The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Independence Day

  • Independence Day: There will be light at end of the tunnel – Niger governor

    Independence Day: There will be light at end of the tunnel – Niger governor

    Niger state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has said that the challenges facing the country are surmountable, saying there would be light at the end of the tunnel.

    The governor, in his Independence Day message, acknowledged that the country is going through difficult times, but governments at all levels are making frantic efforts to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians and stabilise the economy.

    He called on Nigerians to deepen their prayers for the peace and prosperity of the nation.

    Read Also: Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day celebration to be held low-key, says Fed Govt

    “The nation is indeed going through a difficult time at the moment. The prevailing harsh economy is orchestrated by several factors. We encourage the people to strengthen their faith in God as the government at all levels is making frantic efforts to ameliorate their sufferings and stabilise the economy.

    “The challenges may be enormous; they are, however, surmountable, and there would be light at the end of the tunnel by the grace of God”, he said.

    The Governor urged Nigerians not to focus on the negatives alone but to reflect on God’s mercies and favours while reminding them that a united Nigeria is better and more beneficial for all.

    Bago further reassured Nigerlites that his administration is determined and working tirelessly to ensure lives and livelihoods are secure and that the New Niger agenda is achieved to the benefit of all.

    In a related development, the Niger State Police Command has deployed an adequate number of Police personnel and operational assets for public safety and orderliness ahead of the October 1st Independence Day Celebration.

    The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna, directed Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and DPOs to ensure that police visibility is enhanced in their various areas to avert any act of breach of public peace.

  • Distinguished Nigerians for honour on Independence Day

    Distinguished Nigerians for honour on Independence Day

    The 5th edition of the Distinguished Nigerian Awards will be held on Tuesday, October 1 which coincides with the national Independence Day.

    According to the organisers, the event will be hosted at the Presken Hall, Hotel & Suites Ikeja, Lagos.

    A statement issued by the organisers of the awards said the merit awards are given to outstanding individuals for their exemplary service and contribution to nation-building.

    Read Also: Wike knocks contractor over delays on road project

     “The award aims to further encourage individuals and institutions that have demonstrated patriotism, diligence, innovation, and reform to change our national narratives as people and nation in global space.”

    ”This is in commemoration of Nigeria’s independence anniversary. Honours are divided into different ranks and categories, showing their hierarchy and significance.

    ”The Distinguished Nigerian Awards was established in the year 2020 by the Elitist Media Team and has been conferred yearly to deserving individuals. This year makes it 5th Edition.

    The statement added: ”The Distinguished Nigerian Awards Committee is the body in charge of nominations and award presentation as well as selects nominees according to different criteria, including efforts in nation-building, community development, service to humanity, professional excellence and the upholding of national integrity.

  • Independence Day: Thoughts of our fathers and we the Children (2)

    Independence Day: Thoughts of our fathers and we the Children (2)

    Where did we miss that trajectory of growth and the chance to becoming the first black nation to emerge as a global super power? Where did the dignified and lofty thoughts of our fathers become incongruous with their actions? At what point did our nation drift of the glorious path?

    Truth be told, the drifting began with the same fathers who harbored such thoughts, the lofty minds that guided the nation unto its independence largely mismanaged the goodwill that came with such. We employed the politics of bitterness that saw the Federal Government prop up Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola and his strange dancers in the Western Region House of Assembly as against the majority of legislators loyal to Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Tafawa Balewa, the then Prime Minister who was quick to use the Federal machinery to seal the Western Region House of Assembly and set up panels and commissions of inquiries during the beginning of the crisis, beat a sad retreat when he told the whole world that  he had no such powers when the Western Region took a turn for the worse by virtue of the “Wetie Crisis”.

    The Western Region crisis wasn’t the only misstep of our fathers, otherwise we the children as well as our history may have absolved them. The Tiv crisis, the 1964 and 1965 elections are glaring examples of the failures of our fathers, the descent began and before we knew it, the military saw reasons to replicate what other sister nations were similarly experiencing.

