Independence day in Nigeria is celebrated every year on October 1st as a national holiday. It marks Nigeria’s Independence and birthday as a sovereign country. On this day about 57 years ago Nigeria got her Independence from the control of the British rule.
Brief history of the Nigerian Independence day
Nigeria (Lagos precisely) was invaded by the British government as they took charge of the Royal Niger Companies and Nigerian territories in 1901. This era started when the first explorers from Portugal and Spain began trading with locals. Nigerian people exchanged slaves, Ivory and kola nuts for salt, glass beads, coral, cloth, and weapons. They worked with metals like iron and made terracotta sculptures.
In 1885, British petition to a West African sphere of influence received recognition from other European nations at the Berlin Conference. The following year, it chartered the Royal Niger Company under the leadership of Sir George Taubman Goldie. In 1900 the company’s territory came under the control of the British government, which moved to consolidate its hold over the area of modern Nigeria. On 1 January 1901, Nigeria became a British Protectorate and part of the British Empire, the foremost world power at the time.
After the Second World War the call for Nigerian independence movement forced the British government to grant autonomy to Nigeria. Hence, Nigeria was granted full independence in October 1st 1960 electing Nnamdi Azikwe as it’s first President.
A lot of the European Influence and modern life in Nigeria was inculcated during the British rule.
Nigerian’s Day celebration
Nigerian’s Independence Day is celebrated by people from all cultures, religion and traditions with lots of excitement and enthusiasm. It’s a public holiday that is observed by every business sector including educational institutions.
First off, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria broadcasts a patriotic live speech across the nation to declare the inauguration of Independence Day celebrations. The Nation will be honored by the raising of the flag and the National anthem is sung, a parade by the armed forces will then ensue after the Presidential speech. Students, performers (dancers, singers), all participate during the celebration.
Amid the celebration, we pay respect to all the great people (freedom fighters) and national leaders who fought and sacrificed their lives in making Nigeria Independent and free from colonial rule.
This day brings to mind how far we’ve come as a Nation and how far we are still yet to go. As we celebrate this event let us also think deeply on how we can collectively contribute in moving the Nation forward, as Independence doesn’t mean just for the country but also as an Individual, because the country belongs to us all.
The words of Tafawa Balewa should always be on our mind
Sir Tafawa Balewa said: “In these days of rapid communications, we cannot live in isolation, apart from the rest of the world, even if we wished to do so. All too soon it has become evident that for us, independence implies a great deal more than self-government. This great country, which has now emerged without bitterness or bloodshed, finds that she must at once be ready to deal with grave international issues. This fact has of recent months been unhappily emphasized by the startling events which have occurred in this continent. I shall not belabor this point, but it would be unrealistic not to draw attention first to the awe-inspiring task confronting us at the very start of our nationhood. When this day in October 1960 was chosen for our Independence, it seemed that we were destined to move with quiet dignity to our place on the world stage. Recent events have changed the scene beyond recognition, so that we find ourselves today being tested to the utmost. We are called upon immediately to show that our claims to responsible government are well-founded, and having been accepted as an independent state, we must at once play an active part in maintaining the peace of the world and in preserving civilization”.
From all of us at Connect Nigeria we say a very big ‘Happy Independent Day Nigeria’. Let us appreciate each other and uphold a cheerful spirit all through this festive period.
