OCTOBER 1ST INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY: A FADING MEMORY AND A DYING IDEOLOGY

Insight101WithCCFrancis (#614)

As Nigeria marked its Independence Day on October 1st, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of nostalgia and concern. Where has our national pride gone? The values we once held dear, as well as the excitement and unity that characterised our Independence celebrations, seem to be fading away.

I vividly remember the October 1st celebrations of my days as a teenager. Every year, we eagerly anticipated the march past parades, colourful events that brought students from all over the state together. The green and white flags, symbols of hope and a great future waved proudly in every hand. The atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter, music, and patriotic fervour. We celebrated our nation, our heroes, and the sacrifices they made for our freedom. That was the ideology our present generation knows nothing about!

Those were carefree days, filled with joy and national pride. I recall the plenty to eat and drink, the ice cream and lollipops that seemed as if they were made in heaven. Sometimes it drizzled, sometimes it was sunny, but we didn’t care – we were there to celebrate our nation.

As I drove through Lagos on the 2024 October 1, I saw a different picture. No flags, no celebrations, no excitement. Instead, I saw a mirage of policemen, armed and ready for battle at Ojota. The State Government House at Alusa was heavily armed with police and the road cut off with barricades. Even the park at the State House was completely sealed from the public.

The National Stadium, once a hub of activity on October 1st, lay deserted. The situation was equally bleak at other iconic Lagos locations. The National Arts and Culture Theatre, once a beacon of creativity and expression, stood eerily quiet. The beaches, which normally bustled with families and friends, were empty and still. The Race Course at the Island, a popular spot for recreation and leisure, was devoid of life. Even the National Museum, a treasure trove of Nigeria’s history, seemed forgotten.

As I reflected on the stark contrast between the past and present, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness and disappointment. What happened to our national event? Where is the patriotism that once united us? The fear and apathy that now grip our nation is palpable.

It’s not just the lack of celebrations that worries me. Nigeria is grappling with a harsh economic reality. Millions struggle to make ends meet, hunger and poverty stalk the land, and the heavy claw of insecurity tightens its grip daily. The anger and frustration are palpable, as people feel let down by the system. The cries of “we are suffering” echo through the streets, a stark reminder of the chasm between the promise of independence and the harsh realities of today.

On the Sunday preceding October 1st, as our church service drew to a close, our Pastor made a poignant announcement of a prayer rally for Nigeria. With a fervent gaze, he asked, “I believe in Nigeria, don’t you?” The response was telling: a chorus of nervous laughter echoed through the hall: a heartbreaking indication that even within our sacred walls, faith in our nation had waned. The once-resilient spirit of patriotism now seemed like a distant memory.

We can’t continue like this. We must revive the essence of October 1st, rekindle the flame of national pride, and reclaim our heritage. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and the heroes who fought for our independence. Let’s bring back the good old days, when patriotism was alive and well. Let’s sing, make merry, visit places, and have fun again. Let’s believe in Nigeria, and work together to build a brighter future – a future where every Nigerian is proud to be a Nigerian, where hope reigns supreme. Can this be possible or am I day-dreaming? Let me get your comments below.

I am CC Francis

…Always better than yesterday