Yet Another Independence Day!

_{Emmanuel Ikwuegbu}

---

Yeah, today is the first of October. It is yet another day for Nigerians to commemorate their independence from their colonizers. It is the day that the country comes together as a people to celebrate and show the world that she is waxing stronger and stronger. Growing and succeeding in all ramifications.

But then, that would make us frauds right? After all, it is not as if we are actually waxing stronger, or growing in all ramifications. On the contrary, everything seems to be on a steady decline and over the years it has come to a tipping point where any little thing can just send everything tumbling over.

So, I have to ask this, should we really be celebrating our Independence?

In the year 1960, the helms of power were handed over to Nigerians for them to do as they saw fit, and that is what they did. Because over the years, there would follow a trail of bad leader after bad leader, people coming in with the promise of making the country and economy better only to end up making their bank accounts better.

The cost of living is now through the roof, many people can no longer afford three square meals and still, and they are still having it better off than others. On a day like this, what do you think they will be thankful for?

_{Daniel Sikpi}

The thing is that when I think about this it makes me sad indeed. Because of what our heroes had done back then to make all this possible. They had been the ones fighting and working hard just so they could secure our freedom from our colonizers, they had done it with the vision of prosperity and progress in their minds, they had done it hoping that coming generations will be free to be whoever and whatever they wanted without fear or prejudice.

Their acts had been noble, but the main goal had not been achieved. Now, in my dear country, it is a full-time job to stay alive. A full-time job without pay! From terrorists to bandits to killer herdsmen, people are always running for their lives around here, then we still have to contend with crimes that can claim lives. And as if having evil people with big guns is not enough, we still have to be scared of the authorities even if we are not criminals.

It is very possible that just being a young guy can be a crime, and that can translate into a death sentence for some unfortunate ones. The Nigerian Police has cultivated the habit of extorting money from people and making arrests only based on looks, never conducting any real investigations. That is probably because real investigations take time and critical thinking, while the other way gives more money.

Presently, a lot of things seem to be wrong with the country, it is as if we are drowning under the weight of the bad decisions of our leaders and we just need to be saved. We are gasping for air, and anyone at all, that even looks to have the slightest chance of giving us that change that we are seeking, we would latch onto him with hope and longing.

_{Emmanuel Ikwuegbu}

So, my dear friends, what am I saying? Our forefathers that fought for our nation, tooth and nail to see that it was run solely by Nigerians, did not envision this particular future. In fact, the state of this country presently is an insult to their memory and the sacrifices they made. And that is something that needs to be changed.

However, if there is one thing I am happy about, it is the fact that people are now getting more involved in the affairs of the country. They are now beginning to ask questions and demand answers, letting those in power know that the days of getting away with things were now in the past.

I love my country, I really do, and I am ready to do what is necessary to pull it out of this state that it is in. And part of the necessary thing to do is to get my PVC which I have already applied for and awaiting collection, so that come February next year, I will cast my vote. Because one thing I am sure of, it is that whether they like it or not, my vote and that of every single Nigerian out there, must count.

We have indeed come a long way from 1960, although not in the direction we had hoped. But still, there is no reason to be weary. It is not too late to change course and get on the right track, we know what we have to do, and all that is left for us is to actually do it. That is the only condition; just do it. And hopefully, we all will have a Nigeria of our dreams in the nearest future. Hopefully, by next year when we would be celebrating this day again, we would have more things to be thankful for.

And on that note, I am wishing all Nigerians out there a happy Independence Day!

_{Emmanuel Ikwuegbu}

Thank you for reading. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below, I would love to know what you are thinking. Till we meet in the next post.