By Anukam Ebenezer
Come October 1st 2020, the nation marks 60 years since it gained Independence from the Great Britain. A series of activities follow up yearly to mark the celebrations although the government has noted that due to Covid-19, the activities will be restricted and rather ‘lowkey’.
Nigeria being the largest economy in Africa and currently the most populous black nation in the globe, since independence, has had its fair share of ups and downs, but has remained together for 60 years.
Mixed reactions have continued to trail this year’s celebrations, as Nigerians share their thoughts on the current state of the nation. Being an incredibly diverse and polarized nation, views differ across the Nigerian landscape as celebrations begin to unfold.
Some notable Nigerians have also had their say on the state of affairs in the country. Among these notable Nigerians, Barr. Mike Ozekhome (SAN) , a senior advocate and influential lawyer, noted that Nigeria is practicing feeding bottle democracy.
In his words ‘’I am sad indeed. I am surely sad that Nigeria is still practicing ‘feeding bottle’ democracy or come and chop democracy. I am quite sad that of the pluralistic 374 ethnic groups in Nigeria, only three or four are given primacy and preferential treatment- fulanis, Hausas, yorubas and igbos, in that order.
I cannot join Nigerians in celebrating our 60th year anniversary of mere flag independence that has made us remain nothing but an ordinary appendage of neo-colonial interests. I am indeed sad because our successive leaders have woefully failed the nation, the present generation and future generations’’. An irate Ozekhome noted,
For Leo Stan Ekeh, who is the CEO, Zinox, there are lots of positives to take . He however expressed optimism that Nigeria will get better.
He was speaking at the launch of the tech experience centre in Lagos , one of the very many projects being undertaken by the current administration to reposition Nigeria technologically.
He quipped “ Nigeria’s journey as a sovereign independent nation is one that is filled with so many memorable milestones. Although we still face some peculiar challenges , there is still so much to be proud of at 60.
In the same vein, the launch of the tech experience centre represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s march to technology independence”. He also expressed belief that the salient steps being taken by the government in the midst of so much hardship and difficulty will surely reposition the country.
Although some groups have threatened to protest tomorrow over the state of the economy which they described as painful, the Nigerian government has noted that it will celebrate the Diamond jubilee despite the impact of the covid-19 pandemic which has divided the line of thoughts of various Nigerians on how the celebration should go on in the midst of the pandemic.