    That the children plotted two coups, both bloody in their implementation and leading to a civil war is worthy of mention, while one coup sought to correct the ills of the First Republic and still went over the bar with some of those who lost their lives in that putsch, the latter was more of a grudge match, with both serving as precedents to the pogroms and the ghastly civil war,  one with which its prejudices still live very much with us even till this day. Had the July 29 1966 coup removed General Aguiyi  Ironsi and punished the January 15th coupists without killing brother officers and innocent  civilians afterwards for the fact that they merely shared ethnic affinity with some members of the January 15 coup, while the January 15 boys had also at their show reduced the blood letting, perhaps the animosities borne by majorly the Eastern and the Northern regions may not have being enough to trigger the civil war. Thus the unity our fathers attempted to proclaim foundered on the blood of the innocent and not even the victory of the Nigerian forces over the “Biafran  Rebels have remedied such.

    Read Also: How to apply for Nigeria Police Force recruitment 2023

    The leadership of the Nigerian nation is also a contributory factor to the Nigerian debacle. God knows what the Nigerian people have done to deserve the kind of leadership that we have gotten since independence. Leadership in Nigeria has merely taken the trial by error approach, and even where we seem to have gotten it right or we think we have, such cloying encomia dissipates as fast as vapor leaving even the supporters of such leaders immensely bewildered.

    Obviously just as the dream for strong democratic institutions eluded us, ( The gaping failures of the Second, Third and present Fourth Republics are as clear as day) same also was our fate in our hopes of a virile economy. we swayed away from agriculture with the advent of oil money, the Nigerian economy which was showing momentum as at the 60’s, became the byword for inefficiency and lack of prudence. The balkanization of regions into states did little to help matters as each state embarked on a number of white elephant projects with so little resources owing to the lopsided nature of the Nigerian federation.

    Corruption also deserves a worthy mention, while our fathers tinkered with it via the 10 percenting, the children in us elevated it into an institution adumbrating It as a way of life in Nigeria. While every Nigerian administration has declared war on corruption all have left power harvesting in its fold more harrowing tales of corruption than the past governments. 

    Haven lost nearly 600 billion dollars to the hydra headed monster remains a threat to the survival of the Nigerian State, affecting public funds and finances , rendering our governments ineffective and reducing the standards of our living.

    At 63, it is yet indeed possible for the fathers, or what is left of them and we the children to carry out the re-vivification of these thoughts. In Nigeria’s leading playwright, Ola Rotimi’s popular line- “ To sit down and do nothing is to be crippled fast”. Professor Chinua Achebe put it in a much lively manner when he said that “A man who does not know where the rain began to beat him cannot truly say where he dried his body”

    The thoughts of our fathers and we the children for a greater, stronger, prosperous and united Nigeria is much bigger than we have assumed. We may have toyed with it, we may have betrayed its sacrosanctity but if we agree that the fate  of this nation lies not in the stars but in ourselves, then we can rebuild this nation and bring in our time, the Nigerian nation of our dreams and of the thoughts of our fathers and we the children.

  • Countries that gained independence in October

    Countries that gained independence in October

    An independence day is an annual event commemorating the anniversary of a nation’s independence or statehood, usually after ceasing to be a group or part of another nation or state, or after the end of a military occupation, or after a major change in government.

    Many countries commemorate their independence from a colonial empire.

    Nigeria gained her independence from the British on the 1st of October 1960.

    Read Also: Nigeria@63: We will overcome current challenges, says Governor Mbah

    China, Cyprus, Palau, Tuvalu also gained their independence on the 1st of October 1960

    Not all countries mark independence as a national holiday. Many, such as Australia, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, Ireland, Luxembourg, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, and Turkey mark other dates of significance.

