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Tag: Independence

  • BREAKING: Buhari approves activities to mark Nigeria at 61

    BREAKING: Buhari approves activities to mark Nigeria at 61

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved activities lined up to mark Nigeria’s 61st independence anniversary.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

    The minister was represented by Dr Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, Permanent Secretary in the ministry.

    Mohammed said the anniversary was for Nigerians to appreciate efforts of the country’s forbearers at gaining independence from the colonial masters.

    He also said it was to appreciate the contributions of successive administrations toward building the country.

    “This press conference, therefore, will signpost the commencement of activities for the 2021 celebration.

    “As you are aware, we are just about rounding off activities marking the 60th year-long Diamond Jubilee Independence Anniversary celebration, which will terminate on Sept. 30.

    “In other words, the activities of the 60th independence anniversary have been arranged to dovetail into that of the 61st independence anniversary,’’ Mohammed said.

    He said the activities included interdenominational Church service on Sunday at the National Christian Centre at 2 p.m., special award ceremony/discover Nigeria on Thursday at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa.

    The minister also said there would be anniversary parade on Oct. 1 at the Eagle Square at 8:30 a.m. and special Juma’at service, same day at the national Mosque.

  • Borussia Dortmund drops message for Nigeria on social media

    Borussia Dortmund drops message for Nigeria on social media

    Borrusia Dortmund, a German professional sports club based in Dortmund, has congratulated Nigerians on the occasion of Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary.

    The congratulatory message was posted on the club’s verified Twitter page.

    The statement reads: “Happy Nigerian Independence Day to our friends and family around the world! Flag of Nigeria.

    “You know say we love you.”

    Nigeria’s Independence Day marks the country’s proclamation of independence from British rule on October 1, 1960.

  • 60 years after independence, Nigeria sick into death – Okogie

    60 years after independence, Nigeria sick into death – Okogie

    The Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, on Wednesday, said Nigeria’s problems cannot be addressed by the kind of leadership we have at this point in time, and so the country was on a deathbed.

    In his 60th independence message to Nigerians entitled: “A change of heart for Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary”, the Catholic priest maintained that Nigeria is sick unto death, arguing that “you cannot fix a country by using propaganda. Neither can you facilitate development by criminalising expression of dissenting opinions.”

    Okogie added: “Close to four decades ago, during the struggle to rescue democracy from the hands of Nigerian soldiers, Nigerian Bishops composed a prayer: ‘Prayer for Nigeria in Distress’,” pointing out that an immediate response to that prayer was the end of military rule on May 29, 1999.

    Continuing, Cardinal Okogie lamented that 21 years later, “Nigeria is still in distress. We await the long-term response to our prayer.

    Sixty years after we got our independence from Britain, Nigerians and those who love her know that this country is in dire need of redemption.

    “It would be utterly dishonest and cruel to say Nigeria is in good condition. Nigeria is sick unto death. Yes, Nigeria has always been in difficulty. But that is no excuse for allowing the current state of affairs to remain. Things ought to be getting better, but getting worse.”

    On the constitution, he said: “Nigeria needs to be rescued from the 1999 Constitution. That Constitution sets up government in a way that is unfair to the people of Nigeria.

    “It is an irony that a foundational document such as a country’s constitution, a document that ought to facilitate and protect our land and our well-being, sets up Nigeria in a way that facilitates insecurity, poverty and insurgency.

    “Nigeria needs to be rescued from the big, expensive and overbearing but uncaring government that has emerged as a result of this Constitution. Only the political elite can benefit from this Constitution.

    “The poor masses of Nigeria cannot. That is why the first line of resistance to restructuring is constituted by those who benefit from the Constitution.”

  • The bridge to nowhere – Owei Lakemfa

    By Owei Lakemfa.

    NIGERIA will be 60 on October 1. In the last two decades that we finally returned to civil rule after a cumulative 29-year military dictatorship, successive governments have made claims of developing infrastructure, particularly roads. Indeed, the state of our roads have been so bad that individuals and communities are forced to build their own roads.

