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Tag: 53rd Independence

  • Happy 53rd Independence

    SIR: As we marked our 53rd independence anniversary on Tuesday, I couldn’t help but wonder if our founding fathers would be proud of the Nigeria of today. Does the Nigeria of today fit their vision when they struggled for independence? I sincerely don’t think so. They must be gnashing their teeth in disappointment; their counterparts from other parts of the world must be having a good laugh at their expense.

    There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria has failed to live up to expectation. Suffice it to say that Brazil, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries with whom we once played in the same league have all moved on leaving us behind. We seem stuck in the mud or perhaps taking one step forward and two back. Some say we are jinxed.

    It is indeed very disheartening that a country whose independence was announced with so much hope and expectation, a country abundantly blessed with human and material resources has failed so abysmally to maximize its enormous potential. But we are not cursed, we are the cause.

    It is really not progressive for one to want to remain a child so as to continue to enjoy the care of parents as well as freedom from responsibilities. Every child, every country, must eventually take responsibility for itself, must become the author of its fate. Independence is not the problem, how we have so far managed our independence is.

    Over the decades we have taken paths we shouldn’t have taken, done things we shouldn’t have done. We have not allowed ourselves be led by our positive sentiments but rather have been mostly influenced by our baser instincts. We have not been our brother’s keeper; we have not placed common good before individual good; we have not loved our country enough.

    Our problems are not really so intractable. To great extent, we know the solutions; the problem is implementing them. Perhaps our greatest challenge is summoning the will to do the right things. But thankfully, it’s never too late to begin to do things differently. If we resolve today to turn over a new leaf, to begin to place society first, then by next year we should have cause to really celebrate independence. In spite of our present not-so-rosy situation, I say, happy independence, dear compatriots.

    •Nnoli Chidiebere

    Aba, Abia State.

  • Presidential change of guard marks independence

    Presidential change of guard marks independence

    The Federal Government yesterday marked the 53rd independence anniversary celebrations with a presidential change of guard and signpost ceremony at the fore-court of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    It was devoid of the usual pomp that attends such event before 2011.

    The ceremony was conducted by 136 officers and men of the Army under the command of Brig.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe.

    It lasted for about an hour.

    The President inspected the Guards Brigade before moving to the podium where he received general salute, followed by a rendition of the National Anthem.

    Prayers were offered by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritshejafor and the Deputy Chief Imam of the Abuja National Mosque, Dr Ibrahim Zaria.

    The presidential change of guards was performed by the soldiers with military display, foot and arms drill and rhythmic and calculated steps.

    Their weapons and uniforms were inspected to ensure tidiness.

    After the ceremony, the President signed the anniversary register and cut the anniversary cake.

    Vice-President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, supported the President to cut the cake.

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, and former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, also assisted the President.

    The President subsequently released the flock of pigeons, which signifies peace and freedom.

    Among those who attended the ceremony were PDP Chairman Bamanga Tukur; Primate of Anglican Communion, Arch Bishop Rev. Nicholas Okoh; PDP BOT Chairman, Chief Tony Anineh; Former Information Minister, Prof Jerry Gana and former Senate President Adolphus Wabara.

    Others were Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha; former Head of Civil Service, Steven Oronsaye; Service Chiefs; ministers, top government functionaries and members of the diplomatic corps.

    There was tight security in Abuja. Security was beefed up in and around the FCT with combined security operatives taking positions at strategic locations.

    The operatives were supported by police Amoured Personnel Carriers (APCs).

    The Eagle Square, the venue where most important events like the independence anniversary were usually celebrated by government functionaries, was devoid of activities except some security personnel keeping guard.

    Traffic was light along some major roads in the city centre while motorists going into hotels, parks and shopping malls were stopped and subjected to thorough screening.

    The police ‘stop and check’ caused heavy traffic in some parts of the city areas.

    FCT Police spokesman Altine Daniel, told NAN that the heavy presence of police in the territory was in line with the directive of Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar.

     

  • Nigeria at 53: Extremist killings, tight security

    Nigeria at 53: Extremist killings, tight security

    Nigeria marked 53 years of independence Tuesday with little to celebrate: Scores of families in mourning over killings by suspected Islamic extremists, security forces on high alert against feared bomb attacks and the government confronting an internal power struggle.

