Eradicating The Error Of Our Fathers
There are so many historical events in my country that I wish I had witnessed. Each time I listen to or read about them, that spirit of adventure in me gets quickened and leaves me wandering in wishes.
I can't count the number of times I wished I had the ability to travel back in time. There were some stories that we were told that sounded like fairy tales that I wanted to verify for myself. It's just like the evidence that was captured is not convincing enough.
Well, they say "Wishes are not horses," however, if I am given the privilege to travel back in time to one of the historical events in Nigeria and change it. I would without hesitation visit the year 1967 and prevent the Biafra war, one of the popular events that took place in Nigeria from occurring.
I grew up and heard a lot about that event, I heard about how many soldiers and Igbo people died in that war. Many people of course have their stories but one thing was common with all, the war was fierce and a lot of great men and women perished.
There are a lot of reasons stated by many people concerning the cause of the war but that isn't my focus today. The war took place many years ago. Igbo people died in an attempt to protect their agenda and the Nigerian government also lost a lot of soldiers.
Each time I ponder upon the event, the first thing that often comes to my mind is who knows the kind of great men and women who died in that event? Who knows the kind of potential those deceased had but all went away?
That's not even what's bothering me the most. It's just as if after that incident, Nigeria became divided. It looked as if everything was fine on the outside, we were deceived that the war was settled and we are now one but quietly the difference is speaking.
The Igbos and the northerners became underground enemies. We sang the same National anthem and went to the same place of worship but despised each other at heart.
This thing grew and entered into every area of our lives and today in politics it's part of the reasons why Nigeria is suffering.
There is this strong enmity between the Igbo and the other citizens of Nigeria that it is being perceived as a threat for an Igbo person to hold certain political positions in the country.
Even if the individual wins, there is always a way it is being manipulated. It hurts a lot. When will this fight between the Igbo and the Nigerian government end? How long will it take us to realize the kind of harm the difference between us is causing in the nation?
Imagine how we are lagging behind as a nation. We keep praying each day for things to get better but we are not doing anything about it. If we don't do away with the issue of tribalism and ethnicity in Nigeria, we may continue to be in trouble and not find a solution.
This is what I would use my time travel to settle, I will ensure that the devilish war that scattered the country that we are still struggling to fix until date never existed.
I'll find means to somehow put things in order by making fair judgment that will favour both sides such that there would be peace and harmony.