The Nation Newspaper

Tag: independence

  • 57 years after independence: Nigeria still dancing naked in public – TUC

    57 years after independence: Nigeria still dancing naked in public – TUC

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) said Friday that 57 years after the nation’s independence, Nigeria was still “dancing naked” in the public to the full glare of the whole world while its roof is still on fire and challenge the nation’s leadership to see this year’s independence celebration as an opportunity to reposition the country.

    President of the Congress, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama said in his Independence Day message that Nigerians must look at the reality in our country dispassionately, honestly and work to achieve a better Nigeria for our children.

    He said: “ordinarily it should not be out of place if we roll out our drums today to celebrate this feat, but we cannot, because like they say “you don’t participate in a dance competition when your house is on fire.” Nigeria is dancing at the market square naked to the full glare of the whole world when our roof is on fire.”

    According to him, over a 100-year after the north and south were amalgamated with the sole aim of complementing each other and the attainment of independence on in 1960, many had thought that progress and development would be rapid. Pointing out that this has not been so.

    He said that as a progressive organisation, the “Trade Union Congress of Nigeria appreciates the fact that we have stayed together as a country. It is something to cheer about like I noted earlier but our staying together has been at the cost of innocent blood and outright violation of the fundamental rights of Nigerians.

    “This day should remind us of our heritage, the vision and struggles of the founding fathers unfortunately some have had cause to question the rationale behind the quest for independence in the first place. Our tale is that of a conundrum with insurgencies, collapsed educational system, gross unemployment, ritual killing, cultism, prostitution/rape, mass emigration, de-industrialisation, tribalism and nepotism, inept leadership, environmental challenge, infrastructural decay, gender issues, badoo, kidnapping, yahooPlus, corruption and anti-graft, and a host of others.”

    The Congress regretted that while Nigeria remain one of the 17 countries that attained independence in 1960, “Nigeria is not at par with many of these countries today even when they do not have one-tenth of what we have in terms of human and natural resources. Nature has been fair to Nigeria but Nigeria is not fair to itself.

    “Our plight as a country beats the imagination of the world. Why? We have an ocean behind our house yet bath with spittle. The United State of America has enjoyed nationhood for over 250 years, yet still together with its components states. Politicians frustrate every effort to make our country healthier.

    “How do we reconcile it that in a country where state governments claim they cannot pay ordinary N18, 000 national minimum a lawmaker who barely attends three sessions per week smiles home with over N30m per month? Isn’t it laughable that our lawmakers now compete with stand-up comedians, musical artists and professional dancers? If people fail to agitate under this circumstance then it means we are ill-fated.

    “It is a good thing to have the I-CAN-DO-IT attitude but it is also wisdom to bring on board those who can help actualise your aspiration. At home and in diaspora are many Nigerians that have excelled in their businesses and contributed meaningfully in building the economies of host countries: Mr. Adebayo Ogunlesi is a Nigerian and he bought three foreign Airports through his private firm in six years; Mr. Philips Emegwali was christened the father of computer and Mr. Jelani Aliyu, the designer who produced General Motor (GM’s) most electrifying advanced technology vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt concept.

    “Given the enormous wealth of human and natural resources that the Creator out of His magnanimity has bestowed to this country, we should not lack any basic need of life?  The pain we bear is a needless one.

    “We challenge the leadership and Nigerians to see this year’s independence anniversary as a vintage opportunity to reflect on our polity, economy and society at large. We must all look at the reality in our country dispassionately, honestly and work to achieve a better Nigeria for our children.

    “Life has become unbearable for majority of Nigerians. It is laughable that our leaders travel abroad, but do not replicate what they saw over there. Why will the country not be hit by recession when politicians spend 80% of their jumbo pay in buying properties in Dubai, UK, US, South Africa, etc?

    “How can the education sector run a full session without strike when the children of politicians school abroad? The deplorable state of our roads is not a priority because they fly? When the system favours them there are no comments seen; but when it is otherwise they import arms and assemble youth to distabilise the system.

