The old West stirs
— I am referring to the series of meetings the old Western Region has been having of late. First, it was the governors—of Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Lagos –who gathered in Lagos. I tell you the gathering was not for any owambe, it was strictly political business, if you know what I […]
— I am referring to the series of meetings the old Western Region has been having of late. First, it was the governors—of Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Lagos –who gathered in Lagos. I tell you the gathering was not for any owambe, it was strictly political business, if you know what I mean. I was told it was wee hours before they emerged from their deliberations with bleary eyes to announce to the whole world that they have resolved to co-ordinate their activities and pool resources to expedite the development of their states, or words to that effect.
—If you have nothing better to do than to rehash stale news, I have to ask you to leave. Is it the first time governors will be meeting in this country? Even the kid in kindergarten knows governors of the northern states have been meeting regularly, I think it is monthly and the venue is Kaduna. Their meetings have become so regular, no, so frequent that no one pays them any attention any more, particularly when no appreciable impact has been made on the many matters needing improvement. So what‘s new in the South West governors copying them? After all, it is one way of getting out- of- station allowance!
—My friend, this is different. Wait till you hear what I am about to say. Just about two weeks ago, another meeting hosted by the Vintage Press Limited, publisher of the Nation drew all manner of dignitaries from that part of the country to Ibadan to discuss a topic entitled ‘Legislative Summit for Regional Integration’ with a rider stating “Achieving regional collaboration for rapid development.”
—So what? I say that one is old news. It is a free country and anyone is free to meet with whoever he pleases for all I care.
—You mean you cannot discern a pattern, a stratagem, even? Doesn’t it smell like something ominous for this country?
—Only in your fevered brain. Go home and tell your missus to prepare for you hot dogon yaro tea to wash the fever away. Call me tomorrow when you feel better. Oya, allele, ka te fi.
___When did you become an herbalist? Dogon yaro tea for my brainwave! And don’t you dare to shoo me away like some naïve fool bothering you. Isn’t it obvious- that all these meetings are not a good augury for the country?
—Well, since you have refused to go and sleep it off. I urge you to go and read the papers again, this time in between the lines. If you do, you will see that everything that was discussed was in order for me. No one, except only those with fevered brain as you, would see danger in every attempt to make this country serve us better.
—-Let me tell you. The kind of amity and united front being presented by erstwhile political enemies in the South West as illustrated by the series of gatherings whose attendance cut across political cleavages is strange. Usually they are always at each others’ throats, angling to outdo one another, sometimes violently. Was it not only recently that elections became a ‘do or die’ affair, in Ekiti the situation degenerated into a free for all fight with all manner of weapons because the people swore not to allow anyone steal their votes. After the dead have been buried and broken bones mended, the court had to remove one pretender to the governor’s seat for the actual winner. Now suddenly, you tell me these people have buried the hatchets and sheathed the swords and clamped one another in a bear embrace in fraternal camaraderie? Surely there is more to it than meets the eye and I say something is cooking.
—All this your tirade betrays one thing and that is that you are one of those who think things must remain the same, no matter what. Well, people like you would remain in one spot while the whole world hurtles off. What has happened in the South West is that old enemies have become friends when the realisation dawned on them that if they do not mend fences they may not be able to bequeath a better legacy than they inherited, to their offspring. Even as wooly headed as you are, I am sure you will understand people believe things could be better only if a concerted effort is made to bring it about. And I do not think there is anything untoward about that, as I understand it, the term of reference is still a South West within Nigeria.
—So what is this talk about a South West anthem and flag? I know you would say they are mere totems, signifying nothing.
—Anthem and flag as totems? What are you talking about? I know of only those of Nigeria. And let me warn you all this is mere lose and careless talk bordering on sedition. You listen to too much hearsay and fiction. At your age you should be able to know what is possible and what is not possible. A retired general who at one time bestrode Nigeria like a colossus, the other day cried out loud that certain matters are settled in Nigeria. He listed its indivisibility as one of them. I dare say on this particular one he knows what he is talking about.
—But is it by merely wishing it and not doing anything to concretize it.
—He did his bit when he ruled, it is left for us to take up the mantle and further build on what we have now, and it is in pursuit of it that all these elaborate gatherings and agitations are aimed at. I think someday we will get there.
—Get where?
—Now, don’t play dumb. There, meaning a Nigeria where everyone is happy, if such a thing is possible. Meaning a Nigeria as an el-Dorado with spanking efficient social infrastructure that become the envy of people of other countries who now flood into Nigeria rather than what obtains now where if you want the best you would have to go get it abroad.
—=Your optimism is admirable. The picture you are painting is admirable but not before we change the way things are run now.
—Good. That is the point of all the gatherings you are fretting about. They are meant to make things better, no more no less.