    Islamic militants continue to terrorise Nigeria’s northeast despite a massive 4 ½-month-old military campaign including aerial bombardments. Forty-three students were gunned down Sunday at an agricultural college where attackers also torched classrooms.

    On Monday, suspected militants attacked travelers on a main road, beheading 10 and killing another four. Last week, suspected extremists killed 143 civilians, three police officers and two soldiers in an attack on a military outpost — one of the highest tolls from a single assault.

    The Islamic uprising poses the greatest security threat in years to the cohesion of Africa’s most populous nation and biggest oil producer, a former British colony of more than 160 million people from more than 250 tribes almost equally divided between a predominantly Muslim north and mainly Christian south.

    “I admit that these may not be the best of times for our nation,” President Goodluck Jonathan acknowledged in an address broadcast to the nation. Our people are divided in many ways — ethnically, religiously, politically, and materially. I cannot hide from this reality.”

    He announced a “national dialogue” to heal rifts and urged unity to avoid the fate of Syria. Nigeria suffered a civil war in the late 1960s that killed up to a million people.

    Jonathan spoke from Aso Rock, the presidential villa that overlooks the central capital, Abuja, which three years ago was rocked by twin bomb attacks at a stadium where Jonathan and other officials were celebrating independence day in 2010. Twelve people were killed and 17 wounded in the attack claimed by militants from the Niger Delta fighting to end injustice in southern oil-producing states where people remain impoverished while foreign oil companies and government officials enrich themselves.

    Since then, Jonathan has marked independence from inside his well-guarded presidential compound, where he released white doves Tuesday in a traditional sign of peace.

    A helicopter made reconnaissance flights over Abuja, where police were on a red alert. Celebrations took place across the country with no immediate reports of disturbances while police and security forces deployed in a heightened state of alert.

    The government negotiated an end to the Niger Delta insurgency in 2009 and paid off top rebel leaders. But the mass thefts of oil started by the militants continue to threaten the economy, with an estimated 200,000 barrels a day — 10 percent of production — siphoned off pipelines.

    Analysts suggest similar negotiations could help end the uprising led by the Boko Haram terrorist network — the name means “Western education is forbidden” — which appeals to some of the millions of unemployed and ill-educated Muslim youths who feel marginalized by a government accused of massive corruption and bad governance. Boko Haram aims to overturn democracy, install an Islamic state and allow only Islamic schools in Nigeria.

    Jonathan on Saturday likened the threat from Boko Haram to oil thefts, saying both are cancers that must be crushed.

    In a message marking the anniversary, the United States said it “stands with all Nigerians to reject the heinous violence that continues to be perpetrated by Boko Haram and other extremist groups” and urged the government to bring the perpetrators to justice and to protect civilians.

    Violence has continued unabated across central Nigeria, where deadly fights regularly erupt over politics, business, land and water rights, religion and other issues. Police said at least 11 people were killed and several homes torched Saturday in an ongoing fighting over grazing land between nomadic cattle herders and farmers. It was the seventh attack in five months on Zangang village, Kaduna state, in a conflict that began after farmers whose crops were destroyed by cattle killed two cows.

    Local elders say increasing numbers of nomads are moving south and west as they flee the violence in the northeast.

    Jonathan condoled with the families of victims of terrorism and vowed to spare no cost “in the quest to enable our people live without fear.”

    Jonathan is personally challenged by an internal power struggle in his party and a newly formed coalition of opposition parties as the country gears up for 2015 elections. That campaign is being tainted by religious and regional rivalries with many northern Muslim governors opposed to the candidature of Jonathan, a Christian from the south. The president has sidestepped questions about whether he will run again.

    Internal rivalries threaten the continued dominance of Jonathan’s party, which has won every election since decades of military dictatorship ended in 1999.

     

  • NANS’ protest disrupts Independence celebration in Ibadan

    NANS’ protest disrupts Independence celebration in Ibadan

    •Students urge govt to honour agreement with ASUU

    Nigeria’s 53rd Independence Anniversary celebration was disrupted yesterday in some parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, by members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone D (Southwest), who barricaded major roads and halted activities for over three hours.

    The students were protesting the underfunding of universities and the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    Over 1,000 students gathered at Agbowo around 9:30am, walking through Mokola Roundabout, Total Garden, Agodi-Gate to Iwo road Roundabout.

    They sang anti-government songs, accusing the Federal Government of insensitivity and demanded adequate funding for the education sector.

