NIGERIA @ 50 My life as an Oct. 1 child –Yemi Farounbi

You were born on October 1 and Nigeria got her independence on October 1, how do you feel sharing birthday with your country.
In the very early years, it was a right thing to me. I felt like a unique, and patriotic person.

I also felt as a chosen one to share birthday with my country, Nigeria. But these days, it is not like that because Nigeria as a country does not feel proud to celebrate. I think it is better to celebrate May 29, than October 1. Actually, we have not fulfilled our mission. We have our destiny to realize.

How did you celebrate October 1, 1960
I remember that we were given special food like jollof rice, snacks and Mirinda soft drink. So, we really celebrated it.
Situation report of what Nigeria was before independence.

Nigeria was a good country. We had access to good education. Wherever you were in Nigeria, there was only one way to education. There were no private schools, it was public schools for all of us. I remember that in my class, children of ministers in Western Nigeria were in my class. We shared the same wooden bed. Then, it was fun. That has changed.

Story By FEMI ADEOTI
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