The coming together of Nigeria could be traced back to the period of colonialism when the British general governor, sir Frederick Lord Lugard joined the southern and northern protectorate to become a single country and was called ‘Nigeria’ by flora shaw his then-girlfriend.
Since the amalgamation, 1914 became a historical date in the lives of Nigerians because it is a day that set new dawn in their lives, and this day set to change both the political and economic landscape of my beloved country.
1914 could be traced to be the genesis of the harmonious and peaceful coexistence that exists between Nigerians.
After so many years of colonialism, there became agitation for self-determination by our foremost nationalists, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, Herbert Macaulay, and Anthony Enahoro.
These nationalists put aside their differences and fought for the independence of this great country in every might that they have. The agitation took years and they never relented in their pursuit for the independence of their country.
They were driven by a conscious spirit to overthrown British rule while setting up their government that will be accountable to the Nigerian people.
On 1st October 1960, the birth of a new nation began, on this day the world witnessed a transition of power, the world was called to partake in a total change from British rule to a more democratic rule governed by the Nigerians for the Nigerians.
On this day Nigeria finally broke away from the shackles of political and economic deprivation by the British government and she became an independent nation, a completely sovereign nation and for the first time, we witnessed Nigerians rule themselves.
This was made possible by the brave men who fought tooth and nail so that Nigeria can be independent; their strength lies in their coming together as one to fight a system that is rigged with gross injustice, oppression, discrimination, and economic disadvantage.
We became independent because they saw past their individual and ethnic differences but as one Nigerian who was driven to promote and carry out the interest of their country at heart. October 1st, 1960, was the day that we as Nigerians all over the world celebrate the reason why we must unite together as one.
Nigeria enjoyed seven years of interrupted peace, tranquility, harmony, and brotherliness living in an independent nation and was able to dictate their future, but this peace was cut short after a sudden change in the political landscape of the country which invariably threaten the peace and unity of the country.
In 1967, the country witnessed its first major civil war where a fraction declared itself as an independent nation.
The war lasted for three years and it saw the inhumane parts of our existence, the war disintegrated every value that holds us together and for the first time, Nigerians now have to fight their brothers whom some months ago they had stood beside each other.
This was a slap on our founding fathers who fought for the unity of a great nation just to watch it burn down, we allowed our unresolved individual differences to erode our sense of national consciousness and values, we let our selfish gains disrupt the peace we have known.
Now we have paid the ultimate price with the lives of our beloved brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, children, friends and relatives who died as a hero in that war but that war could have been avoided only if we realized that our strength lies in beings together.
It was a “senseless war” as the foreign media called it, a war that threatens our very own existence, but in the very end, both parties involved were able to realize their mistakes and allow peace to reign.
They realized that the best way forward is to go back to the past which means being together as a nation.
The above historical narrative is to give a holistic analysis of how Nigeria came to be and also to buttress the theme of this essay which says, “60 years of our togetherness”.
Nigeria has enjoyed relative peace in its history compared to other countries of the world, although this peace was interrupted at some time in our history our ability to rise above the challenges and forge ahead is our driving power.
60 years of togetherness can be visualized in our daily lives as a nation and our progress is vehemently tied to it.
Nigeria comprises more than 250 ethnic groups speaking our 200 languages but all these differences only show and further strengthens the peace and stability that exist among us. We realized our differences and also learned how to live with each other.
Sixty years of togetherness can also be seen in the relationship and how we coexist with one another of different ethnic groups without fear of what could happen to us.
All over the country, we have seen people migrate from one part of the country to another in search of greener pastures, living in total harmony and coexisting peacefully in the spirit of togetherness.
The Igbo man leaving his hometown to trade in Lagos, the Yoruba man vacating his village in the deep heart of the west for a better life in the north while the Hausa man embarking on a journey to the east to take advantage of the vast opportunities that his cattle rearing could present.
This shows how united we can be despite our differences, how tolerant we are towards our brothers and sisters from different tribes and religions.
However, one of the most significant results of our sixty years of togetherness is our inter-ethnic marriages.
Since the amalgamation of Nigeria, we have witnessed a significant increase in inter-ethnic marriages in Nigeria, this has helped to eliminate all kinds of erroneous beliefs that have been cultivated by doomsayers.
Inter-ethnic marriages further highlight the point that Nigeria can coexist as one indivisible entity and since the family is the bedrock of the society, it is important to encourage this form of marriage which will invariably eliminate all forms of misconceptions about other ethnic groups.
Furthermore, the sports and entertainments industries have played a major significant role in how coexist as a nation. When Nigeria plays with another country, we see how the stadium is filled to the beam with Nigerians chanting in support of their beloved country.
We are more united than ever, no one cares if the person wearing jersey number 10 is a Hausa or Igbo, what matters the most is that the person puts on the green and white which represents Nigeria.
When we lose, we take the loss but when we win, we all celebrate in the spirit of togetherness.
In conclusion, President Muhammadu Buhari once said, “the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable”. This is to show that no matter the tribulations, challenges, and setbacks we face as a nation we must always stick together as ‘One Nigeria’.
We must learn to live above the problems we are facing as a nation because dividing is not an option. No country exists without challenges and we can’t break away because of these current ones.
Ndubuisi Valentine Iloka writes from Lagos via ilokandubuisi73@gmail.com; 07063654273.