They say history has two sides: the story of the victor and that of the conquered. If you are vanquished, your tales may never be heard unless you decide, willing and able to recount irrespective of the circumstance. But how do you, particularly if you and your entire history seem completely obliterated? Then the need for reinvention arises, that dogged fighter in you must be invoked. Such is the present lot of our military, particularly now with the insurgency ravaging our nation.
The advent of television and movie/documentary brought a new dimension to story telling. This has been deployed in geopolitics; tales are now told- particularly from the prism of the victors. The Americans are doing this so well, showing their military prowess, power and might, even foretelling the future, though sometimes overrated. Of course, with the support of their government.
No doubt, the Nigeria movie industry appears to be coming of age. There now seem to be concerted efforts by the major stakeholders aimed at turning things around. So much attention has been brought to the sector particularly after the recent rebasing of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – where a notable chunk of the improvement has been attributed to the contributions from the industry; and the announcement of the Three Billion Naira (N3 Billion) largesse by President Goodluck Jonathan – money which has not been released, yet tearing the industry apart – may go a long way in taking it to the desired height. So when I saw the movie adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s book, Half of a Yellow Sun, I was quite impressed, although there is still room for improvement. It is commendable, as that work of art is a far cry from the so many “no nay low budget movies” that the market is awash with.
Incidentally, I feel such a movie shouldn’t have been released at all. While the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) ensured and prevailed on the producers to remove some of its “inciting and offensive” clips, releasing it now only reopens old healing wounds of the Biafra War. This will also coalesce the distrust and already tensed pulse of the nation – effect of which can not be gauged at the moment. But after watching and pondering on the story, I came to appreciate more the works and the sacrifices of the patriots on all sides who fought with their lives to keep Nigeria one – especially those who fought on the side of Nigeria -the Nigeria Army. At least bits of their tales were told therein, adding credence to the “No Victor, No Vanquished” mantra.
Reflecting on the above, certainly building a society after a vicious prejudicial civil war like ours could have been herculean. Practical, visionary and cognizant policies must be instituted and executed. The National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) was one of such. A brainchild of the top echelon of our military -the idea of “tactically and forcefully” mobilising individual tertiary education graduates to henceforth compulsorily “serve” the nation for one whole year in any form as may be deemed required after some weeks of paramilitary training at any zone within the country based on the discretion of the authorities to foster better understanding and appreciation of cultures and traditions of individual ethnic groups and foster peaceful and harmonious coexistence; to many, novel yet noble and commendable. Hence, over time, this programme backed by law became a school of its kind for our youths and one for them to pride in. This writer also craved it; he had his time – a memorable one indeed.
I had my NYSC program in Katsina, a lovely place peopled with hospitable, wonderful, amiable and extraordinary characters. I was posted to serve with the Nigeria Army – 35 Battalion, Natsinta. This afforded me slight introspection into the workings of the military, as I easily mingled and blended in with its officers and men. I was often thrilled by their tales of exploits and bravery in peace keeping missions in Africa, particularly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and elsewhere around the world. I was persuaded to join because of my potentials, but my eyes were fixated on the Navy –I love water; I love the white uniform. So immediately after my service year, I obtained the form, completed it and ready it for submission. Then one night, I sat down pondered on my life and the state of affairs of our nation and began wondering if indeed I could be willing and afford to die for Nigeria. With so much waste, corrupt elite and political class, nepotism, executive lawlessness and arrogance of power – I wondered even if Nigeria knew I existed! I tore the form!
Fast forward, the year is 2014, Boko Haram is on the offensive, the war on terror is on, our military is called to duty to defend our territorial integrity, secure the peace, and restore law and order. But we hear stories of desertion at war front, “tactical maneuvering” and so many other tales of woe! Hmmm…they call our military men and boys cowards! Who are the cowards? Are the elites and political class not the ones who ignited the flames of discord and fan the ember of hatred yet run away for another to quench it? There is an adage in Yoruba which says: “eni gbaro’wa, ni o mo’na ati gbaro’lo” (He who carries the cripple to the village square must return him to his abode). If truly our leaders and elites are responsible and desirous of leading and ruling in peace, equity cum justice, then they should sort their “shits”- stop being the chickens they are! You can’t create a problem and expect the blood of the many innocent youths serving the mother land duly and diligently to be used in cleaning the mess. They say a mind that creates problem will not solve it. Then they need sit, think and devise noble and sensible ways of sorting out issues among themselves and take us to the promise land just like it was done then by the Patriots after the civil war before some clueless and deranged megalomaniacs derailed us! If they can’t – then the inevitable is at hand, Bokonistan! Or we the youth eventually will take back our country for good. I guess this is long overdue. Certainly, something must give way. So if you like, call my officers and men cowards – you are the cowards! Coward my foot!
email: hsodiq@yahoo.com Twitter: @halogen347
