When the British raj was ousted by our heroes of the past 6 decades ago, there was a thrill of hope hovering over the cloud as Nigerians stepped out in thousands and celebrated our swift escape from the follies of imperialism.



On this day in October 1st, 1960, there was a loud blast of African music steaming the radios of every home and cheers of cacophonous voices hitting the streets ceaselessly. Freedom was a hot commodity then, and one without it was flung into a sober mood.



So it wasn't at all a surprise seeing every citizen in this high spirit of jollity when the news of independence was announced.



Moreover, that was the day the grim feeling of slavery, which has stung the black race and lasted for several decades vanished in us. The general idea was that our bedeviling masters are the only obstacle, and the only time we can live nobly is when they are out of the way.



Well, this is 60 years after Independence and all we could see is a feverish State of lost souls and dreams -- dying hope and faith. As it is, Nigeria is losing its position as a home, as its citizens depart from it in barges to foreign nations.



Now, there is a ravaging hunger and a news of sheer general collapse when you pay careful attention, and such can force a man to go to bed early with the hope not to wake up the next day and realise that he is in Nigeria. Yes, it is a complete mess; Nigeria has been reduced to a suburb where people are slaughtered in hundreds, and in which a man can't sleep with his two eyes closed.



More so, even those who sang of its praises just yesterday are sourly regretting that they are part of this history, and oftentimes lost in the volleying thought of how Nigeria got here as a country.



Perhaps we should go back to the days before independence and rest in the cold arms of colonialism, if that is the only option. For it seems we are wearing away by the day without any hope of recovery.



Obviously, Nigeria would be clocking 60 years tomorrow and there would be a wild celebration where the President would recount the uncommon achievements of his regime.



Unfortunately, there is nothing worth celebrating about the country. The leaders are hoggish and treat the people with a reckless abandon as though they are tramps.



The celebration you would see tomorrow is only an artful show to defend the indefensible and convince a man that he is fine when he is only 2 metres away from his grave.


If Nigeria is anything today, it is nothing more than a bed wetting giant at 60.


By Corporal Mark Jnr.