    Here are Countries that gained independence in October 

     Nigeria – October 1

    China – October 1

     Cyprus – October 1

     Palau – October 1

     Tuvalu – October 1

    Guinea – October 2

    Germany – October 2

    Iraq – October 3

     Lesotho – October 4

    Croatia – October 8

    Uganda – October 9

     Fiji – October 10

    Taiwan – October 10

    Equatorial Guinea – October 12

    Spain – October 12

    Azerbaijan – October 18

     Zambia – October 24

     Austria – October 26

    St Vincent & the Grenadines – October 27

    Turkmenistan – October 27

    Czechia – October 28

    Slovakia – October 28

  • Independence Day: FG to honour late Akinkunmi, 10 other national heroes

    Independence Day: FG to honour late Akinkunmi, 10 other national heroes

    The Nigerian flag designer, late Pa Taiwo Micheal Akinkunmi and ten other Nigerian heroes would be honoured with citizenship and patriots award ahead of the country’s 63rd Independence Day celebration.

    The country got its independence from Great Britain on 1st October 1960.

    The honour which is part of the National Orientation Agency (NOA)’s efforts to promote civic education in Nigeria, is scheduled for October 5.

    The other awardees are Naval Rating, Salaudeen Akano, who hoisted the Nigerian flag at midnight to mark the independence of Nigeria in 1960; and late Commander Onwurah Zonyanuno Chiazor, the commandant under whose order Naval Rating Salaudeen hoisted the flag.

    Others include: John A. Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, B.A. Ogunnaike, Sota Omoigui and P. O. Aderibigbe all contributed to the lyrics of the country’s National Anthem.

    Also slated for honour is the man who directed the Nigerian Police Bmd that put the late Benedict E. Odiase.

    Also listed for honour is the woman who created the National Pledge Late (Mrs.) Felicia Adebola Adedoyin and Adewusi, her (Adedoyin’s) friend introduced her to the president.

    Briefing the media ahead of the event, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Dr. Garba Abari said the 16th of September every year has been set aside as National Symbols Day, and September 30 as Citizens and Patriots Day.

    Abari said the Symbols Day marks the date when Nigeria’s Coat-of-Arms and National Ordinance was signed into law in 1960 ahead of Nigeria’s Independence Day.

    The day, he said is used to reemphasize the need for citizens to handle Nigeria’s national symbols with pride, loyalty and respect as instruments that represent the sovereignty and presence of Nigeria.

    He said: “Nigeria today stands in dire need of an uprising of more patriots to meet the challenging demands of this moment of her history. Never before has this need been more pressing than it is today. In the face of the economic difficulties of the time, the persistent “Japa” syndrome among our youth, the disturbing insecurity in parts of the country and the failure of our power supply systems, Nigeria needs Nigerians to rise up with initiatives that will bring the necessary solutions, even if it is at some personal cost. That is what patriotic citizenship is all about.

    “We have consistently campaigned for Nigerians to take pride in our nation, its symbols and its people. For us, the task of mobilizing the people to become part of the progress of their fatherland is a special task which must be accomplished.

    “It is for this reason and in furtherance of our campaign for citizens-inclusive national celebrations, that NOA, in 2021, began to collaborate with team “HIYA NIGERIA” to celebrate the National Citizens and Patriots’ Day on the 30th of September, to reenact the significance of the unity of Nigerians and most importantly restage the 1960 nostalgias that preluded the commemoration of the nation’s Independence Day. The events of 30th September and 5th October 2023 marking the 2023 edition of these celebrations are results of this continuing partnership.”

    Read Also: National flag designer Akinkunmi was iconic, says Fed Govt

    He also stressed: “the importance of patriotism to national development cannot be overemphasized as it takes patriotic citizens to develop a nation and citizenship without patriotism is, perhaps, the greatest bane of any nation or community. It goes without saying that the Nigeria of our dreams can only be achieved by the collective effort of patriotic citizens. It is the love we individually have for our fatherland that will translate into our posture towards the rule of law, constituted authority, national interest, national image and other issues connected to patriotism. Therefore, good citizenship stems from patriotism.

