The first of October
every year is symbolic in the national life of Nigerians. October 1st is a
national day in Nigeria, set aside to commemorate the country’s political
independence from the British imperialists in 1960. The national day, apart
from invoking nostalgic feelings, reinforces the dreams and aspirations shared
together by Nigerians. That is, to have a prosperous country where all
Nigerians irrespective of differences in tribe, ethnicity, religion and
political persuasion live together in peace and unity....
Fifty-five years ago,
Nigerians rolled out their drums to celebrate the lowering of the British Union
Jack and the hoisting of the country's national flag – Green, White, Green – at
the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos (TBS).
The TBS Lagos, which is a national monument, today reminds generation of
Nigerians who witnessed the country’s independence day and those born later how
and where the journey of nationhood started. It reminds Nigerians about the
nationalists struggles which led to the country’s independence. It reminds
Nigerians that the country’s independence never came on a platter of gold as
many nationalists were arrested, detained, tortured while some paid the supreme
price.
It’s to the credit of
past and present Nigerian leaders, whether military or civilian, who in their
wisdom ensured that October 1st of every year is marked as a national day to
commemorate Nigeria’s independence. The national day affords leaders, the
opportunity to give account of their stewardship to the citizens and to make
projections into the future. The national day also affords Nigerians the
opportunity to assess their leaders’ performance.
Over the years,
Nigerians' expectations from their leaders have been high as many things that
should trigger astronomical development have either been done shoddily or not
done at all. Therefore, October 1st in Nigeria serves as a wake-up call to the
government in power to work hard to meet the dreams and aspirations of
Nigerians.
The skepticism
expressed by some Nigerians about their leaders is a fall-out of past failed
promises. More often the policies and programmes experimented by leaders have
done little in stimulating the desired growth and development Nigerians yearn
for. Fifty-five years after Nigeria gained independence, the dearth in
infrastructure is mind boggling while poverty stares Nigerians in the face. The
gap between the haves and have-nots has further widened. These variables may
have informed the low key independence celebrations witnessed in the recent
past.
With the new change
mantra espoused by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government,
President Muhammadu Buhari, in line with his administration’s cost-saving
policy direction, approved N70 million for the entire celebration of Nigeria
55th independence anniversary which commenced from September 25 and terminates
today. Instead of an elaborate celebration, President Buhari approved just the
Jummat prayers, interdenominational thanksgiving service, ceremonial change of
Guard and children’s party in marking this year’s independence anniversary.
The Secretary to the
Government of the Federation (SGF), Engr. Babachir Lawal, who disclosed this
while addressing journalists on the preparation for the anniversary
celebration, said the reason for the low key celebration was because the
present administration appreciate the economic hardship that Nigeria and indeed
the nation is confronted with today.
The SGF, who was
represented by the Permanent Secretary on Political Affairs, Mrs. Ibukun
Odusote, said: “To address the situation, the government has adopted a general
policy to be very prudent in the management of our financial resources. What
the President made clear is that we cannot have Nigerians in pains and unable
to do what they are supposed to do by reason of our dwindling resources and
then we are spending lavishly on celebrations.
“That has been his
philosophy and principles, that it would
not be fair to spend Nigeria’s money that can be spent in paying salaries to
people, making sure that children are comfortable in their various schools,
providing enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the country and we
will leave all that and spend large amount of money on celebration.
“He felt it was not a
wise thing to do and we totally agreed with him. So, the main reason for low
key is because of the state of the nation concerning our finances. This year’s
celebration is therefore in consonance with the cost-saving policy direction of
this administration.”
It would be recalled
that the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had
criticized the elaborate nature of Nigeria’s 54th Independence anniversary. The
APC national leader expressed his disapproval of an elaborate 54th independence
celebration in carefully chosen words laced with deep meanings.
Hear him: “We
commemorate this Independence Day because the nation has survived despite its
many challenges. We dare not celebrate because the nation has not flourished as
it should. 54 years our national trek began with hope and promise, peace and
unity.
