Opinion: Critical thoughts on Independence Day celebration

by Akachdike Kanu

Over this weekend I have received a few “goodwill messages” from some of my close friends in Nigeria wishing us “happy independence day” celebrations. In fact a friend actually hosted me and a few other friends to what he called a combination of his son´s birthday party and Nigeria´s Independence Day celebration in Madrid! I honoured the invitation and had the opportunity to meet other fellow Nigerians and to share thoughts on some national issues of general interest. This shows just how far Nigerians can go to express their love for their home country.

During one of the group discussions at the party, a beautiful young Nigerian lady narrated how she and her family had glued their eyes on a documentary on the Independence Day via Channels Television online broadcast. She also showed us the new WhatsApp profile picture of her 14 year old son who has hardly been to Nigeria. The profile picture displays a screen shot from events of 1960 Independence Day ceremonies. I could catch a glimpse an image of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Belewa and what looks like a member of a British guard of honour during the historic event of hand-over of power from the former colonial rulers to an indigenous government.

As she shared her sentiments, an awkward air of silence enveloped the celebration mood. It was tensed underscored by a sense of uncertainty about any reason to celebrate “Independence” in the first place. But for the pleasant autumn breeze that caressed our bodies in the public garden park where we were hanging out, the tension increased almost without an end. The silence grew and persisted. Then I decided to break it. I had a teaser. I asked: What if we invited the Brits or Americans for that matter, to come back and take over the reins of government in Nigeria? Oddly enough, not a few of us sprang to their feet in support of the yet awkward motion. In fact no one opposed it; although a minority others sank into even further silence!

We began to talk again: If we have often had to engage the services of best brains and hands in the corporate world for example to make sure the job done properly, and this works out as expected in most cases, why would we not do the same for some of the high positions in government? If only this would work in Nigeria, why not? Just pay the proven and tested “expat(s)” their due benefits and they get the job done! By now nearly every one of us was nodding their heads with ironic smile. Of course we all understood that this was a weird idea. But it was a critical thought provoking silence breaker anyway. The party continued with more discussions. Was it a problem or mistake to have political independence in the first place?

Some argue that certain of the then newly independent states were (and still are?) not ripe for independence given that they lacked the requisite institutions and manpower for self-rule. Yet this line of thought is often challenged by the sheer fact that many of these former colonies had pre-existed as flourishing (pre-colonial) states and civilisations, with well organised and functional social systems – civilian government, judiciary, military, etc. Others opine that the problem lies in the fact that colonialists have had to bequeath new or alien socio-political structures on their colonial creation upon granting “independence”. This notion implies that a certain allowance for “learning curve” period is necessary for adaptation, functionality and stability. Yet the consequential question of what is an appropriate time line or space-time model for an effective maturation process begs answers. For example, if Nigeria has spent close to 60 years of independence trying to get it right but to no avail and contrary to all initial expectations, when and how would it ever breakthrough?

There could never be ready made answers to the above questions, certainly not on an Independence (cum birthday) party floor! In any case we have to savour our party pepper soup with little or no talking, lest we are chocked in the throat by hot pepper! Yet as we “celebrate” our “independence”, it would be imperative to spare some thoughts, and words (plus work) on the fundamental issues on the backdrop of the primary purpose and expectations from self-governance as opposed to colonial rule.


Op–ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija

Akachidike Kanu is a registered professional engineer in Nigeria. He is also a social entrepreneur and co-founder of Empowerment Serve, a non-profit community service endeavour based in Doha Qatar.

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