NIGERIA’S INDEPENDENCE AND THE ROAD AHEAD IS THE FOCUS OF TODAY’S VIEWPOINT. IT IS WRITTEN BY EMMANUEL DADA, A YOUTH CORPS MEMBER IN THE NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.
Nigeria’s journey from 1960 to the present is a story of resilience, struggle, growth and repeated cycle of national challenges.
This year’s sixty fourth anniversary brings about a question that many Nigerians are asking as Nigeria’s post-independence story is one of sheer complexity.
The nation has experienced an interesting transformation from colonial rule to an independent nation, to several military regimes and now democratic government.
Also, the nation has undergone civil war, insurgencies, corruption cases, and many challenges.
Despite all these, Nigeria has made significant strides in key areas.
With unbroken democracy since 1999, a commendable achievement considering the turbulence of military rule in recent years in some West African countries.
Nigeria has been ravaging a fight against corruption, though much success has not been recorded.
The reality in Nigeria is fast looking like an established corruption scheme, cutting across almost every aspect of the day-to-day activities of a Nigerian.
The issue remains entrenched, affecting everything from governance to economic growth.
Insecurity has reached alarming levels in recent years.
Terrorism, banditry and communal clashes are symptoms of deeper social, political and economic challenges.
Kidnappings and armed robbery, once limited to certain areas, have spread across the country, making an average Nigerian feel unsafe, both in rural and urban areas.
Unemployment and poverty continue to plague the country, many of which has been attributed to governmental policies, with a huge amount of the population unemployed, leaving many Nigerians to struggle to make ends meet.
The promises of economic diversification by successive governments remain largely unfulfilled, with oil revenues still accounting for the majority of national income.
Moreover, the educational and health sectors are the chief-sufferers with underfunding and neglect.
The country in recent years have lost a significant portion of her promising youths to the japa syndrome.
Many youths are leaving the shores of the country in droves due to a perceived falling system and in pursuit of greener pastures.
For many Nigerians, the independence celebration is a bittersweet occasion.
On one hand, it marks the resilience and fighting spirit of Nigerians and the hope for a better nation.
On the other hand, it brings to mind unfulfilled promises and lingering challenges.
Is it worth celebrating?
The answer depends on individual perspectives.
For some, the singular act of maintaining national unity is an achievement.
Yet, for others, the reality of daily life, from the struggle to access basic services, to the fear of insecurity, the frustration with poor governance diminishes the spirit of celebration.
With the believe that independence celebration must be more than a symbolic event, it must reflect in tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
As Nigeria celebrates yet another year of independence, this milestone offers an opportunity for reflection.
Celebrating the past should go hand in hand with confronting the present and envisioning the future.
Leaders and citizens alike must ask tough questions like how can Nigeria fulfill the potential that seemed so realistic and attainable to our founding fathers in 1960?
What reforms are necessary to address the root causes of the repeated challenges?
How can Nigeria leverage its strength, its people’s fighting spirit and resilience, culture, and resources to build a nation that works for all and a future worth celebrating?
Ultimately, this year’s independence anniversary like never before should serve as a reminder of how far Nigeria has come and how much more work needs to be done.
It is a time for renewed commitment to the ideals of progress, equity, and justice for all Nigerians notwithstanding background, class or status.
If the nation can move with these values in mind, then perhaps future independence celebrations will be marked by more than just history.