    In some cases, state governments, tired of waiting for the Federal Government to build its claimed roads, have had to construct a few of these roads. Despite these, coupled with the fact that less than 17 per-cent of our roads are paved, successive governments swallow huge sums of our annual budgets in the name of road construction and rehabilitation. For instance, in the name of highway projects, the Federal Government in 2013, paid out N459,531,567,360.57 to contractors. The following year, it paid contractors N532,816,907, 747.26. In 2015, contractors were paid N601,698, 875,536.00. In 2016, government paid contractors N681,004,177,246.37 and in 2017, N789,633,595,842.44.

    I look at these huge sums paid out, see beautiful photographs of constructed roads but hardly know any of these highways fully completed. Even when I travel, what I see are billboards announcing on-going road construction and in most cases, abandoned road works. For instance, the Lagos-Badagry Expressway which leads to Benin Republic has been under reconstruction since 2010 with parts becoming impassable. There is a slightly comical angle to that side of the country: the dual Badagry-Sokoto Highway has been under construction since the early 1980s era of President Shehu Shagari. It has defied President Buhari’s first journey to power as Military Head of State in 1984/85, seen the backs of the Babangida, Shonekan, Abacha and Abdulsalami regimes, remained abandoned in the Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan administrations and remains so in the Buhari administration. This abandoned road leads rudely into the bush. A sort of road to nowhere.

    The repairs and part reconstruction of the 117-kilometre Lagos-Ibadan Expressway which began during the Obasanjo administration, has spanned the Yar’ Adua, Jonathan and Buhari administrations, yet remains uncompleted. The Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomosho-Ilorin dualisation has been under construction since the inglorious days of military juntas. The Gombe-Larmode-Numan-Yola road project which the Buhari administration announced will reduce the travelling distance by 65 per-cent, aid the movement of farm produce and improve the living standard of people in that region, is still being constructed. The fate of the Ngurore-Jada-Garkida Road, where former Vice President Atiku Abubakar comes from, is in a similar state. The Yola-Hong-Mubi Road rehabilitation has also entered voice mail. The Lambatta-Lapai-Bida expansion and dualisation project is still in the works.

    The prayer is that one day, the Kano-Maiduguri Road linking Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states which began in the era of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, will be completed. The same prayer for the Kano-Katsina Road. In Babangida’s home Niger State, is Kontagora which hosts an important military base; the Sokoto-Koko-Birni-Yauri –Kontagora Road rehabilitation remains uncompleted. We cannot strictly blame or credit the Federal Government over the Bida-Mokwa Road construction because it is a World Bank project.

    The 162-kilometre Abuja-Lokoja Express Way expansion which began two decades ago, remains uncompleted with the contract sum reviewed upwards from N42 billion to N116 billion. The Okene-Auchi-Benin dualisation which has spanned a number of years, seems to be under perpetual construction despite its being handled by the Chinese CCCEC, the Israeli RCC, Mothercat and Dantata. Another road artery that began during the Jonathan administration is the Ewu-Uromi- Agbor Road that is expected to terminate in Sapele. The Setraco construction company signs are usually visible on this road.

    In the East, another major highway that seems to be under perpetual rehabilitation is the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road which began under the Obasanjo administration. That government departed over a dozen years ago. Another such road that has been battling with dualisation is the Onitsha-Enugu Road. The 657–kilometre East-West road from Warri to Calabar has been under construction since 2006 despite the upward review of the contract from N211 billion to N726 billion.

    The Obasanjo-Yar’Adua-Jonathan administrations tried to wrap up major road constructions in Abuja. They completed the major dualisation of long highways like the those of Kubwa and Airport. The Buhari government made a show of continuing with such spirit. It took the comparatively tiny Dutse Road dualisation project, succeeded in completing one part, dug out the other part and abandoned it with attendant dust in which all vehicles and commuters are bathed daily. Yet the state of this road is far better than the tinier Ushafa-Bwari dualisation project. It was a sweet road and commuters must have been elated it was being transformed into a dual carriage way. The contractors moved to site promptly breaking parts of the old road in order to expand it. Earth was moved and the heavy equipment of the contractors damaged many parts of the road making them almost impassable. But commuters were hopeful this was for the good of all. Then the contractors disappeared with their equipment, and have not been seen until today. Meanwhile, the old Ushafa-Bwari Road which should have served as an alternative, has been abandoned since the Jonathan era.

