Reactions trail Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary

Across the federation, Nigerians have been responding to the 63rd anniversary of the country’s independence by offering both criticism and praise for the country’s progress.

Kwara State Governor and NGF Chairman Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq congratulated his fellow Nigerians, saying, “The country’s march to greatness is on course, and on an even stronger footing, regardless of its own share of the challenges of nation building that every society goes through.”

After 63 years of independence, “what is certain is that the country has always emerged stronger from any of its challenges and the current ones, whatever their magnitude or shades, will not be an exception,” the Governor said in a statement released in Ilorin by his spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye.

I echo the President’s and other government leaders’ and prominent Nigerians’ pleas for the country’s citizens to maintain their solidarity and dedication to the common good. The statement went on to say, “Together, we will build on the achievements of the past years and set new standards of political maturity and inclusivity, economic growth, and shared prosperity.”

University of Ilorin lecturer and political scientist Professor Hassan Salihu responded by saying the occasion is notable even though national achievements are not very stunning for two main reasons.

He claimed that, given its resources, the country should have boasted more about its successes.

In addition, Professor Salihu noted that countries that were far behind Nigeria in terms of recorded levels of progress have subsequently overtaken it.

The fact that we have to fight to be heard on the international stage is a sobering indication of how far we have fallen behind other developed countries.

“However, there is a glimmer of hope in the new administration, based on key pronouncements and measures likely to be made in shifting public perceptions of the country.

“President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s government has no choice but to perform as its failure is unthinkable because of the implications for the nation,” he continued.

Dr. Waheed Balogun, a professor at the Federal Polytechnic in Offa, also shared his thoughts on the 63rd anniversary of independence.

People are relieved to be free from colonial rule.

One is not thrilled that Nigeria, a sovereign nation blessed with extraordinary richness, in natural and human resources, is still crawling after more than six decades, even though certain elements of neo-colonialism are still in existence within our economic and cultural circles.

Dr. Waheed remarked, “Technologically, we have not gotten to our supposed destination, but it is obvious that we have made tremendous progress compared with the pre-independence period.”

He proposed that in order for Nigeria to rise to its rightful place in the international community, “there must be total revamping of her erstwhile exportation capabilities, rejuvenate the oil and gas sectors by fixing her moribund refineries to full capacities, and minimize corruption tendencies, among other things.”