On Saturday, October 1, 1960, the aspiration of the founding fathers and all Nigerians for an independent nation became a reality. It is 60 years Nigeria got her independence from the Great Britain. At the time of gaining independence, we were in the category of the third world with the likes of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. We got independence from the colonial masters about the same time although Indonesia's was earlier. We started off better through the efforts of founding fathers like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Alh. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and so on. But on January 15, 1966 the military truncated the progress of the nation by staging a coup and killing some of the people who fought for our independence. And since that ignominious military takeover, the country has been bedevilled by lack of foresighted leadership. At 60, we are only envious of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore we were once in the same category.

What are we celebrating at 60? Many of our roads are death traps. Our health system is in a shambles. Our educational system is nothing to write home about. No stable power supply. It is a pity that as the terrorists are destroying lives and properties, Nigerians are also being killed at will by killer herdsmen and armed bandits even in their ancestral homes. Nigeria had overtaken India as the nation with the highest number of poor people making her the poverty headquarters of the world. Also, Nigeria has never been so divided along ethnic and religious lines as it is in recent times. For all these “achievements”, past and present Nigerian leaders should “clap” for themselves.

Since the military interference in the administration of the country in 1966 until now, the country has lacked good and foresighted leadership. Nigeria has everything except patriotic, responsible and foresighted leadership. All you see at all levels of government is leadership of selfishness, impunity, ineptitude and highhandedness. Until we begin to have the right set of leaders, the Nigeria of our dream will continue to be a mirage. Also, there is an urgent need to put an end to sycophancy among Nigerian citizens. We should not because of support for a political leader or a political party lose our sense of reasoning. We should stop being myopic and defending the indefensible. We must therefore rise up as a matter of urgency and deliver ourselves from the hands of internal colonial masters who are parading themselves as leaders but are only interested in our commonwealth and treasury. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., "freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed". The same way the founding fathers demanded for an independent state, Nigerians must demand for good governance from those in government.

In conclusion, every leader should have a change of mindset about leadership and start working towards a better Nigeria. Every leader should ask themselves, "if every leader were like me, how would Nigeria be?" Also, every Nigerian should always strive to contribute positively to the progress of the nation. If everyone would be committed to their responsibilities as leaders and citizens of this country, there is no doubt Nigeria will become a nation to reckon with among the nations of the world.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Patiencepays is a Nairalander.