At 64, Nigeria is closer to 100 years old and no longer an infant. We have moved a long way and charted a disjointed path but remain United.
The false narrative that Nigeria is more disunited than ever is far from reality. Those who peddle such are usually those crowded out from political appointments, those who lose out in elections, & those who blame others for their failures to obtain favour in government employment, contracts, or access to government services when the real reason may be their inadequacies, a fact, or a factor of numbers that don’t favour them.
Our union is by no means perfect, but my daily experiences of so many non-Yoruba relocating permanently and living, working, & studying in SW cities, hinterland towns, & villages show before our eyes a united nation is being built.
When people leave their places of origin for over 100 years—some 64 years, 20 years, 10 years, 5 years, or months—with no thought of going back, I wonder why some still maintain the country is divided when we are in fact more interwoven.
Nothing will stop those who know there are better opportunities elsewhere from relocating. This migration is a continuous process in a country’s development that takes place in every country without exception. Nigeria is no different.
Those who feel threatened rather than seeing this as an opportunity will fall by the wayside. In Europe & in America, we see the rise of a nascent Far Right nationalism. They haven’t learnt the lessons of Nazi fascism.
We in Africa know better not to pander to tribal nationalism as the outcome leads to needless loss of millions of lives like in our civil war or what happened in Rawanda.
Nationwide fearless protests have cynically been planned to coincide with Independence Day by those disgruntled by President Tinubu’s APC government’s harsh but necessary economic reform policies.
The protests are being led by forever activist activists, & many of those out of power are still disgruntled after losing out in 2023.
There is no serious alternative to current measures being taken to address the fundamental systemic economic problems. Taking the bull by the horns will result in a tortuous & arduous journey of knocks & pains, which most Nigerians of all classes except many political elites are facing.
Nigerians implore our political elite to show they are willing to sacrifice as much as most Nigerians by cutting back on their entitlements & excesses.
Yesterday at the farm, we planted the Teak tree saplings along the perimeter. A great feat by the men from Ibadan Cocoa Research Institute. I highly recommend them.
Sadly, the ploughing was delayed not due to technical issues with the tractor. This is delaying planting of corn & cassava, & time is running out for planting as the rains are slowing down.
On my way back to Abeokuta, the rear tire of the Okada burst whilst we were on the expressway. Thankfully, we weren’t going to fast. We managed to ride the shaky journey to Alamutu, where we bought a new tyre & inner tube for N21k
Whilst waiting in Alamutu, I met a young man, Bola Babson Aka Chievo, owner of Chievo Kitchen & Bar, and an agent selling land in Alamutu, 1 acre: N1 m. His from Ekiti he used to work in banking & now relocated making a living in Ogun State.
On Thursday in Apajola village, I met a young physically challenged vulcanizer called Nomad an Agatu from Benue He is living in the village fixing tyres and pumping by hand without an engine compressor to make a living rather than begging on the streets, saying ebi pa mi.
I also met Ibrahim from Kebbi & Sanusi from Plateau fixing & making fish nets. Ibrahim said they take the boat out at night onto Oyan Lake to fish overnight, then come back about 4 am with their catch, which they sell to the women who smoke them to be sold in the market. This is how they make their living in Apajola, along with farming various crops, including rice.
In Nigeria, a land of over 500 tribes, people are living together side by side, proudly scrapping a living and making something of themselves in these difficult times.
If they can find something doing with their hands, brains, & skills, so can I. I will make something of my farm; it will be a success.
I will be growing grapes, apples, pears, strawberries, avacados, pineapples, & other exotic plants in this space. I’ve found a source of vines & seedlings in Ibadan.
I’m glad to inform you the first ploughing has just been done today; after 5 days we will plough again, then plant the corn & cassava. They should be dropping the cassava bundles later today Watch this space
On Independence Day, many Nigerians are not on holiday but out working and being productive out of necessity; so should you if the need requires it, rather than going on a bogus politically motivated fearless protest. We shall see how many answer Sowore & others call for revolution protests. He failed at the polls and has failed in previous protests; I predict another Lule, Lule, Lule lol 😀😂😂
Up One9ja, we all want & demand a Betta9ja. Where do you stand for One9ja, a Betta9ja, or Scatta9ja?
Femi Oke Betta9ja
