Mixed reactions greeted federal government’s announcement of a low-key Independence Day celebration as it continues to focus on economy and security, even as Nigerians have tasked government on alleviating the tough times, CHIZOBA OGBECHE and PAUL OKAH report.
The announcement by the federal government of a low-key Independence Day celebration did not go down well was a welcome idea to some Nigerians, while others insisted that there was always need to celebrate the nation’s independence.
Unlike those before it, Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day observance will not feature a ceremony at the Eagle Square, Abuja, but will be held “low-key,” the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said on Wednesday.
He said October 1 would be “a time for reflections…to think very deeply as a people and the journey forward.”
The former Minister of Special Duties,
“Independence is a historic event for any country and we Nigerians are no exemptions.
“We are fully prepared for celebrations and for obvious reasons, it is going to be low-key and we are wishing Nigerians the best of luck and I want to assure them that better days are coming and pretty soon too,” he noted.
On the modalities of this year’s edition, Akume revealed, “This is going to be low key; we are not going on fantastic jamboree at the Eagle Square and other locations.
“It’s a time for reflections…to think very deeply as a people. This journey is being charted by the captain of the ship.”
According to him, “We have not invited world leaders. During the inauguration of the president, 53 world leaders were invited, so we have not invited any world leaders. The report of the investigator for CBN will soon be ready for the public.
“As you are aware, the President has given his approval for this 63rd anniversary to be low-key in line with the present economic realities. The theme of the anniversary is “Nigeria @ 63: Renewed Hope for Unity & Prosperity.”
Your sacrifices won’t be in vain,FG assures
As part of activities to mark the anniversary, the federal government has assured Nigerians of its commitment to improve the economic situation in the country.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who gave the assurance at a public lecture to commemorate the independence anniversary, said sacrifices by Nigerians will not be in vain.
The VP in a statement by his media aide, Stanley Nwkocha, said President Bola Tinubu’s administration was committed to building a country where the economic independence of each citizen is guaranteed, and where none of them has to depend on unspecified handouts to earn a living.
“Today, we gather to honour Nigeria’s journey to redefine its destiny. Today, we stand on the precipice of history to reflect upon a nation that has defied the predictions of doomsayers, a nation that has become the metaphor of resilience.
“Over the past 63 years, we have not only survived but thrived because of our collective resolve, our commitment to progress, and the enduring spirit of unity that binds us together from Aba, down through Ogbomosho to Zaria, despite the conspiracies of minor vested interests,” the vice president said.
According to Shittima, while this anniversary offers Nigeria another opportunity to acknowledge the cross-regional bonds that have kept the country standing as Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, “we are here to remind ourselves that the future we promised Nigerians isn’t an empty performance for electoral favours.”
The vice president noted that the future of a great nation is not determined by the occurrence of a socio-economic challenge, but by the intention, sincerity, and innovative ideas of its leaders, and their commitment to implementing them.
He said, “We cannot renew the hope of the nation unless we deliver on our promise to drive food security and eradicate poverty. We cannot foster economic growth and nurture job creation unless we facilitate access to capital, enhance national security, and optimise the business environment for our enterprises.
“We are going to uphold the rule of law and fight corruption to design the Nigeria of our dreams. We can’t achieve any of these unless each citizen remains a strategic partner in pursuit of our ultimate national interests.”
He also recognised the sacrifices made by Nigerians over the years, noting that such solidarity has inspired the government to focus on diverse sectors, from agriculture to digital technology, from healthcare to education.
Shettima asserted that, “At 63, we recognise that what has sustained us and propelled us forward is our collective belief that overcoming the challenges we’ve inherited necessitates sacrifices.”
Nothing worth celebrating – Analyst
Speaking with Blueprint Weekend, a Public Affairs analyst, Mr Silas Adekunle, said that Nigeria at 63 was to be celebrated with mixed feelings as things have not been the way they should be.
He said: “Nigeria at 63 comes with a lot of mixed feelings. While we ought to be grateful for Nigeria gaining independence from Britain 63 years ago, it has been a story of disillusionment. We expected our political leaders to take us to Eldorado, but it has been a tale of woes as reflected in the novels, drama books and poetry of our intelligentsia over the years.
“From military government to democratically elected government, the story has not changed as corruption has been part of our politics. Instead of things improving, they have been getting worse by the day. We grew up hearing that the youth are the leaders of tomorrow, but it is the same old people that have been in power and have been doing everything possible to remain in power.
