Those Saying Nigeria is Indivisible are Calling for Trouble- Prof. Dike

Certificate. 1960 was a very exciting year for us in the college. We had a classmate that was nicknamed October One. There was something great in the air – Nigeria. We had a united Nigeria. The pupils came from different parts of the country and we lived in peace. Interestingly, I was regarded as a Kaduna boy because I was born in Kaduna. I spent my holidays in Kaduna and we travelled by rail.

What was the hope at the time?

Ghana got its independence in 1957. The secondary schools then were learning centres because we could discuss world affairs. I remember our teacher telling us that in the comity of nations, Ghana would be there at the table while Nigeria would be like a servant but all that changed in 1960. From the song – Island in the sun by Harry Belaforte, we coined ‘Giant in the sun’.

Today, we talk about indivisible Nigeria. We fail to ask why it went from ‘united’ to ‘indivisible’. Indivisible is being touted by persons who know the country is fractured but don’t want to admit why it is so. There is no reason for me to be proud of Nigeria. I grew up in England and know what it takes to give the citizenry a sense of belonging and ownership of the country. That doesn’t exist in Nigeria.Only those who claim that Nigeria is indivisible want the status quo to remain and they don’t love the country.

You said that you don’t see any reason why one should be proud of Nigeria.

I don’t see any reason. I am not. I will always tell the younger ones that unless they make efforts to change the situation as our generation has put them into shame, they will have no country to call theirs.