    The First Niger Bridge spanning Asaba and Onitsha was built by the French company, Dumez from 1964-1965. The Second Niger Bridge from Asaba through the Ozubulu and Ogbaru areas, a 1.634 kilometre stretch costing $653 million, was conceived by the Jonathan administration and the Buhari government reports it has pushed it to a near 40 per-cent completion. This is good news. The other news which is not good is that the Makurdi Bridge rehabilitation has been abandoned.

    Still talking bridges, there is the good news that the twin 2.2 kilometre Loko-Oweto Bridge started under the Jonathan administration has now been completed at a revised cost of N51 billion. The sad news is that the bridge which can reduce the travelling duration between the North Central, South East and South-South by three hours, has no access roads, or they are yet to be built. It is literally a bridge to nowhere. This reminds me of the bridge built across the San Gabriel River, Azusa, California in 1936. The connecting East Fork Road expected to connect it was still under construction when it was washed away in the March 1-2,1938 floods leaving the bridge like a lonely orphan in the Sheep Mountain Wilderness. Today, the bridge is used for Bungee Jumping.

    Road is a fundamental human right because you cannot exercise your freedom of movement if there are no roads that connect places and people. By the time the Buhari government leaves in 2023, the prayer is that the actual completion of major roads and bridges would be part of its verifiable achievements. So Help Us God!

  • Governors meet over independence of state’s legislature, judiciary

    Governors meet over independence of state’s legislature, judiciary

    The thirty- Six State Governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF will meet tomorrow to brainstorm on President Muhammadu Buhari’s Executive Order granting financial autonomy to the legislature and judiciary at the state level.

    The governors who will be holding their 9th teleconference meeting since the lockdown that resulted from the outbreak of the Coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic, are expected to come up with a position on the Executive Order. President Buhari signed the Executive Order into law on Friday last week.

    Recall that the federal government has given a very strong warning that any state government which withholds funds meant for their respective Houses of Assembly and judiciary would get their allocations deducted at source by the Accountant General of the Federation and remitted directly to the affected state organs.

    The invitation to the governors intimating them of the meeting was issued by the Director-General of NGF, Asishana Bayo Okauru.

    The governors are also expected to discuss follow ups from the last NEC meeting.

    According to a statement by the Head of Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the governors will be given an update on the Covid19 pandemic in the country as well as review a letter from the National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on Covid19 as it relates to the Covid19 draft regulations.

    There will also be a general update on the efforts of the Coalition Against Covid-19, CACOVID.

    The statement read, “Governors of the 36 states will be holding their 9th teleconference meeting since the lockdown that resulted from the outbreak of the Covid19 pandemic.

    “The meeting, which is taking place tomorrow Wednesday 27th May 2020, at 1400 hrs will, like eight others before it, have in attendance all the state governors via Microsoft Team from their various states.

    “Among the issues to be reviewed are a number of critical national questions that revolve around the financial autonomy for the states’ judiciary and legislature code-named the Executive Order 10, 2020.

    “The governors will also touch issues around the NLNG ownership, the controversial NCDC Bill, the restructuring of states’ loans and the FAAC deductions which have been a recurring decimal on the governors’ table.

    “As usual the governors will be given an update on the Covid19 pandemic in the country as well as review a letter from the National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on Covid19 as it relates to the Covid19 draft regulations. “There will also be a general update on the efforts of the Coalition Against Covid19, CACOVID.

    “The invitation which was issued by the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mr Asishana Bayo Okauru also disclosed that the meeting will discuss follow ups from the last”

  • Nigeria@59: Highlights of Nigeria’s 59-year-old journey in sports

    Nigeria@59: Highlights of Nigeria’s 59-year-old journey in sports

    Fifty-nine years of existence as a nation, no doubt, offers Nigeria a unique opportunity to appraise its performances in the sports world at local, continental and global levels.

    For many perceptive analysts, it has been a mixed fortune of sorts, weighed against the backdrop of many challenges in different fronts, which sometimes suggested under-achievements.

    Minister for Youths and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare said the current leadership is concerned with laying structure for development in the country and that the present administration is interested in sports development that goes beyond sporting activities

    “In the past, there were distractions. But we will not be distracted, our eyes are set at the tip of the spear, we have a template and we will follow our plans.

