“Oh freedom! Oh freedom! Oh freedom!!! Freedom everywhere… on first October, 1960…Nigeria gained independence!”
Was a marching song we sang as kids back then in primary school. I can almost taste the feeling of the happiness we felt back then while singing it. We felt patriotic and proud as we marched.
Anyone, especially at that age loved the thought and feeling of freedom. As a child, the thought of running outside freely without the voice of your parents at your back to go back inside. As teenagers, we craved for freedom so much and could not wait to clock age 18 and 21 which are the legal age for freedom.
Someone just chuckled at the end of that sentence and said “not in Nigeria”. Were you not watched even more when you reached your supposed legal age for freedom? Were you not told “you think you have arrived?” What was the reaction you got when you told your parents “I am not a child anymore!!” This is exactly the case in Nigeria’s case of gaining legal freedom.
Getting into Uni, I realized that Nigeria’s great independence was more of political than it was ever about economical. And even the political independence itself is not entirely a hundred percent. As graduates of international relations, we learnt something called neo-colonialism: this is a new way of colonialism. In fact, the only difference between the old way and this new way is that the colonial masters are no longer physically present at the area of colonization. And is that entirely true? We see foreign military bases functioning in former colonies accompanied with their foreign aids and investments all together becoming parts and parcels of neo-colonization.
Kwame Nkrumah in his book, Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism* (1965). Here’s what he said; “Neo-colonialism is also the worst form of imperialism(which means external domination). For those who practise it, it means power without responsibility and for those who suffer from it, it means *exploitation without redress*. In the days of old-fashioned colonialism, the imperial power had at least to explain and justify at home the actions it was taking abroad.”
In Walter Rodney’s “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” (1972), we learnt all the systems, infrastructures and policies put in place to further continue to under-develop Africa no matter the years to come.
Nigeria’s journey to independence was a culmination of growing nationalist movements, strategic negotiations, and constitutional reforms under British colonial rule. After World War II, Nigerians became increasingly determined to gain freedom, inspired by global independence movements and tired of foreign control, unfair treatment, and economic hardships.
The formation of influential political parties like the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), led by Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Action Group (AG) led by Obafemi Awolowo, and the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) led by Ahmadu Bello.
On October 1, 1960, Nigeria officially gained independence from Britain, marking a significant milestone in African liberation. The formal transfer of power occurred in Lagos, where the Union Jack was lowered and Nigeria’s green-white-green flag was raised. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became the country’s first Prime Minister, while Nnamdi Azikiwe served as Governor-General, representing the British monarch. This independence wasn’t just a celebration; it symbolized Nigeria’s emergence on the global stage as a sovereign nation, capable of self-governance and charting its own development path. The achievement inspired other African nations still under colonial rule and as a big brother to the continent, Nigeria’s great independence fuelled further the fight for freedom in other African countries.
Nigeria was a major advocate for neighbouring states to gain freedom back then. This can be traced back to the monetary gifts at independence given to countries like Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Sao Tome & Principe, Niger, Zambia and Sudan during Lt Col Yakubu Gowon’s regime. This can also be traced down to how General Murtala Mohammed’s regime recognized MPLA in Nov 25th, 1975 and provided $20bn including military assistance in Angola.
This independence however, hasn’t entirely given us the chance to live the Nigerian way, and it should; change policies, put Nigeria first, fight off exploitations, produce our own finished goods, become industrialized, activate more traditional sustainable practices and become a united Africa.
Each time we live to see a 1st of October again, we are filled with hope and remembrance. We remember the taste of freedom and the joy that came with bidding farewell to the colonial masters. Each 1st of October reminds us of what we can do as a nation; all tribe and religion coming together to agree on one thing –Nigeria’s freedom. A feat and milestone that shows that as Nigerians we can do it! If we did it before, we can do it again!
And, this begins with us. We also have a hand in our struggles. We need to all agree that we want to be free completely, let no Nigerian go back to the old ways that got us stuck in the first place. No corrupt practices, nepotism and incompetencies. If we all have a united front, there will be no way we can ever be divided again. One thing the corrupt man needs to know is that you will gain more than you are currently getting from selling your people out. If only you will give a pause and watch how the milk and honey reaches everyone with exploiters who no longer see an entry gradually begin to give into our own demands. That is to say, everyone switches roles!
Many may want to grumble and ask why we celebrate on 1st of October for a nation swimming in economic hardships, insecurity and dependency. I say we celebrate because truly we gained legal independence in 1960 now we can do more together again, It’s time for economic freedom! It’s time for political freedom! It is time for greatness.
Instead of grumbling, mumble some prayers for the nation today: “O God of creation, this is a day that reminds us to regain freedom in all sectors for our dear country Nigeria. Help us to rise above poverty, dependency, insecurities, exploitations and to build a happy united nation where no man is oppressed”. Amen.
Hence! Naija Good!
Happy 65th independence anniversary, Nigeria!
Written By: Goodness Felix-Adebayo.
NIGERIA ,This is the day you totally smiled.
The prison was broken , chains fell off.
It is a supposed historical milestone that passed a message to generations after generations .
Welcome to Nigeria where we are independent.
Yes! We are black in a black country .
We are no longer insects caught in a web where limitations are the spins.
We rule ourselves and pioneer our inventions.
We no longer eat the crumbs of our fruits while remitting the whole plant to the white .
Clock ticks, ten decades and a half…
But now Nigerians, are we still free?
Are we truly independent, are we truly dominating?
Has the scars of the past not begun to retrograde?
Have we not raised the standard of living against ourselves?
Have we not turned the Guns on ourselves and made enemies from kinsmen?
With crude oil being exported and imported back as gold , are we still free?
Is the mantle of leadership not for a certain age group?
65 years of independence and still counting!
But I ask???
Where has independence truly affected??
Our mindset??
Or the country itself.
Poem Written by: theblessinggift 🖋️
You can read:
Kwame Nkrumah’s Book
- Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism
- Nkrumah, K. (1965). Neo-colonialism: The last stage of imperialism. Thomas Nelson & Sons, Ltd.
Walter Rodney’s Book
- How Europe Underdeveloped Africa
- Rodney, W. (1972). How Europe underdeveloped Africa. Bogle-L’Ouverture Publications ¹ ².