    “Indeed, the concept of citizenship has evolved beyond having a legal right to participate in the affairs of the state. Today, it connotes having a personal sense of belonging to a given community. Culturally, citizenship speaks to the consciousness of a common cultural heritage with specific fellows. Therefore, for us as Nigerian citizens to contribute meaningfully to the development of our nation, we must possess a personal sense of belonging in Nigeria while respecting and upholding our cultural heritage as a people, whether we are at home or abroad. Such disposition is the bedrock of patriotism and national heroism.

    He further added: “Even as we mourn the designer of the National flag, Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, we remember with pride his enduring legacy of more than 60 years. The massive eulogies that have followed his death remind us of the huge reward that will always come for those who demonstrate active citizenship and patriotism. We will use the occasion to remember other iconic figures who through their simple contribution as active members of our community, made Nigeria worthy of nationhood.

  • Independence Day: Ogun opts for low-key, cancels ceremony

    Independence Day: Ogun opts for low-key, cancels ceremony

    The Ogun state government has decided to cancel the elaborate ceremony for this year’s Independence Day anniversary, opting instead for a low-key celebration.

    This decision aligns with the federal government’s directive to observe a low-key Independence Day celebration.

    The announcement was made in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, on Tuesday, September 26.

    He said: “The Ogun state government has cancelled all arrangements in respect of the anniversary on October 1st, 2023.

    Read Also: FG unveils programmes for 63rd Independence Day anniversary

    “The decision by the federal government is to reflect the mood of the nation. The state government enjoins citizens of the state to spend the time solemnly praying for the country.

    “It is the strong belief of the government under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun that the supplications of the people at this crucial time will be answered by God.

    “We seek the understanding and cooperation of all and sundry as we observe a low-key independence anniversary this year, believing that better times lie ahead of us as a people.”

  • FG unveils programmes for 63rd Independence Day anniversary

    FG unveils programmes for 63rd Independence Day anniversary

    The federal government has unveiled the programme of events for the 63rd Independence Day Anniversary celebration, themed “Nigeria @ 63, Renewed Hope for Unity and Prosperity.”

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, led the unveiling event of the programmes in Abuja on Monday, September 25.

    He emphasised that, due to the current economic realities, President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned a modest celebration this year.

    Akume, however, assured Nigerians that the government is working with relevant stakeholders, including the organised Labour to bring succour to all citizens.

    Speaking on the programme lined out for the 63rd Independence Day Anniversary, Akume said the events started with the world press conference, a national broadcast by President Tinubu on Sunday, October 1.

    He said: “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 and prosperity.

    Read Also: 63rd Independence Day: Akume heads anniversary committee

    “In view of the above, the following programmes have been lined up to mark the celebration: World Press Conference on Monday, 26th September at the National Press Center, Radio House Abuja at 11:00 am. Anniversary Symposium/Public Lecture, Thursday, 28th September 2023 at State House Conference Center @ 10 am

    “Lecture on Friday, 29th September 2023 National Mosque Conference Center at 10:00 am and Juma’at Prayer at the National Mosque at 1:00 pm. Presidential Broadcast, Sunday, 1st October, 2023 at 7:00 am. Inter-Denominational Church Service on Sunday, 1st October, 2023 at the National Christian Center at 10:00 am. Military Parade on Monday, 2nd October, 2023 at the Presidential Villa, at 9:00 am.”

    On the economic situation in the country, the SGF said the Tinubu administration is aware of its effects on the citizens, pointing out that the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda is tailored to straighten out the situation.

    He noted: “The government is fully aware of the economic challenges that Nigerians are confronted with since the removal of the fuel subsidy as well as the impact of the global economic downturn.

    “The government is working assiduously to provide the necessary palliatives so as to mitigate such challenges and also the provision of buses to ease hardship on transportation among others.

    “At the same time, the government is engaging with Labour in order to address areas of concern for the well-being of all Nigerian workers and Nigerians generally.

    “It is for this reason that this government, led by His Excellency, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is anchoring on the Renewed Hope Agenda, which will improve food security; guarantee end to poverty; improve security; economic growth and job creation; access to capital; improve the playing field on which people, and particularly companies, operate; respect for the rule of law; and fight against corruption.”