    “Also, we will go by the rule of law and also work with all federations, so long as the leadership is recognised by law.

    “At that point, we owe it to Nigerians to work with them to such a point where we can develop every sports activity in our country the way they should be and put them in the right perspective,” the minister said.

    At the attainment of independence Nigeria gradually shook off the shackles of colonialism as she began the process of development in all spheres of her existence.

    The first step towards sports development in Nigeria was the setting up of the National Sports Commission in 1963 with Late Pa Abraham Ordia as the Secretary.

    Despite the challenges that has rocked the sport industry since its existence, Nigeria has had notable moments in the sporting world.

    Below are major moments to call back to since Nigeria got its independence from the British colony.

    Winning 1980 AFCON on home soil

    After two consecutive third-place finishes in the 1976 and 1978 African Cup of Nations (AFCON)tournament, Nigeria finally got her hands on the title on home soil in 1980.

    This was also her first appearance in the final and goals from Wole Odegbami- who netted a brace- and Mohammed Lawal gave Nigeria a 3-0 win over Morocco in the final.

    Getting to your first AFCON final, getting your hands on the title and on home soil only occur in dreams. Nigerians dreamt and it happened.

    1985 FIFA U-16 World Championship title

    The first edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup was just for the U-16s and it was won by Nigeria.

    In far away China, the likes of Nduka Ugbade, Fatai Atere, Jonathan Akpoborie, Baldwin Bazuaye, Victor Igbinoba and late Kingsley Aikiobare won Nigeria its first international football trophy.

    They won four games out of five en route the final where they beat West Germany 2-0 to lift the trophy.

    Miracle of Dammam in 1989

    Nothing drives football madness more than come-back victories and that was what Nigeria’s Flying Eagles did at the 1989 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

    Nigeria won one game and got a draw in the Group Stage to progress to the quarter-final where they met The Soviet Union.

    Within 46 minutes of the clash, Nigeria were already down 4-0. The late Olatunde Disu led side fought back to level 4-4 before winning the tie via penalties. With that feat, they became the first team to come back from four goals down to equalise and then go on to win a FIFA World Cup match at any level.

    This game was so iconic it got a name of its own. The Dammam Miracle they call it, in reference to the city of Damman in Saudi Arabia where the game was played.

    Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics

    The most medals Nigeria had ever won at a Summer Olympics were the two she got at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games, but the likes of Oluyemi Kayode, Olapade Adeniken, Mary Onyali and Christy Opara Thompson made history by winning four.

    Kayode, Adeniken, Davidson Ezinwa, Chidi Imoh, and Osmond Ezinwa won silver in the Men’s 4 × 100 m Relay while David Izonritei also won silver in boxing.

    Perhaps the most memorable moments for Nigerians at the 1992 Olympics was the feat of the quartet of Beatrice Utondu, Faith Idehen, Onyali and Opara Thompson who won Bronze for Nigeria in the Women’s 4 × 100 m Relay.

    Winning 1994 AFCON

    After Nigeria’s first AFCON win in 1980, they had to wait 14 years to win another. In between those wins were painful losses in the final (1984 and 1988 to rivals Cameroon, to Algeria in 1990 and a third-place finish in 1992.

    Another AFCON title win was due for Nigeria and it happened in Tunisia in 1994.

    First FIFA World Cup in 1994

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria took the world by storm at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Led by Dutch coach Clemens Westerhof and playing an exciting brand of football, Nigeria went on to beat the likes of Bulgaria and Greece in the Group Stage to announce themselves on the world stage.

    What a moment it was for the Super Eagles. Despite a second-round loss to Italy, the Super Eagles left their first ever FIFA World Cup with their heads high and some memorable moments.

    One of the most iconic Nigerian photos is that of the late Rashidi Yekini holding the net after scoring Nigeria’s first goal at the FIFA World Cup. Memories!

    Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games

    With Nigeria already a respected name in football, another Dutch coach Jo Bonfrère put together a team made up of some of the players from the 1994 World Cup and a couple of young players for the football event of the 1996 Olympic Games.