“Today, the nation
staggers beneath the weight of trouble stacked upon problem multiplied by
hardship. Peace and unity seem to have yielded the moment to violence and
discord. We exist as a political unit on a map but we do not prosper as
brothers and sisters in one nation, under one flag and pursuant to one accord.
“This is not a time
for fake cheers and elation at the present state of things just because the
calendar has touch this day. We need to use this hour soberly by taking stock
of the obstacles mounting before us and of the hard direction in which we seem
to be heading. I fear this direction, if further taken, will lead us not home
but to an appointment with failure and national destitution.”
Tinubu’s well thought
out criticism did not dissuade then President Goodluck Jonathan from going
ahead with the 54th Independence anniversary celebration. In a nationwide
broadcast on October 1, 2014, the immediate past president recounted Nigeria’s
experiences in its first 100 years as a sovereign nation as well as a few
achievements by his administration including the challenges.
Hear him: “The first
one hundred years were marked by triumphs and tribulations, benefits and
burdens, opportunities and challenges. We made some far reaching advances in
building a strong, united and prosperous nation. We also overcame the forces of
disunity that culminated in a debilitating civil war. We have also renewed our
faith in one another, and in our country. We have proven that we are truly a resilient
nation.”
The former president
had declared that he was committed to making Nigeria safe for all Nigerians,
irrespective of places of birth, religion and political persuasion.
On the National
Conference he said, “One major lesson which the 2014 National Conference has
taught us as a country is that, a multi-ethnic country like ours, must learn to
embrace painstaking dialogue until consensus is established. To me, the
National Conference is the greatest centenary gift to our country that we must
cherish and sustain.”
He also reminded
Nigerians that the country’s 54 year-journey as a nation has not been easy.
“There have been tough periods, but the Nigerian spirit and the unflagging
resilience of our people have seen us through. We will continue to march
forward to greater heights.”
Jonathan, who
described the country’s economy then as robust, touched on the 2015 general
elections. “Our administration has made a commitment to ensure that we build
and sustain a democratic infrastructure anchored on free and fair elections.
International and local observers have attested to the positive evolution of
electoral credibility and we cannot afford to relent.
“We will continue to
ensure that the will of the electorate prevails so that political leaders would
be reminded at all times that there is a day of reckoning when they have to go
back to the people at the polls. Election days must not be days of violence and
death. We must remain vigilant to ensure that our electoral process is
characterised by peace, security and transparency.”
True to his words,
when it dawned on the former president that he had lost out in the presidential
election, Jonathan called Buhari on telephone to congratulate him on his
victory even when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had not
officially declared the latter as winner of the presidential election.
“This is the spirit
which we must demonstrate at all times as we face up to our challenges as a
nation: one people, united by a common resolve, in the pursuit of one common
national interest.
“As we look forward
to another year in our national life, I am more than confident that our
tomorrow will be better than our yesterday and today. Nigeria has got the human
and material resources to excel and we shall lead the way in that journey to
our manifest destiny.
“Fellow countrymen,
brothers and sisters, in all our plans, and in all our words and our actions,
we must stand together in love and unity, as one people under God. We are one
people from the womb of one Nigeria. We are brothers and sisters. We are one
family. We are Nigerians,” Jonathan declared.
Although the
political actors at the centre are different today from those who occupied it a
year ago, their sermons are still the same political tune which is the unity
and indivisibility of Nigeria.
Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo at an interdenominational church service in Abuja to mark the
country’s 55th Independence anniversary, called on Nigerians to eschew playing
politics with religion. He touched at the soul of Nigeria.
“Our nation is
sharply divided for long along religious and tribal lines. The moment we are
divided against ourselves we cannot stand. We must also speak on the unity of
the country. It will make a difference in the future of this nation. Our
country’s major problem is that we play politics with everything. We play
politics with religion, we play politics with tribe.”
Many observers
believe that President Buhari in his nationwide broadcast today, on Nigeria’s
Independence anniversary, will be preaching on the continued peace and unity of
the country. They also believe he may likely reel out some achievements made by
his administration so far.
According to the
observers, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the President Buhari-led
administration succeeds. Nigeria is bigger than any individual. Happy 55th
Independence Anniversary!
Culled: ThisDay
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