As a secondary school boy, I recall reading with terrified
innocence and angst the series of bloodletting actions that greeted a newly
birthed country, Nigeria.
This day, January 15 in 1966, saw the staging of the first
coup d'etat on the country, barely 5 years after its independence and 1st
republic.
Why was the coup staged? Nigeria under a civil government
was too 'corrupt' and divided along ethic lines, so said the military.
The coup organised by top officers in the Nigerian Army
(largely of Igbo extraction), led by Major Kaduna Chukwuma Nzeogwu, resulted in
the assassination of key Nigerian leaders, senior officers in the army, and the
abduction of three others.
6 months after the coup, a counter-coup was organised,
leading to a series of crises, but top on the list was the Nigerian Civil
War...and the over 30 years dominance of the military in Nigeria's politics.
It's exactly 50 years (half of a century) since that turn in
Nigeria's history, what has changed? Has corruption increased or decreased? Are
we more united as a people barring our ethic, religious and ideological
differences? Is there hope for this nation or do we need a modernised military
intervention?
While it might fair to adduce our current woes to the
military intervention, my question recovery steps or advancement credentials
have we pulled together since the return civil governance in the country (17
years running)?
No comments:
Post a Comment