Opening poser:

Why did Nigeria's freedom fighters demanded independence in 1960?

What was their vision for the country?

Is this the Nigeria they fought to relinquish its control from British?

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Freedom is sweet but it comes at a prize and with utter responsibilities.

1 October 1960 heralded joy and jubilation for the amalgamated North and South protectorate of the Niger area - Nigeria became independent from its colonial handlers, Britain.

It's been 61 years down the road of self-governance and internal-control, but is Nigeria better off on this track compared to the growth trajectory of the pre and neo-colonial phase?

Can you imagine the mood and mode of Nigerians on 2 October 1960, the morning after the independence announcement?

I did a reversed mental journey to capture the mood and mode of Nigerians on the said date, and all I see is the widespread scenery of pomp, celebration and ceremonies to bask in the euphoria of emancipation. Only a few Nigerians thought about the real task of nation building and the future.

There was little or no thought, vision, plan, documentation on how to develop the country. Most key actors were engrossed with the quest for power, prosperity and public influence, neglecting the country's future to fate and divinity.

The result of their short term thinking and festive mentality is here with us. For over six decades, successive governments have failed to deliver value. Citizens' trust is low, civic engagement and spaces shrink. The country continues to go down the road to nowhere. Why? Because the foundation was/is faulty.

From the on-set, values and ethics have no place in our personal and national lives. The ills and dynfunctionality we see in Nigeria today, didn't start today but decades back, perhaps prior to independence, but 1 October 1960 presented the opportunity to rebuild better but we missed it and we are all a victim of that pivotal miss.

While the 1960 error is already established with apparent negative impact, this is the time for us (YOU and ME) to rethink and redirect our personal, family, communal and national lives towards building not just a good NOW but a better FUTURE. What we do or don't will count for and against us in the nearest future, especially, on generations to come.

We need to understand that our little actions count. We need to do the right things even when we feel like doing otherwise. We need to think of the impact of our actions and inactions on our neighbour and more importantly, the next generation.

Ask yourself, are you laying a solid foundation and building right for the future? Would you be happy to expereince the Nigeria you're building or contributing now, if you could live forever?

Let's not be overwhelmed or distracted by the moment. Let's live with the future insight.

Think About The Future!