NIGERIA AT 62: DEPENDENCE OR INDEPENDENCE

NAME: ABOLUWARIN OLUWATAMILORE GRACE DEPARTMENT: SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY (MASS COMMUNICATION) LEVEL: 100 LEVEL TOPIC: NIGERIA AT 62: DEPENDENCE OR INDEPENDENCE It is no news that Nigeria became an independent country on October 1st, 1960 and ever since then, she has been trying to exercise her independence. Now it boils down to a question, is she independent or somewhat still dependent? When did she lose her independence again, or is she still trying to find a balance? It is 62 straight years of independence, so what balance is she still trying to find? Ponder these questions, and let me help you find answers. Independence, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is a state of being independent, i.e. not subject to control by others. Still, in contact with this same dictionary, dependence is defined as the quality or state of being dependent, i.e. being influenced or determined by or subject to another. Having defined the concepts of dependence and independence, we can now say what category our beloved country falls in. It is too bad to say that Nigeria, at 62, is still dependent, but it has to be told as it is evident. Now look, 70% of our population faces a high poverty level, and millions of children, say 15-20 million are out of school. How do we tell it that an independent nation is the world's poverty capital, even with all the raw materials, men and women of good intellect and talent and all of our resources? Ask me if my country has gained independence, and I’ll tell you we gained independence only in a document. The Nation of Nigeria doesn’t want to stand to do things on its own, which makes for subordination by other countries. We become inferior, and then they feel superior. Why do we have to feel this way in a country claiming independence? Look at how much we owe and how we get more loans to offset these outstanding loans. We are yet to build a strong independence story. Do we want to talk of bad governance and anti-people policies of Nigeria's independence? Or is it the depreciation of our currency? Are we moving forward, crawling or static? Nigeria is a blessed country, one with potential and natural resources. We don’t even get to deal with natural disasters. We only need a change in government and an end to corrupt leadership. We need people who are ready to embrace technology and who will sponsor the talents of young talented kids. We need a country that handles her affairs with due diligence and utmost integrity. A country that doesn’t infringe on rights and appreciates itself. Suppose all these can happen and be practised in my country, then consider it independent.