NIGERIA: THE BEAUTIFUL YEARS OF BREAD AND HONEY: Reminiscences of a Glorious Lost Past
By Nkem Ossai
Just Before the Coming of the Rogue Elements and the Deliberate Destruction of Our Golden Naira
The unconscionable rulers of the past era came on board, seized power and told us that Naira was over valued. With advice from our own expo economist professors, and another rogue international money organization, they crashed our golden Naira never to rise again.
Oh’ what a beautiful past! Fresh from secondary school, I became Barrister Akudo Ibeziako’s Clerk briefly. My take home was #60. From that, I paid the school fees of my siblings, (two younger brothers and a sister), fed myself and still saved #30. Then, money was not spent in Naira but in kobo. I’m talking of 1978 and may be few years after.
Whenever I remember these yesteryears, I feel sorry for my children and the current generation. I tell you most sadly, those who ruined these beautiful past, are still here holding us hostage and presiding over our common wealth.
Still today, these people who were supposed to be in prison have taken over the country by force of arms and continued to further mess it up, while challenging all of us to a fight.
The way it is now, only a requiem is remaining for the once blossoming country. May God deal with them accordingly in Jesus name amen.
In those golden years, “social relationships across Africa are deeply anchored in community, warmth, and a rich blending of longstanding traditions with contemporary life, shared experiences—ranging from the intimate bonds of family to expansive neighborhood and community gatherings.”
It is pertinent to note that we were deep in social connectedness without the Internet, social media and without much education.
We were bonded and glued by community festivals of harvests, masquerading, eating native delicacies and drinking. Of course, our wants wre few with everyone depending on anyone for care, medicade and provision of happiness.
At that time, our social connectedness was very brotherly. Our community life was one full of relationships of resourcefulness. Everyone cared for everyone. What do I mean: you do not have to be my brother, sister or a blood relation before I cared about you. Distant visitors are welcomed and treated as special guests. There was nothing like kidnapping and there was little or no crime. Crime that is now fast becoming a way of life was rarely heard of. Relationship is founded on humanity and humanity is innate. In other words, to be human is a desired wish. Now, it’s no longer so. We now have a situation whereby criminals are more than the rest.
Neighbors would wake up in the morning and would visit neighbors to know how they are faring. It is almost unheard off nowadays.
In one life time we have experienced enormous good and enormous evil. People now hunt their fellow humans as would animals. May God bring back our past.
Let me end with the words of Benjamin Netanyahu. “One day, the power of the people will overcome the people in power.”
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