NIGERIA AT 62: DEPENDEN

NIGERIA AT 62: DEPENDENCE OR INDEPENDENCE Name: ADEYERA PRAISE TIJESUNIMI Department: Mass Communication Level: 100L NIGERIA AT 62: DEPENDENCE OR INDEPENDENCE Whether a country is dependent or independent is a fundamental political debate which is evaluated based on factors including development, economic stability, a workable security architecture, the degree of external interference, and technological and innovative advancement. The term "Independence" has a colloquial meaning that denotes a political system in which a territory has its own administration that is established in accordance with local laws or customs and is free from interference. The Federal Republic of Nigeria attained independence from the colonial rule of the Queen of England on October 1st, 1960. This marked the culmination of the leading nationalists' campaign for self-government. The year 1963 is central to the republican status of Nigeria, which marked a substantial departure from the Queen's role as "Head of State". Despite these fascinating historical details, a pertinent question still needs to be addressed: Given the current situation, is Nigeria truly (and effectively) independent? I agree that Nigeria at 62 is not an entirely independent country in the prevailing circumstances. A critical perusal of successive political epochs in Nigeria, socio-economic development and cultural lifestyle of the citizenry in the subsequent paragraphs shall substantiate this position. In spite of its massive natural wealth, one would question why Nigeria is still a third-world nation. Nigeria has had fifteen different leadership eras between 1960 to the present, from Khaki men to flowing Agbadas. One could wonder why Nigeria is still a third-world nation given the oil boom-related cash inflow, agriculturally productive land, and young, productive population. Public office holders who takes satisfaction in their incompetence are often crooked, illogical, and unpatriotic. Beyond the leadership structure's evident flaws, there is a gruesome scene of economic collapse, which unfortunately makes Nigeria less attractive to foreign investors. The ongoing insecurity in the North East as well as the secessionist movements in the South East and South West is central to our economic decline. It goes without saying that the political elite lacks the skill to formulate economic strategies that can lead to national progress and, more crucially, the full realization of the SDGs and other international obligations. Additionally, the post-independence age in Nigeria has seen horrifying raids by rapacious foreign governments and a significant distorting of our traditional society's moral system. True independence for Nigeria should stop external forces from exploiting our natural and human riches and better and more accurately reflect not distort our diverse cultural identity, history and traditional institution. Crude oil and other mineral resources that the country is gifted with are infamously explored on a daily basis without making a substantial contribution to the growth of the host community or the country as a whole. CONCLUSION At best, we have witnessed 62 years of an ‘independent’ nation, crippled by affiliation of overriding masters, characterized by maladministration, corruption, insecurity, economic stagnancy and cultural deformation. ‘What independence should be’ is that we can autonomously decide on our economic, political and cultural fortunes.