    Captained by a young Kanu Nwankwo, Nigeria went on to beat superpowers like Brazil and Argentina to win the gold medal in the football event of the Olympics. Due to the difference in time zones, Nigerians always stayed up late at night to watch the games.

    These nights turn to days with fireworks from Nigerians celebrating their new heroes.

    Not to forget Chioma Ajunwa who also won gold at the Women’s Long Jump event, Mary Onyali who won bronze in Women’s 200 metres, Falilat Ogunkoya also got bronze in Women’s 400 metres while Duncan Dokiwari also got bronze in Men’s Super Heavyweight.

    Ogunkoya, Bisi Afolabi, Fatima Yusuf and Charity Opara also together won silver in Women’s 4×400 metres Relay.

    Six medals in total, making it the most successful Olympic Games for Nigeria.

    Super Falcons at 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup

    Having played in two FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments, the Super Falcons of Nigeria were without a win in six games.

    A 2-1 over highly rated North Korea set their 1999 World Cup on the part of an iconic moment. They beat another highly rated side, Denmark to progress to the quarter-final where they faced Brazil.

    That game is considered to be one of the greatest matches in Women’s World Cup history. The Brazilians were 3-0 ahead just under 35 minutes but the Super Falcons fought back to level the score.

    Even though they eventually lost the game via a 104th-minute golden goal, Nigerians and the world in general can never forget the most colorful and exciting Super Falcons side ever.

    Samuel Peters WBC heavyweight title win

    As a boxer, Samuel Peter was one of the best out of Nigeria. The whole country saw him win the WBC Heavyweight title in 2008, defeating Oleg Maskaev by TKO.

    After dominating the game, Peter caught Maskaev with his right hand which put the Russian-American on the back foot. Peters continued to attack to win the game.

    Winning 2013 AFCON title

    It was 19 years since Nigeria won her last AFCON title and patience was running out when late Stephen Keshi’s boys conquered Africa to win the title in 2013.

    From the surprise victory over favourites Cote d’Ivoire to the win over Burkina Faso in the final, it was thrilling for Nigerians.

    Super Falcons win third consecutive AWCON

    With their dominance in African football waning, the Super Falcons still fought hard to win their third straight Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Cameroon.

    The country watched with bated breath as the Super Falcons recovered from their opening game loss to win the title in South Africa.

    They had to deal with a strong Cameroonian team and a very much improved Bayana Bayana of South Africa to win Nigeria’s ninth AWCON title

    D’Tigress reach quarter-final of FIBA Women’s World Cup

    D’Tigress of Nigeria defeated Greece 57-56 at the 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Spain, making them the first African team to reach the quarter finals of the tournament.

    D’Tigress also makes history as the first African team to win three straight games.

    But D’Tigress succumbed to a resurgent USA in the quarter-final of the tournament

  • If you celebrate Independence, you are part of our problems- Yul Edochie declares

    If you celebrate Independence, you are part of our problems- Yul Edochie declares

    Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has said Nigerians who celebrate the country’s 59th independence anniversary are part of the nation’s problems.

    The award winning movie star and politician took to his Instagram page where he recounted how he received invitations to a couple of independence day shows and turned down all of them because he could not find anything worth celebrating.

    Edochie noted that ever since he was born, the country has rather amassed more problems for itself instead of achievements.

    “I’ve been invited for a couple of independence day shows to celebrate Nigeria at 59 on October 1st and all that. I turned down all those shows cause, honestly, I don’t see what we’re celebrating. What are we celebrating?” Edochie asked.

    “I’m 37 years old. All the problems that Nigeria had right before I was born are still there with more added. So, what are we celebrating? The list is endless: joblessness, poverty, insecurity, killings everywhere, the youths doing nothing but begging money on social media.

    “We’re not achieving anything! I mean, we need to tell ourselves the truth for us to move forward in this country. Even if things are good for you, what about other people? I believe you are part of our problems if you’re planning to celebrate Nigeria at 59.”

    Yul once indicated interest to contest for Nigeria’s presidential seat.

    “I don’t understand why my people are suffering. Governance should be about giving the best. Anything short of this is a failed project. It breaks my heart and these people don’t care. People are suffering. I want to fix the problems of the people. I want to give them the good life they deserve,” he had said.

