By: Catherine Doosuur Ishu Esq.
WHILE going through social media posts, there was one published by THISDAYLIVE that caught my attention. It read “OLUREMI TINUBU UNVEILS #ONENIGERIA/UNITY FABRIC TO BE WORN ON INDEPENDENCE DAY”.
It actually got me thinking. Is this what Nigeria needs at this point in time? Can we truly say that we are ONE NIGERIA when there is a huge social dichotomy? This unveiling was done on the 16th September, 2024.
It is very interesting how this nation rolls. Several children are out of school, roaming about and becoming nuisance and families are not able to feed due to the artificially created hardship the government of the day has brought upon the citizenry yet all the First Lady can do is to unveil a national fabric to be used on independence day? How many people would be able to afford to buy the fabric and even if Nigerians do buy the fabric, of what relevance is the fabric to fostering the country’s unity?
The competition leading to the choice of fabric and the award thereof is a topic of discussion for another day.
In my opinion, the country should mark its independence solemnly. The pledge we recite should echo in our minds and head. Have we kept to this pledge? Have our leaders heeded this pledge and kept to the solemn agreement?
The unity of this country is not in the wearing of a fabric which is today beautiful and tomorrow thrown into the trash bin only to be forgotten. The unity of this country is not so much in the physical and material fabric to be worn, rather it is in our pledge , our hearts, our attitude towards the country and to one another. The spiritual thread that keeps us all together.
Let the government mark this independence with deep solemnity and reflect on the situation that has brought the nation to the place it is now rather than marking the day with an elaborate celebration.
I pledge to Nigeria my country, to be faithful, loyal and honest. To serve Nigeria with all my strength. To defend her unity and uphold her honour and glory, SO HELP ME GOD.
Catherine Doosuur Ishu Esq writes from Kaduna.
19th September, 2024