By Mashood Erubami.
As Nigeria celebrates her Independence this year on October 1, 2023 having gained independence from Britain on 1 October, 1960, it will be another 63 years of flag freedom from the colonial Master who superintended over the political, economic, social and environment talk spaces of the Country.
Ever since, it has not been outright freedom as the stooges and adopted representatives of the Colonial masters have not truly handed over powers and control to the Nation’s recruited political leaders to enable them to run government freely without behind the scene interventions.
The celebration of the 2023 Independence Anniversary has been designed by the federal government to reflect the mood of the nation, so should the Citizens be patiently somber and offer prayers in their homes for a better tomorrow to the hearing and approval of the Almighty God. The agenda for 2023 is quite apt in contents as including a National lecture titled “Nigeria at 63, Renewed Hope for Unity & Prosperity”, a world press conference /Public Lectures, Anniversary Symposium culminating into a Presidential Broadcast slated for Sunday, 1st October, 2023.
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Also in context, as to the timing when Nigerians are just coming out of the menace of Naira redesign, scarcity of Petrol and the raging impacts of the sudden stoppage of petroleum subsidy. It is good that the anniversary will be concluded with an Inter-Denominational Church Service on Sunday, 1st October, 2023 at the National Christian Center without much fanfare.
However under the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the mantra of RENEWED HOPE is expected to move Nigeria out of her setbacks to ensure enhanced living standards of the Nigerian workers and better lives for all. The Government at this critical time must reel out low key activities and organize deep prayers among the people for its new administration to succeed in their efforts to lift the people from level of poverty and the Country from her status of degradation for better life transformation.
The Country must resist all efforts and measures that can continue to keep the over three scores of flag Independence running through difficult times and still existing on a very low morale standards. It is time for the Country’s current economic realities which the government is not unaware of, to be immediately shaken off and supply visibly implementable remedial palliative materials promised in the senses of distribution of foodstuffs and cash withdrawal to cushion the pains from people’s material poverty, through new buses on the roads for workers, and the use of the labouring masses and Tertiary Institutions, conclude the wages and allowances negotiation with workers, payment of the 8 months arrears of salaries of University teachers, setting up of commodity boards and Price control Commission. Overall, to improve food security, guarantee an end to poverty, improve security, economic growth and job creation, for businesses to gain access to capital, improve the playing field on which people and particularly companies operate, respect for the rule of law, and fight against corruption. Happy Independence Anniversary !
…Erubami is President and Convener of The Coalition for Democracy In Nigeria (CODIN), writes in from Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
