By Kumshin Joel Ashinnan.

Today marks the 60th anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence from British colonial rule. Nigeria like many other African countries was a colony of Britain until it gained it’s Independence as a sovereign state on October 1st 1960. This day is set aside yearly to celebrate the Independence of Nigeria and to look back reflecting on how much has been achieved. Looking critically at the present situation of things in the country, one has to wonder is there really any cause for celebration? Things don’t seems to be getting better, infact they might be getting worse hence I see no need for celebration. I say this not because I hate the celebration of such a milestone in the life of our dear country Nigeria. I opted for Zero celebration because there is indeed nothing to celebrate.
Why should we celebrate while we are still fighting insurgency in the Northeast region?

Why should Nigerians celebrate when the abducted Chibok girls are yet found? Why should Nigerians celebrate when we have bandits terrorising every corner of the country? Why should Nigerians celebrate when we have several separatist agitation groups in our midst? Why should Nigerians celebrate when kidnappers and arm rubbers are holding citizenry to ransom? Why should we celebrate when we cannot define who is a Nigerian citizen? Why should we celebrate when our labour unions swerves in any positive decision?

There are so many reasons to why I think this year anniversary should be postponed indefinitely until we get ur act right. It’s a matter of deep regret that Nigeria has squandered it’s God given potentials to be great among comity of Nations.

Let us use our 60th anniversary to take stock of our existence so far and see what we have done wrongly and those we have done rightly and make amend for a glorious future. We cannot keep making same mistake and think we shall get it right someday.
At 60th, we are still concerned with which tribe to give appointments and which tribe should be denied appointments base on how they cast their votes at election, a personal and voluntary duty. At 60th, we plan with unreasonable estimates. At 60th, we cannot boast of portable water to every part of Nigeria, our electricity supply is epileptic and eractic as ever. Our education system is in dare need of revamping to match with global standards. The same can be said of our health care system, our roads remain among the worst in the world in terms of quality and size couple with famed poor maintenance culture. A lot more to be said, but I pray we will one day get it right.

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Nigeria at 60, nothing to celebrate