What an outrageous claim you may submit! But really, it calls for close examination to prove its validity. After a long period of colonial rule (affliction, oppression, bondage, etc.), Nigeria got independence in October 1st, 1960. However, as a new child that is “delivered” from the womb (colonization) is expected to possess some attributes of a babe; and then grow up to become truly independent (in mentality, character, productivity, culture, etc.); a newly “delivered” nation is also expected to demonstrate some attributes of a babe; and then grow up to become truly independent (in mindset, culture, productivity, process (technology), substance, etc.). No one is ever agitated when a babe demonstrates the attributes of babes; however,when an adult keeps fixating – showing the habitual childish attributes, it becomes a source of worry and great concern to all and sundry. In Exodus 12, the children of Israel got their first national independence, and in Exodus 16; they were still acting like babes – are really, no one was angry for that (for a babe must necessary act like one!)
And they journeyed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt. Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. And the children of Israel said to them,"Oh, that wehad died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger."Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you.
And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily."Then Moses and Aaron said to all the children of Israel, “At evening you shall know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt. And in themorning you shall see the glory of the LORD; for He hears your complaints against the LORD. But what are, we that you complain against us?" Also Moses said, "This shall be seen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to the full; for the LORD hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD.
Exodus 16:1-8
What a story! But really, that actual reveals a similar situation in Nigeria right now. Although, we are now over 53 years as a nation; yet, we are still acting like a babe. And if you observe the passage above very closely; God didn’t show His anger to the people of Israel – For they were babes! Perhaps, He didn’t expect any differently! However, no one will tolerate an adult-babe around him or her. Babes, often possess certain attributes, which are not necessarily evil; but are sometimes counter-productivity (prevents or opposes creativity and productivity) and counter-progressive.
THE ATTRIBUTES OF BABES
? Babes are usually preoccupied with their wants. It is not abnormal for babes to wantmany things, and place real demand for them through every available means (by crying out loud, destroying home articles, etc.)
? Babes are hardly satisfied. Parents should find this difficult to understand – as babes are not easily satisfied. They could be quiet for while, but soon enough, they will request for another thing. No matter what you give to a babe; he or she would want something else soon.
? Babes are given to complain. Maybe because of their limited understanding of times and seasons, and some other important things; they usually complain about almost every unmet desires. Sometimes, their way of requesting for a thing is by lodging complains for lack or shortage of it. Rather than making their requests known, babes complain recurrently.
? Babes are consumers. You will hardly find a baby that produces; rather, they are consumers. They feed on whatever is produced and supplied to the. Remember, the children of Israel complained about bitter water in Exodus 15;22-27 and about hunger in Exodus 16:1-8 and the LORD produced what they wanted. Babes never produce; rather, they are full-time consumers.
? Babes don’t have meaningful relationship with God. Although, babes usually have their needs met by god (sometimes through the people); yet, babes never develop relationship with God – in fact, they lack basic knowledge of God and His power.
? Babes lack knowledge of identity, purpose and potentials. No matter how smart a babe can be; once he or she is still a babe, the knowledge of his or her identity,purpose and potential is never a priority. Babes don’t know who they are; why the ywere given birth to; and what they were born with to help them achieve the reason for their births.
? Babes are usually survival-oriented. An average babe literally wants to survive, and nothing more. The thought or plan for the future is never a concern. Babes live for the now (present). They gullibly assume that their needs in the future will surely be provided for. Babes live to survive for the present.
Those attributes listed above, are only fractions of the enormous attributes of babes. And if we will ever be honest as a nation; although, we are over 53 years old now, we are still a babe nation – survival-driven; always complaining, never satisfied, consuming without real production, etc. As no parent would be comfortable with an adult-babe; God – the King of heaven and earth, is also not proud of us as a nation: For Nigeria and most other nations in Africa ought to have grown beyond this! Instead of being producing nations, nations that are futuristic, and purpose-driven; we have been merely consuming, survival-driven and purposeless.The time to awake the real adult in us as nations is now! The time to grow up is now. The time to begin a process of national discovery of identity, purpose and potentials is now.
Remember, “A man (nation) who is in honour, yet does not understand(discover), is like the beasts that perish.” (Psalms 49:20)
Being destined to be great is never enough! And enough of window-dressings! Let us grow up as nations, and throw away our childish attributes.
“When I was a child, I spoke a s a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man (grown up), I put away childish things.”
(I Corinthians 13:11)
MAY GOD BLESS NIGERIA AND OTHER NATIONS IN AFRICA AND KEEP US STRONG!
