Today marks the 58th year Nigeria gained independence from British Colonial rule. However, opinion is divided across board on how the nation has fared since 1960 or judging by the unending challenges facing the country.
National Pilot’s quartet of MATTHEW DENIS, KAYODE ADEOTI, MIKE ADEYEMI AND ABIODUN BOLUJOKO in this report ask legal practitioners, the Chairman of the Christian Association, Kwara State Chapter, Evang (Prof) Timothy Opoola whether the 58th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria is a blessing or curse?
I see independent as blessing: I see the 58th independent as blessing to the country. I was four years when the country got her independence in 1960 and we want to thank God for sparing our lives to witness the 58th anniversary.
In 1978 when I was travelling to Russia with N100 given to me, I changed the money to S708 and when we were in Form 2, we were told that Nigeria is the leading in cocoa, groundnut, cotton and rubber production but now we are nowhere and things have gone so bad.
When we’re young there was no sentiment whether you are a Christian or Muslim, we worked together but now Nigeria has been polarised politically and religion wise. Despite the challenges, we’re still experiencing unity and peace among the people. Christians must repent and ask God for mercy and forgiveness over our sins – KWARA STATE CHAIRMAN OF CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, EVANG (PROF) TIMOTHY OPOOLA.
Those days, judges can’t be bought over: From 1960 to 1965, I was the first registrar of Kabba Division Criminal Court. This court was started after the independence. Before independence, judiciary was respectable. I was the highest judicial officer as a secondary school graduate. Those days, the judiciary was very upright but now, many people are complaining that cases are bought by some powerful persons in the society. There are cases of jugdes compromising their stand over money. But since I’ve been practising professionally in 1971, I’ve never approached any judge, I don’t influence my ways, many of the judges are my classmate but I move away from them so that it doesn’t appear as if I’m buying my ways. I’ve never seen a lawyer in my life before I was asked to be one. During the old time, we didn’t go to law school but we did a judicial course at the institute of administration in 1960 to 61 with late justice Ekundayo. It was later I went to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) for Diploma in Law… People in those days are of good conduct, in fact, I didn’t just become court registrar per chance but I was recommended because of my outstanding and moral character – VETERAN LEGAL PRACTITIONER, CHIEF TUNJI AROSANYIN
Nigeria, a failed state: Looking at the independence in the judicial system, we are better because we are now self sufficient with man power except for some few elements that are corrupt. Our judiciary has improved greatly but politically it is a failure. Nigeria as a whole is a failed state. I wish we were still under the colonial rule. We’ve failed in many ways – ABENI MUHAMMED, SAN
It’s never a curse: I cannot agree that it is a curse, it is always better to be independent so that one will be able to do it things in the best way. It is a good thing to get liberated from the shackles of those controlling one unduly. To me, the nation’s independence is not a curse but blessing – SAKA ABIMBOLA ISAU, SAN
Nigeria independence still growing: I’ve to be very frank with you, comparing the judiciary before the independence and after, the two scenarios does not tally. The judiciary was so small during the colonial era. The system we used then was imposed on us by the colonial masters. Population factor affected the judiciary system we operated then. The population of the whole of Nigeria was not up to the population of Kano State now.
The personnel then were very few compared to now, and the more you have people, the more you have challenges.
To me, in the judiciary sector, Nigeria is not doing badly at all. The only problem we have now is the population which the administration imposed on us. What Nigerians do not realize is that they’re comparing our democracy with that of America which is over 200 years. What is 58 years in the life of a nation? Nigerians should be patient with our leaders and we should be honest, our behavior is what we encourage them to act – FORMER GRAND KHADI OF THE SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, HON. JUSTICE OLORUNTOYIN MUHAMMED
Unity of 1960, no longer in place: I was in Primary 6 in 1960 and independence celebration then was meant to be celebration of total liberation of the country contrary to what we have today.
Unfortunately, the zeal of the celebration then is no more there today because of the little attention given to it by the current leadership.
Imaging the preparation given to the celebration then by everyone particularly the school children who dressed in their school uniforms, with the national flag for March pass.
Above all, the country was so united, and that gave a lot of meaning to the celebration.
But I still believe there is hope for us in Nigeria, because Nigeria from all indices, is meant to be a great country – RETIREE, SAMUEL USMAN
To certain extent, it’s a blessing: I was 10 when Nigerian gained independence in 1960. The fact that Nigeria is still a sovereign entity for the past 58 years is alone a blessing.
Things might not be going in the pace we expected but that should not be translated to total disaster.
Our current leaders have deviated from the ideology of the founding fathers such as; Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello and Nnamdi Azikwe – CLERGY MAN, DR. DAVID ABOLARIN
Greed, mismanagement has cost us dearly: I was a 16 years old farmer in 1960. Before independence, no one was interested in having excessive money.
Now, civilization and greed has taken over. When we got independent we were happy, but since then things have been going from better to worse.
I would not say that independence is bad but civilisation and greed have cost us our resources in terms of management –FARMER, AZEEZ ADEBAYO.
Things have gone so bad since then: I was 15 yrs old and in Primary 3 in 1960. It’s so sad today that our nation has grown from good to worse. I could remember that before people don’t struggle to gain admission into tertiary institutions, admissions were given on merit. Before you graduate, there was a position and official car already on ground. But now our children after graduation wait for many years without a job – FLORENCE BOLUJOKO, PENSIONER
