The candle on our watch
How long shall we stand and watch? How long shall we solemnly ignore? How long will it take us to realize? How long will the wind blow the light off our candle?
Yes! How long I ask? A nation blessed by strong heroes, who took it upon themselves and national responsibility to war for our independence. A nation God blessed with the likes of Macaulay, Zik of Africa, Obafemi Awolowo , Ahmadu Bello to mention but a few. Men of stride and national passion. How much proud have we made them? If life exists after death, will they be proud in the life after to say “we were pioneer citizens”, “we were the siege breakers”,” and we set the pace”. If our national heroes were to leave the land of the dead to visit us, will they be proud on how we have turned the system? How proud will they be to say “we were from here”? Will their face light with smile when they find out that the candle they left is burning out fast and dying on our watch.
I recall the days of coup d’état I still recall Zik saying “violence has never been an instrument used by us as founding fathers of the Nigerian republic, to solve political problems”. The days of civil war, the days of dictatorship, the days of civil unrest and moments of terrorism. How did we survive such horrifying times or have we not? How did we work together as one how did we control the burning bush, how did we find the road back to peace, how did we find the way to democracy again? Did we visit the underworld for counsel? What happened to the days when naira had value? What happened to fair trial? What happened to “Giant of Africa “? What happened to our thunder? Will our candle die off on our watch? Will our mission (Nigeria) be reached?
Two scores, one decade and five years it is, after certified years of emancipation, slavery and colonialism we have survived and swam dangerous waters of national challenge, tribal and religious misunderstanding, corruption, joblessness, poor economy, poor education and hospitals with doctors and facilities that need help more than the intended patients. While we die, the masked kings of the jungle swim in national treasury fatting up there generation and the fight against corruption turns to a fight against political enemies
Who...Who? Has let this misfortune catch on us like a wild wind? Who has let this great hurricane of terrorism jump on us like a leopard on a deer, who…Who? Who has left us vulnerable like a chick without a hen, and like the prodigal son, shame the father’s name.
We all have. Yes we all have! Let it not be said that the drummer did not drum, nor the ghost did not cry. Let it be shouted today from the mountain tops that we … yes we, you and I, has let the wind blow our candles to burn out on our very watch. Let it be heard that we are our struggle. Like Sampson and Delilah we are our bane. Shall we not change? Shall we all put our legs in water and palms in our last bowl of eba waiting for the presidency? Shall we play minute rules in corruption smiling and saying” na turn by turn” shall we all stay in queue waiting for our turn to loot the future away. If we change our mindset, and behavior and our leaders turn a new leave, if we knew we are the leaders of ourselves, the candle will surely not burn out on our watch. Let shame be cast away and let’s guard our candle with all jealousy. Hold your candle and let it keep shining.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE NIGERIA. GOD BLESS NIGERIA
Author: EKE, GABRIEL IKECHUKWU.
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