Nigeria @65 Independence: Celebrating Culture, Honoring Sacrifice, and Facing Reality

Independence Day in Nigeria is always been a mixed feeling for me, its more of a bittersweet feeling for me. On one hand, it is a reminder that we got our freedom from colonial rule, or colonial masters as we were taught in school. The fact that our fathers and mothers stood for something, and got our freedom is the reason we can call ourselves Nigerians with pride. On the other hand, I sometimes ask myself, how far have we really come? But before I dive into that, let me first showcase the Nigeria I know and love.

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Nigeria is a land filled with so much culture. Being a Yoruba, I can tell you firsthand how food alone tells a story. From amala with ewedu and gbegiri, to jollof rice that you can never get tired of, food is part of how we celebrate our identity. It’s not just food, it is culture passed down from generation to generation. In my house, Sundays are not complete without rice, and festive seasons like Christmas always come with pounded yam and egusi, and different local food.

The dressing is another thing. We don’t just wear clothes, we wear identity. Aso-ebi during celebration like weddings, and festival. Agbada for the men, iro and buba for the women, gele tied with pride.Try checking the internet for Nigerians weddings, and you will know what I am talking about. These are not just fashion statements; they are symbols of respect, unity, and culture.

Some of our traditions are still strong till today. For example, in my hometown, festivals like the Iludun oro festival are still held every year. People come together, not just to watch the Ifa priest do their rite, but to connect to their roots and remember the ancestors who lived before us. This is also the place I got my name from Fash

When I think about people who have served Nigeria, I think about my uncle who is in the army. He might not be a national hero written in books, but he fought during difficult times to protect the country, like the time of boko haram, and he also went to other countries for peacekeeping. This reminds me that independence was not just achieved by famous names like Nnamdi Azikiwe or Obafemi Awolowo, but also by the sacrifices of ordinary Nigerians who believed in a better future. People who believe in the noble cause of fighting for our independent and sticking by those who are known to be national heros today.

Nigeria is blessed with talent too. Our music is one of the biggest exports today. From Fela who used music to fight for justice, Davido who carry Nigerian sounds to the world, I stand to be corrected but I don't think there should be any correction in what I am about to say. Davido is the biggest artist in Nigeria, then we also have other amazing artist like Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tems, Olamide, and so on. We cannot deny how powerful our craft is. Our writers like Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie also showcase Nigeria in ways the world can never ignore. But right now, things are falling apart.

Let me be real, Nigeria is still facing many challenges. Corruption is the number one which is affecting both at the top and grass root of the nation, we also have bad governance, poor infrastructure, and insecurity, many of this things are weight that weigh us down. Sometimes, it feels like independence was only on paper, not in reality, it feels like we are still slaves to an unseen system. But I believe complaining alone won’t solve it. We need leaders who are accountable, systems that work, and citizens who don’t just wait for change but also contribute to it. Not all those people sitting in their house who won't go out to vote, but the people who are ready to just the Soro soke cry.

To me, Independence should not just be a public holiday where we eat and rest. It should be a reminder of what we can achieve if we come together, respect our culture, and work hard to fix what is broken. The celebration might last for a day, but living as a true Nigerian is every day. What we might choose to forget on independence day, would be remembered after independence.

Happy Independence, Nigeria.

Thanks for reading. My name is Fashtioluwa.

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