60 YEARS OLD; A MOCKERY OF THE FIGURE?
A PIECE WRITTEN BY: BELLO MUHYDEEN ADEWALE

Days at Baptist Boys High School keeps popping up whenever October 1st draws nearer. Of course not because of any other thing but because of the yearly inter-class debate competition our Teachers subjected us to. The topic usually reads "Nigeria at (50)(51)(52),is there any course for celebration?" and each class through a representative will either Support or Speak against the topic.

Things were not even as tough as it is today, so whether you are in support or against, one thing is certain, you will definitely have valid points to talk about and fellow students and panel of judges would reason with your submissions.

At 60, one would have thought that past events and experiences would have positively affected the perspective of the celebrants or is it safe to say Age is just a number?
Is it safe to say she is a fool at 60? since we know a fool at 40 is a fool forever.
Is it safe to say we are celebrating retrogression?
Is it safe to say we are celebrating hypocrisy?
Is it safe to say we are celebrating incompetence?
Is it safe to say we are celebrating gullibility, insurgency and insecurity?
Is it safe to say we are celebrating backwardness?
Is it safe to say we are celebrating the theoretical unity we claim to have or the practical division displayed by those in the realm/corridors of power?

Indeed, growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional. Regardless, we will still pen our birthday wishes to the celebrant.

Happy birthday to a country older than some of our fathers, mothers and grandparents.

Happy Independence to a country tagged the giant of Africa but looks like an ant of Africa.

Happy Independence to a country where citizens work like an elephant but survives like an ant.

Happy birthday to that country whose citizens have no value except they cross the border before their potentials are fully shown.

Happy birthday to a country marking her 60years of independence but still dwells in the shackles of Neo-colonalism.

Happy birthday my beloved country.
Happy Independence Nigeria.