Better Nigeria: AS WE REMEMBER.

By Nnamdi Nwachukwu

On the 15th of January 1970, after three and a half years of civil war and rioting, the Biafran troops surrendered their arms and thus brought to an end an era of killings and counter killings. A dark age came to a close and a period that threatened the very existence of our Nigerian nation came to an abrupt halt. The Armed Forces Remembrance day was set aside to commiserate in memory of the fallen soldiers. Annually, The President and national leaders hold short events in honor of army troops that lost their lives during the period of bloodshed. We celebrate, eulogize and remember the men who fought to keep the unity of Nigeria preserved. We salute the memories of these men!

Overtime, this memorial event has become so imbibed in our culture. Two or three hours of Army band play, one or two military exhibitions, in addition to a couple of rites the President must perform and it is all over until the next year. One may be tempted to believe that we may have forgotten the real significance of the solemn occasion. In the spirit of this year’s Remembrance Day celebration I have decided to call for an awakening. There is an urgent need for Nigerians to take up a challenge and amend our old ways; ways that brought the war in the first place.

As we remember the veteran soldiers who sacrificed their lives to keep Nigeria as one united nation, let us remember the likes of Dele Giwa and Chief Gani Fawehinmi, fallen heroes who stood for justice and equity, let us remember the values they stood for. Let us ask ourselves real questions as to whether or not the legacies both brave men left behind are still appreciated. Let us remember that the ‘actions of today, form the memories of tomorrow’. Let us remember to stand for what is right and uphold our value system so that it would be said when time is no more: ‘There was a country…a country of valor!’

As we remember those brave men and soldiers who lost property, family and life, let us remember their surviving family members who would still in one way or the other feel the absence of their bread-winners, lest it be that these men died in vain. In the same vein let us reach out to deserving Nigerians who have served the nation in one way or the other. It is sad that a man like Pa B.E Odiase of blessed memory, became popular again only in death after serving the nation. It is sad to admit that a man who directed the National anthem, a rhythm played at almost every official gathering was left to suffer without anybody reaching out to him until he eventually died. Here is a call to our leaders at Federal and state level to look for men and women who have brought glory to our land and reward their efforts.

As we remember the old-timers and heroes of the civil war, let us remember the angels who fell from the sky. Let us remember that we let loose birds with faulty wings and let them fly too close to the sun. Let us remember the souls of Loyola Jesuit students, who crashed and burned right in front of their parents, let us remember the pain Bell-view, ADC airlines, EAS airlines and so many others crashes have caused. Let us remember that many of such wasted lives had great potentials. Let us remember that nature wont forgive us if rather than correct our mistakes, we allow more of such events of untold pain occur again. Let us remember that a lost opportunity to do what is right may never return again.

As we remember the brave warriors who gave up their lives and sacrificed their comfort, let us remember that ‘they did all they did’ just for the unity of the nation to remain intact and that ‘all they did’ would be in vain if our nation ever experiences such a war again. Let us remember that our positions in the society are God given and that as rich and influential politicians, our utterances have a massive effect on the actions of the common man. Let us remember that inciting the public against the government or vice-versa is one crime that posterity would neither forgive nor forget. Let us remember that government positions and appointments are not life-time long, hence a pressing need to use the opportunity granted us very well.

As we remember the bombing and counter bombing that characterized the war, let us remember that there would not have been any NNPC or CBN without the actions of these fallen heroes, neither would there have been any government agency. Let us remember that they fought to keep us as one united nation. The war was not to pave way for stealing from the national treasury or abusing public office. Let us remember that when we start looking for $49billion or $10billion from the nation’s coffers we have set a dangerous precedence for the younger generation who are definitely watching and learning and are reading all our letters.

As the remember the raging roars of aircrafts and loud noises that filtered the air during shootings and the wailing of injured soldiers, let us remember that it does not matter whether a southerner or northerner rules the nation. Let us remember that the moral stance of a person as well as the intellectual capability rather than his ethnic background is what would bring the desired change to the shores of our nation. Let us remember that violence and fighting would only take us backward rather than the prescribed ‘forward-ever march’.

As we pour in tributes for our fallen heroes, let us remember men who neither wore uniforms nor carried weapons but still were a part of the fight and cannot be forgotten. Let us remember men and women of honour who in one way or the other contributed to our national developmental story. Men like Azikiwe, Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Enahoro, Aikhomu, Ojukwu, and Yar’adua, etc. to mention but a few. Sir(s), your legacies live on and we appreciate all of you. Let us remember that if we do not move our nation forward then we have insulted the steps these great men took to get us where we are today.

Most importantly as we immortalize the legacies of fallen warriors, let us remember that whether or not there is life after death, that the actions we live today would be the memories of tomorrow and that the legacies we live behind are what we would be remembered for. Let us remember that posterity is watching and that there is a reward or consequence for actions we take. Let us remember that Nigeria is what we make of it and that it is ours to protect, serve and defend. May the souls of the fallen departed rest in eternal peace and may God’s love continue to flow through our nation.

Nnamdi Nwachukwu is an Abuja based freelance writer.