By Kola Animasuan

“As long as I have any choice, I will stay only in a country where political liberty, toleration, and equality of all citizens before the law are the rule.”-Albert Einstein

I did not missed the Independence Day , It came and it went and well , it went with little or no fanfare at least within my area. Don’t get me wrong ,I celebrate everything ,anything and most of all I celebrate life.

As for Nigerian Independence day , to be honest ,I did not feel like marking our 51st Independence day . For me there is nothing to celebrate , well nothing that is outstanding or of note. Our Nation at 51 years of age , I would expect Nigerians to have more to celebrate, for if our country were a marriage it would be golden anniversary and you can look back with fondness and reminisce where the years have gone . If it were a person, at the age of 51 , the person would have reached some notable milestones. Sadly, we have not attained any of these things.

As a black person living in the UK , I am often asked where am originally from , you see, am black and not African Caribbean so it follows that they do not feel that I am from the UK… well ,not originally.

So in the UK , a country of my birth , I remain an outsider and every now and again am reminded that I am not one of them.

My passport reads British , yeah I am British but am more Nigerian, My children are Nigerians , second generation British in the UK and you can be sure they too, will be asked the same question ; where are you originally from?

My children know who they are , and I know they will answer with gusto – I am Nigerian.

Being a Nigerian means that we are sometimes tarred with the same stereotypical Brush , that we are cheats, crooks, hustlers and into all sorts. I know that there are upstanding, honest and hardworking Nigerians , home and abroad .

I am only responsible for my deeds alone and I refuse to be responsible for the action of others good or bad especially if they are Nigerians. They do not represent me. And I refuse to spend my precious time convincing people that not all Nigerians are lawbreakers and 491ners . My parent s have instil values in me that hard work and only hard work and the love of God , will propel me on the straight and narrow.

I have done the same with my children as my parents have done with me , encourage them to be decent, upright and a productive members of society. I believe in days gone by our elders are more concerned about who you are and what you do and whose child you are. Nowadays people are more concerned how much they can siphon from the nation’s coffers.

I spend majority of my life outside Nigeria but the months and years I spend it Nigeria are etched in my mind that I feel the sense of belonging almost from the get go.

I have been out of the country for over two decades, but my love for the land of my fathers are by no means dimmed. By the time I left home I was tired of Nigeria , I felt hemmed in , unable to express myself creatively or otherwise.

My father finally gave me his blessing to leave the country, after I was stopped by the Police at Palmgrove on my way back from work. The Taxi that I was in was stopped and delayed until the driver could produce his particulars. They saw me and demanded that I get out of the Taxi, which I did , they proceeded in raining abuses and calling me all sorts , I felt the need to respond so I did . It was meted with slaps and pushing and shoving. My press card fell out and saved me from being bundled off.

I have not returned since. That was 24 years ago! What would make me come home? Respect for human life, security, access to essentials of life; good transportation, communication, clean water, good education, regular power ,reduction in bribery, corruptions and adequate health care. My list is nonetheless wishful thinking but what should I tell my children after 51 years that my country cannot at least provide these necessities for its citizens? .

What do I tell them when our elected leaders cannot get these simple things right. Do I feel hopeful?

No, we have lived on hope for far too long and it is time that we deliver or we might as well just roll over and die.

I will come home but I will not be staying for good neither are my children. Why should I trade a place where my life and that of others are valued , where the rule of law is observed, good homes, education, health care and job opportunities is accessible to all on merit and not for the privileged few.

Right now, whatever the promises made by our political leaders remains hollow and trite. What we want is that they act in the best interest of all Nigerians. There should more transparency, security, women rights , human rights and those who in office should have the full weight of the law thrown at them if they are found guilty and made an example of .

So next year , I will be celebrating and be drinking to the health of my fellow Nigerians worthy of praise -Amzat Adebowale, Tai Solarin, Okoya-Thomas,Chinua Achebe,Wole Soyinka, Ken Saro wiwa,,Bola Ige, Fela Anikulapo kuti, Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikwe,Obafemi Awolowo,Abdul Lateef Jakande, Gani Fawehinmi,Olisa Agbakoba,Dele Giwa,Aminu Kano,I.K. Dairo,Sir Victor Uwaifo,King Sunny Ade,|Ebenezer Obey,Chris Ofili,Yinka Shonibare,Elechi Amadi,Cyprian Ekwensi,M. K. O. Abiola,Francis Edo-Osagie,Adeoye Lambo .( Apologies, if I miss out other notable Nigerians as you can see there are many)

-Adenrele Animasaun- Registered Health Practitioner, specialising in Black , minority , ethnic communities and Mental health .

Kola Animasaun is back ! Contact him on 080 55 06 90 23