Happy Independence Day :Nigeria at 57

Happy Independence Day : Nigeria True Freedom is Possible! By Femi Alufa Our nation's independence day was saturday,October 1st,1960 when Nigeria gained her independence from the British colonialist. In the words of our first and only Prime Minister,Sir Tafawa Balewa in his speech on the first Independence day anniversary : "When this day in October 1960 was chosen for our Independence it seemed that we were destined to move with quiet dignity to place on the world stage. Recent events have changed the scene beyond recognition, so that we find ourselves today being tested to the utmost .We are called upon immediately to show that our claims to responsible government are well-founded, and having been accepted as an indepedent state we must at once play an active part in maintaining the peace of the world and in preserving civilisation. I promise you, we shall not fail for want of determination." Today, Nigeria remains the giant of Africa and the most populous black nation in the world. Almost six decades after indpendence and the lifting down of the Union Jack,Nigerians have many cause to celebrate this political freedom.Nigeria is a symbol of democracy and freedom today, enjoying as it does freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press and other fundamental human rights as it is enshrined in our constitution. Great tributes to our founding fathers;Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa,Dr.Nnamdi Azikiwe,Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello and Chief Obafemi Awolowo and other heroes of our nation's independence who fought for our political independence so that we might pride ourselves as a sovereign nation in the comity of nations. They fought for these political freedoms so much that many of them were willing to die defending them. And many of us appreciated their zeal and patriotic efforts and we should not take our independence for granted, and not in the lip-service to our national anthem: "...The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain". As citizens,patriotism teaches us country first,that is the love and care of the country and her people irrespective of ethnic, religion, social or political inclination, as brothers and sisters. We should have a massive hope that the God of all creations that put us here have a purpose for our coexistence and togetherness as a people and nation,and we should embrace our diversity to continue to promote national unity,peace and progress rooted in democratic development and good governance for the betterment of our citizens. As citizens, we must exhibit the real essence of freedom to live in happiness, always happy and making others happy. We must never have anger, never fight with others, never struggle with others, and we must love others completely. We must attain this standard to be really free. Freedom is from your goodness to fellow citizens and not from your abuse of power. Freedom is well described by James Russell in his work "Stanzas on Freedom": True freedom is to share, All the chains our brothers wear, And with heart and hand to be Earnest to make others free! Our political leaders must listen to the humble cries of the common man who are the silent majority. The dividends of democracy must be felt not by the political office holders with their jumbo packages but by the electorates who voted them into power.They should bear it in mind that the glory of any democratic governance is the welfare and happiness of the greatest number of citizens the state and nation. As citizens,Let us continue to give our unflinching support and co-operation to the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the cause of nationhood towards evolving a greater Nigeria of the dream of our founding fathers and modern patriots of Nigeria. As good citizens,We must contribute to the nation building in our stations in life,This is how " the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain".The path to our true freedom is possible and lies in our faith in God of all creations to direct our noble cause,and guide our leaders right and help our youth to know the truth as it is enshrined in the second stanza of our national anthem. Wishing all Nigerians a Happy 57th Independence Anniversary day. N.B: True Freedom is in Jesus! Please permit me to share my belief on true freedom according to the Christian faith,God the creator in His agape love sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to come to earth and willingly die in the place of sinful humans like us to save and redeem us from all our sin, rebellion, and wrongdoings. Therefore, all who believe in Lord have spiritual rebirth and freedom. This true freedom is in Jesus Christ who forgiveness sins as the Messiah and saviour of the world.Jesus saved us from the bondage of sin,corruption and social vices; "He gave us life so that we might have it more abundantly ",He crowned it all with eternal life in Him so that we might enjoy an intimate and personal connection and relationship with him and God forever. This is true freedom. And true freedom only exists in Jesus Christ through changes in our heart by His Holy Spirit. God makes us spiritually alive by giving us a new heart to pursue new purpose,new cause and new life. This is true freedom. This is grace.Happy Independence Day. Femi Alufa is the publisher of The Vignette Newspapers.