A Nation at 49

Yesterday, 1 October 2009 was the 49th independence annivarsary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Nation. Happy INDEPENDENCE ANNIVESARY my dear Country.

My wish for this great Nation is to keep growing strong. I believe that Nigeria will survive all odds.

There so may issues I would have liked to write about, such as the eratic power supply, bad roads, miliants in the Niger Delta, strike by teachers and lecturers, strike by medical workers etc. Of all these, the one that tops my list is the unrest in the Niger Delta. The entire militancy episode had been a huge bone in the neck of all well-meaning Nigerians. For years, I have avoided visiting that part of the country. This is strange particularly for someone from that part of the country.

During the just concluded sittings of the Truth and Reconcilliation Commission in Rivers State, so many "things" were brought to the open. I was among the group of Nigerians, particularly the Niger Delta people who hoped that the findings of the Commission will bring lasting peace to the Niger Delta. Wishful thinking.

On Thursday, 25 June 2009, the Federal Government proclaimed amnesty for the Niger Delta militants. Simply put, amnesty is a pardon for government offenders. The condition attached to this was that the militants would "willingly" give up possession of all illegal arms in their possession. Not so long after the amnesty programe began, some "militants" surrendered their arms and then they were rehabilitated. They even had the opportunity to get some pocket money! Anyway, I have been watching the whole process keenly. When the word militant is mentioned their are some names/groups that pop up in my head. Names like Ateke Tom, Tompolo, Boyloaf and groups like MEND. So far, Boyloaf laid down his arms some weeks ago and yesterday, Ateke Tom laid down his arms.

All I am praying for right now is for a lasting peace in the Niger Delta. I am also praying that the education sector would get the needed attention it deserves.

Happy Independence Celebration!
Long Live Nigeria!
Long Live my fatherland!

It is well with NIGERIA in Jesus name.

Nigeria is 48!

Hurray Nigeria is 48!

The 1st day of October is the independence anniversary for NIGERIA! Every year, October 1st is declared a public holiday. Workers stay at home and just relax with friends and family.

The Nigerian history is incompleted without the story of her independence from its colonial masters.

Let me go into a little history by informing those who do not know that the first black speaker of the House of Representative was Jaja Wachuku. Jaja Wachuku replaced Sir Frederick Metcalfe. It was during his tenor as Speaker, on the 1st day of October 1960, that Wachuku received the Freedom Charter, Nigeria's Instrument of Independence from the Queen of the United Kingdom. The Queen was represented by Princess Alexandra of Kent at the independence ceremony.

The At 48, I'd say Nigeria is still a "young" growing Nation!

Happy INDEPENDENCE anniversary Nigeria!

Long live Nigeria! Long live Africa!

United States of America is 232 years old!

Today, July 4 is Independence day in the United States of America. Happy Independence Celebration America! It would be recalled that with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on the 4th day of July 1776 the United States of America gained its independence from Great Britain. The last paragraph of the unanimous Declaration of the then thirteen States of America read thus:

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

With this declaration, the Thirteen Colonies voted unanimously adopted the declaration of independence and therefore established the United States of America. To all my American friends, to my brothers, sisters and loved ones in America, HAPPY INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY!