Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Islie: 9:03am On Oct 02, 2020 |
Nigeria prepares to celebrate its independence anniversary, the BBC’s Nduka Orjinmo selects six images, one from each decade, that represent watershed moments in the country’s 60 years of self-rule.
1960s – The making of an African giant
After decades of British colonial rule, Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa took on the reins of power and led independent Nigeria’s new coalition government.
The celebrations lasted for weeks in some parts of the country and for those present at the Race Course (now Tafawa Balewa Square) in Obalende, Lagos, on 1 October 1960, it was an unforgettable experience.
“Just before the stroke of midnight, they switched off the lights and lowered the British Union Jack,” Ben Iruemiobe, then a bright-eyed 16-year-old student who witnessed the raising of the Nigerian flag, told the BBC.
“Then at midnight, the lights were switched back on and the green-white-green stood majestically for all to see.
“This was followed by a volley of fireworks, then the military band played and we rejoiced.”
1970s – A civil war that killed millions
Seven years after independence, a civil war erupted as Nigeria’s eastern region tried to form the breakaway Biafra state.
The three-year conflict, which ended with Biafran surrender, resulted in the death of more than two million people, most of them women and children who died of starvation in eastern Nigeria.
For many easterners, the 1970s was a period to recover both emotionally and financially, especially for those who had lost their houses – termed abandoned properties – and all their savings.
US-based novelist Okey Ndibe, a child during the war, describes it as the defining event in Nigeria’s difficult history.
“The [government’s] main goal was achieved, but at grave human and moral cost.
“The ghost of Biafra continues to haunt Nigeria.
“Festering violence in the north-east zone, renewed agitations for Biafra, and demands by residents of the oil-rich Niger Delta for resource control, are consequences of Nigeria’s failure to use justice as the arbiter of public policies,” he told the BBC.
1980s – ‘Ghana Must Go!’
In 1983 the government of Shehu Shagari ordered more than a million West African migrants, most of them Ghanaians, to leave Nigeria at short notice as the country faced an economic downturn. The red, white and blue chequered plastic bag that the desperate departing Ghanaians used to carry their possessions became known as “Ghana Must Go”. But now they are more often seen as a symbol of sleaze in Nigeria, preferred by corrupt politicians to ferry huge amounts of cash.
In 1983 the government of Shehu Shagari ordered more than a million West African migrants, most of them Ghanaians, to leave Nigeria at short notice as the country faced an economic downturn.
The red, white and blue chequered plastic bag that the desperate departing Ghanaians used to carry their possessions became known as “Ghana Must Go”.
But now they are more often seen as a symbol of sleaze in Nigeria, preferred by corrupt politicians to ferry huge amounts of cash.
1990s – Democracy returns after years of military rule
After 16 years of brutal military rule, interrupted by 82 days of a civilian government in 1993, democracy returned to Nigeria in 1999. Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar transferred power to Olusegun Obasanjo, who had won nationwide elections. The 1990s was a packed decade in Nigeria’s political history - including the annulment of an election by the military in 1993, the global condemnation of the 1995 hanging of nine environmental activists, among them Ken Saro-Wiwa by military ruler Gen Sani Abacha, and Abacha’s own death in 1998. The handover to democratic rule was seen by many as a culmination of these three events. The 21 years since have seen the longest uninterrupted republic in Nigeria’s history.
After 16 years of brutal military rule, interrupted by 82 days of a civilian government in 1993, democracy returned to Nigeria in 1999.
Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar transferred power to Olusegun Obasanjo, who had won nationwide elections.
The 1990s was a packed decade in Nigeria’s political history – including the annulment of an election by the military in 1993, the global condemnation of the 1995 hanging of nine environmental activists, among them Ken Saro-Wiwa by military ruler Gen Sani Abacha, and Abacha’s own death in 1998.
The handover to democratic rule was seen by many as a culmination of these three events.
The 21 years since have seen the longest uninterrupted republic in Nigeria’s history.
2000s – ‘We are black, we are beautiful and we are in demand’
Agbani-Darego-miss-world-2001
On 16 November 2001, when a group of women competed for the judges’ attention at the Miss World beauty pageant in South Africa only a handful of Nigerians were aware of the event.
But by the end of the day, millions in Africa’s most populous country had become familiar with the name of 18-year-old Agbani Darego – the first black African to be crowned Miss World.
“Prior to Agbani winning it wasn’t easy to get Nigerians and Africans to participate in pageants because they didn’t see themselves winning.
“But from having 20 to 50 participants we had hundreds of thousands who wanted to participate.
“Now the world wants African music, they want African dance.
“We are black, we are beautiful and we are in demand,” Ben Murray-Bruce, a former organiser of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria contest, told the BBC.