  • What does ‘independence’ mean?, By Hope Eghagha

    The years between 1957 and 1963 were very crucial to African countries within the context of gaining independence from colonial powers. Great Britain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and the United States (in the Philippines) were at different times, colonial powers. The scramble and partition of Africa from 1883 to 1900 benefited the imperial powers. Through force of superior power and masterful cunning, whole nations were subjugated under colonial rule in order to compel the ‘conquered’ nations to part with their resources at little or no cost to the colonial power. It was an uneven relationship. It was not a romantic affair. It was indeed one country permanently dominating the other. In the case of Britain in Nigeria, they left their language with us and made our culture inferior to anything they brought! We still revel in traditional marriage, court marriage and church wedding all by one couple!

    Britain was the longest colonial power having started colonizing nations from 1583. America was once a colony of Britain until the revolution of 1776 which threw Britain off the back of America. Colonialism is ‘enslavement and exploitation through the military, political, and economic coercion of peoples, countries, and territories- primarily economically less developed ones with populations of another nationality than that of the metropolitan country’. The British Empire once controlled 23% of the world population, made up of 412million people. During this time, they could get raw materials from the colonies as they wished. It has been said that Britain stole $45 trillion from India between 1765 and 1938. The economic objective of colonialism was to provide the highest profit (economic benefit) to the ‘colonizing power at the lowest possible price’. They did not come to Africa therefore to civilize us as were foolishly taught by our teachers in primary school.

    From the 1950s, African nations came of age sort of and started the clamour for political and economic independence. Whereas in Kenya, for example, there was a bloody war (Mau Mau uprising) to end colonialism, in Nigeria independence came on a platter of gold. This is not to say that there were no clashes or conflict. Some people went to jail or were arrested in Nigeria. In 1957 under the fiery Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana gained independence from Britain and by 1962 some 24 other nations had shaken off the yoke of colonialism. A new set of leaders took over leadership in Africa amidst hope that once Africans started to rule over their nations there would be automatic prosperity. The local politicians had changed a bible verse ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God and every other thing will be added unto you’ to ‘seek ye first the political kingdom…” There were high expectations arising from the sweet promises which the politicians had made.

    It did not take long for the bubble of political power and independence to burst. Political power came into the hands of African politicians but the real power was somewhere else. The Promised Land was nowhere near as events in Togo, Nigeria and Ghana soon proved with the military coups in January 1963 (Togo), January 1966 (Nigeria) and February 1966 (Ghana). Other coups soon followed. Independence had come but the people were dissatisfied with how our leaders were managing the affairs of the country.

    Independence in Nigeria meant that we could decide on our economic, political and cultural fortunes. It meant that all state positions would be occupied by Nigerians and that the economy would be invigorated so that an egalitarian society would be created. It meant also that our cultural practices would be restored and that anything foreign that did not respect our way of life would be jettisoned. It meant that we would have a big say on all matters through the power of the ballot box. Alas! The opposite became the case. Steadily and slowly, corruption in the public sector crept into our lives and the military had enough excuses to intervene in governance to halt the slide, as they proclaimed. Their stay in power did not halt anything corrupt. Instead they entrenched corruption and whereas they met the culture of ten percent bribe in place, they attacked corruption with a large hear that meant carting away huge funds without bothering about the niceties of taking in percentages.

    For the current generation of Nigerians, particularly the millennial group, independence means nothing. As far as they are concerned, if it takes Europeans to return and make our system work again they are all for it. There is a deep despondency and lack of faith in the system that drives them crazy. They are for the gleam, to borrow from Ayi Kwei Armah, no matter where it comes from.

    As we mark the nation’s 59th year of independence it is time to take stock and ask where we got it wrong such that although we are independent in words the nation is not independent in food production, in power generation and supply, and in the production of goods. It is time to ask why we still depend on imports to live and carry out the basic things of life. A nation that imports tooth picks or which imports its staple diet cannot be said to be truly independent. A nation that cannot provide for its youths cannot be said to be independent. A nation whose judges till wear the robes and wigs that the British brought here but have since discarded them is not truly independent. A nation which runs an academic curriculum fashioned after the dictates of its colonial master is not truly independent. Our minds have to be truly independent before we can claim independence. That is the truth of the matter – independence of thought will lead to independent actions and growth. A nation whose leaders still travel abroad to the hospitals of its erstwhile colonial masters for treatment is not truly independent. ‘Emancipate yourself from mental slavery’, Bob Marley once sang, ‘none but ourselves can free our minds”. The road to true independence is still very long, fifty-nine years after the proclamation of independence. By next year, Nigeria will officially reach old age: a nation that is old and not independent is a waiting disaster. We must rise to the challenge of nationhood. Now is the time!

