NIGERIA @ 62: A GREAT NATION, WITH BRIGHT FUTURE
Nigeria was granted independence on October 1st 1960, by the British colonial administration.
This brought about the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern protectorates in 1914 to a single colony and protectorate of Nigeria.
A new constitution was established as Nigeria operated the parliamentary system of government based on the principles of federalism. With an elected Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Governor-General, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
Nigeria; Africa’s most populous country, is divided into 36 States and Federal Capital Territory for administrative Purpose, with 774 local government areas across the country.
Nigeria is a Multi-Religious country with adherents to different faiths. The official language is English and French, other prominently spoken languages are Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and over 500 additional indigenous languages.
The country occupies 923,768 km of land stretching from the Sahara desert in the north to the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Coast in the South and is bordered by Cameroon, Benin, Niger Republic and Chad. The topography ranges from Sahel and Savannah to the North, tropical rainforest in the south, and swampland.
Nigeria is richly endowed with abundant natural and human resources and has vast productive land and a variety of minerals.
Some Nationalists like Late Nnamdi Azikwe , Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmad Bello Sardauna and lots more played a major role in seeing that Nigeria as a country get her own independence, Sixty-two years ago.
There have been a large number of successful and failed military coups in Nigeria since the country’s independence from the British Empire in 1960. On January 15, 1966 the military overthrew the democratically elected government of Alhaji Tafawa Balewa. From 1966-1999, the Army held power in Nigeria without interruption apart from a short-lived return to democracy between 1979 – 1983.
Today, Nigeria has enjoyed stable democracy for over 23 years, without interruption by the military unlike some other Africa countries. Many Nigerians says the country will break out in 2023 due to marginalization in some part of the country, while some are fighting for their independence. But experts has warned that for Nigeria to be together as one, there is need for every part of the country to be carried along, and not to feel marginalized or denied being part of the government.
However, as Nigeria is approaching another general election; President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to deliver a credible, free and fair election in the 2023 general polls before leaving office.
Similarly, the electoral umpire Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC headed by Prof. Mamudu Yakubu has promised Nigerians that it will conduct free and credible elections in 2023.
I believe Nigerians are now wise enough to know whom to vote for who will bring an end to the challenges of Insecurity, fragile electricity, jutting unemployment, inadequate portable water, under-equipped schools and hospitals, provide social amenities, and lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty amongst others.
Let’s Vote Wisely And Make Our Country Great Again!!!
Together We Can Make Nigeria Great Again!!!
God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Usman writes from Abuja and can be reached via usmannasiru1096@gmail.com
