Nigeria, my country, is a land rich in history, culture, and resilience. Sometimes I recite our old national anthem that talks about the heroes past, the things they have done to help us get to where we are, and the sacrifices they made, which we only hear about. How hard must it have been for them back then? Well, let me take you on a journey through time, sharing a glimpse of the past that has shaped our present reality in this my nation. The good and the bad outcome it gives us.
Nigeria's history is an open book that shows our triumphs and challenges, victories and struggles, and this has shaped the current generation into what we are, as our current slogan says, "No gree for anybody." We are known for not giving up because of the struggles we have endured, which have been imprinted into our blood. From the ancient kingdoms of Benin and Oyo to the colonial rule of the British Empire, my country has experienced a complex and multifaceted past that continues to influence our present-day reality.
I am glad I was an Art student in high school and this has helped me a lot in knowing so much about my country's History and the political struggle we have been through just to gain independence.
The legacy of colonization has significantly impacted my country, influencing our political, social, and economic way of doing things. The scars of exploitation, division, and oppression left by the colonialists continue to affect governance, identity, and national unity.
With the pretense of trying to work with the local people, a lot of things were exploited from my country. The worst part was that people who refused to bend to their rules should normally be left alone but the colonialists didn't let them be; some of them were banished from their land just like "King Jaja of Opobo," and others were killed. If you want to know more, you should read about the "Aba Women's Riot," where a lot of women were killed because they said no to a certain rule.
As we navigate the complexities of our history, it is important to reflect on the lessons learned and consider how we can move forward toward a more agreeable or joint future. We can't be haters forever, even though they still affect us to this present moment. Acknowledging the mistakes of the past, addressing systemic inequalities, and fostering reconciliation and unity are whhavehas developed our country, which has made us stand out on the African continent.
Some of the benefits of colonialism include formal education, dialogue, and engagement with other parts of the world.
We can trade and buy from other countries without any issue, learn a different language and build partnerships with other countries to help build a better country.
Some of the mistakes made were that, after independence, the control of the colonial masters was still active as most of the heads of state were figureheads, and this drove corruption into the system, which the country is still battling to date.
Can what happened in the past be changed? Never, what has happened has happened and there is nothing to do about it. Also, there is little that can be done to ensure that mistakes of the past are not repeated. There is no country that would want to colonize another country in the age of United Nation and other International bodies that will fight against it.
The best we can do is hope for the best while we country to make our country better.
Thanks for reading.
All images used are mine.