    “The outcome of disenchantment is the crises and agitations we see everywhere. Our key functionaries and institutions must be made to work respectively and religiously like it is done elsewhere. Insecticides and deodorants have their roles. You cannot achieve result when you misapply the two liquids.

    “The Congress, nay Nigerians are worried that the things we watch in films are now common sights. Recently the Nigerian Customs Services declared that no fewer than 2,500 pump Action guns have so far intercepted. For what purpose were they imported if not to throw the country into major crisis?

    “What is the value of life in Nigeria? It is shameful that beyond the despicable situation the so-called elites have forced us into they still acquire guns and fanned the embers of disunity for us to kill ourselves. They take advantage of our frustrated children while theirs are in different parts of Europe spending our money. We are wiser now.

    “Notwithstanding the myriad of challenges confronting the country, the Congress believes Nigeria can be great if the leadership wants. The world dismisses us but we must not dismiss ourselves.

    “The world is pessimistic about the future of the most populated black nation but we must resolve to shame them. The country must not be allowed to snowball into a theatre of war and a ready-made market for arms and ammunitions. No. Never again! It is natural to despair but the Congress sees light at the end of the tunnel.

    “We wish to appeal to the Federal Government to remember its “change mantra”. It makes no sense accusing and condemning the previous administrations for corruption only for the recovered money to be re-looted. Mere leaving a political party for the ruling party must not make anybody a saint.

    “Anti-graft agencies and the judiciary must prosecute those who were caught with our money. We know corruption is fighting back but we are confident that the war over evil will always emerge victorious.

    “The world is watching and waiting for the pride of Africa and most populated black nation to blossom. The Federal Government’s economic recovery plan must not fail.  No more excuses.”

  • Independence: Fed Govt declares October 2 holiday

    Independence: Fed Govt declares October 2 holiday

    The Federal Government has declared Monday, October 2nd, public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 57th Independence Anniversary.

    Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (Rtd), who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Nigerians on the anniversary and urged them to sustain the collective efforts towards maintaining and strengthening the unity of Nigeria.

    Dambazau emphasized Government’s commitment to promoting national unity, economic growth and political development on democratic principles.

    According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Engr Abubakar Magaji, the minister noted that in the past 57 years, Nigeria has made a lot of progress and positive impact not only on its citizens but also on human development globally.

    He enjoined all Nigerians to remain steadfast in the love and care of the country, noting that strong sense of ownership of one’s country is vital to the sustainable development of nay nation.

    Dambazau also expressed profound appreciation to Nigerians and their international community for the support and co-operation to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Minister wished all Nigerians a Happy 57th Independence Anniversary.

  • 9ice and Small Doctor to fete Lagosians at Nigeria’s Independence

    9ice and Small Doctor to fete Lagosians at Nigeria’s Independence

    Music stars 9ice and Small Doctor are set to thrill Lagosians in a concert scheduled to hold on October 1, 2017 coinciding with Nigeria’s 57th Independence Day anniversary.

    The concert which holds at the Adura Football Field, Alakuko, Lagos, is part of the Real Deal Experience is brought by Legend Extra Stout.

    Speaking on his anticipation for the show, 9ice said: “I’ve performed at other Real Deal Experience concerts and I must say the energy is always superb. But trust me, nothing beats a Lagos concert. The fun, the excitement, the people and all are second to none. I really can’t wait.”

    Small Doctor who has hits like ‘Penalty’ and ‘Mosquito Killer’ also remarked: “I love performing in Lagos as it is the city that brought me all of my success. You can be sure I’ll be bringing on my ‘A’ game. This edition of the Real Deal Experience is also special because of Nigeria’s independence and I really can’t wait to celebrate it with my Lagos fans.”

    The tour takes Nigeria’s biggest music stars across various cities around the country to entertain local fans. Attendees stand a chance to win gifts such as flat screen TVs, generators and refrigerators etc. In addition, fans and consumers of Legend Extra Stout also stand a chance of winning N50, 000 cash prizes in an online talent competition hosted on the brand’s social media pages.

