“Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”_George Santayana, American philosopher (1863-1952)
I find immense truth in the quote above because when we fail to understand or learn from the past, the present will be filled with bumps and the future will be uncertain.
As a child, I enjoyed listening to the stories that my dad would tell us (his children). He would talk about how good the economy was in rhe past and how the money given to him would be enough to last him for a week. One time I asked him how much and he said ”one naira”.
”What! Daddy you mean you used one naira for a whole week in school?”
”Yes dear” he replied and I was always in awe. I even remember wishing to have been born in his time but God knows best and didn't bother with me.
One key aspect of my dad's stories on history were concerning the civil war that occurred in Nigeria from 1967 to 1970. My dad narrated how he and his siblings had to run through the forest just to escape armed soldiers. He told me that they could not cook with a fire so as not to attract energy troops to their hideout there in the bush and they had to survive by eating wild fruits and leaves occasionally.
I got to learn that my dad lost his youngest brother at that time as they ran through the forest. He talked about how people he knew died from hunger as good supplies were cut off and how some were mercilessly killed with bombs. To cut to the chase, my dad's stories imprinted an everlasting fear of war in me. I hate any idea or thought about war.
Looking at the recent events in the world today, especially those between Russia and Ukraine, Iran and Israel. We can see the devastations that occurred simply because negotiations were not favourable and war beoke out.
War is not good neither does it help anyone. Sadly, my country that experienced a little bit of war in the past, has refused to learn from the past. First, it was the Biafrans that tried to stir up war claiming that they wanted to cut out from Nigeria and be on their own while the government at the time disagreed. It was a tug of war and clearly, the Nigerian government had the upper hand.
One day while at the market, a man was discussing with his friend just next to the shop I was buying foodstuffs from and this man said ”Biafra must go whether they like it or not. If it is war they want we are ready”
I looked at the man with a bombastic side eye because I was sure that he took cheap alcohol befire saying thaise words.
Firstly, who are you to speak for me?
Secondly, when did I say that I wanted war or liked it or when did I say that I would leave my current state of residence?*
These thoughts flashed through my mind but as I walked back home, I could not help but reason out his statement. It became clear to me that the man did not know his history. War is bad.
With the way the economic hardship is increasing daily, with families not being able to afford even a square meal, I won't be surprised if another civil war breaks out in Nigeria. The people are angry. It seems like no hope even though these persons complaining were the same ones that voted in the ”change” propaganda. The government on the other hand are unbothered about the predicament of masses.
Unity and brotherliness is my own opinion for a solution. I'm no expert but I believe that thinking of peace, serenity and safety will help. Nothing is worth the killings or anguish brought about by brutal killings of war. Let's learn from our past and make a better tomorrow.
Thank you all for reading. Thia is my entry to the #hiveleatners initiative for w171e2.
Image used is mine.