“When the previous government of President Muhammadu Buhari was leaving office, Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief believe that the sufferings under Buhari was coming to an end. Alas! this was not to be as it seems Nigerians have renewed their subscription for suffering.
“The fuel subsidy removal came at the wrong time as the masses have been bearing the brunt of rise in price of goods and services. The Naira is on a free fall and unpredictable. Presently, the dollar is exchanging at over N1,000 and we don’t know what will become of it in the coming days.
“Millions of Nigeria are living in abject poverty and daily being plunged into penury. Therefore, celebrating Nigeria at 63 is a mirage. We have nothing to be thankful for than being alive because the country is simply not where we expect it to be. Those who are supposed to make the nation great are helping to diminish it. It’s a pathetic situation and it will only take divine intervention for us to change things in this country.”
Renewed Hope Agenda good for all citizens – Minister
Speaking on the independence celebration, the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kenedy-Ohaneye, the Renewed Hope Agenda was good for all citizens, particularly women.
According to the minister, “This would be one of the best independence celebrations because the renewed hope agenda is out to empower women economically and endure meaningful living for women and children.”
She, however, noted that women were expecting more attention and empowerment from the government, stressing that when they are empowered their lives get busy, they are changed for better and there will be peace in the homes.
“So, women are expecting empowerment, better protection from the government to mention a few. Children are also very expectant of protection from the government; as we speak a man in Enugu state will soon be jailed for defiling a child.
“This has never happened like this and I have spoken to the police to know that any other way will not work except he goes to court let the court be the judge. He is in custody, and I doubt the possibility of him going free.
“We need protection and change of the status quo so we should celebrate the independence as permanent freedom and road to success for us all.”
Celebrate efforts to counter narcotics – HURIWA
Reacting to the announcement the National Coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria (HURIWA), Emmanuel Onwubiko, said, “Although the federal government has opted for a low-key celebration of the 63rd independence anniversary of Nigeria understandably, but there is certainly one key law enforcement Institution that has intensified strategic combat of narcotics and has massively made efforts to minimise the spread of illicit substances and this body is the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“What is intriguing is that incidentally and historically, on the eve of the commemoration of the Independence Day anniversary, NDLEA is hosting the high-profile meeting of the Heads of Counter- narcotics Institutions all around Africa.
“The significance of hosting the thirty first meeting of heads of national law enforcement Agencies in Africa cannot be lost to the low profile nature of the celebration of the sixty third Independence day by the Nigerian government.
“If for nothing, the Independence Day solemnity ought to be used to reflect on the phenomenal efforts and milestones that the NDLEA under Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba-Marwa has achieved in less than two years and indeed in the first 100 days of the President Tinubu’s administration in the area of enforcement of the relevant laws against hard drugs trafficking and addiction.”
According to Onwubiko, “Still reflecting on what being 63 years old as a nation, we need to also note that in only one hundred days, so much has been achieved in the key area of drugs use reduction by the NDLEA.”
He noted that President Tinubu had expressed his administration’s commitment to the country’s fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking as part of efforts to curtail the global drug problem.
Subsidy removal badly timed
Conversely, a student of University of Abuja, Charles Chigbo, told our correspondent that the way and manner the subsidy on petroleum products was removed was ill-timed and was the root of all the problems was now facing.
According to Chigbo, “The way the president removed this subsidy is the cause of all the problems starting from increase in cost of transportation, goods and services, as well as school fees.
“He did in a way that says he doesn’t care about the common man because we are the people that are suffering. The president and most of the politicians and officer holders have their children schooling abroad, they can afford it, however, we the poor ones that have been suffering to get education it has been made even more difficult for us.
“Believe the situation can only get worse. More parents will not be able to send their children to school, even those who have graduated have no jobs. Crimes are already increasing even here in Abuja.
The people are hungry and like the say a hungry man is an angry man. In the same way the devil finds work for the idol and we have too many idol young men and women roaming our streets.”
Govt needs to do something fast – Trader
A trader at the Karu Market, a suburb of Abuja, told our correspondents that it was a wise decision to have a low-key celebration.
The trader, who identified herself as Aisha Abubakar, asked: “What is there to celebrate? People are really frustrated because of the situation in the country. Some of us who are traders can no longer buy goods to sell. Those who have shops can’t even pay because you are having problem paying rent in your house.
“We need to really of what we have been doing wrong. Sometimes I think that God id punishing Nigeria. If not, how can a 63 years old man or woman still be crawling on the ground?”
