Nigeria at 50: Not golden enough

On this day exactly 50 years ago, the Union Jack, emblem of British suzerainty over Nigeria, was lowered for the last time, and in its place was hoisted the green-white-green flag, symbol of a newly independent country.

As it fluttered proudly in the early morning breeze, patriotic fervour and bright hopes for the future were kindled in the hearts of many Nigerians. The future could only be written in gold.

Today is that envisaged Golden Jubilee. With pomp and circumstance, we are marking our 50 years as an independent country. Yes, 50 years is worth celebrating, either in the life of an individual, or a nation. It is a landmark, a milestone. No wonder it is usually referred to as golden year. Rolling out the drums may not exactly then be a ridiculous or unconscionable act, as our country turns 50.

What are the reasons Nigeria has to celebrate? A myriad, really. We have fought a bitter civil war, in which more than one million civilians lost their lives. Today, that we are still a united entity is cause for cheer. Tribes and tongues truly differ, but in brotherhood we still stand. Our union may seem flimsy and tenuous most times, but the fabric still holds, with more than 300 different ethnic nationalities cohabiting in one federation. It surely calls for rejoicing.

Again, like a dynamic organism that a nation is, Nigeria has grown by leaps and bounds between 1960 and now. Quite a number of changes have been recorded on the economic, political, and social scenes. We may not be able to beat our chests yet, saying we have arrived, but our economy in 1960 was basically agrarian. Today, we have recorded some strides in manufacturing and in the service sectors.

Story By Sun News Publishing
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