So, yesterday was the first day of October and it was the commemoration of the day Nigeria gained independence from her colonial masters. And now, 63 years later, we have come a long way from what we were back then. We have come a long way indeed, just not in the direction we had hoped.
I’m sure that if you’ve heard Nigerians talk about the Independence Day celebration, many of them didn’t really have anything positive to say about the country. As a matter of fact, I’m certain all there had been was complaints upon complaints because as it stands now, this just seems to be a country where nothing seems to work out.
Ever since I was born, I’ve always been made to believe that things in the country were bad. There was never a time when the country was considered good, or at the very least in good condition. As a result, we were always praying and hoping that the country would get better. Praying and hoping that is, because that seems to be all we’re able to do. Even though prayers no longer work.
But then, for some reason, things have only gotten worse. Steadily and surely, life has only gotten harder for the average Nigerian. And now, all of us would give anything just to have a semblance of what Nigeria used to be in the past. At this point, it’s hard to remember that there was a time when even to eat wasn’t so expensive. Fuel wasn’t so expensive and life had more meaning and was more secure.
But now, we’re tackling foes on all fronts. From fighting off hunger and starvation to paying off crippling bills that don’t stop coming. We still have to be vigilant because the world is a dangerous place and it’s your job to protect your life and property. There are just so many things one has to do and it’s mind-blowing especially because in the end it usually makes no difference. You could spend a large chunk of money today and by tomorrow it’ll be as if you didn’t even make a dent. It’s scary. Many people are not angry that it’s independence, as a matter of fact, it’s something that our great heroes fought and bled for. They gave up so much so we could have the freedom we enjoy today. So, we owe it to them to always look upon this day with pride and try our best to celebrate it. Sadly though, no one has the strength to celebrate. Only those with full bellies can celebrate and have fun. Everyone is hungry, everyone is broke and everyone is scared! No one is in the mood to celebrate because there doesn’t seem to be much to celebrate for. Over and over, we keep hearing depressing news of people suffering due to policies implemented by the government, and no one is happy. And we all are tired of faking it. The only way this can be remedied is by the government taking an active interest in rebuilding the economy and lifting the hardship. At the moment, it seems like nothing is working out and that gives us zero cause for celebration. I really hope that Nigeria becomes better, we have so much potential and so much to offer to the world. If only we could have people who were genuinely interested in building the nation as they promised. But then, what can we do? We can’t keep on praying, it hasn’t worked. This relies on us, this country belongs to us. So, it’s up to us. I guess we’ll wait and see how next year's Independence Day celebrations will go. Until then, be safe. And have a great month of October!
Emmanuel Ikwuegbu
The Independence Day celebration isn't what it used to be a decade ago, I barely saw people in the Nigeria colours unlike before.
As you have said, we have come a long way in the wrong direction and it's so disheartening that nothing has changed for us as a nation. We won't stop hoping while making our individual efforts to make Nigeria great.
I remember when the day would have been filled with march past, both in schools and in churches. It was always an enjoyable day.
Sometimes, I just wonder how things got so bad.
As someone that lives in a country that also suffers from colonialization, I can relate on the importance that independence day signifies to people so it breaks my heart that situations there are turning for the worst. I also learned recently how crypto was banned in Nigeria despite how it helps people to survive. Hope things will soon get better for everyone.
Honestly, I really hope things work out for the best for us as well. Because a lot of us are simply at our wit's end.
these were nothing but trials and if your ancestors were able to survive when they were colonized then I know that everyone there would also survive this one.
Lolzz hahah first time am seeing Nigerians sitting in their homes during independence, i guess every one is not in the mood to celebrate Nigeria birthday
Nah... we're all tired. And it's evident.
Am telling you, everyone has lost hope
Lol
People dey vex
Dem no wan celebrate but I hope things get better
We'd be fine
I hope things get better indeed, because people are beyond angry. They're tired.
I don't know what to say because in my country people are facing almost similar situation like your country. So I can relate with the situation of your country very well. I think to expecting the good days are like a dream.
Inflation+corruption both are enough to destroy the economy of a country.
I thought that Bangladesh is far better than Nigeria and Pakistan in terms of corruption, isn't it?
3 countries are almost close. Bangladesh is a little bit better from Nigeria but not from Pakistan compared to 2022 statistics.
Oh, Imran Khan, who did all the improvement in the country's every field is behind the bars of prison these days. I have no doubt that our stats would be worse in the current year.
Omo... if we can't expect the good days, what then is the point it all? Believing that there's still hope is what gives us the motivation to keep fighting and hoping. Because the moment we as the people give up, that's the moment these guys truly win.
When people don't have money to fulfil their basic necessities how they can come forward to celebrate a day.
I may be counted as unconventional but that's the way I think. There is no worth of celebrations of any days. When something is valuable it is to be valued forever, each day, every single moment.
Freedom is a highly valuable asset. Nevertheless, when it doesn’t provide what it is supposed to its value cannot be experienced. If we see our countries' condition closely we would examine that we are still enslaved. Initially they were foreigners who enslaved us. Now their agents in the form of corrupt government personnel are ruling us.
Prayer alone can never be enough tk alter the situation. Change demands for a greater price.
Indeed... now we're just enslaved to the whims of corrupt leaders and governments who don't seem to care about our wellbeing. We're all on our own and our wellbeing is in our hands.
It's sad, but it's the truth. One can only hope that eventually we get the right people into power.
Hopes keep us alive 🙏
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