There is nothing to cheer this New Year to dub it a Happy New Year! There is apparently nothing happy about the New Year as many Nigerians are entering the New Year in Roman Calendar with fear and verifiable apprehension.
2014 is particularly significant for Nigerians and their political history and evolution. It was a hundred years ago that some greedy self seeking agents of the British Monarchy took it upon themselves to amalgamate the Northern and Southern Protectorates of the areas bordering Rivers Niger and Benue into one Commercial Union.
Nationalities of different cultures, different traditions and distinct languages and spiritual values were yoked together without their consent, and without any regard to their well being or future. It was in furtherance of conquest and subjugation, and ever since the lives of these colonised peoples have not been the same.
The peoples of Niger area and Benue area erroneously called Nigerians have not known peace since 1914. Series of constitutional Conferences had been held, but as usual, no one can build a house on sand particles.
Matters came to a head in 1966-67 when people who had enjoyed excellent trade and diplomatic relations long before 1914 started slaughtering each other and a most terrible fratricidal war and butchering ensued.
The manner in which the two regions of the North and the South were brought together was so lopsided that it was obvious that an explosion would follow. And many explosions have indeed followed.
This Roman Calendar Year 2014 is therefore a sad reminder of that ill-advised Amalgamation. And to further rub salt on a festering wound, some people who hardly know their left hand from their right have chosen to celebrate the greatest reminder of our colonisation.
Perhaps I should make it clear that I am not against the size of the country called Nigeria. And I am not against 250 ethnic nationalities coming together to form a political union. As a matter of fact, it would be a matter of eternal joy if the whole continent of Africa became a political entity run by one Confederal Government. But what is at issue is that any such Union MUST be negotiated, and terms of engagement agreed upon and endorsed by all sides.
Several afflictions are about to snuff life out of the contraption called Nigeria and yet huge sums of money running into billions of Naira are going to be wasted on a needless and retrogressive jamboree.
2014 is certainly not going to be different from 2013. If anything, it is going to be calamitously worse. A good sample is the promise by Jonathan that electricity supply will peak in 2014 while at same time budgeting billions for the purchase of Diesel to power Generators in the State House!
More than 5 million adolescents and adults who should be in tertiary institutions are roaming the streets. There are larger number of younger citizens who should be in High School or primary school but who also are roaming the streets, uneducated and jobless! They too will be alive this so-called New Year. Despite the Yeo man job the Nigeria Police under the capable leadership of Abubakar are performing, armed robbers and kidnappers are multiplying in hundreds.
The political class is as confused as ever. Letters are flying in the air and grandfathers are behaving like grandchildren! There is this particular old man who is a ripe candidate for suicide. I had wanted to call a Press Conference to call this disgraceful old man to order, but another old man, a most decent man who is in loco parentis to me ordered me not to.
Nigeria still harbours this man who should have been advised by his children to go and hang and we are talking of 2014. A man noted for confusion and ignominious megalomania is certainly a reason why 2014 is most definitely going to be worse than 2013.
Our airports are going to be physically more attractive and customer friendly this year, but that does not exonerate Madam Bullet Proof Powder Face from serious allegations levelled against her. In more decent societies where the colour of your under wear does not count, most of our erring ministers should have resigned or given the boot.
Two elections that are very dear to this writer will hold this year. And it is probably for these landmark elections that the Year 2014 may be of any significance to me. Yes, there is a third reason. A very important reason. My author son will be 40.
I hope the kind of JAGA-JAGA we had in Anambra will not rear its head in Osun and Ekiti come election time.
Those who have been celebrating since December 25 last year praying and hoping that 2014 will be any different are advised to perish the thought and brace up for another BAD year. You cannot do the same thing the same way and expect different result. The PDP in its cluelessness will still be around in 2014, even if its umbrella has been torn to shreds. The Naira chewing characters in the National Assembly will still be feasting on the Naira. Vice President? Sanusi Lamido Sanusi will still be calling the shots at his private Villa called Central Bank. No. He will not wear the crown in 2014.
All the powerful women who dominate Jonathan’s Government will still be looming large in 2014 while Madam Osuka Head Gear Prime Minister Okonjo- Iweala will still be lecturing National Assembly Members.
2014, you are hereby invited to take the chair vacated by 2013, and tell us in your maiden broadcast what you have in stock. But I can tell you that Nigerians are now wiser. They can no longer submit themselves to mass deceit as they have done these past 14 years!
Say what you like, promise heaven and earth, Nigerians will not be deceived. Nigerians will be in a hurry to see you go in December while they usher in 2015, the Year of their much awaited LIBERATION.
But Nigerian leaders must ensure that Nigeria still exists as one country at the end of this year. A new and better approach to solving the Boko Haram debacle must be found. Our restive youths must be appeased.
One more thing. Those who have hand –over notes to write should start writing them now. Nigerians will not be bothered by bad English, or bad contents. Just write something.
I welcome myself to my 55th year of column writing!