2010s – The abduction of the Chibok girls
In April 2014, Islamist militant group Boko Haram kidnapped 276 girls from their school in Chibok in Nigeria’s north-east, where there is still an insurgency. Boko Haram had kidnapped many girls and women before but the abduction of the schoolgirls sparked a global campaign with the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls. Bukky Shonibare, one of the leaders of the Bring Back Our Girls Group in Nigeria that protested relentlessly for government intervention to help free the girls, says the abduction greatly affected education in northern Nigeria. “Children - boys and girls - became scared of going to school, and parents had to make a choice of either keeping their children alive or sending them to school. “Efforts at achieving gender equality were greatly affected. Gains recorded [previously], especially around girl-child education, were immensely affected,” she said. After six years, more than 100 of the girls are still missing.
In April 2014, Islamist militant group Boko Haram kidnapped 276 girls from their school in Chibok in Nigeria’s north-east, where there is still an insurgency.
Boko Haram had kidnapped many girls and women before but the abduction of the schoolgirls sparked a global campaign with the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.
Bukky Shonibare, one of the leaders of the Bring Back Our Girls Group in Nigeria that protested relentlessly for government intervention to help free the girls, says the abduction greatly affected education in northern Nigeria.
“Children – boys and girls – became scared of going to school, and parents had to make a choice of either keeping their children alive or sending them to school.
“Efforts at achieving gender equality were greatly affected. Gains recorded [previously], especially around girl-child education, were immensely affected,” she said.
After six years, more than 100 of the girls are still missing. DAILY TRUST 8 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Amotolongbo(f): 9:11am On Oct 02, 2020 |
Nothing really worths bringing me joy and happiness in these 30 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by donbachi(m): 9:26am On Oct 02, 2020 |
Ogadimma 5 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by HeadShot: 9:30am On Oct 02, 2020 |
Nigeria is a glorified shithole
Poverty capital
Unemployment capital
Insecurity capital
No fuel
No power
No roads
Child mortality capital
Decayed infrastructure
Hunger capital
Illiteracy capital etc 63 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Proeast2: 10:55am On Oct 02, 2020 |
After all said and done, Nigeria has become a failed state and nobody wants to identify with it. 12 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by igbarasdynasty: 1:11pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
I wonder how we are still surviving..... 16 Likes |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by fourboys: 1:12pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
failed state |
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Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Ayemileto(m): 1:12pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
Two pictures are missing. |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Mohayemi(m): 1:12pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
Cool |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Hoojay(f): 1:12pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
SAD MEMORIES OF NIGERIA I'm still online to take your order |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Healthsco20: 1:12pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
Nice one 1 Like |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Jennybeely(f): 1:12pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
booked |
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Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Homeboiy: 1:12pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
Rubbish 2 Likes |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Serendip: 1:13pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
It is well with the country..
Jesus is the way, the truth and the light. Believe in him. Salvation is free. Don’t wait until after death to realize the truth. God bless y’all. 3 Likes |
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Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by AFULA(m): 1:13pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
okay |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by RichDad1(m): 1:13pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
God bless Nigeria 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Nobody: 1:14pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
Put the swearing in of buhari as one of them
The biggest scam ever |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Nickymichy(m): 1:14pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
Nigeria is such a confused country... sometimes you are full of hope... then the next minute the little hope vanishes..then hate and disdain...then smile...then after a while gnashing of teeth...may God help us... Amen 8 Likes |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Nazgul: 1:15pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
Shithole... |
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Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Sammiefreshh: 1:15pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
How can i comment on here pls HeadShot: Nigeria is a glorified shithole
Poverty capital
Unemployment capital
Insecurity capital
No fuel
No power
No roads
Child mortality capital
Decayed infrastructure
Hunger capital
Illiteracy capital etc 1 Like |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by emeijeh(m): 1:16pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
Why do you guys keep calling Nigeria an African giant?
That title was lost when Babangida assumed power. 3 Likes |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Kemimarch16(f): 1:16pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
Naija my country |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by cassidy1996(m): 1:16pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
Nigeria is finished |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by robosky02(m): 1:16pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
Ok |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by blinking001(m): 1:16pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
We are getting there gradually. |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Bkayyy: 1:16pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
I now see the reason history was scrapped from Nigerias curriculum. Mere seeing "owerri is now captured" boosted my adrenaline and I know some fellow Igbos after seeing it will wish the war was still on 6 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Ikillbrokehoes(m): 1:16pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
Giant of shíthole |
Re: Nigeria’s Independence: 6 Images From 6 Decades by Scrupulous419(m): 1:17pm On Oct 02, 2020 |
#unscrupulous
Dogshit...home
#Comesmokewithme 3 Likes |