It was on this day, a Saturday in 1960, that men and women of a generation that fought greatly to end colonial rule on our land, stormed Independence Square in Lagos to pull down the union jack and watched in hope and faith, as a green white banner went up.
After this great sight of promissory future, the same generation sang an anthem, “Nigeria we hail thee, our own dear native land, thou tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand…”.
They hailed Nigeria, promised her of a glorious future, but when an opportunity came to prove their words, they failed. They failed in January in 1966. They failed in July same year in Ibadan.
A bitter war broke out, an accord from Aburi couldn’t avert a bridge falling across River Niger. The wounds of a massacre in Asaba, still hunt us till this day.
A voice echoed from Ahiara, reminding humanity of the urgency of the moment, Abagana was in news, a war that started at Gakem in Bekwerra in a July, ended in Owerri in a January.
Our journey has never been the same. The shadow of the war still hunts our wheel of progress even till this day.
The motivation that made men and women to stand and to be crushed by the wheel of colonial rule when they fought to end it, is what is motivating me today.
We may not have managed our freedom very well, but the power to manage our future rest in our hands.
We must avoid thinking and acting like the generation before us, if not we shall make bigger mistakes than they made.
We recognize the efforts and outstanding contributions of some great Nigerians towards the advancement of this project, Nigeria.
Our fallen heroes who gave us every thing.
Our sportsmen and women, who put smiles and joy in our heart.
The youths whose creativity energizes and grease our wheel of progress.
The women in particular, the Margaret Ekpo, who led women of her generation to end colonial rule.
The Fumilayo Ransome Kuti, who inspired women of her time that owing a car, is not an exclusive right of men.
The Ladi Kwali, whose pottery works still inspire hope on our streets.
The Dora Akunyili, who stood by the truth, worked and fought for the truth even at the expense of personal safety when she lived and died for Nigeria.
The Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, who led us to a battlefield, where she fought and won the war against ebola with bare hands.
The lists are endless, I know leadership has not been so good to Nigeria, but we the people can be to her.
The fountain of blood on our streets is discouraging, tribalism and religion has done us bad than good.
We must look beyond the challenges of the moment, and look at the hope of retaking and remaking the future.
In conclusion, on our assembly grounds in our schools, we once stood to make a pledge, “to defend Nigeria’s unity, uphold her honour and glory”.
Like the generation before us, who failed the words of their anthem, we must look beyond the odds and stand by our promise to Nigeria. Nigeria needs you now.
This call is to those who would think differently, who would see beyond tribal and religious sentiments and who would act differently.
I still believe in Nigeria. Congratulations, after 58 years, 696 Months, 3,026 Weeks, 21,184 days, 508,416 Hours, 30,504,960 Minutes and 1,830, 297, 600 seconds, our national map has not changed and our banner is still standing tall. Make the next second, minute, hour, day, week, month, and year count.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIGERIA.
Enenche Enenche Abuja, Nigeria 🇳🇬
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