Nigeria, Oct. 20 -- It takes time to form a country. It takes patience and dedication to change attitudes. When people from disparate places and cultures are brought together to form a Nation, it is never easy. In the long run, the tears and toil are worth it because the interactions lead to expansion of consciousness which drives human progress.

The journey of nationhood is not for timid souls. It was never easy for countries like India, China and the USA to rise. It is not an easy journey. These countries have more divisions and more ethnic and religious cleavages and groupings than we can ever imagine.

America conducted an election in the midst of war. Nigeria conducted elections by declaring curfews and turning cities to militarized...