The senate president writes Today, the first of the October 1960 is Independence Day. It is a date that Nigerians have been eagerly looking forward to. At last, our great day has arrived. Exactly 54 years ago, this nationwide broadcast made by Nigeria’s Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, boomed through the airwaves announcing Nigeria’s Independence from the colonial masters. The British Union Jack was lowered down and a brand new Nigeria’s national flag – green, white and green – was hoisted in its stead. Looking up at the hoisted flapping flag, it expressly conveyed a strong symbolic sense of a new nation, new future, hope and aspiration. The excitement a fresh air of national freedom from the British reverberated throughout the nation. Drumming, singing, dancing, rejoicing and colourful celebrations took over the streets. In schools, offices, on the farms, road leading to streams, in market places, palm wine joints and different gatherings, hope rose for the young nation. The faith and aspiration of the nation in the future was equally reflected in the speech of the premier: “Words cannot adequately express my joy and pride at being the Nigerian citizen privileged to accept from Her Royal Highness Constitutional Instruments which are the symbols of Nigeria’s Independence. It is a unique privilege, which I shall remember forever, and it gives me strength and courage as I dedicate my life to the service of our country. “This is a wonderful day, and it is all the more wonderful because we have awaited for it with increasing impatience, compelled to watch one country after another overtaking us on the road when we had so nearly reached our goal. But we now, have acquired our rightful status, and I feel sure that, history will show that, the building of our nation proceeded at the wisest pace: it has been thorough, and Nigeria now stands well-built upon firm foundations”, he stated. For several older generations of Nigerians who witnessed the announcement of independence in 1960, the independent anniversary celebration comes with mixed feelings at 54 years after. The Goodluck Jonathan government and Nigeria have been plagued by national insecurity of Boko Haram, ethno-religious crises. The North-East, North-West and North-Central parts of the country are the most hit in this regard. The nation is still struggling to rediscover and rescue itself from decades of visionless and missionless leadership that have plunged it into socio-political and economic doldrums. The national optimism that heralded the then new independence was however soon diminished by the preceding socio-political whirlwinds in the polity. It soon appeared that, the fierce struggles and unquantifiable sacrifices for independence embarked upon by the nation’s patriarchs such as Herbert Macaulay, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, among others was not fully appreciated by the inheritors of the glory of the struggles. At 54, Nigeria has had nine successful military regimes and high turnovers of heads of state. The first two coups took place in January 15, 1966 and the second in July 29, 1966. In the first coup led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu led to the death of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Nigeria; Chief S.I. Akintola, the Premier of Western Region; Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Prime Minister of Nigeria; Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, Federal Minister of Finance and several military officers. Eventually, Major-General Johnson Thomas Ununakwe Aguiyi Ironsi emerged as the Military Head of State of Nigeria. The second coup claimed the life of Gen. Ironsi and Col. Gowon emerged as head of state. Subsequent coups happened on July 1975, February 13, 1976; December 31, 1983; August 27, 1985; March 1986 and April 22, 1990, producing General Murtala Mohammed, General Olusegun Obasanjo, General Muhammadu Buhari, and General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida as heads of state. On November 17, 1993, General Sani Abacha staged a palace coup and unsat the Interim National Government led by Chief Ernest Shonekan. After the death of General Abacha, General Abdulsalami Abubakar emerged as head of state. Similarly, the country has had a checkered history of democratic experiment in the First, Second, Third and Fourth Republics. Half achieved the Third Republic as the presidential election presumed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola was aborted by the regime of General Babangida. Since independence, Nigeria has produced only five democratically elected heads of governments. Altogether, Nigeria has produced Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua and now President Goodluck Jonathan as democratically elected heads prime minister and presidents. Economically, Nigeria’s success has been less than impressive, especially when one of the richest oil-producing nations, its citizens live on below one dollar per day. In comparative term, the developmental potentials of Nigeria, Brazil and India in the 60s were equally rated; however, in terms of real technological, industrial, commercial, economic growth and development, India and Brazil have been dramatically transformed into industrial hubs and elite economies in the comity of nations. That revolutionary instinct did not and has not succeeded in Nigeria yet. Owing to the slow economic growth rate orchestrated by bad leadership, the rate of unemployment, poverty, crimes, infant and maternal mortality and other diseases such as HIV/AIDS are still very high. but we wont give up in the good fight and support of our beloved country we were born to succeed and that success will be our story in the near future. However, the story of Nigeria is not only about lamentation; there are good reasons to celebrate Nigeria at 54. Nigeria is widely regarded as a most resilient country in the world and well respected by other countries. It has passed through fire and storms to remain one indivisible country till date. It is on record that, against all life-threatening odds; Nigeria has survived three-year Civil War, that scary, bloody national pogrom that tore through the heart of the country. It also continues to play leading roles in African social and political stability As Nigeria celebrates her 54th Independence Anniversary, it is sad that, Nigeria’s unity is being consistently threatened by national insecurity courtesy of Boko Haram insurgency. This is definitely antithetic with the Independence aspiration of the progenitors of the nation. However, many Nigerians strongly believe that, not all hope is lost in the country. There is every reason to sustain the hope of a better country under the present administration. It is evident that, from the economic policies of the present administration geared towards addressing infrastructural challenges by fixing ongoing efforts to fix power, road, transport and other key sectors; with the hitherto comatose manufacturing sector gradual jacking back to life, Nigerians have reasons to hope again. There is hope in the land that, a solid foundation towards a better Nigeria is being laid again. Happy Interdependence Nigerians and God bless you all.
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 15:24:06 +0000
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