In this present age, and for those following history, can one conclude that Nigeria’s political, economic, and social development might only be achieved with organised fraternity, as the only vehicle, where men that are tested, trusted, just, upright, of sound judgment and strict morals are made leaders? So, are we looking at the wrong people and places to develop Nigeria and take our place, at least in Africa? An African side talk says “is better to search for a black sheep before night fall”….After all, fraternity started in Heaven, for God manifested himself in the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. They worked as one and in unity always forever. Therefore on earth, man should manifest this unity to achieve result, although made up many parts. Consequently the different parts perform the functions associated with them e.g. leg walks towards friends and run away from enemies, eyes to see friends and identify enemies of justice, the mouth to express the message of justice and rebuke injustice, the hand to embrace friends and hit enemies of justice. Is this the way for Nigeria to go?

However, let me begin with a confession first, dont get my writing twisted with membership of  freemason. According to my friend, Google.com, Masonry is the best organization to belong if you believe that men can have brotherhood and fellowship with others, I understand that some individuals may think different than me and that makes them no more right or wrong, people will believe whatever they want to believe. Freemasons is the World’s oldest secret society, with over 6 million estimated populations worldwide- they simply rule the world and have shaped it into a better world? Countries that have embraced freemasons are world super powers today and dictate the pace. It is a shame that Africa is just only 1.2% of the total population of freemason in the world. That explains Africa’s political, economic, and social status on the world map.

While freemasonry is making men better men, our probably equivalent, for example, Reformed Ogboni Fraternity (Incorporated) founded by Rev T.A.J Ogunbiyi on the 18th Dec 1918 at Obun Eko in Lagos Nigeria have indigenously built lifeline of people of integrity in the country. Created 1918! That is some history. While people think they have never seen or heard any landmark or break-through, they have contributed to the development of Nigeria preindependence. When they (will) rule (d) Nigeria, what impact or legacy do (or will) they leave behind? Out of the 44 presidents that have ruled America from 1789 to date, 26 of them were supposed Freemasons, and they have not failed the country. I was amazed the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity even have some cranky, ailing, repulsive and comical looking website (http://www.rofonline.org/Index1.htm). They needs more reformation to be truly reformed.

Freemasons, probably imitated by the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity, was brought to Nigeria by the colonialists and the first recruits were mainly the leaders Nigeria was handed over to at independence. It now obvious that Nigeria was better ruled in this short period than now? Then the world was amazed at the knowledge of our leaders, men with integrity, morals and humane characters. These past glories might tempt one into thinking that: does Sub-Saharan Africa need benevolent re-colonisation by Europe -de facto- by way of freemasonry? At least, in America, the founding fathers of the country were high degree masons, and America’s history cannot be completed without a reference to them, of the 56 persons who signed the Declaration of Independence document in 1778, 15 of them or 27 percent were Masons, while 28 of the 40 signers of the USA constitution were high degree Masons, with many later becoming became Freemasons. Freemasonry revolutionised America and United Kingdom, and will continue to make it an envy of other nations. In a recent review of Freemasons by H. Paul Jeffers, “Freemasonry has become the cornerstone of the United States government. Masonic link evidences abound despite disputations by some historians. Masonic signs and symbols are everywhere in government. For example, the Great Seal of the United States and the street plan as well as designs of federal government buildings in Washington DC were laid out on the basis of Masonic beliefs. The symbol of an inverted triangle or pyramid can be seen in the street plan and the sites are connected to famous Freemasons such as Marquis de Lafayette, after whom a park opposite the north side of the White House is named. The Washington Monument and the Pentagon building were designed by Masons to conform to a Pentagram which is an occult symbol.”

My argument is not about the perceived secrecy, preconceived ideas, mischief hypocrisy, or ignorance of what Freemasonry is all about; but I am amazed at the contents of the craft’s fold and men of eminence and personalities. They include Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, (past secretary general of the United Nations); Bill Gates, Henry Ford, Edgar D. Mitchell, John Glenn, Leroy Gordon Cooper. In Africa, some freemason president started or help shaped their countries for the better, Paul Biya (president of Cameroon); John Kuffuor (president of Ghana), Blaise Campaore (president of Burkina Faso); Omar Hadj Bongo (president of Gabon); Idris Deby (president of Chad) Mamadou Tanja(president of Niger); Denis Sassou Nguesso (president of Congo); Robert Guei, ( Ivory Coast), and the Jerry J. Rawlings. Will Nigeria be better if we can adopt the Masonic principles of friendship, charity and integrity, rather than orchestrating the persecution of Freemasons and labelling them as “secret societies”, a concept since the days of Yakubu Gowon, the then military head of state? In Britain, for example, freemasonry is probably analogous to the government, the Duke of Edinburgh is a Mason; Duke Michael of Kent is one, House of Lords and the House of Commons have members as Freemasons; Scotland Yard have officers as Freemasons; Rowan Williams (the archbishop of Canterbury) is a mason, as was his predecessors. According to Jeffers, “Freemasonry has produced an astonishing number of significant individuals throughout the history of Europe in all fields of human endeavour namely kings, presidents and politicians, tycoons of industries, doctors, journalists, writers, composers, educators, generals, scientists, philosophers, astronauts and other cultural, social and civic leaders,”.

Fraternity, be it a religion,e.g. of Jesus Christ, Buddah, Gandhi, or freemason should guide a man abut what to do, how to do it and when to do it, but the problem with Nigeria is the wrong harmonisation of fraternity into out development. However, our probably prospective alternative to freemasonry, the university’s student fraternities, negatively established by Wole Soyinka have only turned students into commandos and well-armed gangs, intimidating their leaders and murdering the peace of the nation, rather than fraternising to develop the country and make Nigeria a better place. In Nigeria, freecults, and not freemasonry, have created global news of crime and violence. They have grown rapidly and now mix with the political and economic militants, thugs, kidnapers and crooks terrorising Nigeria.

According to students of history, Freemasonry came to Nigeria in 1878 and other Masonic Lodges have since been established in various parts of the country. Freemasonry in Nigeria, compared to worldwide landmarks of masons, is like a canoe without a paddle. This might not entirely be their fault, but will a free and open growth of freemasonry in Nigeria help us develop faster? It is however, a shame that Freemason does not recruit its members or solicit for membership, and therefore, perceived secrecy and preconceived ideas about Freemasonry in Nigeria is one major mitigating factor that might thwart the growth in Nigeria, and therefore probably dieing its potential? My friend once commented that it is a shame, because when you see masons outside Nigeria, the way they behave, react to issues, one will want to belong, and not do so for the wrong intention of seeking power or wealth as some wrongly believe. Where are Egypt and Assyria in world economy today, once mighty and in wealth? Or what knowledge is hidden from the African race all through history? No doubt, freemasonry only shaped the nations that have stood the test of her time, and If only Nigeria will be better, even with the distorted truth and superstitious ideologies of Freemasons, if Nigeria will have steady power and water supply with ingeniousness of Freemasonry; if the Secrecy of freemasonry will eradicate poverty in Nigeria, then let it influence our national development and help manage our wellbeing, and maybe truly ‘rebrand’ us proper. Afer all, according to Bob Dylan, “And the rules of the road have been ‘lodged’, it’s only people’s games you got to dodge, but it’s all right ma, it’s life and life only”….. Is there no help for widowed-liked Nigeria?