    The protest was supervised by divisional police officers from divisions in Ibadan, who were in Hilux vans, to prevent hoodlums from hijacking it.

    NANS Southwest Coordinator Monsuru Adeyemo (a.k.a Socrates) said there was urgent need to save the education sector from total collapse.

    Adeyemo said: “Despite Nigeria’s stupendous wealth, public education, from the primary to tertiary level, is bedevilled by lack of adequate facilities for teaching, learning and research. Hostel facilities in the few schools where they still exist are dilapidated and insufficient. That is why over 10 million children are out of school in Nigeria.

    “Only this year, about 1.7 million candidates sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and due to the available space in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, less than 29 per cent of the candidates will be admitted, thus leaving out over 1.2 million.

    “We had to actively join the struggle to force the government to implement the agreements with unions, so that tertiary institutions can be re-opened. If this agreement is fully implemented, it will mean better funding for education and a great relief to overburdened students.

    “We want the Federal Government to honour the agreements signed with staff unions; proper funding of compulsory, free and quality education from primary to the tertiary level; reinstatement of all politically-victimised student leaders; rejection of any form of harassment, intimidation or humiliation of Nigerian students by the government, school management and staff; outright rejection of the Suswan Committee; no to police attacks and killing of students; proper payment of SIWESS allowances to all universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education, vocational and technical studies.”

  • ‘Nigeria a work in progress’

    ‘Nigeria a work in progress’

    Text of President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech to mark the nation’s 53rd Independence Anniversary in Abuja…yesterday

    Today marks 53 years of our Independence as a nation. First and foremost, I would like to say congratulations to us all. Through thick and thin, we have built this country together. Through triumphs and trials, we have developed a Nigerian identity in our own way.

    In truth, Nigeria is still a work in progress and we are challenged everyday to keep building in spite of the various obstacles that we face. Our strength has been in our diversity. If we look back over the years, we can say confidently that there is every reason to celebrate.

    Today’s Independence anniversary is unique because it is the last before we mark our centenary. On January 1, 2014, Nigeria will be 100 years old as a country, following the amalgamation of the Protectorates of Southern and Northern Nigeria in 1914.

    Beloved country men and women, traditionally, the Presidential address on this symbolic day has served two purposes.  It has, quite rightly, been used to remind all Nigerians about our heritage.  It has also allowed my predecessors and I to comment on our stewardship to the nation and make political capital out of a state occasion.

    But this year, I will not. Because, today of all days, we should not be scoring political points. On the contrary, in this last year of the first century of our Union, we should be addressing our future as a Nation and a people!

    I admit that these may not be the best of times for our nation. Our people are divided in many ways – ethnically, religiously, politically, and materially. I cannot hide from this reality. I cannot hide from my own responsibilities.

    As we prepare to mark the centenary, therefore, today offers us an opportunity to reflect on our long journey to nationhood and the progress we have made so far. Whatever the challenges that we may face, we have every reason to be proud of our national accomplishments; we have every reason to remain proud and optimistic. Our collective national journey has witnessed great watersheds, thanks to our spirit of endurance, perseverance and sacrifice.  Getting the rest of the job done with determination and courage is just a matter of time. We are Nigerians, a nation of talented people, endowed with resources, potentials, and Divine Grace.

    In our journey to greatness as a nation, we have built an economy that is robust and erected enduring infrastructure and institutions of democracy. Our social system is now more inclusive, open and compassionate. We are waging a steady battle against poverty, unemployment, and corruption. Our sense of community, solidarity and shared expectation is strong and capable of withstanding the present social, economic and political challenges that still confront us.

    In saying this, I am reminded of the comments I made a week ago to a cross-section of Nigerians in New York during the 68th United Nations General Assembly. I declare now as I declared then: we have a duty as Nigerians, whatever may be our differences or prejudices, to always put Nigeria first.

    Our politics should be an art of patriotic labour and selfless service to the community, particularly by the political elite who are placed in positions of great trust and responsibility. Politics has its own high moral principles which abhor distracting and divisive rhetoric. As men and women in leadership, we must continually focus on service, duty, responsibility, and the next generation. Those who are elected to govern at all levels must focus on improving the lives of our people, not selfish ambition.

    In the words of the American theologian and author, James Freeman Clarke, ‘a politician thinks of the next election; a statesman of the next generation’. Whether we are Muslims or Christians; rich or poor; from the North or the South; East or West; regardless of our political affiliations, this is the time for every one of us to be a statesman!

