As Nigeria celebrates the 60th Anniversary of its Independence, much of the focus is on its mixed development progress. From the time of amalgamation of the Lagos colony, with the southern protectorate in 1906, to the historic amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914, that gives birth to an entity called NIGERIA, the journey of this Nation has been of ups and downs.
The Nationalist struggle for the emancipation of Niger Area, from the clutches of the British was such a fierce intellectual battle, devoid of rancorous and violent approach employed by some other nations to get theirs e.g South Africa. However, it is not to say that the independence was gotten on a platter as we were made to believe.
The roles of individuals like Herbert Macaulay, Zik of Africa, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Mrs Funmilayo Kuti, Anthony Enahoro, Ernest Okoli, Bode Thomas, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, Michael Imoudu etc, in the struggle for Independence was no child's play. They suffered persecution, intimidation, arrest, yet they were undaunted.
Upon getting Independence, the political class got enmeshed in intra party wrangling and inter ethnic suspicion, leading to breakdown of law and order, which became the excuse for the khaki boys to strike, just five years, three months, two weeks and one day into Independence.
The military class dealt a severe blow to the nurturing of our democracy. They never gave the politicians the benefit of doubt in overseeing the affairs of this Nation.
Unfortunately, the military dragged this Nation into a prolonged Civil War. Though some other reasons may be adduced as the cause of the war but for me, it was just an ego issue between two officers that shutdown the country between 1967 and 1970. May we never witness such stupidity in this land again.
The Nation paddled on, having military and civilian governments substituting one another, until 1999, when military rule became an aberration. Now, we're celebrating 60th Independence Day Anniversary and 21 years of uninterrupted civilian rule in Nigeria.
To me, the perseverance, determination, steadfastness, resilience and doggedness of Nigerian masses in weathering the storm had kept this Nation as an indivisible geographical space, since 60 years.
For a country endowed with such rich and fertile soils and Africa's largest oil reserves, it should be doing much better. It is this "gap between potential and fulfilment" that has enraged Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who spoke sometime in Port Harcourt, demanding the Nigerian leadership to give its citizens better reasons to celebrate.
Who will complete the assignment of freeing Nigeria from the apron-spring of the white men, look around where you are right now, how many items made in Nigeria can you spot? Yet we celebrate Nigeria 60th Independence. What Independence have we achieved?
How can a country claim to be truly independent when the political office holders and public sector officials are mainly adapts to corruption and lack of patriotism to protect Nigerian businesses and manufacturers against the predatory antics of their foreign competitors here in Nigeria?
We depend on foreign commodities, thereby bolstering the economy of other countries and then we still wish ourselves "Happy Independence". Where is the Independence?
When President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office, he took some tough decisions aimed at building an independent economy for Nigeria, but unfortunately, instead of Nigerians to celebrate the courage demonstrated by this economic decision, the President has come under serious attack from different quarters for this. So sad!
For Nigeria to survive and flourish, she needs a change of structure and systemic rebirth; she needs a brand new heart. So do your part to ensure Nigeria embraces real change and reform for a better country. Then, we can have A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION in Nigeria.
Happy 60th Independence Anniversary.
SHAKIRU SEIDU
CEO/ Editor-in-chief,
MegaXpression Community Magazine,
The Source of GENUINE Information.
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Shakiru Seidu, expressing himself about the current status of Nigeria.
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