Today is Nigeria Independence Day but it is not looking like it. The atmosphere is more intense and moody and it’s not looking like anyone is in the mood for any celebration. I know that many people usually whine about today and say how today is not worth celebrating but hear me out first, there is nothing really worth celebrating today for as a Nigerian.
Something piqued my interest today. I am a member of one of the largest churches in the FCT and on days like this, everywhere in the church always exhumes green and white, and almost everyone will be displaying miniature Nigerian flags surprisingly today, I was keen enough to observe and count people that came to church with their miniature flags and I couldn’t count up to ten people in a church of over 10,000 worshippers. I was so interested to know why and to satisfy my curiosity; does it mean that people are no longer patriotic or people are no longer interested in celebrating Nigeria?
I was so curious that on my way home I stopped by and jokingly asked an “Aboki” selling the flags if he had made so many sales on the flag and he complained bitterly that this year was the worst for them and that people are not buying the flag this year, unlike previous years when they do make so many sales.
The point I am driving at is that you do not have to be smart to notice the mood in the air today. People are not happy with Nigeria, everyone despite their tribe, religion or political affiliation is not happy with the situation of things in Nigeria. This is not whining; things are extremely bad.
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First things first, people are angry with the government over the stolen election and the outcome of the election tribunal.
Secondly, people are angry with the fuel subsidy removal. Don’t get me wrong, the subsidy removal is a welcomed development but removing the subsidy without any plan already in motion to cushion the effect of the removal is not a welcomed development.
People are also angry with the high rate of dollars now. A dollar is currently sold above 1000 naira. It is an importation-based economy and the price of dollars will always determine the prices of goods and services in the market. Most people can no longer afford the daily minimum of a two-square meal.
With all these, how do you in good conscience expect anyone to celebrate Nigerian independence? A lot of folks are in a dire state, and some are even in a worse situation. Why should we then be celebrating independence; independent of what?
In fact, there are memes that have been in circulation on social media since last week that nobody should dare celebrate Independence Day because nothing is worth celebrating.
The bad news is that it will likely not get better anytime soon. I am not a prophet of doom but that is the reality. The dollar may even hit 2000 naira before the end of the year, and a litre of fuel may be sold at 800 naira before the end of the year. More people will fall into poverty, school fees will continue to increase and many students will drop out due to their inability to pay the increased fees; more businesses will shut down due to high maintenance costs and more people will lose their jobs. This is currently happening but it will happen more; now think of it and tell me if there is anything that is really worth celebrating.
Well, happy 63rd birthday to Nigeria, it has been 63 bad years so far but we can only keep our faith alive that tomorrow will be better.