    My clarion call therefore, on this special day, is that we should begin to align our political utterances and conduct solely to the nobler passions that unite our people. Politicians do not make a nation; ordinary folks do.

    Our nation is made great by the big and small efforts of regular citizens. These are the teachers and men and women in academics who inculcate the knowledge and wisdom that transform into tomorrow’s wealth; the traders and market women who tend to our everyday needs; the farmers whose labour feeds the nation; the artisans whose work ensures that our homesteads are well maintained; the doctors, pharmacists, nurses, accountants, bankers, engineers, and other professionals who add value to our lives; the sportsmen and women and those in the creative industry who bring honour and fame to our nation;

    And the men and women of our armed forces and security services who toil day and night so that you and I may live in a safe and secure nation.

    It is the individual and collective heroism of these regular folks that has placed our nation on the path of greatness. Politics and politicians sometimes distract the people and create unnecessary tension.

    But our independence celebration is about the same people, the people of Nigeria: their industry, sense of mission and purpose, and their patience and perseverance as we navigate historical turns in our march towards prosperity and self-sufficiency. Today, I salute the people of Nigeria.

    My Compatriots, history has proven that nations take time to evolve. We should rejoice in our democracy because it enables us to be united by our differences, not destroyed by them. And, there is no more crucial time for us to be united than now.

    The threats we face may be real and immediate. But we are not alone in this regard. It is a difficult season for much of the world: industrialized or developing; rich or poor. What matters are the lessons we learn, the wisdom we demonstrate, and the victory we snatch from the jaws of likely defeat.

    And I tell you, more than anything else, there are lessons to learn, and every cause to be thankful. If I must cite one example, take Syria. As we all pray and work for a return to normalcy in Syria, it would be helpful for us to reflect on the fact that Syria was once a peaceful, thriving, multi-cultural nation which played host to a mosaic of religions and ethnicities.

    But that once idyllic nation has today become a theatre of human misery of unimaginable proportions as a result of the activities of extremist forces.

    Fellow Nigerians, the spectre of extremism haunts every democracy in every corner of the globe. While we celebrate our independence and good fortune, our hearts must grieve for those who have lost loved ones in numerous terrorist activities around the world.

    Back home, I admit being overtaken by deep feelings of grief, whenever news reached me of the appalling atrocities in some of our States, especially the North Eastern part of our country. Just two days ago, terrorist elements attacked the College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State killing a number of innocent students of the institution and other residents in cold blood, most of them in their sleep.  This act of barbarism is a demonstration of the extent to which evil forces will go to destabilize our nation. But I assure you, they will not succeed.

    My heart goes out to the families of all those who have fallen victim of these dastardly acts. Our Administration will not rest until every Nigerian is free from the oppression of terrorism. I reassure you that no cost will be spared, no idea will be ignored, and no resource will be left untapped in the quest to enable our people live without fear.

    On this day, I implore every Nigerian – wherever you are, whatever language you speak, whatever your religious persuasion, whichever Political Party you support -: let us join together to fight this evil of extremism.

    On behalf of us all, I commend our Armed Forces and security agencies for their dedication and bravery in the face of grave danger, and in the name of our collective liberty.

    Fellow Nigerians, this is a time to pull together behind the national cause: the cause of our freedom, and our future. We must rekindle the spirit of Nigeria, to ensure that every democrat and every lover of peace in this great nation continues to live in a free, peaceful, and secure Nigeria.

    On my part, I re-dedicate myself completely to the service of this great country. I was elected President to continue the process of building a prosperous nation where hopes, dreams and aspirations would be fulfilled. Nigerians, home and abroad, want a country they can be proud to call their own.  I am pleased to affirm that, no matter the challenges we face, we are on the right path to greatness. Our Transformation Agenda, which is part of the overall vision of making Nigeria a land of greatness, has been delivering positive and encouraging results.

    On May 29th this year, I presented to the nation a mid-term report of my Administration’s Transformation Agenda. This was conceived as an integrated policy aimed at reconstructing not only institutional governance for effective and efficient service delivery, but also a re-orientation of national norms and values.  The document captured the essence of our agenda in relation to core objectives and achievements.

    I have been consistently mindful of the weight of public expectation to find solutions to the challenges that confront us because the mandate we have is a free and sacred one. In all that I have done, I have been guided by this sacred obligation, to work hard for the good of Nigeria and to make life better for Nigerians. I want to assure everyone that Nigeria, under my leadership, will not fail.