    Highlighting the importance of this year’s celebration, Akume said: “It is particularly important at this time having witnessed an unbroken democratic record since 1999 as well as the seamless, successful, and peaceful Presidential Transition programme from one government to another. Therefore, this calls for celebration and we are thankful to God and Nigerians for making this possible.

    “Despite political tremors and a wave of coups in some parts of the ECOWAS sub-region, Nigerians have fully embraced democracy with its core values and practices as the best form of governance.

    “Democracy affords the citizens the opportunity, through elective structures and processes, to effectively participate in the affairs of their country.

    “The relationship between the people and government in a representative democracy is symbiotic: while the citizens support the government, the government provides security, protects, and enhances their interests.”

  • 63rd Independence Day: Akume heads anniversary committee

    63rd Independence Day: Akume heads anniversary committee

    A 15-member Inter-ministerial committee  headed by Secretary to the Governnment of the Federation George Akume  is   to plan   the nation’s 63rd  Independence Day anniversary. 

    The committee  was inaugurated in Abuja yesterday. Activities  lined up for the event were also rolled out.

    Members of the committee  are Mohammed Malagi, minister of Information and National Orientation;  Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo(Interior minister); Wale Edun (Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy); Yusuf  Tuggar(Foreign of Affairs minister); Nyesom Wike(Federal Capital Territory minister ); Nuhu Ribadu( National Security Adviser); Kayode Egbetokun (Inspector-General of Police); Yusuf  Bichi (Director-General, Department of State Services) and Commander, Guards Brigade Adebisi Onasanya

    Read

    Others are the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office,  Permanent Secretary’, Ecological Project Office, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office.

    Read AlsoTroops arrest 64 hoodlums on Independence Day

    Akume said that the  programmes which are subject to ratification would commence with a world press conference on September 25.

    There would be  also be a “church service and presidential broadcast   on 1st October; Juma’at service on 29th September; symposium/public lecture  on 28th September;  and  Parade  on 2nd October, 2023.” 

    Akume, who inaugurated the committee   explained that the anniversary would provide the nation an   opportunity to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices of  heroes and heroines who fought for its independence. 

    The government, according to him, will also    showcase its achievements in dealing with the social and economic challenges  confronting the nation.

  • Firm calls for entries for Independence Day awards

    Dufil Prima Foods Plc., makers of Indomie noodles, has announced the call for entries for the 12th edition of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative – Indomie Independence Day Award for Heroes of Nigeria (IIDA).

    The award is to recognise children who, against all odds, exhibited extraordinary acts of bravery and determination in the face of danger and societal challenges.

    At a news conference in Lagos, Chief Operating Officer of Dufil, Mr. Girish Sharma, said the field search and selection would start by the end of the month.

    In his welcome address, Girish noted that the major objective of the award is to extol the exemplary accomplishments of children by identifying, recognising and celebrating them publicly. He said Dufil was ready to invest more in the initiative as it was a way to invest in the Nigerian child.

    He said: “We believe in this initiative. This is one of the ways we sow into the future of Nigeria because when you support the Nigerian child, you are investing in the future of the country.

    “Indomie Independence Day Award for Heroes of Nigeria has so far recorded huge successes in the last 11 editions, with about 39 winners so far recognized and rewarded with scholarship prizes worth several millions of naira. This has positively impacted the lives of the awardees, and we intend to raise the standard.”

    Group Public Relations and Events Manager Mr. Tope Ashiwaju said the last 11 editions of the awards have been tremendous as they attracted praise to the brand by well-meaning individuals, captains of industries and corporate organisations. “We are, therefore, encouraged to intensify our efforts towards a better and more impactful event,” he added.

    According to Ashiwaju, the award is divided into three categories – Physical, Social and Intellectual bravery.

