Many years ago way back before 1960, there once was a country in the words of popular Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe. It wasnt called by any name, rather it was ruled by its own monachs and tribe leaders, many years later, the British began its quest for colonies who they would control, this gave birth to the british invasion of this great ancient civilization.
Prior to the invasion, the various tribes lived together in peace and unity, without infringing on each other's rights. It was a civil people living in a rather semi civilised world bound only by laws enacted by each family head. With the advent of the British task masters, came a lot of development or some would prefer to call it change from the old ways of doing things to a more organised society as they fondly referred it to.
New laws were enacted with the total replacement of the tribal laws, a new religion was introduced into the system, and while some refused its introduction others embrassed the new ways and tolled its part.
Unknown to the original owners of the land on whom the British were set to begin their rule over, they had already sold their birthright for a mess of pottage, simply put they had become slaves.
From that time till independence, wars have been fought, led by rulers of several clans to restore back the hope they once shared in been freemen, they decided it was time to break free. People like the great Jaja of Okpokpo Kingdom, Queen Amina of then Zaria to mention but a few led their tribes to rather momenteriously victorious battles, sacrificing the lives of their braave warriors all in a drive to be free. But in the long run we see that a man's enemies are those of his household. While the struggle for a free people was going on, others took the opportunity of going to schools sponsored by the british their colonial masters to acquire education, after successfully studying they returned to claim their pride, their pack and to lead their people in a more civilised struggle for victory.
In 1914, came the almagamation of the northern and southern protectorate to become one country, that would be named Nigeria by wife of Sir Lord Lugard, that didnt stop the drive for independence and in 1960 Nigeria Officially gained its independence. Little did they know that independence came with a lot of responsibility, one they never saw coming. All alone to themselves and been demi gods to each other, they decided it was time to lead their people on to greater heights in any way they deemed fit, even if it was through the most cruel methods ever invented by man, internal wars were fought amongst the Eastern part of the country who called themselves BIAFRA and the other part of the country referred to as the FEDERAL TROOPS, this would be their own undoing.
After years of bloodshed and famine in the land, accompanied by death, the Biafrans surrended and decided to leave peacefully accepting the decision of the royal house in good faith
The effect of the war is still on today, with many clamouring for the old ways, the right to rule, whether it is the struggle by the Niger Delta Agitators, or the constant cry for a country by the Indigenous people of Biafra, or the Cry for the establishment of the Islamic State by the Boko Haram Insurgents, the cry is that of freedom, not a cry of freedom from extenal forces but a cry of freedom from themselves. which gives rise to the question, was it so early to fight for independence? Like the great poet wrote could it be possible the "man is free but everywhere in chains".
This question remains unanswered in the hearts of Nigerians. What more could have been done to Nigeria that hasnt been done? All these and many more linger on in the hearts of citizens of this country, as we unknowingly have decided to war amongst ourselves.
WHO HAS BEWITCHED US?