nation can be said to be close to it.
Nigeria got her independent on the 1st of October, 1960 after many years of political struggle by some of our past heroes, among which are: Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Fumi Ransom Kuti et cetera. On that faithful morning, fire crackers were seen in the sky, illuminating the whole places, women and children were singing songs of victory and home, university lecturers were chattering over some bottles of wine in their respective joints- discussing the prospects of the then youngest state in the world. Little do all these stakeholders know that independent will open fresh wounds, created out of the slipshoddiness of our colonial masters, the Brit..
At the dawn of independent we started experiencing what the press tagged ‘pregnant politicians’ bribery and corruption became rife, smeared by the composition of Nigeria, ethnic violence started surfacing. All this maladies led to the first military coup in the country masterminded by a young military office, C.K. Nzeogwu, all in the name of seeking perfection. A year after military supplantment of political affairs of the country, came the civil war- a genocidal war that is still not obliterated in the minds of Nigeria.
Today marks 54 years of her struggle, a 54 years strive for perfection. The menace to the growth of this nation has multiplied over the years: unemployment- 61% of her workforce is unemployed; electrification- incessant power shortage is crippling the economy causing most industries to relocate to neighboring countries; ethno-religious crisis here and there.
Nigeria, nevertheless has achieved some great feats despite her shortcomings, today Nigeria could boost of a fast growing economy with a tremendous GDP rate, she has produced mentors for the up and coming generations, talk of the likes of Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Adichie (world renowned writers), Chike Obi (in Mathematics), Emma Egwali (in ICt), Kanu Nwankwo and Jay Jay Okocha (both in football), Aliko Dangote( the number one business tycoon in Africa) Fela Kuti (in Music) et cetera. As we all mark the birthday of Nigeria- a country that is full of milk and honey- may our struggle for perfection be a dream comes true, together we can achieve it if we show love for each other. Amor Vincit Omnia