Looking far into the future, I can’t see any hint of developments, be it the minds, the psyche and or resources of Nigerians as a step forward to seriously be independent. Africans, irrespective of their education are very backward in forward thinking. Africans, especially Nigerians are short-sighted; cannot see beyond tomorrow. They all have short-term mentality irrespective of their positioning. They all go for short term gains hence they queue up at the corridors of power to pick crumbs. It pains my heart that a Nigerian can be bribed by the elites to kill he who is fighting for him. Many Nigerians are educated with paper qualifications but cannot reason out of the block. They are so myopic that they are beclouded by pettiness, thereby ignoring the bigger picture. The majority of the oppressed peoples of Nigeria take the limits of their vision for that of the world. An adage says “what a fool does not know, he laughs at, thinking by his laughter, he feels superiority instead of laughing at his idiocy.” I am presently finding it difficult writing for the liberation of ordinary Nigerian and or indeed African as they lack understanding and knowledge. The so-called elites of Nigeria are blind folded and they find joy in watching their praise singers fight for crumbs. The elites of Nigeria rejoice with their under-developed minds yearning for praises and honours instead of seeking for an avenue to elevate their people to gainful positions or opportunities. However I wonder why honourable Africans who fight for their people’s emancipation die early and sudden. Time will tell! Africa is in perpetual slavery if they do not wake up now before it is too late.

The solution to this is for Africans to divide their countries according to their nations. Let each nation of Africa develop themselves as they were doing before the white man came as trading partners. Nigeria is an example of African development as the British first entered Nigeria for trading, and it was as in a position of trust given to their Royal Niger company that they seized the opportunity given to them by our forefathers and they turned around to betray their unsuspecting hosts to colonise them. Nigerians welcomed the white man with open minds but they were stunned by the actions or reactions of their guests. By the time the various Kingdoms of Nigeria realised what was going on, the British had already smuggled all their weapons into Nigeria. Remember how they conquered Lagos, kidnapped and killed King Jaja of Opobo and other crimes they committed. Do not forget that King Jaja was an Igbo man from Arochukwu. There was nothing called Nigeria till 1914. The North, the West and the East of Nigeria were developed kingdoms. They were doing well and were trading with the white man, both the Portuguese and the British. It was after the Berlin Conference 1884 that white man shared Africa, Nigeria included as their profit-oriented investments. Why are we holding on to Nigeria that is a slave name? The British, in 18th century when they first came to Nigeria, they met prosperous nations, the Igbos, the Yorubas, the Hausas, the Benins and others. We as individual nations were flourishing and having foreign trades with European partners until after 1884 when the British decided to take charge of Nigeria by deceit. Why are Nigerians holding on so dearly a slave name given to them by Lord Lugard? Why for God’s sake? Nigeria would better off be divided to unite them. Let the Igbos rule themselves: let the Yoruba rule themselves, let the Hausa-fulani rule themselves and let us accommodate others according to their wishes. Why do we hold to the Royal Niger company’s trading name. Nigeria is nothing but a trading name of the owners of Royal Niger Company (now known as the UAC). Are we idiots? Are Nigerians stupid and daft? Let go of your slave name and you would be better off without it. How could you be proud to be called a Nigerian?

I am just sounding a wake up call to Nigerians. We are better off divided so that we can unite ourselves peacefully. We will find a space to accommodate each other. We will trade with each other and we will protect the interests of each other. Why are we happy being called slave by holding on to our slave name, Nigeria? Now look around Europe, the big three tribes of Nigeria are bigger than the big European nation. What are the populations of the big European nations, Germany, France and Britain? The big three countries of Europe are of the same size and population’s of Yoruba, Igbo and or Hausa. The rest are smaller than Benin, calabar, plateau and others. If Nigeria is divided according to the size of Europe, there would be more than ten countries coming out of Nigeria. Why do we hold on to our slave name, Nigeria? Why do Nigerians kill themselves unnecessarily for their slave name? The educated illiterates ruling Nigeria in the name of politicians should wake up now. You have been foolish for too long. Corruption has beclouded the mentality of Nigerian elites. Are you waiting for British to break up their own company? Impossible! It is the duty of Nigerians to say enough is enough. Nigerians must devolve this marriage of convenience with the British and regain their independence. We are better off divided as independent nations. Trust me, our children will be happy and bless their fathers for being forward looking. The time to start is now!

I am just a messenger, delivering messages as I receive it. Stop killing yourselves, divide Nigeria now! He who has ear let him hear.

Oguchi Martins Egbujor FCMI

UK Based Educationist