    Speaking on the event, Portfolio Manager – Mainstream, Lager and Stout brands, Nigerian Breweries, Emmanuel Agu, said: “Picture this: the Real Deal Experience concert will hold on Nigeria’s Independence Day right at the Centre of Excellence where coincidentally, Nigeria got its independence in 1960. It will definitely be a night of celebration and we’re very proud to be the brand making it happen!”

    The Real Deal Experience has held in other cities such as Nnewi, Enugu, Uyo, Aba and Abuja. It is scheduled to hit other cities soon.

  • Infinix to reward 21 customers at Independence

    Infinix to reward 21 customers at Independence

    Infinix Mobility is celebrating Nigeria @ 57 as the brand aims to reward 21 customers with ‘BIG’ gifts.

    The reward promo, which is ongoing, will end on September 28, with customers winning 14 standing fans and seven 43-inch television.

    Infinix introduced the Infinix independence reward for its customers and fans looking to purchase the Infinix Note 4 and Note 4 pro at any partner store in Nigeria.  The Infinix Note 4 is a bestseller all over Nigeria, the product features include a stylus ‘Xpen’, Xcharge, 4500MAH battery, XOS 2.2. It also guarantees users five minutes charge for 250 minutes talk time.

    The brand will appreciate Nigerians during the October 1, celebration with multiple raffle draws which will take place every Thursday in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Ibadan, for customers to win Synix standing fans among other gifts.

    The raffle draws will also be broadcast live on Infinix Nigeria’s Facebook page. The grand finale raffle draw will take place on October 3 for customers in deven cities to win seven  ’43 Inch Television sets. All winners will be announced on Infinix’s   Facebook page.

  • Constitution review: Reps panel okays financial independence for councils

    Constitution review: Reps panel okays financial independence for councils

    •States get more powers 

    The House of Representatives Special Ad-hoc Committee on constitution review has approved the cancellation of the state and local government joint accounts.

    Each local government council, according to the proposed amendment, is empowered to maintain its own account into which shall be paid its allocation from the Federation Account and the state government.

    Members of the committee yesterday endorsed the letters of the Bill for an Act to alter the provision of the 1999 Constitution to strengthen local government administration.

    According to the lawmakers, development at the rural areas across the local government areas requires financial independence.

    The over 50 members committee at a meeting chaired by Deputy Speaker Yussuff Lasun yesterday said the new amendment makes it mandatory that disbursement from the account can only be made base on  a Bye-Law of the Local Government Council.

    A statement from the office of the Deputy Speaker said: “This is aimed at granting financial autonomy to the local government councils and strengthening separation of power at that level.”

    The statement added that the committee also heeded the call for true federalism and restructuring of the country by granting the devolution of powers to state governments.

    It said the committee adopted an amendment that “any person who has been sworn-in as President to complete the term of a person elected as President shall not be eligible to contest for election into such office for more than one single term”.

    Also endorsed by the committee was “the bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the 1999 Constitution to provide for independent candidacy to contest elections at all levels in the country”.

    The lawmakers okayed proposal for financial autonomy for Houses of Assembly and judiciary directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the state and for related matters.

  • Kwara workers seek council independence

    Kwara workers seek council independence

    The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Kwara State has protested the continued dependence of local governments on states; they demanded full autonomy for local councils.

    The placard-carrying protestors kicked against the alleged continued monthly deductions of councils’ funds by states.

    Some of the placards read: “We want full autonomy”; “Stop deducting our federal allocations”; “Council workers are hungry and suffering in Kwara”; “No meaningful development at the grassroots”; “We want to collect our IGR by ourselves”; “Scrap JAAC”.

    They marched through major streets in Ilorin, the state capital.

    The protesters, who accused the government of continually withholding their monthly revenue, described the development as an “aberration that would not bring dividends of democracy to the rural populace”.

    President Comrade Oloruntade Ibikunle called for full autonomy of local councils, saying the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) should be scrapped.

    This, according to him, will allow council workers have financial autonomy and end salary payment based on percentage.

    He decried the slow pace of development in the local councils due to the non-utilisation of council workers, saying consultants had taken over workers’ duties, especially collection of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    Speaker of the House of Assembly Ali Ahmad said the conference of Speakers in the 36 states resolved to give full autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country.

