Sir: Among all the related words surrounding the definition of the above one word topic, evolution stands out. My focus in this crucial and timely discourse is as it concerns humanity, individuals. I will not borrow academic perspectives from the famous scientist who holds the paternity rights, Charles Darwin, but I will religiously dissect our subject topic as I deem objectively necessary in our contemporary time.
Evolution may be said to be in consonance with dynamism; a person whose vigor and agility cannot be successfully quenched. Unstoppable is its smiling neighbor. When an individual gains self development or growth from his former state to an improved status, evolution has occurred. When a person experiences a self reformation narrative, regeneration of the heart which translates to a practical valuable and contented conversation and lifestyle is manifest.
There is a dire need of the individual citizens of Nigeria to experience evolution as briefly buttressed above here. This is to the point that certain awkward and archaic ideas which might have been efficient at the time it was conceived but now anachronistic – ought to be yanked off forthwith. These terribly unsustainable concepts were either passed from parent to children, or learned or both. Unfortunately, some of these growth-antagonistic beliefs, superstitions and concepts have successfully been impacted on their subjects by the dint of religion or politics or both. Have you been told or witnessed the historical truth that religion and politics are both the instruments of control by the elites on the bourgeoisie and the populace? This, therefore, highlights as it silently buttresses that each earthly race and person came out complete with the inbred qualities and latent competence awaiting exploration and deployment.
You must evolve. You are bound to. Either by hook or crook, please endeavour to gain growth. Martin Luther said, “If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. But by all means, make sure you keep moving, making advancement.” Stagnancy may be the direct opposite of growth and progress..
The propensity of an average Nigeria electorate to be successfully deceived with religious and ethnic divisive narratives over meritorious qualifications will be eradicated when timely evolution, not revolution, happens. The politicians of Nigeria version, often capitalize on this citizens’ inability to articulate their rational and appropriate demands and relentlessly insist on the actualisation, gives the former the blank cheque to manipulate elections and thus wreak havoc on the simple-minded and hapless populace.
Education is a cardinal prerequisite and a concrete platform where and when development is compulsory. But, in this part of the world in Nigeria, only less of it is enough. This is because, it seems there is an unwritten consensus amongst the Nigeria political elites who are pioneer beneficiaries of the country’s good old days when free education and government scholarship were common and accessible to all. This reality is further exposed with the government’s continued attitude towards education for the people. The perennial standoff between the scholars and the government called strikes; the poor and dilapidated conditions of both primary and secondary public schools facilities; the substandard teachers personnel even of the private school sectors across the federation; the massive number of the educated illiterates as products of such school systems eventually, these anomalies are sufficiently disheartening to break down even the most stouthearted individual with lively soul.
The remedy? Evolve! Evolve to the point that you become what the book authors James Dale Davidson and William Rees-Mogg called The Sovereign Individual. Then you will never be reliant on any system that seeks to antagonize the natural ordinance and system. Evolve beyond the reach of religious and political whims and caprices brandished by certain irresponsible purported leaders of thought. Evolve and escape the enslaving grip of any man-made control systems that can capture you. Just evolve. Evolve until you exit this earthly planet to another where evolution yet continues. Evolve without expiring. Evolve to equanimity and contentment. Please evolve.
• Steve Obum Orajiaku wrote from Lagos
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