This is one of the best Independence message I've come across in the last 2 years of the current administration, and surprisingly, its coming from a South-Easterner (@baba's 5%).


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Fifty seven (57) years ago, a flag was raised over a city in west africa, sometime in the early hours of the morning. Designed carefully by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi , the flag was unfurled for the first time, in front of a large crowd of people. With that simple act, a dream called the Republic of the Nigeria began.

It was not just the dream of nationhood that led to that moment, Or of self-rule by a people that had languished under years of suffering by a foreign ruler. It was also a dream of equitable progress and prosperity, for a multitude that had long been denied their just share in the bounty of their homeland. A dream to be heard, to live a life without fear, and not be forgotten.

But exactly 57 years after, is it not saddening that our people are still fighting for the same things? To be included, to speak freely and be heard, to be remembered, to live without fear?

For sure, there have  been laudable milestones, and many of our people are living in better conditions. They have better access now to almost everything material. Economic numbers show that our nation is wealthier than before. But the root of our people’s suffering on the ground is our failure to equitably distribute such wealth and power.

Official poverty estimates have shown that millions of the poor in our country have either moved closer to the poverty line or been lifted out of it. These numbers represent real lives given a bit more hope. But they have yet to show, in reality, if this improvement in the poverty figures have made a difference in income inequality, or simply, in the pockets of the common Nigerian. As the population of the poor grows, the rich get richer. Clearly, the work ahead of us is still huge.

The long path towards democracy and the movements that came afterwards—sustaining it, strengthening it, and now defending it—has been marked by dedication, honor, and valor. But it was also fraught with bitter mistakes, a huge detour towards dictatorship, senseless deaths, increasing poverty, and shattered dreams. 

There is no doubt that true democracy is indeed a difficult road for our leaders, having only been subjected previously to the caste/kingship system, and the use of force, hence, the concept of democracy and freedom of speech is still a new one, quite difficult to adapt to but, there is always power in taking the difficult road. It transforms the concept of democracy into something tangible. That’s because inconvenience and discomfort fuels empathy and real understanding. When we take the inconvenient path, it becomes easier to listen to the people with our hearts, and not our ears.

These are the moments that allow us to set aside the narrative of divisiveness, hate, anger, and attacks that we experience in our nation today. It is true what someone said in passing: life is too short to bathe in other people’s rage. Instead, we must change the narrative with hope, unity, and positive conversations. *This is something that all of us can do to defend democracy. This is something that anyone—notwithstanding political color, tribe, religion, or gender—can do to fight for truth and freedom.

Pope Francis said in a January 2017 interview, and I quote: “Constant divisive attacks on other people or groups are not helpful and do not lead us to sanctity. It’s good to keep up with the world, but not through rage-filled people or news sources that purposefully goad us to unhealthy anger”.

We all believe that defending our democracy is our biggest fight today. The hard work of protecting democracy will require all of us to be strongly united. We may have disagreements on how to do things, but we should never allow these disagreements to divide us. These are extraordinary times, and if we are not able to lay aside our differences and talk to one another, we will be fighting enemies within as well as without. We will not stand a chance. It is imperative that we are united and focused on what are truly important.

We are already seeing our institutions being eroded. They are already weakening. We must move swiftly and effectively, if we are to ensure that they are strong enough for our children’s children. And more importantly, we must point our institutions towards inclusivity if we are to create a nation strong enough in these extraordinary times. In doing that, let us be more serious about giving the marginalized a seat at the table. When there is inclusivity, even at the birth of all our efforts, we are more likely to succeed.

Throughout the history of the world, from the Egyptians during the early days of mankind, to today’s technologically empowered societies, the roots of discontent have been caused by weak institutions that allow an entrenched minority to monopolize economic and political power. A documentation of why nations fail shows that countries that have allowed democracy to thrive and built strong, inclusive institutions are countries where people thrive better. We need that desperately now: the Nigerian people deserve to thrive better.

One thing I am definitely convinced about is that, Nigerians are better than this. Better than this division, disdain and despair. We can chase away the clouds and let the sun shine through. The sun of honor and truth. The sun of freedom, fairness and equality.

We can connect, empower and emancipate Nigerians.
We can get our fiscal house in order, With our own resources, and without foreign investments.

We can tackle the true living crisis: the high cost of living. We can end the war on drugs, and cyber crimes, build universal health care and reinvest in education.

Nigeria is woven of many strands: religious and secular; black, brown and white; Igbo, yoruba, Hausa, and numerous other; male, female; rural and urban. We can recognize it and let it so remain.

These are only possible, if We begin to speak to each other again with civility and decency, whether online or off, and in the expectation of securing goodwill from one another. We didn’t get to be the richest, freest country in the Africa on a fuel of mutual disdain. What we have, we’ve built with the mutual respect that makes working together possible. It is only possible if all Nigerians aspire to prove themselves trustworthy to one another, to stand beside each other, and to hope to guide one another generously, in a spirit of equality, regardless of tribe or religious sentiments and upholding justice for all.

I want you to understand that we can banish the dark and that we can again restore the lamp of human dignity.

The job will not be easy. The world today is a very different place. What worked before may no longer work now. This is the time to admit that where we are now in our journey towards democracy, may be the result, not just of other people’s mistakes, but also ours. Where did we go wrong? How do we now move forward? 

I don’t have the answers. All I know is what I can see and what I hear.
The most courageous act, perhaps, is to acknowledge our weaknesses, to acknowledge the truth, and let it change us. And that it is time to listen to others with divergent views. Again, a quote from Pope Francis:

“In times of crisis, we lack judgment, and that is a constant reference for me. [We] look for a savior who gives us back our identity and let us defend ourselves with walls, barbed-wire, whatever, from other people who may rob us of our identity. And that is a very serious thing. That is why I always try to say: talk among yourselves, talk to one another.”

We have done that today—talked to one another—and because of that, we should be full of hope.  Let us listen to each other and continue to collaborate. We must do this more often, not just during various national and religious celebrations.

Finally, i say, we are all stakeholders in nation building. Wherever we are from, the east, west, north or south, those are just geographical markers of division. When you look at the sky, you wouldn't see any of those markers. "Let us build bridges of understanding, not walls. Let us bury our egos and our pride, and let empathy arise. Let us not just think of democracy as a concept, but as a means to lessen the suffering of the people. Let us not defend democracy for democracy’s sake, but for the emancipation of the last, the least, and the lost.
So, on this auspicious day, the first of October, let us once again celebrate the greatness of our nation with a renewed hope for our people, and most of all, the glory of our future!

Happy new month and happy independence celebration.

God bless You!

Good bless the University of Nigeria

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

- Rt. Hon. Obasi. D. C. Chinedu
Speaker, SUG House of Representatives
University of Nigeria, Enugu

[/b]"Finally, i say, we are all stakeholders in nation building. Wherever we are from, the east, west, north or south, those are just geographical markers of division. When you look at the sky, you wouldn't see any of those markers. "Let us build bridges of understanding, not walls. Let us bury our egos and our pride, and let empathy arise. Let us not just think of democracy as a concept, but as a means to lessen the suffering of the people. Let us not defend democracy for democracy’s sake, but for the emancipation of the last, the least, and the lost."[b] Sorry man.That was in the yesteryears.Nigeria of today have no place for unity,peace,eligantarism and progress because of the over domineering influence of the core north.