Decolonization of Africa as an illusion and as a noble dream: the case of Nigeria

Abstract

Emmanuel Ayandele it was, who described early African Nationalists as “diluted hybrids and collaborators.” His description, although suitable, confirmed the nature of their training. Colonialism can be compared to a deforestation and re-forestation of a place or mixed cropping of a garden. Trees for re-forestation and crops for mixed cropping are determined solely by the forester and the gardener. The concomitant effect of this process is the birth of new trees and crops that are neither of the old stock, the by- product, the semblance of the old. The socio-political, economic, cultural, religious and, indeed, all departments of life were tailored to fit the size of the colonists in all their ramifications. The people’s psyche was not spared either as a mental surgery was carried out, reducing Africans to mere robots or zombies. This was passed on from generation to generation who must behave like Europeans to either be recognised, attended to, etc. Doing the opposite would spell doom for that African. This was and is where Africans are. Is it possible to change a mentally diluted mind? “Control the man who controls his mind,” Mbube adage goes. The Colonialists threatened Africans with a “superior” God. Is it possible to learn how to write with a different hand at an advanced age? This paper elucidates the above using the socio-historical framework backed up by Oral Tradition.