Nigeria celebrates her independence every year on October 1st. Even Nigerians in diaspora do not fail to partake in this homage paid to the freedom fighters and other national leaders who fought for the independence of Nigeria from the colonial rule. The celebration is an ideal platform for national integration in Nigeria.
The President broadcasts a live speech on television and radio to mark the commencement of Independence Day celebrations. There will be flag raising ceremony to honor the nation. The armed forces parades with cultural dancers are followed after the Presidential speech.
Below are the major Independence Day Quotes from President Buhari's speech I loved most:
1. No temporary problems or passing challenges should stop us from honoring this day. Let us remind ourselves of the gifts God has given us.
2. We have all the attributes of a great nation. We are not there yet because the one commodity we have been unable to exploit to the fullest is unity of purpose.
3. Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President Jonathan for not digging-in in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country untold consequences.
4. Every new government inherits problems. Ours was no different. But what Nigerians want are solutions, quick solutions not a recitation of problems inherited.
5. We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behavior in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.
There are different ways Nigerians mark this day. In celebrating Nigeria at 55, some citizens will mark the day in one or two of the following ways:
1. Recreation - Some Nigerians will go to different recreation centres such as beaches, amusement parks, etc.
2. Sleep and Rest - Due to the stress some Nigerians pass through between Mondays and Fridays, they will use the public holiday declared for Independence to sleep and rest. Such people will not leave their homes.
3. Visitation - Nigerians who have not had the time to say hello to their friends for a while will do so.
4. Social Media Buzz - Nigerians who love interacting on social media will take to the platform to express their views on how far Nigeria has come since independence. Some will criticize the government and tell people that there's no reason to celebrate. While others will give appreciate the government and hope for more to come.
5. Partying - Some people will organise concerts to mark the Independence anniversary.
6. Follow the Media - People will follow the media to listen to the president’s speech and know how other Nigerians are celebrating.
7. Sports - This is common with men and the youths. Neighbourhoods without football pitches will have the streets turned into football fields.
8. Independence Parade - Students across nursery, primary and secondary institutions will wear their school uniforms and march at stadiums. It will be competitive and winners are announced. Dancers are not left behind as culture will be displayed.
At the end of the day, some friendships will be destroyed as people disagree over the state of the nation, families will be broken as drunk men beat up their wives and children.
While we celebrate the Independence day, let us remember Aesop’s The Bundle of Sticks. This short fable tells of a man whose sons often quarrel among themselves. To show them the benefit of working together, he brings them a bundle of sticks. He asks them to break the bundle of sticks. As expected, the brothers
cannot break the sticks when they are together. However, they can easily be broken individually.
The moral of this story is written as:
My sons, if you are of one mind, and unite to assist each other, you will be as this bundle, uninjured by all the attempts of your enemies; but if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as easily as these sticks.
Long live Nigeria!
God bless Nigeria!