    Ahmad, who was represented by the House Leader, Hassan Oyeleke, said the Assembly would support the move.

  • Marking independence in bondage

    Nigeria last Saturday marked her 56th Independence not with pomp and pageantry as would be expected.  It was however a mixed bag; although it has become an urban pastime, no thanks to the harsh economic reality, unimaginative leadership and recession.  Independence ordinarily should occupy a unique place in the life of a nation and a bonding of the people with a unifying feeling and patriotic fervour. But this is not to be because our people have since lost the sense of history and do not have the fire of patriotic zeal that propels nations to lofty aims.  I remember with nostalgia growing up in a rural community in Agbor in the then Bendel State, now broken into Edo and Delta states during the Independence celebration in the 1970s.  It was greater than our birthdays and different religious festivals, including New Yam festivals.

    As young primary school pupils, our uniforms were well laundered as we had no pressing iron and we were given miniatures of Nigerian flag that we waved eternally in celebration while welcoming the governor who drove round the state in colourful convoy.  It did not end there, our schools where given bags or rice and cows which the school authorities prepared using the senior pupils.  We ate, stained our green uniforms in merriments and the memory lingered in anxiety and expectation of the next Independence.  In retrospect I saw a budding nation with potential for greatness as there was greater unity across ethnic and religious divides than the sharp fault lines that characterize our polity today.

    Today, in spite of our size and demographic spread as the most populous black race in the world and the resources nature has endowed us with, Nigeria has remained stunted in developmental index and unable to employ and feed its citizens.  As we mark our independence, we are living in bondage of bad and selfish leadership.  We have been taken hostages by political elite that has become a leech siphoning our common patrimony.  Citizens cannot afford decent meals or any meal at all; there is no electricity, no motorable roads unless you live in the city centres.  You cannot even afford to go out if you have the means for fear of being kidnapped or robbed of valuables like telephone, money and jewellery.

    Nigeria cannot become a great nation when it lacks national leaders and a bickering population divided along ethno-religious lines.  Great nations like empires are built by national leaders’ not tribal chieftains like we have as exemplified in our polity today where people are judged not by the standard of justice but by wealth, tribal affiliation and religion.   Sadly, for all our woes and misfortunes, we find it convenient to blame outsiders and never examined ourselves.  The crack came immediately after the Union Jack was lowered and green-white-green was hoisted as the founding fathers jettisoned the spirit of unity of purpose for one Nigeria with which they made demand on the colonial overlords for independence and became aggressive tribal irredentists.

    When the military sacked the First Republic in the bloody putsch, their justification for the coup remains valid in common sense and logic even after five decades.  They cited nepotism, graft and corruption, demanding 10 percent etc; and these have remained with us today and even taken to a more troubling height and level that make the nation to tilt on a delicate balance.

    Have we made any progress since independence?  Over and above the fact that we have been able to remain in one country, there is no clear evidence that we have made progress in any spectacular way.  In infrastructure, there is no noticeable sign across the country that our leaders have touched the lives of the people.  Most of what you see today were built in the early 1960s and mid 1970s; although some may beat their chest that Abuja is a modern city conceived and built by leaders.  Look at the educational sector, it is a sorry sight as public schools have been abandoned even by the government and we now steal public funds to send our children to schools, shamelessly in countries like Benin Republic and Ghana.  Even at that, our universities can only produce administrators both in universities of technologies and polytechnics.

    We do not have reputable indigenous construction companies that can carry out major construction of roads and other infrastructures; so we award contracts to Chinese and Indian companies for our road networks and airports and the result is what so see daily on our roads and the carnage due to bad roads which break up in places due to poor execution.  Today, after 56 years, we do not have indigenous engineers that can service our refineries; and as the sixth largest producers of crude oil, we import petroleum products and still live in scarcity.  The health sector is in complete neglect and ruins and only those who can afford it engage private practitioners or go for medical tourism abroad using money stolen from our common patrimony.  Look at our economy: it is a sad note of commentary that with the humungous earnings from oil, the federal government is barely able to pay salaries while the state governments are reducing working days and not paying workers in upward of eight months.

