Thursday, January 16, 2025

In My Country, Nigeria

Nigeria, a land of immense potential and boundless diversity, stands today as a paradox. A nation with vast resources, rich cultures, and brilliant minds is shackled by a system that betrays its people. Over the decades, we have allowed certain individuals, with no regard for human dignity, to dictate our fate. The foundation laid by our forefathers was flawed, and instead of striving for a collective, inclusive vision, we have perpetuated their missteps.Greed, self-centeredness, and a lack of contentment have consumed our society. Empathy, once the cornerstone of any humane system, has been replaced by lasciviousness and a relentless pursuit of personal gain. As a nation, we have embraced a borrowed system called democracy—a structure meant to empower the people. Yet, instead of being a tool for equality and justice, democracy in Nigeria has been twisted into a mechanism of oppression.
 
Democracy is meant to embody the will of the people, to give power to the average citizen. But in Nigeria, it has been hijacked by politicians who have vaporized its true essence. It has become a cloak to justify corruption, marginalize certain regions, and suppress dissent. Elections, which should be a celebration of collective choice, have turned into a theater of harassment, voter intimidation, and manipulation.
 
The outcry for electoral reforms—a necessary step to restore credibility and fairness—has been ignored. Politicians, comfortable in their entrenched power, see no reason to amend a system that serves their interests. Their disregard for reform is a stark reminder of how far removed they are from the plight of the average Nigerian.
 
History is often written by the powerful, and in Nigeria, this has led to distortions that deepen divisions. Take, for example, the narrative surrounding the 1966 coup. For years, it has been labeled an "Igbo coup," a claim that has fueled ethnic mistrust and discord. However, recent revelations, such as those uncovered during Milord’s cross-examination of a key military figure, challenge this narrative. The report that labeled the coup as ethnically motivated was riddled with bias and inaccuracies, serving as a tool to manipulate perceptions and justify marginalization.
 
This blatant falsehood underscores a larger issue: the politicization of history. Instead of using the past to heal and unite, it has been weaponized to divide and conquer.
 
Nigeria cannot afford to remain a nation where the powerful prey on the weak, where politics is a game of personal enrichment, and where history is rewritten to suit the agenda of a few. It is time for Nigerians to demand accountability, transparency, and inclusivity.
 
Electoral reforms must become a priority. A system that allows for free, fair, and credible elections is the foundation of any true democracy. Beyond reforms, we must also confront the greed and self-centeredness that have eroded our societal fabric.
 
Unity, empathy, and collective action are the only paths forward. As a people, we must reject the divisive narratives that have held us back and work towards a Nigeria that truly serves all its citizens.
 
In my country, Nigeria, the future is not lost. It lies in the hands of those willing to rise above the mistakes of the past and build a nation rooted in justice, equity, and shared prosperity.

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In My Country, Nigeria

Nigeria, a land of immense potential and boundless diversity, stands today as a paradox. A nation with vast resources, rich cultures, and br...