In geology, the present helps us to unlock the past, whereas in history, the past reminds us of where we are coming from. Today I am persuaded to reminisce over where I am coming from, as I ponder worryingly and regrettably, where I find myself today.
Growing up in Nigeria in the early 1950s, I witnessed wares being displayed openly, without attendants, and purchases were made and appropriate fares dropped, to be collected later at the end of the day. I recall being subjected to a qualifying test in 1958, for the three forms sent to our primary school for the common entrance examination into the Government Colleges in the then Eastern Nigeria. During this period, in Ife Ezinihitte of the present-day Imo State, there was a headmaster, Mr E.E. Etowa [now late] from present-day Akwa Ibom State, who took our primary school to enviable heights in education and sports. Records of the then Church Missionary Society [CMS], now Anglican Community, will reveal that my late father, an Anglican missionary, in 1939 was transferred all the way from All Saints Church Egbu, in the then Owerri Province, to Bishop Tugwell Memorial Church [BTM] Lagos, where he served till 1942. In politics it is important that I mention that a Fulani, Umaru Altine, was elected the Mayor of Enugu in the 1950s. I have highlighted these reminiscences to illustrate that there was once a country where honesty and trust prevailed; where competition and merit were promoted, and a country where citizens were posted around, lived together and were elected, irrespective of where they came from. Nigerians, what is the comparative situation today?
Have we not degraded our value systems that gave us a country that we were all proud of? Today competition and merit have been shunned and replaced with lob-sided quota system, cut-off points and catchment area preferences. The Church which helped to transform the society in morality and elimination of obnoxious practices is gradually being turned into drama and commercialisation of faith.
In governance the robust debates that were the hallmarks of the Parliamentary system have been replaced with a kow-towing National Assembly of the presidential system. The constitution is no longer sacrosanct as the judiciary has invented technicalities to justify conflicting and confusing judgment deliveries.
Agriculture which was the mainstay of the economy became abandoned with the discovery of oil. A blessing was turned into a curse, leading to a country rich in oil but mired in poverty. Corruption, greed and insincerity of purpose have thus rendered a proud country of yore, a laughing stock in the comity of nations.
As we continue to deviate from the norm, insecurity of life and physical assets will remain a prime challenge, with all its attendant woes and lamentations. Definitely, this is not the same country that we were once proud of.
