Happy Independence Day, Nigeria!
Happy Independence Day, Nigeria! Let the year open new horizons for you as a nation.
October 3, 2021
Nigeria celebrates her 61st Independence anniversary. She has come a long way. Looking back at the nation and all it has lived through, we raise the flag in celebration.
Happy Independence Day, Nigeria!
Borrowing from Chinua Achebe’s clear presentations of pre-colonial Nigeria with the Igbo people and their culture in view, we have come a long way. The people once depicted as savages by European novels can boast of their own writings. They have taken the pains to chronicle the wealth of their existence – much in agreement with Chinua Achebe’s intent of his first published novel. The colonial times brought many things with it, but the people lived through it and conquered it. The achievements of the Nigerian people over time are known, and there is much more to come. Nigeria tells her own stories in her voice through the literary prowess of her citizens. Literature pieces showcasing us as who we are. For instance, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe published in 1958 reminds us that we are unique. We have our ways of doing things and approaches to the worship of God (Eke). This strong belief in the deities is something shared across all cultures in Nigeria. The Yoruba history credits the gods Oduduwa and Obatala as the founder of their kingdom. Across Nigeria, with one voice, the people rise and praise God for how far they have come.
Nigerians maintain respect for the leaders even in the face of adversity, even in recent times when it seems the leaders have abandoned the people. The culture of reverence and trust in leadership, which also has its roots in the Nigerian heritage, remains un-wavered. The Igbo man bows to the King (Eze), the Yoruba man prostrates to the king (Oba), and the Hausa man bows to the king (Emir). Despite the differences, the cultures are one in many ways. One people. One nation.
Therefore, the clarion call to come together and build our nation. The COVID’19 pandemic may have caused some economic setbacks. There may be some other difficulties, but together we can make it work. The Nigerian youth made this clear in their unity of purpose during the #endsars campaign. When people work as one, they can achieve incredible outcomes. Nigerians will not play blind to the attending issues the country currently faces. Instead, they will work together to make tomorrow better. The prayer of hope and the enduring hope of the people will travail.
Indeed, Nigeria Go Survive. This song by Veno Marioghae, released in 1984, captures it right. It highlights the problems and potentials of Nigeria. A country ripe with potentials whose people have made clear that these potentials are not just some reveries would do well to tap into her bank of resources and build a better place in all ramifications.
Nigeria is 61. Anyone of this age is an elder. People approach those at this age for counsel because of their perceived depth of wisdom. May Nigeria deliver to her people the counsel, the provision, and the prosperity they look up to her to receive. We have come a long way. May tomorrow be better. Happy Independence Day, Nigeria!
Here are some poems about Nigeria. Happy celebration!
by Chinyere Nwosu
My Nigeria
I speak for me
When I say, you are our pride
I speak for all the youth
When I say, you are our hope
I speak for all your children
When I say, you are our home
by Damilola Adeyemi
This is our country Nigeria.
A lot of things is going on in this era;
The giant of Africa,
In a state of great dispare.
During colonisation, we complained of,
Hardship, slavery, forceful ownership of our resources by our colonisers, and many more.
We all couldn’t wait for a year like 1960,
When we are free indeed
And we could govern our country ourselves.
by Chinyere Nwosu
Are you dazed at my glitter dress?
Star struck by my mortal elegance?
Do you worry about my ability to keep it together
Better than glass shatters on concrete
Despite the odds that keep piling?
I am the face of the jungle
by Damilola Adeyemi
Oh woman of heritage
Have ye forgotten thy culture?
When you were been woken up by the cockcrow and not the alarm.
You pick up your hoe and cutlass and walk straight to the farm.
After the day’s work, you relax by eating hot pounded yam.