Happy Independence Day....

Congratulations Nigeria, we are a year older and to acknowledge Naija's independence day on October 1, there is need to reflect on the country's situations. You can as well enjoy the latest updates around the world of Politics and Entertainment, and much more! trust me you can get this anywhere else....

Nigeria: 48yrs After
Wow! According to the Yorubas they usually say this, “Omode kii pe da gba o” meaning - it doesn’t take so long for a child grow. Nigeria, the biggest black nation and self-acclaimed giant of Africa, is 48yrs today. 48yrs since gaining independence under the colonial masters. Reminiscent the past years of struggle, power tussle, and oppression, one could have swiftly concluded that Nigeria would not stay this long as an entity. Still, with over 140million of people in population, the nation has hence shown its capability to propel itself against all odds practicing democratic governance known as the Govt. of the people…for the people…and by the people. Celebrating a year older is obviously no joke taken into cognizance the challenges faced during such phase. However, this year’s anniversary has been put to be a low-key one as urged by the nation’s no.1 citizen Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua. Indeed it calls for real sober reflections bcos the event coincided with the annual Eid-Il-Fitr festival observed by the Muslim faithful after successfully ending the year’s Ramadhan fasting.
This article is thus concerned with the Ups & Downs of over a year into the present administration. Let’s check out how the country has fed in a few key areas of our social lives; Health, Education and Entertainment which i tagged the H-E-E code.
Health: the wise saying, “a healthy nation is indeed a wealthy one” could not just be ignored at the slightest instance. You would agree with me that Nigeria has had its own fair share in this sector. Over the years, there have been cases of dreadful diseases ranging from Cholera, Diarrhea to Diabetes, Cancer, Malaria, and even the prominent HIV/AIDS (still got no cure); presently a scenario effectively managed though with skirmishes here or there. At least, the fight against these life-wreckers is ongoing and intense. Except for the fact that our elites have deemed it fit to still pass a vote of doubt in the country’s health sector instead of encouraging its drive for more efficiency. This area is one which requires a diagnostic approach.
Education: wow! It has not been worse than this in past years as this sector has greatly suffered in the hands of successive governments. The country’s budget does not adequately cater for education as a priority been laid down by the United Nations (UN). Worst-still is the epileptic calls for industrial actions by Labour. It has always been a case in the middle of either the State or Federal Govt. (as the case may be) and any of the labour arm i.e. between Govt. and NUT or ASUU or NASU, or even Govt. vs Civil servants. During hostilities, the pupils and students are the poor ones who often bear the brunt while the government sits back and watch proceedings until it becomes unbearable on its part. This ‘gesture’ has greatly shown the kind of governance and leadership structure we have which is not worthy of the positive media image it demands arrogantly. The Yar’Adua regime that started on a rewarding note however has also taken to the queue of past careless leaders.
Entertainment: unlike the aforementioned sectors highlighted earlier in the article, the Showbiz industry in Nigeria has witnessed a B-O-O-M! Spanking hot performances from foreign artistes and of-course from our own superstars over here, it couldn’t have been better. This is one sure way of wooing the corporate organizations to “cough-out” chunks of money for maximum entertainment and viable tool as well. The nation’s movie industry otherwise known as Nollywood is not doing bad at all the moment, topping the list in Africa and third placed in the world behind India's Bollywood and America’s Hollywood. Comedy now wears a new look whereby comedians not only manage shows here in Nigeria but also in the White man’s land. With the likes of Gandoki, Okey Bakassi, Basket Mouth, Omobaba, Gbenga Adeyinka de 1st, smiling to the banks from this mere “comedy”, of-course they could only wish for more. However, the huge impact of the people on this nation and even to the rest of the world has been much more felt in the music industry. Leading the pack is Africa’s pride and Nigeria’s finest Tuface Idibia a.k.a “Mr. Unstoppable” who has not only put Nigeria as a household on the continent but the world over with MTV Europe and MOBO awards in his kitty alongside several national and international plaques. Also on the list of music artistes making waves are 9ice, D’banj, Olu Maintain, P-square, to mention but a few, with credible awards as well.

Undoubtedly, celebration of Nigeria’s 48th anniversary comes with mixed feelings from the citizens themselves owing to different reasons; some good….bad, and some really ugly. Anyways, I think we should mark this day as another step ahead and hope for a more meaningful and brighter nation in the nearest future.