Gone are the days when school children looked forward to thrilling match past at various stadia and local government headquarters across the country. The children went out in one piece, and returned home safe, happy, and with the feeling of having had the best fun.
Gradually, Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration is turning into a gloomy day. A day people express anger quietly, due to worsening economic hardship, rather than a day of celebration. We join foreign nations to celebrate their independence amidst funfair here in Nigeria through their Missions, but for ours, it is a day for sober reflection. For how long will Nigerians reflect?
We’ve watched successive governments reeling out what they termed their success stories on every October 1, but hardly do the successes reflect on the lives of the citizens.
At 65, Nigerians seem to be merely surviving instead of living. But we are assured often that the ‘worst is over’. How do the masses believe or understand such language when majority went to bed the previous night with an empty stomach? On October 1st, Nigerians suffered lack of electricity, hit with scarcity of fuel, and cooking gas. Obviously, no one expected Nigerians in IDP camps who are still contending with hunger, exploitation, rape, and insecurity to celebrate. Who then should celebrate? Is it the poor Nigerian whose meager income ‘saved’ in the bank has become worthless due to excessive deductions?Honestly, who would believe the government’s report? The one who cannot travel or open his shop on Mondays or send his children to school because of insecurity? The man whose entire household was wiped out by rampaging Boko haram terrorists, killer herdsmen and bandits? or the many children orphaned due to terrorism. How do we agree with the government that the worst is over and that things are where they should be when the nation bleeds? People fret over road travels like plague; they are now death traps. Rather than have rampaging terrorists prosecuted upon arrest, they are rehabilitated and reintegrated into the society. We are now at a stage when politicians share photo Opps with bandits after ‘peace deals.’
Doctors’ strike, lack of money to pay medical bills, lack of well-equipped hospitals, and infestation of the country with fake and substandard drugs are still challenges. We agree with the statement “today, Nigeria can say confidently that we have well equipped hospitals…”, but why do public officials fly abroad for medical treatments?
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At 65, the country’s education sector regressed from being criticized for its fallen standard, to a laughingstock. Just this year, ‘glitches’ almost ruined external exams as exam bodies displayed the height of incompetence that has left their credibility questionable.
Same goes for all three arms of government. The masses don’t seem to still have faith that government can provide the enabling environment for them to live fulfilling life. Armed robbers, kidnappers, killer herdsmen, Boko haram, bandits, high price of food, unemployment, fuel scarcity, accident because of bad road, poor health care system, poor electricity supply, unprecedented level of corruption, fake drugs and products pushed into the country, etc, are all battling against survival of the people.
The sad reality about the whole unfortunate condition of Nigerians is that the political elite live posh lives while mismanaging our collective wealth.
Social media users took to their handles to express their feelings about Nigeria at 65. Their comments help you feel the pulse of the nation.
Reacting to the statement on ‘well equipped hospitals’, Arinzechukwu Ezike wrote, “But he still dey go France for medical treatment.”
Kudos Oladele commented, “As long as insecurity ravages the land, nothing is deemed an achievement.”
For Victor Nneji, the masses should feel the progress made by government. “This is on paper let the citizens feel the milestone positively,” he reacted.
Alalade Mukaila wrote, “The worst is over, good. Let us feel and see the prosperity immediately.”
Robinson Okoh wrote, “With the hunger, insecurity, inflation, bad electoral system, no electricity, high school fees, fuel hike, no industries, weak Naira, corruption?”
Part of Rufai Oseni’s post on Facebook reads; “…In over 65 years of independence, we have struggled to produce about 5-6,000 MW, while we see what Egypt has done.
Only in Nigeria, the scenario plays out, where people that could barely afford clothes, now have private jets because they held political power in the span of 25years.
Our young people are demoralized; they see the squander but the best they get is to be internet trolls for the politicians.
Reserves are high, inflation is coming down, our programs are working they say, but we see more hungry faces and homeless people. Basic rent for 2bed is over 2m.
Everyone wants to be a politician because the national cake is there to share, out of a 36-billion-dollar budget graced by borrowing. Who are we at 65? When people flee their homes in Ilorin due to banditry, but the same bandits are doing peace meetings and granting press conferences.
In Nigeria today, scientists are no longer celebrated. Gone are the days Chike-Obi was famous for Mathematics equations. Bandits are the celebrities, even politicians do photo-ups with them! Who are we at 65?”
Okadigbo Phillip wrote, “I think Some people in Nigeria don’t even understand Development and Progress. Your leaders keep flying to France and London for medical attention and holiday while doctors are on strike. Roads are claiming lives just like insecurity. Someone said we are progressing. Even in the comments here, you barely find Unity.”
Ugo Otite reacted, “It’s the whole system. From the executive to the lawmakers, governors, and even local leaders… too many are busy feasting while the masses struggle to survive. We can’t fix Nigeria by blaming one person at the top; we need to cut the cost of governance, hold all arms of government accountable, and demand leaders who feel the pain of the people. Until that changes, the cycle continues.”
@Bapphah wrote on X, “Nigeria @ 65: A time for reflection, not celebration. Every country celebrates independence by showing growth and development. But Nigeria is celebrating 65 years of corruption, poor leadership, insecurity, and hardship. We love our country, but we deserve better.”
@info_deuth commented, “They said today is Independence Day. But independence should mean more than raising a flag. 65 years on, electricity remains unstable, unemployment is widespread, insecurity overshadows daily life, leadership is still recycled with little progress to show. True independence is when citizens enjoy safety, opportunities, and development. When young, visionary leaders rise, then we will truly have cause to celebrate. Nigeria is a nation still on its journey to genuine independence.”
Replying to @info_deuth, @ westernregion60 stated, “Seriously we didn’t do anything as regards wishing ourselves happy independence because our Yoruba people are bleeding in Kwara and kogi.”
@ugonnaMario wrote, “1st of October 1960 was Nigeria’s Independence. 65 years later, we can’t even beat our chest to say we got one thing right. Not Power, security, education, human development, rule of Law, free and fair election. Not even the democracy we claim to practice. But what we have experienced are bloodshed, insecurity, impunity, corruption, insurgency, inflation, hunger and poverty. Smiling faces with broken hearts. Nigeria which way?”
@The only Kemi stated, “65 years of “independence” and Nigeria still feels like a prison. Same recycled leaders, zero security, dead economy. Are we cursed or just complacent? Happy bondage day.”
