Nigeria’s Misty Sixty -By Anase Momoh

The last time I checked, a sexagenarian must have made many success records commendable enough to encourage the youngsters yearn for that age. Today, voices well over 60 million here and in diaspora have a common emblem – Nigeria. An echo, loud enough to translate our lost identity into a well refined entity. An existence dynamic enough to strike a symphony; a chord whenever and wherever she’s mentioned.

Let’s just pretend it’s the early 60s, long before the civil war. Imagine an independent Nigeria established to maintain a federal system with an elected prime; grand and worth emulating. Even the climate was entirely fascinating and there were a few upheavals no doubt, but the standards were boldly written. Her effective principles with some patriots was able to earn relevance and global magnetism and till date, Nigeria is seen as the Giant of Africa.

As the first victory, a new constitution replaced the British-style with a presidential one, and subsequently new level of administration followed another, and….we are back to a world void of solidarity and inherently immersed in oceans of disparity. I genuinely think we need a deliberate warehouse to store the large amount of wasted logistics and resources we’ve had over the years, and see for sure what a mess we are as a nation. What do we tell the generations coming? What legacy can we offer them?

We are meant to be in a position that could enact real change and by chance secure for us a better space. Unfortunately, our collective bargain to attain a sincere level of oneness and peace has been trampled on, and here we are celebrating a three score delay of progress. It seemed we all agreed to the adjournment of a peaceful coexistence, or how else do we explain a ruling class whose mindset has been channelled only to fulfilling personal needs than that of the masses.
It’s a misty independence anniversary this day, and with tears in our eyes, the only memory we’ve got is one painted in blood, stained with souls lost in the fight for true justice and equity.

We really deserve a celebration, but one spiced up in splashes of love and massive development.