Tuesday Column By VICTORIA NGOZI IKEANO
vikeano@yahoo.co.uk | 08033077519
For the first time in the nation’s 63-year old history, some state governments officially announced that there would be no activities to mark this year’s independence anniversary. In other words all celebrations connected with it were cancelled in those states. Even in states where the day was ‘celebrated’, events lined up for it were low key. At the federal there were Friday and Sunday services, a lecture a march past by select members of the armed forces and the police, (all of which were attended mostly by public officials).
Normally a typical Independence Day celebration would involve march pasts by school children, members of the armed forces and the police, the para military, representatives of the various groups that reside in the state, cultural displays with the state governor and president taking the salute. It is followed later in the day by luncheon/dinner and gala night. This was generally absent this year. In other words there was no feasting or entertainment. Even the usual deluge of congratulatory/independence anniversary message for which national dailies double number of pages for that day and rake in quite some money to at least break even in that week was not forthcoming. It was generally a dry day for media houses – an anniversary that they usually look forward to, to at least make some money to balance their books somehow, turned out to be bleak for them. There were only a sprinkling of adverts from few corporate(private sector) entities.
Independence Day 2023 came against the background of a bitterly contested 2023 general elections that left Nigerians deeply divided. The dust of the elections is yet to settle as the various election courts are still sitting and passing verdicts that are being appealed by losing parties. This judicial process would tarry awhile until December when the Appeal Courts and Supreme Court would deliver their final judgements. Then we can close the chapter on the electoral disputes and this year’s elections generally.
The only common denominator in this year’s independence anniversary on the part of the government was the speech/statements by various governors and the president urging Nigerians to be united while assuring us of a better future despite the challenges of today. It was generally a sombre mood in Government Houses and also in various Nigerian towns and indeed homes. Consider: it was October 1 and Nigerians were sending ‘Happy new month’ text messages to one another. They were more fixated with fact that October 1 marked beginning of a new calendar month than with the other fact that it is also Nigeria’s 63rd Independence anniversary. This was a second thought to them; ‘happy Independence’ messages came later as an afterthought. In the neighbourhoods people were verbally wishing one another ‘happy new month’. In instances where ‘happy independence’ was added, it was said rather listlessly, without any enthusiasm as such.
Compare this to the days of yore when all roads literally led to the various squares on the first day of October each year. Then, as you rose from sleep and stepped outside in the morning dew, you immediately scented the air of independence as you would be greeted with shouts of ’Happy Independence’ from neighbours, friends and opponents alike. The air was filled with conviviality and joie de vivre; you could sense the happinessin peopple’s heart, glad to behold October 1 when Nigeria broke the umbilical cord that tied her to Britain, its erstwhile colonial ruler for decades, aand set to prove that the black man is as competent as the white man in self-governance.
Bus drivers, motorcycle riders, pedestrians and motorists dressed appropriately for the occasion headed to the squares for some sun’ the squares were usually filled to capacity as spectators, foreign and indigenous, watched with gusto to the filing out of various organisations, including school children, in march pasts and durbar. The military also displayed for the audience with air force planes doing acrobatic ‘dancing’ in the sky, As the events officially end, several impromptu dance groups emerged from among the crowd to continue the entertainment as they trekked home singing and dancing. Most got home late in the evening still brimming with happiness..
These days October firsts largely pass by like any other day in Nigerian neighbourhoods. Nothing special about it, more or less. For most it is just the beginning of a new month. They care less about the independence anniversary associated with it. Also, there are many Nigerians who wished that October 1, 1960 never happened. They are calling for a re-colonisation of Nigeria by Britain! Their argument is that Nigeria as a country is worse off than since independence, asserting that we would have fared better under the colonial master. This is a dangerous descent, indicating that many are beginning to lose faith in the ability of the Blackman generally. As it is, those people would rather be second class citizens wherever, as long as their bread is buttered. Yet, freedom is an intrinsic yearning of all human beings without which we do not feel really complete. Nothing compares to freedom.
Some others are calling for restructuring of the country in the belief that they would be able to solely control their ‘’God-given resources’’ and develop faster. They argue that the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates to form present-day Nigeria was a forced marriage that should not be allowed to endure. They call it a mistake. Those who hold this view ought to be reminded that nothing happens by accident. There is no accident in Creation. Establishment of the country called Nigeria is for a divine purpose. That the country has not een able to fulfil that purpose is solely the fault of its people, leaders and followers alike who have been treading by-paths. The challenge for the for the country and the populace is to be able to recognise the straight road that leads quickly to the goal and follow it accordingly. This requires constant regeneration and fine-tuning until we get things right. The ‘rich’ parts of our country should extend a helping hand to the ‘poor’ segments for our fates are intertwined. Above all, love and respect for all is a key ingredient.
