Some residents of Bwari Area Council, FCT, are going about their normal businesses rather than celebrating the country’s independence anniversary, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Many of the residents showed no care or concern about the annual celebration expected to be with fanfare.
The Federal Government had declared Oct. 1 a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day Anniversary.
NAN reports that in Bwari town, while some used the day to work on their farmlands, some stayed at home to rest while others went about their business transactions.
Mrs Ann Oriba, a businesswoman in the area, said that independence day was loosing its significance in the face of economic challenges.
She said: ” What is there to celebrate in this economy? People are looking for money to feed and pay bills, no time for leisure.
” I am not sure people are that excited anymore. Personally, I’ll be out there hustling for my daily bread to sustain my family because I do not see what is so special about this day anymore.
” It is merely symbolic, existing only on documents because our dear country still relies mostly on foreign forces for resources to develop.”
She expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the economy, adding that, if Nigeria had done much in 64 years, its citizens, especially the youths, would not be going out in droves to seek greener pastures in other countries.
Another resident, Mr Gabriel Ogbonna, said that he was out to sell his goods and did not attach any significance to the anniversary celebration.
Ogbonna described the country’s journey since 1960, as “a coaster ride with so many potholes that could have been filled along the line, but could not be achieved because of greed and corruption.
“I will rate Nigeria 30 out of 100 and I dare say, we are not truly independent like we claimed to be, since we have continued to depend on foreign funding and assistance.
” We have enslaved ourselves in our own country and have continued to rely more on consumption rather than production which is a shameful reality.
” Our currency has persistently weakened, leading to inflation, abject poverty, suffering, hunger and starvation, yet we continue to hope and pray for the better days. I pray we wake up from our slumber soon and work harder.”
Mr Isah Balami, a farmer said that asking Nigerians to continue to pray for the country’s progress was not a bad idea but it must be followed with progressive actions by the leaders of the country.
“We keep basking in our past glory while praying that things will get better without planning and working towards progress.
“Other countries worked hard to get to where they are with a system that truly works. Let’s emulate that and stop all this extravagance.
” We lagged behind in almost every sector, from security to infrastructure, agriculture, and the list goes on, we must be truly dependent on all these areas, ” he said.
However, Miss Precious Chima, another resident was hopeful and prayed that Nigerians continue to show some sense of patriotism irrespective of the country’s challenges and difficulties.
Chioma, who identified corruption and poor leadership as major obstacles to the country’s progress, charged every citizen to show some sense of responsibility and accountability for the country’s development.
She urged government at all level to make people oriented policies and give listening ears to the needs and cry of the masses.. (NAN)
