The following conversation is fiction, however the messages it contains are non-fiction. The conversation centers on the country (Nigeria)'s Independence Day celebration that became a reality on Saturday, 1st October 1960. Please, while you read through, don't fail to make your opinions known in the comment section below. Excerpts:

Nigeria (NG) was wandering down the busy street somewhere in the country. He noticed no one was paying any attention to him despite his proud looks. Looking at everyone's attires, it seems he was the only one in an odd green-white-green outfit. Maybe the date is wrong, he thought to himself. But that's unlikely. He was very sure. Something is not right, he again thought to himself. To douse his curiosity, he summoned courage and approached yet another citizen (CT) nearby. Others he had beckoned on for a conversation simply snobbed him and made a ghost out of him as they pretended he wasn't even there. Nigeria just needed to talk with someone.

NG: Good morning bro. Why are you not in the stadium and why is almost everywhere quiet today as if nothing special is happening?

CT: Pardon? I don't quite get you sir.

NG: Isn't today 1st of October?

CT: Yes, it is. What about it?

NG: Ha! Were you not born in this country?

CT: (Looking sort of confused) I am a citizen of this country Mr. Man. Is there any problem?

NG: Doesn't today's date mean anything to you? I mean, is today not Independence Day?

CT:  O! (Laughs out loud) Is that what you mean? Yes, today is Independence Day, so what!

NG: Are you not a patriotic citizen of this country?

CT: Please, can you kindly go straight to the point and tell me what this is about? As you can see I'm hustling and have no time to waste on arguing this morning, unless it will bring my day's wages.

NG: (Looking shocked) You mean you don't know that today is very special to you as a citizen? This day marked your freedom from colonial rule or the foisting of foreign leadership over your affairs. You're supposed to appreciate today and join others to celebrate it.

CT: (Gave Nigeria a long look) Mr. Man, are you normal at all? Please pardon me, maybe you've not been living in this country for the past decade. Because if you're, I believe you wouldn't be ranting about this issue with the seriousness you've attached to it. I suggest you go back to wherever it is that you've been all these while (turns and started packing some boxes piled up on the ground).

NG: Please don't be offended my friend. But why are you and everyone else not recognising the importance of this day? I'm just too curious to know my friend. What's going on?

CT: Okay, maybe you're not aware of the situations in this country. Nobody, with the exception of politicians, are happy with this country. By the way, what is so independent about today? If you ask me I would even wish that today did not exist. I mean, those you called colonial rulers should have stayed and continue to colonize us. After all, Nigerians are now migrating on a daily basis ('Japa' if you will call it that) to those colonial countries where life makes some sense.

NG: My brother, every country has their peculiar challenges. We shouldn't because of ours leave or run away. How will that solve the problems?

CT: See, Mr. Man, if you have the chance to leave, I advise you to take it. The people destroying this country are not ready to accommodate good citizens that mean well. You think some of those citizens who are leaving are happy to do so? Do you know how many Nigerians in this country are dying on a daily basis from insecurity, hardship, road accidents, poor healthcare, bad governance, corruption, and what have you? Do you know that this country has frustrated many talented people, most especially the youths into prostitution, armed robbery, kidnapping, yahoo (cyber crime) and other criminal acts?

NG: You don't mean it!

CT: So I'm joking abi? Since we got independence, what have we done with it? How have we used our so-called God-given resources? Our leaders steal our collective wealth and run abroad to stash their loot there, denying local investors that need funds for their business. Isn't that madness? They travel overseas to invest in developed climes, but wouldn't do the same here. Isn't that foolishness? They keep borrowing money to spend on recurrent expenditures instead of investing same on capital projects. Isn't that stupidity of the highest order? We have oil and gas, but no refinery to refine them and we can't even utilize our gas to generate constant electricity to take us out from our epileptic state of darkness. Everyday, prices of essential commodities are never stable, but keeps inflating, creating widespread poverty. All of these and more.

NG: But there are still some progress been made. For instance, Democracy is stable, the people are more involved in matters of governance unlike the military era. Good things take time. Nigerians should be patient.

CT: Maybe you have things going for you. But for those of us at the grassroot or in the lower class we have nothing, but hardship going for us. You're telling us to be patient when after more than 60 years we are still a baby that refuses to grow. Even a child born in 1960 is now a matured human being, married with children. After 60 years no good healthcare, bad roads everywhere, unemployment skyrocketing, poor infrastructures, looting... Please don't tell me to be patient. Is it a crime if I see the Nigeria of my dream before I die.

NG: I understand your pain, but don't lose hope yet. Nigeria is a great nation filled with great resilient people. A country is nothing without its citizens and every citizen must play their role to make this country great. When you talk of Nigeria you're talking of its people. Yes, I agree there are bad eggs spoiling the good eggs in your midst. But running away or nursing hatred for the country is never the solution. Nigerians need to stand up and fight to salvage their nation. And the 2023 election presents that opportunity to those Nigerians who truly are patriotic and love their country to do the right thing.

CT: You talked about election. My question to you is that has there been any free and fair elections in this country? Haven't you heard how the recent voters registration exercise was compromised by the registration of fake identities with intent to commit electoral fraud?

NG: True! But things will definitely not continue that way if Nigerians refuse to be cowed. Yes! Didn't the truth come to light and exposed such evil practice? It is because someone choose to do the right thing and not keep quiet. And so I urge you to redirect your anger by rising up against injustice, waste in governance and other social misdeeds. Things have continued the wrong way because majority of good citizens refused to participate in governance. Enough is enough. Me too I'm bleeding, but helpless. It's people like you I'm counting on to help me. If you give up on me, you're giving up on the future of this great country and that of your children. Remember, there's no place like home.

AFTERWORDS: The 2023 general elections held across the country in February 25 and March 11. And the results?

Image Credit: ekohotblog

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