    He said: “The physical bravery category will acknowledge kids who at great personal risk, saved lives or by their actions prevent extensive damage to property or others; social bravery category will celebrate kids who work against social evils such as child marriage, illiteracy and environmental concerns in a sustained manner; while the intellectual bravery category will recognise children with innate ability who have performed remarkably despite physical, mental, emotional or financial limitations.

    “As a national event, the award is expected to draw participants from the six geo-political zones in October.”

  • Independence Day losing its lustre

    Sir: Nigerians by and large were in no celebratory mood on October 1, strange as it may sound. Yes, the weather was clement, cool, text messages from friends, colleagues and corporate organisations wishing everyone a ‘Happy Independence Day’ flooded our mobile phones. But beneath the veneer and the perfunctory morning greetings laid an inexplicable sobriety all around us, in the air and on the ground. It was as though our hearts were filled with nostalgia, forlorn longing for the ‘good old days’.

    This year’s Independence Day celebration was overshadowed by the political tensions in the land occasioned by the fact that the two major parties were having their gubernatorial primaries at about same time, to select their candidates for next year’s general election. The politicians and officials had retired to their hamlets to plot their final onslaught. And with the stakes seemingly so high, all eyes, ears and talks were focused on the primaries.  Thus after the Independence Day reminder in form of President Muhammadu Buhari’s nationwide morning address, the rest of October I, for the citizens was spent on discussing politics, politics, politics.

    The fact that the third and fourth-ranked citizens of our country, after the president and his vice absented themselves from the official Independence Day celebrations diminishes its lustre somehow and speaks a lot of how divided we are as a country and people at the moment. Consider: a monumental, non-religious, non-sectional, non-political event as October 1, the day our  country gained independence from Britain as  a free people, united under one destiny, became a day to expose our fault lines in disunity, mired in divisive political discourse as political gladiators ‘fight to finish’ over primary elections!

    Compare this to the days of yore when all roads literally led to the various squares (Independence, Tafawa Belewa, Eagle, etc., etc.,) on the first day of October each year. Then, as you rose from sleep and stepped outside in the morning dew you immediately scented the air of independence as you would be greeted with the shouts of ‘Happy Independence’ from neighbours, friends and opponents alike. The air was filled with conviviality and joie de vivre; you could sense the happiness in people’s heart, glad to behold October 1 when Nigeria broke the umbilical cord that tied her to Britain, its erstwhile colonial master for decades, and set out to prove that the black man is as competent as the white man in self-governance.

    These days, October firsts, literally pass by largely unnoticed in Nigerian neighbourhoods. Many of our younger ones do not even understand the essence of the day.    The day no longer conjures something special for many Nigerians. For millions and millions of Nigerians, it is like any other day, they care less. Also there are many Nigerians who wished that October I, 1960 never happened; they are calling for a re-colonisation of Nigeria by Britain! Their argument is that Nigeria is worse off since independence, asserting that we would have fared better under a colonial master. This is a dangerous descent, indicating that many are beginning to lose faith in the ability of the Blackman in general. As it is, these people would rather be second class citizens wherever, as long as their bread is buttered. Yet freedom is an intrinsic yearning of all human beings without which we do not feel really complete. Nothing compares to freedom.

    Many others are yearning  for “restructuring” of the country  in the belief that they would be able to solely control their ‘God-given resources’ and develop faster. They argue that the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates to form present-day Nigeria was a forced marriage that should not be allowed to endure. They call it a mistake.

    Those who hold this view ought to be reminded that nothing happens by accident. There is no accident in Creation. The establishment of the country called Nigeria is for a divine purpose. That the country has not been able to fulfil that purpose is solely the fault of its people, followers and leaders alike who have been following by- paths.  The challenge for the country and the populace is to be able to recognise the straight road that leads quickly to the goal and toe it accordingly. This requires constant regeneration and fine-tuning until we find it and get things right. In this wise, the clamour for “restructuring” should be done with love and respect for all of the country’s constituent parts. The ‘rich’parts should extend a helping hand to the ‘poor’ segments for our fates are intertwined.

     

    • Victoria Ngozi Ikeano,

    Lafia.