Nigeria Anniversary
The Federal Republic of Nigeria joins other African Countries to mark Her independence. Of these countries, nine of them marked their in the month of August 2010. These countries got their independence from three main colonial powers which are Britain, France and Belgium in 1960.
These anniversary comes with upgrading infrastructure, commissioning landmark, organizing lectures,cherishing the contribution of past leaders, erecting monument, rekindling patriotism. African countries that have indeed marked their 50th anniversary spent billions of dollars celebrating independent from their colonial masters. The countries that have so far celebrated their independence are Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Somalia, Senegal, Togo, Niger, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar.
Despite civil war and political unrest, Somalia had cause in celebrating their 50th anniversary. Senegal marked their 59th anniversary by unveiling a bronze monument erected and opened to the public in April 2010. This was monument was officially estimated to cost about US$70 million. In Cameroon too felt the need to break its treasury open for this great occasion, thereby spending CFA France 5 billion. World leaders came to celebrate with Cameroon. It was indeed impressive. Togo was also not left out in the spending spree. An estimated 30 million Euros was spent to mark its Golden jubilee.
In Nigeria the celebration have already started. In May 2010,the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unveiled the anniversary logo in a ceremony. This ceremony was attended by politicians, business and bureaucratic classes of the Nigerian society.
The events and activities lined up for this anniversary come 1st of October 2010 include a parade and display of skills and hard wares by the Nigerian Army, Air Force and The Navy. This anniversary will take place in three cities - Calabar, Lagos and Abuja. The Air Force plans to fly their planes from their various bases to Abuja. The planes been flown on the day will be capable of speeding in excess of Mark 2. Paratroopers are expected to drop down from moving planes, thus making the occasion colorful in the air.
The Navy intents showcasing their war ships, weapons and skills in a Presidential Fleet Review. The Army of course will display their latest artillery, battle tanks, missiles, bombs and a piece of drama on how troops are deployed in any case of threat to the country. The parade of the Nigerian military will make its citizens proud make the occasion interesting.
The softer phases of the Golden jubilee comes with visit to the orphanages by wives of top political office holders, accomplishment achieved by Nigeria in this past 50 years of struggle. National heroes both men and women living or dead will be recognized through special awards. Eminent international leaders will grace the occasion. Serving and past leaders of European Union (EU) and African Union (AU) will be invited to celebrate with Nigeria in Her 50th anniversary. This visit will help erase the negative stories about Nigeria and Nigerians both at home and in diaspora.
Indeed Nigeria is expected to earn plenty of respect through renovation and upgrading of international airports within the country. Roads are expected to be reconstructed to give its visitors a good impression about the country. A 800 page compendium by the Ministry of Information and Communication will help in providing a detailed historical background of Nigeria, information about the founding fathers, highlight its tourism and investment potentials as well as opportunities. Also it will have a pictorial presentations of artifacts.
The events lined up for this activities will be memorable because Nigerians need something to cheer about in this point in history. Already billions of Naira are been spent for this historical celebration.
CONGRATULATION TO NIGERIA AS THEY MARK THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY
naija@50
2011 GENERAL ELECTION
The recent debate about zoning has been a major topic since the death of formal president, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. More politicians are of the view that zoning is more or less an agreement reached in the PDP caucus while others are of the opinion that zoning has been in place since Nigeria independence from the British. The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, unanimously believe that zoning agreement between the North and the South must be respected.
In a country with a vibrant democracy, and with many opposition parties that are worth the name, and are ready to challenge the current PDP presidency for the nations No 1 seat, the people should not be getting into paroxysms over an alleged agreement in one out of 50 political parties in the country.
But it is believed that whoever must be President of a country, does not require a particular region, a zoning arrangement or a big money political God father. It all has to do with votes one gets.
It is imperative to note here that since the inception of democracy in 1999, there has not been any credible election. It is with this zeal that Mr. President replaced the formal Chairman of the Independent National Electorate Commission (INEC), Prof Maurice Iwu with Prof Jega Attahiru. Prof Jega passed to the National Assembly a project worth 90 billion Naira for credible election of which 88 billion Naira has been approved. If all it will take is the money for a credible election, a free and fair election then let it be. But honestly, Nigerians yearn for a change. They want jobs for the youths, better pension paid to retired civil workers, good health services, security, good schools (which include the basic, secondary and the tertiary institutions), and good infrastructures and so on. It is the dream, aspiration and prayers of every Nigerian to see things go well in the forth coming elections.
CONCLUSION
Our Nigeria today ought to be a pride among other African countries but our past leaders most especially the military regime have made the name Nigeria a laughing stock and they have successfully destroyed the foundations laid by our earliest leaders( the ones I love to describe as the forefathers of our political history). Indeed the hopes of these forefathers died with them and it does look like these hopes may never resurrect.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan may have had good intentions of asking the senate to approve a whopping 7 billion naira for the country’s 50th anniversary but that does not help solve the problems facing the old, young, and the generation yet unborn of our darling beloved country. So I ask my self again, “Nigeria @ 50: Is it worth celebrating?
The recent debate about zoning has been a major topic since the death of formal president, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. More politicians are of the view that zoning is more or less an agreement reached in the PDP caucus while others are of the opinion that zoning has been in place since Nigeria independence from the British. The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, unanimously believe that zoning agreement between the North and the South must be respected.
In a country with a vibrant democracy, and with many opposition parties that are worth the name, and are ready to challenge the current PDP presidency for the nations No 1 seat, the people should not be getting into paroxysms over an alleged agreement in one out of 50 political parties in the country.
But it is believed that whoever must be President of a country, does not require a particular region, a zoning arrangement or a big money political God father. It all has to do with votes one gets.
It is imperative to note here that since the inception of democracy in 1999, there has not been any credible election. It is with this zeal that Mr. President replaced the formal Chairman of the Independent National Electorate Commission (INEC), Prof Maurice Iwu with Prof Jega Attahiru. Prof Jega passed to the National Assembly a project worth 90 billion Naira for credible election of which 88 billion Naira has been approved. If all it will take is the money for a credible election, a free and fair election then let it be. But honestly, Nigerians yearn for a change. They want jobs for the youths, better pension paid to retired civil workers, good health services, security, good schools (which include the basic, secondary and the tertiary institutions), and good infrastructures and so on. It is the dream, aspiration and prayers of every Nigerian to see things go well in the forth coming elections.
CONCLUSION
Our Nigeria today ought to be a pride among other African countries but our past leaders most especially the military regime have made the name Nigeria a laughing stock and they have successfully destroyed the foundations laid by our earliest leaders( the ones I love to describe as the forefathers of our political history). Indeed the hopes of these forefathers died with them and it does look like these hopes may never resurrect.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan may have had good intentions of asking the senate to approve a whopping 7 billion naira for the country’s 50th anniversary but that does not help solve the problems facing the old, young, and the generation yet unborn of our darling beloved country. So I ask my self again, “Nigeria @ 50: Is it worth celebrating?
naija@50
Nigeria is blessed with so many different resources, both human and natural resources. Nigeria has over 250 different tribes and languages. It is imperative to note here that despite our wide range of different clashes and political struggles. It is indeed deserving to come together and celebrate our 50th years of struggling.
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