Young World

INDEPENDENCE in Nigeria is the freedom from the leadership of the colonial masters. Nigeria gained her independence on October I, 1960. Our past leaders fought for her independence. It was the Northern people who requested for sovereignty then. To me, Nigeria is not really an independent country, because not all the citizens obey the laid down rules. We are yet to be able to refine our mineral resources. We export and also buy them from other countries. Corruption and some other fraudulent acts have also prevented our country from developing.

I hope to see a Nigeria  where the  leaders will lay good examples for the citizens to follow, maximise the use of  available resources while the system of governance is improved upon.

Olaide Banjo, 16 years old, International School Ibadan, SSS2. 

Literally, independence means freedom and Nigeria attained its independence on the 1st of October, 1960 from the rulership of the colonial masters. Nigeria is truly independent  to an extent, but we haven’t really gone far after 52 years of freedom. Although, we are no longer enslaved by foreigners, but by our own fellow Nigerians who are greedy and only want a share of the national cake at all cost.

At present, our educational sector is nothing to write home about, the power supply is as epileptic as before while  unemployment and poverty are on the  increase.

My wish for Nigeria is that, God should provide us with good leaders, who have clean hearts to take the nation to greatest heights, so that she would be envied by other countries. 

Derinsola Adesina, 17 years old, Jambite.

NIGERIA got her Independence on October 1, 1960. This was when the people  were free from the grip of the colonial masters. Some of our great leaders who fought for the independence then include; Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Nnamdi Azikwe, Gowon Yakubu, Ahmadu Bello, among others. 

Nigeria is not really an independent country per se because we rely so much on other countries. The import rate is higher than the export and we are categorised as one of the under developed countries in the world. Our leaders keep embezzling money and spending it in a wasteful manner. How can a leader who is not obeying the rules and regulations of his country or supposed to lead by example expect the citizens to behave?

Our government should lead by example. The real problem of this country is corruption. I believe once this is sorted out, Nigeria will go places.

Ololade Banjo, 13 years old, International School Ibadan, JSS 2. 

The independence of a country can be described as an act of total freedom from external political influences and control. Independence in Nigeria is not that effective, due to the fact that, she depends so much on the policies of foreign countries . She also follows the trends of the developed countries like the United States of America, Europe, Japan and so on. Nigeria depends on these countries for financial and security aids. Also, in terms of technology, we import many things that could be manufactured locally e.g drugs, clothing materials, food stuffs to mention a few.

My wish for this country is for her to improve on her economy, so that local manufacturers and companies can be relevant. Once this is addressed, many of the imported goods would be produced locally.

Hannah Adesami, 11 years old, Amazing Grace High School

INDEPENDENCE can be defined as a state of being able to earn, survive and succeed on your own, and be self reliant. 

Nigeria is not an independent country as far as I am concerned. She can’t earn and survive on its own because financially and politically, she is down and no where to be found. This country is not developing in any way and its not trying or making effort to formulate new measures that will restore her lost dignity and glory.

I wish Nigeria should overcome all the problems she is facing in the area of terrorism, corruption, poverty, etc and prove that she can be like other developed countries; not needing any external help to solve her problems. I wish Nigeria is able to stand her ground when any circumstance arises.

Esther Tumininu Oguntola, 13 years old, Oritamefa Baptist Model School, Ibadan. SSS1 

NIGERIA was recognised as an independent territory on October 1, 1960 and was subsequently declared a republic on  October 1, 1963. Though independent, Nigeria still remains a member of the Commonwealth of Nations which her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II is the head. There have been major achievements by the Nigerian government and citizens since independence, but the government needs to work harder to give the people a country of their own dreams.

Debo Lawal, 10 years old,Dulverton School, England.