OPINION:CONTENTS OF A CENTENARY CELEBRATION

By ’Tunji Ajibade (tunjioa@yahoo.com) Leave a Comment

It was well told. The story of the nation’s journey from the amalgamation of 1914. It took the form of a documentary, and was a part of the programme beginning Nigeria’s centenary celebration. To this writer, it was the highlight of the event because of its quality and content. But the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, had preceded the documentary.  He was the first of many other distinguished Nigerians who introduced each item of the centenary celebration. One felt like clapping for the SGF that time. He read his part well, sounding business-like. His speech had distinct structures. He didn’t take too much time on any. He remembered to state President Goodluck Jonathan’s instruction to the Centenary Celebration Organising Committee: That the programme for the celebration be about Nigeria, her people, her history, achievements, and the occasion used to celebrate optimism, not pessimism. The programme is not exhaustive yet; there are more rooms for suggestions, Anyim stated. Then he mentioned what’s in it for the nation: Fifteen thousand jobs. Reasonable nations don’t forget such details. And there will be a Centenary City, it will rank among the best in the world, he had added. In the end, he left the podium, neat, on a high note.

Alright. Everyone who is anyone was also present at

the event. A delight to see was a former military Head of State, Maj. Gen. Muhamadu Buhari. He was relaxed, his usual dignity the same. His presence made one feel the party was complete. He partook of the presidential salad even, bringing a smile to one’s face as he munched. It was a good sight to behold for a nation that remains politically polarised long after a general election. The documentary was screened as soon as Anyim left the podium, meanwhile. In it good history was told within 10 minutes. The earliest set of civilisations found in the territory now known as Nigeria were mentioned: Bornu – where the oldest boat was unearthed; the NOK culture – with its over 8,000 years old artifacts;  Igboland -  with some of the most amazing crafts; Benin bronzes that are over a thousand years old. There was also Oyo kingdom with its advanced political, administrative structure, as well as  its conquests. And there were state builders such as Queen Amina of Zaria, the great cavalry of the Sokoto Caliphate.

The documentary traced the earliest trading contacts with the Portuguese, the British and the French. Trading was in hot pepper, palm oil, and beads before it turned to slavery, and over 25 million people, the best of the continent, were moved into plantations in the Americas. In the midst of this, the first set of prominent Black people were named. Olaudah Equiano from Igboland, and the first freed slave to write a published book. Mention was made of the coming of the British who took Lagos, took the Delta, fought natives across the North, as well as those who had gallantly resisted. “We salute” as a phrase, preceded the names of those who led the resistance. And it was fitting, an emotional part of the documentary for this writer – the fact that  Nigerians died to defend their freedom.  A Yoruba king fought the British in Lagos, for instance. Jaja of Opobo, who had earlier on been honoured by Queen Victoria, did and was later taken into exile. There was Nana Olomu. The resistance of Ekumeku Movement of Igboland shocked the British. Oba Ovonrawen Nogbasi fought, but was later taken into exile. Then there was Sultan Atahiru of Sokoto, also a man with a sense of history, sense of honour. One whom this writer wished he could wake up (in the course of a visit to his grave in Bormi, Gombe State) and ask to give his own account of how he had defended his heritage against the invading Frederick Lugard’s army in 1903. Mention was made of Nigerians who distinguished themselves after the colonial rulers settled in. There was the revered, hardworking late Emir of Katsina, Mohammadu Dikko, the first of Emirs to ride on an airplane. Quiet and astute, Dikko was an excellent administrator, a man whose firm counsel the late Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, respected so much. It’s good to remember such men of dignity. They helped advance the North, holding the fulcrum of sense and stability that had also helped to sustain one Nigeria. And there was the political class, and the political gladiators of the colonial and the post-colonial years. From Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, to Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and the more recent leaders that Nigerians know. Comments on them in the documentary were succinct and balanced.

Former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, spoke after the curtain closed on the documentary. He was honoured to be called upon to unveil the centenary emblem, he had said. Nigeria is in a unique company of not so many nations that have stayed as one for 100 years, he added. He did unveil the emblem, through a projector. It was a disappointment, the emblem. Nothing out of the ordinary. Take out the Nigerian coat of arm within it, and nothing is left. The inspiration, creativity that had attended is doubtful, why it was selected out of other entries a reason to ask questions. The emblem could have been any other graphic design quickly strewn together in circles and strokes on a computer. It was no more than the drawing of a primary school child. Then former President Olusegun Obasanjo came to the podium and asked the question: What sort of Nigerian are you? If anyone would want to fold his arms and refuse to contribute to the country’s growth, that is. He had asked as he unveiled the centenary theme: “One Nigeria, great promise.”

Former military Head of State, Abdusalami Abubakar, unveiled the centenary song. He could pass for a sheik, the retired soldier. What with his distinguished white beard, and moustache. At one hundred years, Nigeria remains an emergent nation, he had said. He mentioned many nations that did not end the 20th Century as one, in the manner they began it. So there’s every reason to celebrate the Nigerian centenary in song and dance. He quoted words from Onyeka Owenu’s centenary song titled, “This land of mine”. He didn’t sing, he confessed he couldn’t, but he quoted in part: “Nigeria born in diversity, blessed beyond comparison,  I pledge you my loyalty, one nation, indivisible, Nigeria you are here to stay.” Onyeka and her group did the singing. But the former Head of State had escaped to his seat by then.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, unveiled the centenary internet portal. The portal interacts with all social network sites, he had noted of the www.nigeriacentenary.com.ng. Senate President David Mark unveiled the centenary lottery, He stated why lotteries are good in funding an event such as the nation’s centenary celebration. Institutions such as the Harvard University and Princeton were once funded that way, he said. And the 2012 London Olympics, too. The lottery logo that Mark unveiled was more inspiring than the centenary emblem. Vice-President Namadi Sambo then invited  President Goodluck Jonathan to the podium.  The President said children had performed better than himself, in some centenary promotional adverts shot and shown on screen at the event. The entire hall laughed on that. Then the President said anyone who regrets 1914 wants to diminish the greatness of Nigeria. 

He said the amalgamation of that year was a blessing and not a mistake and enjoined Nigerians to look forward rather than backward. He mentioned his achievements in office, declared that the nation is destined for greatness, and finally called on all Nigerians to “arise, shine and prosper.” He picked Buhari’s hand later, on his way to light the centenary touch. Opposition groups have since said contents of the centenary programme lack depth. It’s good to note that Anyim said stakeholders could yet make suggestions. Of course, there would be doubts if such would be accepted. The opening ceremony had been smart though, cleanly cut, and delivered. A salute to the organisers. Maybe, the final parts of the celebration in 2014 will be controversy-free.