    Corruption is elevated to state craft and in spite of the effort of the present government which is losing steam already, our elected leaders romanticize corruption in semantics and rise up stoutly in arms against any efforts to check corruption in high places. Corruption has become a leviathan that threatens our very existence and if we fail to stand up to it, it is going to finally consume and swallow up the nation.  Look at the histrionics of members of the National Assembly when they troop out to court in solidarity with individuals on criminal allegations.  Look at the puerile and senile drama around the budget padding and its anti-climax as Nigerians watch the House members clobber the member that tried to spill the beans and expose the putrid infamy in the budgetary system in the House.

    Nigeria cannot become great with the mentality that public office holders should not be held accountable for their misdeed and corruption.  In Brazil, the former President, Mrs Rousseff Dilma was impeached for corruption allegation; in China, political corruption attracts the death penalty.  Look at the infantile sentiments being expressed when the wife of a former President that dragged herself to the murky water of what was obviously money laundering case.   It is clear that the nation has lost its soul.

    Nigeria cannot be great if it cannot provide security to citizens and help to build capacity for the people.  Today, the only people that government provide security for are its functionaries and visiting dignitaries; not the ordinary citizens as everybody tries to provide himself/herself with security and other basic infrastructure like water and light.  In spite of this, the government is beginning to harass citizens with all manners of tax so as to continue to maintain their exotic lifestyle.   Nigerian cannot become great when you sell all national assets both viable and dormant to a few Nigerians that have corruptly stolen the nation blind so that tomorrow as a nation we do not have anything of substance as a national symbol.  If we want to build a great Nigeria, it is not too late to start a foundation by those who have the spirit and soul of Nigeria and not tribal champions as we have today.

     

    • Kebonkwu Esq writes from Abuja.

  • We’ve not reached promised land yet at 56 – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has lamented the stunted and impaired development of Nigeria, 56 years after attaining a state nationhood.
    Obasanjo said Nigeria is not yet where it ought to be at 56 but expressed the hope that the sundry challenges bogging the country down would be surmounted.
    He spoke on Saturday during a lecture organised by the Youth Fellowship of the Owu Baptist Church, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, as part of the church’s activities to mark Nigeria’s Independence anniversary.
    The elder stateman said leaders and followers, should “accept responsibility” for the fate of the country and “stop passing the bulk.”
    “Our development is impaired, it is not what it ought to be but we must get it right. We must all accept responsibility, we must stop passing the bulk.”
    Delivering his lecture on the topic: “Nigeria Development for Nigerians by Nigerians,” he declared that the development of the country must not be left with Nigerians alone but should also include foreign investors and friends of Nigeria.
    According to him, those interested in assisting the country in its developmental efforts must also be encouraged to help it.
    Obasanjo identified unemployment of educated Nigerians as one of the major factors threatening the peace of the country.
    He also identified peace and security, education, food, sanitation, shelter as well as transportation as some of the ingredients for measuring development.
    The former Chairman, Board of Trustess of the PDP recalled that when he completed his secondary school education at the Baptist Boys High School (BBHS), Abeokuta, he was offered jobs by five different establishments, including the United Africa Company (UAC) and Moore Plantation, Ibadan but lamented that a different situation prevailed today in Nigeria.
    He also recalled during an interractive session how the famous industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, few years ago, told him that six PHD holders were among applicants who applied to become truck drivers in his company due to the unemployment situation in the country.
    “Unemployment is a major problem in the country today and if we don’t take care, it will consume all of us, in fact, the rising unemployment is a time bomb.”
    “The high rate of unemployment is responsible for youth restiveness in the country. The situation should be tackled with all the seriousness it deserves before it get out of hand.
    “There is no other way we can develop except, engaging in agriculture business, it is the only business that can generate the number of employment we need.
    “That is why we have to take it (Agriculture business) as a key of our development else the many educated Nigerians who have no job are like time bomb, sooner than later, it will explode,” Obasanjo said.
    Obasanjo challenged the church to pay attention to both the spiritual as well as the physical well being of their congregations.
    He noted that the church’s attention appeared to be focused only on the spiritual aspect of the congregations, explaining that he had seen the recession buffetting the country two yeas ago following the recklessness of the immediate past administration regarding the country’s resources.
    He said his warnings and advice were largely ignored but concluded, Nigerians “cannot continue lamenting.”

