Opinion: 6 decades, 3 years Nigeria Struggles In-dependence

Adeniran Tolulope Stephen

Nigeria, a giant country amidst the African continent, gained its independence on this day 63 years ago. Sometimes, most really prefer calling the name 'Naija,' because it was gotten from the Niger River that flows from the northern part to the southern part.

Was there any reason for Nigeria's Independence? Looking into the past, there was a duty for our forefathers; the duty was to save Nigeria from its colonial fathers. Why? They suffered a lot, and they do not want to suffer any longer. They want the suffering to end. They fought a hard fight with the colonizers, who in turn have been enslaving them for several years. In the blink of an eye, they finally saved themselves and their future generations from the colonizers on October 1st, 1960. The statements that came out of the Yorubas then was

'A ti gba òmìnira (We're independence)'. 

Independent, were we truly? For years later, they had to go through several difficult processes, fighting internal enemies, and the military system of government. Many were destroyed, dispatched, and dislocated as a result of wars. Independent indeed. Meanwhile, everyone believed they were trying to follow the process of becoming independent states like the USA. The interesting part is that those who died in this process are known as Heroes.

Several fights, wars, and coups led them to 1993 when an election was held — The Democratic Election. Since then, we started electing our leaders, no coup d'etat, no military government transition. But, the election result  that very year was not upheld. Elections that were later held after the general election held in 1993, determined the next President to serve Nigerians.

We started having a lot of politicians who know not more than their own; they come to power to rule for four years without finding anything to do. 'Omi ìnira rèé (This is Water of suffering)', this is what the Yorubas say when they realize the aftermath consequences of electing bad leaders.

Has the 'Omi ìnira (Water Of Suffering)' now changed to 'Òmìnira (Freedom)' after electing another president just six months ago? Oh, most Nigerians nowadays don't even have concerns about who they have as leaders— 'Ká ṣà ti ní ìjọba gidi (At least, we should have good governance)'. They tend to keep quiet in their own house during elections and come out to blame those who elect bad leaders; then, at the end, what comes out of their mouths is 'Wọ́n kúkú tí fẹ́ pa wá tán (They have want to succeed in killing everybody).'

'Tufiakwa, I know my President, You know your INEC-proclaimed president', that's them, those that voted. Their mouth will always move helter-skelter to tarnish the image of the same president the majority elected because the election was not on their candidates' side.

Do we still have to borrow money before we can accomplish what's on a budget? That's why many will say we're 'In dependence' and not 'Independence.' Meanwhile, being independent entails that you have enough resources to cater for what's on the budget. 'Wọ́n tún tí fẹ́ lọ yá owó', another critic will land when the government is trying to borrow a loan for what they have in mind to do.

'Free education sef no dey again' , a student telling his friend after their school can no longer depend on the government they elected again. They are now independent on their own, 'auto-nomy' as it is called. 

Before we know it, 'A tún ti pé 63(We're now 63)'.

'Shey òmìnira rèé àbí omi ìnira?(Freedom or Water of Suffering) ', coming from their mouths after the president said he will address the nation.