ROLLING THE DRUMS TO CELEBRATE THE GIANT OF AFRICA AT FIFTY
By
AHAZIAH ABUBAKAR SULEIMAN
Today is fifty years since the Union jack of colonial Britain was lowered and the green white – green flag hoisted to signify the independence of Nigeria.
Before now, every year on October one, Nigerians do roll out the drums to celebrate the independence anniversary of their beloved country. This year, the celebrations are with a difference. It is a year of jubilee for the country.
October one 1960 was a bright day for all Nigerians of all walks of life. On that day, Nigerians trooped to various venues for the celebrations across the county to celebrate the birth of a new nation.
The historic event took place at the Tafawa Balewa square in Lagos the then capital of the country. That day was a particularly remarkable day for school pupils who decked out in shiny new uniforms with their hands proudly waving the green white green national flag in a colourful match past.
Memories of the significant but unique ceremony of the lowering of the Union jack and the hoisting of the Nigerian flag brought tears to many patriots and Nationalists who thought that day was never going to come.
The applause that followed was full of patriotism amidst hope for a new independent nation-Nigeria that was just born; a nation with so much hope and promise, with a lot of prospects for a brighter future.
Fifty years on, Nigerians all over the world are gathered today to re-enact the soul stirring rendition of the national anthem of not only a new nation, but a giant, the heart of Africa. From the “Nigeria, we hail thee” to “arise all compatriots”, Nigeria has today come of age. No wonder, the loud drums for the celebration of the golden jubilee which started months ago will continue for many days come.
As Nigerians today salute their fatherland, the period again offers the opportunity to take in retrospect a view of the journey so far and undertake the rather difficult task of assessing the prospects for the near future.
Fifty years of Nigeria's independence, a nation which had only the Northern and Southern Protectorates, today has 36 states and the Federal capital Territory to administer and bring development closer to the people. That is not all, the then District Offices have now metamorphosed into 774 local government areas.
From just one university in 1960, there are more than one hundred Universities in the country today. Indeed there is no field of human endeavour that you will not find a Nigerian. That achievement alone is enough for the drums to be rolled to celebrate this giant of Africa.
The journey so far has not been a bed of roses. However, the gains of independence by far out weigh what was obtainable before the exit of the colonialists.
Today we have had more than eleven years of unbroken democratic rule making the country one of the biggest democracies in the world. There is massive infrastructural development all over the country. All the thirty six state capitals are moderately developed and in some cases much more developed than some nation's capital cities.
The country's dark spot remains the civil war it fought which was orchestrated by the military who thereafter dominated leadership in the country. The period of military rule witnessed decay in infrastructural development as well as in other spheres of human endeavours. The decay is gradually being reversed by the present democratic governance.
As Nigeria celebrate 50 years of independence, the drums are being rolled, the applauses are growing louder and louder than it was in 1960. Today Nigerians are celebrating hope, peace and unity in diversity. Nigerians from Calabar to Sokoto, Lagos to Maiduguri and indeed in the Diaspora are celebrating the dawn of a new era where tribe and religion no longer holds way.
Nigeria is indeed a land of hope and promise, a nature's gift to man, so let the drums roll on.
Broadcast On October 1, 2010