  • Independence: Relishing Photos of Nigeria from 1960

    Independence: Relishing Photos of Nigeria from 1960


    Move the divider left/out to view complete photo
    What posses as Tinubu Square in the Nigeria of today (formerly Independence Square), is an open space landmark located in Broad Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria. It used to be called Ita Tinubu in memory of Madam Efunroye Tinubu, a slave trader and business magnate, before it was named Independence Square by leaders of the First Republic and subsequently Tinubu Square. Not many Nigerians know or can remember this, but quite a handful of old folks will connect with the memory easily.


    Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is a federal government agency that governs & operates the ports of Nigeria. However, with the concessioning programme of the federal government, which is aimed at promoting efficiency through, public and private partnership, the Nigerian Ports, has since 2005, being concessioned.
    This landlord arrangement as they call it, has fostered better relationship and high turn-out of goods and services in and around the Nigerian Port system either in the Eastern or the ever-busy Western zone. The photo on the left was taken during the days of colonialism. Nigerian Ports are now much busier and effective than they used to be years ago.


    Rail transport in Nigeria is operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation. The rail system consists of 3,505 km of 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge lines and 479 km of standard gauge lines. Rail transportation was once one of the most popular, effective and efficient means for transporting passengers and cargoes in Nigeria. Consequently upon ineffectiveness at some quotas, railways are now overcrowded since there are no enough tracks to convey the available numbers of trains. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to rehabilitate the Cape gauge network and construct a new standard gauge network even as decent trains and more contemporary ones are being introduced.


    On the left is the Bolekaja kind of vehicle. It was an average sized wood axial lorry that had only one wooden door at the passenger cabin at the back for passengers to embark and disembark. The sitting arrangement in the lorry (which was often over crowded) and the single entrance and exit point often led to fisticuffs between passengers who would tell each other to “come down let’s fight” (bolekaja).
    Bolekaja were usually made from Bedford lorry heads and locally made wooden passenger compartments. The government later banned the use of bolekaja for commercial passenger transport services and they are now used to carry foodstuff in rural communities.
    A contemporary kind of vehicle that can also carry a large number of passengers within metropolis is the Leyland kind of long buses. Almost every state in Nigeria now has such for metropolitan transportation.


    Municipal Transportation of people and goods dates back to the 1920s and beyond. However, road-based bus transportation was pioneered in Lagos by two Nigerians, Mrs Charlotte Olajumoke Obasa (a leading indigenous entrepreneur of that time) and W.A. Dawodu. This was followed by the establishment of J.N. Zarpas, a company owned by Levantine expatriates. Zarpas dominated the Lagos transportation scene until their buses were acquired by the Lagos Town Council in 1958 to form the Lagos Municipal Transport, similar to what you see in the photo on the left.

  • Chivita marks independence with Nigerians

    Chi Limited, producer of Chivita 100% fruit juice, has said it will be celebrating with Nigerians ahead of the country’s 56th Independence Day anniversary coming up on October 1.

    The company said that as a truly Nigerian company with a proud heritage, it was delighted to be a part of the country’s development and success stories through its value adding products and initiatives, which have given Nigerians a reason to smile.

    The Managing Director of Chi Limited, Deepanjan Roy, said that with consistent high quality products, good marketing support, a good understanding of the market and consumers, and of course, an enviable consumer loyalty, Chivita has wormed its way to the hearts of Nigerian consumers.

    He said Chivita rejoices with Nigeria as she celebrates yet another year of nation building. “We use this opportunity of Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration to reiterate our commitment to a happy and healthy nation by always offering the Nigerian consumers the best in fruit juice and beverages. Nigerian’s health, nutrition and nourishment remain our priority.”