  • Watch out! TNG chronicles Nigeria 59 years after independence

    Watch out! TNG chronicles Nigeria 59 years after independence

    By tomorrow, October 1, 2019, it will be 59 years since the British colonial masters handed over governance to Nigerians.

    While this milestone marks a time of celebration of Nigeria as a sovereign entity; it also poses as one of the best periods one can weigh the performance of the country, on how it has best harnessed its human and natural endowments in ensuring the sustainable socio-economic development of the country and its people.

    As a media entity situated in Nigeria, TheNewsGuru [TNG], decided to monitor the sojourn of the biggest Africa nation on her journey so far as a self-ruled state. Reviewing Nigeria at 59, TNG interviewed experts considering parameters like the state of our governance, economy among others to ascertain Nigeria’s progress so far.

    Since independence in 1960, the development efforts and outcomes in Nigeria has continued to vary from time to time until the present date (October 2019). Our resourceful interviewees reviewed the scenarios at critical stages in the development process illuminating the salient political and economic policy landmarks and anti-development obstacles such as poor leadership, widespread corruption, high cost of governance etc.

    Our editorial efforts in chronicling the state of Nigeria as a nation, 59 years after it walked into the road of political freedom expose that though the country is politically independent it has not been able to turnaround the country’s resources in the interest of the citizens to achieve the desired level of development. Our reports which also proffer guidelines for the way forward for Nigeria are all finalised and they will be published on this medium tomorrow.

    Some of the topics to expect under TNG’s special report on #Nigeria@59 include: 59 years after independence: Insights on Nigeria’s legislative agenda; Nig@59: Asian Tigers dominating our economy’; Prof. Fatunde Dissects Nigeria economy under Buhari; Judiciary still dependent on executive arm despite decolonisation; 59 years after, has Nigerian experiment worked.

  • Shagari played key role in Nigeria’s independence politics – Obasanjo

    Shagari played key role in Nigeria’s independence politics – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday extolled the late former president, Shehu Shagari’s role in Nigeria’s pre- and post-independence politics.

    Obasanjo gave the eulogy in a condolence letter addressed to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Abeokuta.

    He described late Shagari as a humble, patriotic, amiable and notable Nigerian leader.

    Obasanjo expressed his deep respect for the achievements of the late Shagari in the course of his long life, describing him as one of the principal actors in Nigeria’s pre-independence and post-independence politics.

    “It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to say how deeply grieved I was to hear of the death of His Excellency, President Shehu Usman Shagari.

    “On behalf of my family and on my own behalf, I wish to commiserate with you, the entire members of his family and the good people of Sokoto State over the passing of this humble, patriotic, amiable and notable Nigerian leader.

    “He held various positions as a parliamentarian in the Federal House of Representatives representing Sokoto West in 1954, as a Parliamentarian Secretary 1958-1959, as a Federal Minister and Commissioner in different ministries and capacities between 1959 and 1975.

    “I remember his role as Commissioner for Finance, while he and I served in the government of General Yakubu Gowon. He was thorough.

    “And later, I saw him as my successor in government as a democratically-elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 1979 and 1983.

    “In all his national assignments, he was forthright, dedicated and showed great commitment in the discharge of his duties.

    “He was a unifying force for the nation and his contribution to the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria cannot easily be forgotten.

    “In all situations, he lived nobly and he died in nobility.

    “President Shagari died at a time the country and its leadership is in dire need of such leadership, experience and wisdom to tackle the multi-faceted challenges facing the nation.

    “While expressing our sympathies to you, the family of the deceased and the government and people of Sokoto State, we pray the Almighty Allah grant him eternal rest and give comfort to all those he left behind,” Obasanjo said.