AT 64 years of nationhood, the lofty dreams of Nigeria’s founding fathers still await realization, meaning that all is not well. But despite the disappointment, the country should avoid any capitulation to hopelessness but band together to fight those evils that have stopped it from prospering as a nation despite her enormous potentials.
To state the obvious, the future of our country lies in the hands of both the leadership and followership. On the part of the ruling class, there is the need to close the gap between the haves and the have-nots through greater delivery of democratic dividends, while the citizens should hold their leaders accountable and not to be a part of the problem.
Before now, the Independence Day celebration was a spectacular event characterized by public displays by pupils, students, workers and other categories of Nigerian citizens who eagerly participate to celebrate their nationality. Other features include military and paramilitary parades, traditional dances, music, merry-making, responsible fireworks, speeches, visits to parks and other entertainment spots, exhibitions and match past.
The streets were filled with celebrations as individuals, families, groups and organisations troop out adorned in green-white-green, the national colours. Offices and markets are closed as the celebrations last for the day with people storming beaches, ranches, camps and other entertainment spots for parties, enjoying barbecues, chicken withjollof rice and cutting cakes. Besides, world leaders were invited with the opportunity to advance diplomatic relationships and make some social and economic gains.
Regrettably, the Federal Government has announced that this year’s celebration will be low-keyed. According to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. George Akume, the theme of this year’s celebrations is ‘Reflecting on the past, inspiring the future’. Unfortunately, there is little or nothing at this time to inspire the future. This is not the first time the country has marked a low-keyed independence celebration. Right from the time of Military President Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria has walked the path of dwindling socio-economic fortune that forced unplanned policies on the people.
Babangida’s Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) grossly almost stopped the dreams of the founding fathers and unfortunately, the country has continued on the same trajectory to date. The civilian administration that promised to salvage the nation from the brink of collapse owing to military incursion in politics failed to do better.
From the administration of President OlusegunObasanjo to the present, successive administrations have, at one time or the other organised a low-key independence celebrations. This could be linked to the prevailing economic situation during their tenures which affected not only the national polity but also Nigerian families.
Today, it is not surprising to see the high spirits with which our forebears embraced the celebration wane considerably and the present generation may require a detailed reflection on the past as this year’s theme suggests, to understand what Independence celebration in this country used to be. This goes a long way to explain that at 64, Nigeria has degenerated more than the expected growthrates promised, with its self-styled toga as the giant of Africa becoming more of a contradiction.
Yet one cannot continue to rail about a failed nation. Granted that the present harsh economic condition has affected Nigerians, with many living in abject or what is now called multi-dimensional poverty, we have not veered too far away as a nation that we cannot find the right compass to return to the path of self re-discovery.
There is still hope for appreciable progress in all sectors and to rejig the fight against corruption and election manipulation. Although the economy, education, health, oil and gas, security, health, infrastructure and many others are currently in life support, they can still come round by rethinking strategies. Maladministration, nepotism, personal aggrandizement, wastages can still be confined to the past. It is in our hands as a people. Government is simply a vehicle but the will must belong to us as the people.
The FG must come clean on its war against terror. If it has done so much to decimate terrorists or to fight banditry, it should explain why farmers are still not able to go to their farms and people are slaughtered almost on a daily basis by unchallenged bandits. After 64 years, we can respond better to national emergencies like flooding, repair all manner of dilapidated roads across the country and live better as a people. We deserve a lot better. Of course, we have the resources to live better.
Be that as it may, a former president despite an abysmal performance in office, saidthat Nigerians have no other country to call their own. Of course, he was taunting the suffering masses, but the lesson to be learnt is that the people can demonstrate that they are not boxed in or under a siege. There is light at the end of the tunnel if the country can follow it through via a value re-orientation and attitudinal change for a better Nigeria. Happy Independence Day!
Before now, the Independence Day celebration was a spectacular event characterized by public displays by pupils, students, workers and other categories of Nigerian citizens who eagerly participate to celebrate their nationality. Other features include military and paramilitary parades, traditional dances, music, merry-making, responsible fireworks, speeches, visits to parks and other entertainment spots, exhibitions and match past.
The streets were filled with celebrations as individuals, families, groups and organisations troop out adorned in green-white-green, the national colours. Offices and markets are closed as the celebrations last for the day with people storming beaches, ranches, camps and other entertainment spots for parties, enjoying barbecues, chicken withjollof rice and cutting cakes. Besides, world leaders were invited with the opportunity to advance diplomatic relationships and make some social and economic gains.
Regrettably, the Federal Government has announced that this year’s celebration will be low-keyed. According to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. George Akume, the theme of this year’s celebrations is ‘Reflecting on the past, inspiring the future’. Unfortunately, there is little or nothing at this time to inspire the future. This is not the first time the country has marked a low-keyed independence celebration. Right from the time of Military President Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria has walked the path of dwindling socio-economic fortune that forced unplanned policies on the people.
Babangida’s Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) grossly almost stopped the dreams of the founding fathers and unfortunately, the country has continued on the same trajectory to date. The civilian administration that promised to salvage the nation from the brink of collapse owing to military incursion in politics failed to do better.
From the administration of President OlusegunObasanjo to the present, successive administrations have, at one time or the other organised a low-key independence celebrations. This could be linked to the prevailing economic situation during their tenures which affected not only the national polity but also Nigerian families.
Today, it is not surprising to see the high spirits with which our forebears embraced the celebration wane considerably and the present generation may require a detailed reflection on the past as this year’s theme suggests, to understand what Independence celebration in this country used to be. This goes a long way to explain that at 64, Nigeria has degenerated more than the expected growth rates promised, with its self-styled toga as the giant of Africa becoming more of a contradiction.
Yet one cannot continue to rail about a failed nation. Granted that the present harsh economic condition has affected Nigerians, with many living in abject or what is now called multi-dimensional poverty, we have not veered too far away as a nation that we cannot find the right compass to return to the path of self re-discovery.
There is still hope for appreciable progress in all sectors and to rejig the fight against corruption and election manipulation. Although the economy, education, health, oil and gas, security, health, infrastructure and many others are currently in life support, they can still come round by rethinking strategies. Maladministration, nepotism, personal aggrandizement, wastages can still be confined to the past. It is in our hands as a people. Government is simply a vehicle but the will must belong to us as the people.
The federal government must come clean on its war against terror. If it has done so much to decimate terrorists or to fight banditry, it should explain why farmers are still not able to go to their farms and people are slaughtered almost on a daily basis by unchallenged bandits. After 64 years, we can respond better to national emergencies like flooding, repair all manner of dilapidated roads across the country and live better as a people. We deserve a lot better. Of course, we have the resources to live better.
Be that as it may, a former president despite an abysmal performance in office, said that Nigerians have no other country to call their own. Of course, he was taunting the suffering masses, but the lesson to be learnt is that the people can demonstrate that they are not boxed in or under a siege. There is light at the end of the tunnel if the country can follow it through via a value re-orientation and attitudinal change for a better Nigeria. Happy Independence Day!
