Efio-Ita Nyok|1 October 2017
57 years after, there is a negative narrative trailing this day. Here, I capture the critical sentiments of a handful of Nigerians especially those resident in Cross River state. Every 1st October, year in year out, since 1960, is commemorated as Independence Day for in this date, Nigeria gained political independence from the British.
Okoi Eduson
Everything in Nigeria is designed to enhance corruption. Security votes, bureaucrats still using paper files, governors spending without legislative approval, etc. We have a kloptocracy and not a democracy.
Harmony Abung
Government of personal pocket.
Ofem Ekapong Ofem
So true I attended an event in Calabar where the acting Chief Judge was leading the chorus of praise singing for the Governor. I was perplexed because what my dad thought us was that judges ought to be reserved and must at all time show and be seen to be dignified. Indeed our democracy has failed.
Ejoh Godwin
What is the way forward ,yes Democracy has failed us in all areas,
Richard Osang
My brother, I have the feelings that the military boys shall one day send these organised thieves away again. Their wickedness is getting out of proportion.
First Baba Isa
… people just got up one morning and FELT the American styled presidential democracy is suited for us and see where we are now.
Princewill Odidi
… I wouldn't subscribe to military rule. The corruption within the military is beyond proportion. They are actually part of the problem. There are several forms of rule. The use of the term "this democracy " is subjectively used to denote how it has been structured and practiced. A structural change of our economy can produce the right type of democracy. Democracy is a system of rule, we are not faulting the system but how it is applied in our clime
Abang Owan
Me thinks the ingredients were not well matched. Some dominated the broth. Just like having too much pepper in a stew, u tend to forget tomatoes and onions was also used.
Achu Stephen Achu
Perhaps the tomatoes, pepper and onions weren't ripe enough. So the taste will rather be awful.
Evang Francis Ebre
The Blender was forced to blend so he decided to make the stew unpalatable by using too much pepper rather than too much tomatoes because the peppers were loyal. And now others are fighting bot silently and out against the pepper. Like North, South, west and East as original constituents and not the political northwest, North Central, South West and whatever. There is no Nigeria to me, until we are properly blended into regional democracy
Roselyne O'Neil
… No body should wish me happy independence day oh I go vex well.
Comfort Onyaga Ogon
I am independent sir…you have a choice to remain dependent or independent. Think twice and deep
Enyike Jonathan
It's a sad moment to be a Nigerian
Victor Onor
… I wish to agree that we have nothing to celebrate as yet, rather, we should use this season to reflect on our failings as a people and consciously chart a new course for our great country Nigeria. One of the great changes we need to imbibe is a total overhaul of our value system. I wish all patriotic Nigerians a reflective independence celebrations.
Paul Smith Njagu
I weep 4 my country Nigeria but it's well.
*There are basically three strata of society, namely, economy, politics and culture/religion: When we say Nigeria is independent, do we mean to say that we have a viably advanced economy that is producing her goods and services and even exporting? What's strength of the Naira against the American Dollar? Is our public service pro the masses or selfish and elitist? Do we appreciate our culture or has globalisation consumed everything? Do we even have a culture unique and pristine to us or hasn't everything been westernised?
Economically, N1 is equivalent to $0.0028, that is, N304.75 is worth $1! Politically, recently, chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay has disclosed that an average Nigerian Senator earns three billion naira per annum. According to him, the breakdown of their monthly N29 million earnings is thus: The breakdown of the salary of 29 million naira per month is as follows:
Basic Salary #2, 484, 245.50;
Hardship allowance, 1,242, 122.70;
Constituency allowance #4, 968, 509.00;
Furniture allowance #7, 452, 736.50;
Newspaper allowance #1, 242, 122.70;
Wardrobe allowance, 621,061.37;
Recess allowance #248, 424.55;
Accommodation 4,968,509.00;
Utilities #828,081.83;
Domestic staff #1,863,184.12;
Entertainment #828,081.83;
Personal Assistant #621,061.37;
Vehicle Maintenance Allowance 1,863,184.12;
Leave Allowance #248,424.55;
Severance Gratuity #7, 425,736.50
Motor Vehicle Allowance, #9, 936,982.00, which equates to N3, 264, 329, 264.10 per annum, the highest in the world! There are agitations for restructuring among Nigerians. Culturally, we don't have a common language of expression or a culture we can call our own
If the responses in the negative are valid, how free, independent are we? I am confused.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger, the Editor & Publisher of NegroidHaven