    Exactly 53 years ago today, Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa urged us to ‘move with quiet dignity to our place on the world stage’. I am sure that there have been times when every one of us must have questioned how closely we have followed that injunction.

    But again, I can reassure you that Nigeria’s place on the world stage today is strong and safe, and it is certainly a place of dignity and respect. We must continue to build on this by remaining a nation and a people committed to ideals, the noblest humanitarian values, and the rule of law.

    Our Constitution is anchored ultimately on the idea of freedom and fundamental rights: freedom of expression; freedom from discrimination; freedom to vote and be voted for, and the right to human dignity. These are the core values of a true democracy. These are the values of which we must never lose sight.

    In my address to the UN General Assembly last week, I emphasized the crucial role of democratization in improving the fortunes not just of this country, but of our entire continent. Democratic values encourage diversity. They encourage discourse. They encourage disagreement. This is the joy of democracy.

    It enables us to have an opinion. And ultimately, the ballot box gives us all the opportunity to instigate change. When democracy works, it does not destroy a nation. It unites and defines it.

    Fellow Nigerians, our Administration has taken cognizance of suggestions over the years by well-meaning Nigerians on the need for a National Dialogue on the future of our beloved country. I am an advocate of dialogue. When there are issues that stoke tension and bring about friction, it makes perfect sense for the interested parties to come together to discuss.

    In demonstration of my avowed belief in the positive power of dialogue in charting the way forward, I have decided to set up an Advisory Committee whose mandate is to establish the modalities for a National Dialogue or Conference. The Committee will also design a framework and come up with recommendations as to the form, structure and mechanism of the process.

    The Committee will be chaired by Dr. Femi Okurounmu while Dr. Akilu Indabawa will serve as the Secretary. The full membership of the Committee will be announced shortly.

    I expect the Report to be ready in one month, following which the nation will be briefed on the nomenclature, structure and modalities of the Dialogue.

    Fellow Nigerians, the past 53 years have seen Nigeria evolve on an epic scale.  Our progress since independence has not always been smooth. This is, after all, our Fourth Republic; but despite all its flaws, it has lasted longer than all the previous three put together. That is progress and it proves that, our differences – real and imagined – notwithstanding, we are, in every sense, a united nation.

    This is no time for the harmful clutches of parochial sentiments and the politics of bitterness, impunity, arrogance and unhelpful indiscipline. We must stand as one, with absolute commitment and resolve to resist any force that threatens us and the sanctity of our union.

    I want to thank all our country men and women who have stood by this Administration in the midst of mounting challenges and enormous expectations.

    I recognize that it is not easy to keep believing in the possibilities of our greatness when our faith is constantly challenged. But let me assure you that, if we do not despair, we shall reap the reward of our labour in due season.

    It is my prayer that, another 53 years from now, our children and grand-children will look back on our effort and be thankful that we kept the faith.

    May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    I wish you all a very happy 53rd Independence Celebration.

    I thank you.

  • Independence: Leaders have failed Nigeria – Senate

    Independence: Leaders have failed Nigeria – Senate

    The Senate on Thursday lamented the plight of the nation in view of the upcoming 53rd Independence Anniversary celebration.

    Most of the Senators spoke while contributing to a motion entitled: “Congratulations to Nigeria and Nigerians on her 53rd Independence Anniversary.”

    While some blamed the lack of development on corruption, other attributed the slow pace of development to sentimental and parochial inclination of the nation’s leaders both past and present.

    The motion was sponsored by Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba and 10 other Senators.

    Ndoma-Egba in his lead debate urged the Senate to note that the country will mark her 53rd Independence Anniversary having attained Independence from Britain on October 1, 1960.

    He enjoined his colleagues to appreciate that from May 29, 1999 till date, Nigeria at 53 has had the longest reign of democratic government in her political history.

    He also prayed the Red Chamber to congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan, the government and people of Nigeria on the country’s 53rd Independence Anniversary.

    Senate President David Mark urged leaders of the country to look inwards to ensure a nation where unemployment, suppression and underdevelopment would be history.

    He informed the lawmakers that the Independence Anniversary would be celebrated inside the forecourt of the Aso Rock Villa.

    Mark called for a return to the Old National Anthem, saying it represents a way forward for the country.