The Federal Republic of Nigeria celebrates another day of independence, a day of freedom and self realization. It’s exactly 58 years since Nigeria gained Independence from the Colonial Masters. If I may ask, how free and how independent is Nigeria? Can Nigeria really survive without other nations? Is Nigeria financially viable? Can Nigeria survive without borrowing? If Nigerians are still finding it very difficult to rule themselves what then are we celebrating every 1st day of October? Is there any reason why we must celebrate?
I really do not want to sound too pessimistic because I know that with the level of hardship and insecurity in the land so many people have enough of negative things to say about Nigeria. However, I will like to remind my fellow Nigerians that we all have a role to play. Nigeria is our fatherland. It does not belong to the politicians. With love and strength and faith we can build on the labour of our past heroes.
In his first Independence speech, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa humbly acknowledged, “This is an occasion when our hearts are filled with conflicting emotions: we are, indeed, proud to have achieved our independence, and proud that our efforts should have contributed to this happy event. But do not mistake our pride for arrogance. It is tempered by feelings of sincere gratitude to all who have shared in the task of developing Nigeria politically, socially and economically. We are grateful to the British officers whom we have known, first as masters, and then as leaders, and finally as partners, but always as friends. And there have been countless missionaries who have laboured unceasingly in the cause of education and to whom we owe many of our medical services.” This is the most inspiring, most realistic, and most unassuming independent speech I have ever heard.
This speech was delivered at a time in Nigeria when leaders were inspired by national unity and interest. It was a time when we had humble and selfless leaders and not the kind of arrogant and self-centered leaders. It was a speech delivered when the national interest and that of the masses superseded the interest of selfish and self-centered political parties.
I was amazed with the kind of humility with which Sir Tafawa Balewa addressed the nation, especially in relation to the colonial masters. He did not use any blame or hate speech, instead he appreciated the colonial masters for their positive contributions. This is what is lacking in present day politics. The present Nigerian leaders are so arrogant and ungrateful. They keep blaming themselves for their failures and inability to deliver their mandates. They find very difficult to appreciate their fellow leaders, especially their predecessors.
The worst thing that has happened to this nation is the way political parties are run and interests.
Instead of building on the labour of their past heroes our present day leaders are embarking on blame game and military terrorism! They are not even ready to build on the good vision of their predecessors. That is why we have so many abandoned projects (like the second Niger bridge) with unnecessary hate speech. Our present leaders are not even ready to acknowledge the selfless services of missionaries. They forget that a tree can never make a forest.
We must give honour to whom honour is due. At least, the labour of past heroes will never be in vain! We need to celebrate their courage and self-determination. We must celebrate their vision, which is to build a united and undivided nation; a nation with a difference; a nation that is bound in freedom, peace and unity – the giant of Africa!
Incidentally, October 1st is also the International Day of the Older Persons. Most of our past heroes, especially the few once who are still alive fall into this category. Most families and communities are blessed with older persons. They are those who have reached the peak of their lives. They have passed through all the stages of human development. It is an enviable stage in human life, a stage which every reason person aim at.
As we celebrate the Older Persons the following questions comes to mind: Does the elderly persons have any right? What are the rights of the elderly ones? Who cares for the elderly persons? How are we expected to treat the older persons? Do we know that one day we all will become old? Do we even know that the way we treat the older persons today is the way the younger ones will treat us when we become old? If that is the case, we must prepare for our future by upholding the rights of the older persons.
The Holy Father, Pope Francis once declared, “A people that does not have care for the elderly has no future: such a people loses its memory and its roots.” The elderly persons are the visible memory of every society. They are the custodians of history and tradition. Without the older persons one may not know where he is coming from and without knowing where one is coming from one can hardly know where he is heading to. Any nation that neglects the elderly ones neglects their future.
Unfortunately there are so many challenges facing the older persons; such as discrimination, poverty and other abuses. Here in Africa Urbanization has forced so many young people out of rural areas. Most of the older persons are abandoned in poor rural areas with poor water and power supply. The government does not even care. They are even adding to their sufferings by denying them their hard earned pensions and gratuity.
Considering the challenges facing the older persons and possible ways of safeguarding their rights, the United Nations has declared October 1st as International Day for Older Persons. The theme of 2018 International Day of Older Persons is “Celebrating Older Human Rights Champions“. one of the aim of this theme is to create awareness and also promote the rights of older persons.
The Hebrew Bible declares, “Honour your Father and Mother, that your days may be long…” (Exodus 20:12). Any form of dishonour against the older persons leads to untimely death. According to the Islamic Quran “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.” (Surah 17:23). The Quran affirms the Hebrew Bible on its stand on honouring the older persons. We should not insult the older person. Instead, we should treat them and speak to them with respect and honour.
In his first letter to Timothy St. Paul declares, “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as you would a father. Treat older women like mothers” (1 Timothy 5:1). In his first letter St. Peter advised the young people to humble themselves before the elderly persons: “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). Respect for one’s elder is the greatest act of humility.
Care for the Older Persons is indeed a care for oneself and for one’s future. Child of God, as you honour the Older Persons in your midst one day you will be honoured and it shall be well with you in Jesus name – Amen!
As I commend those who contributed to the Independence and development of this great nation, I also use this medium to pay tribute to all those who were born on 1st October 1960, the very day Nigeria gained her Independence. Among them is Ezinne Nneoma Charity Onuoha, Mother of Faith, the Matron of the Orphanage of the Holy Spirit. the foundress of Youth Rehabilitation centre and Carmelites of the Holy Spirit. The birth of this great woman did not just bring freedom to Nigeria, her birth has also brought hope to so many orphans and vulnerable youths. She is the Mother of the motherless and indeed the mother Teresa of our time.
The ugly situations in our country notwithstanding, with prayer, hard work and selfless services this nation will surely rise to become a great nation in the whole world. As we celebrate our country’s Independence, I wish my fellow Nigerians – those at home and those abroad, a very happy Independence celebration.
