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Former Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Mike Omeri, has challenged Nigerians to reflect deeply on the meaning of independence; 66 years after the country attained political freedom, saying the anniversary should go beyond celebrations to a sober assessment of the nation’s journey.
Omeri, who spoke exclusively with Saturday Sun on Friday, said the annual commemoration should provide an opportunity for Nigerians to ask fundamental questions about the country they have built since independence and what remains to be done to make freedom meaningful to the ordinary citizen.
He said independence should not merely be measured by the number of years Nigeria has existed as a sovereign nation, but by the extent to which citizens are able to enjoy security, economic opportunities, quality education, healthcare, employment and other necessities of life.
According to him: “Independence is not just about raising the national flag or celebrating October 1. It is about what that freedom means to the ordinary Nigerian and whether our people can genuinely say they are better off.”
The former NOA boss said Nigeria had enormous human and natural resources capable of supporting a prosperous nation, but stressed that the real challenge was converting those resources into opportunities that would positively affect the lives of citizens.
He urged political leaders, professionals, the private sector and ordinary Nigerians to accept collective responsibility for the country’s development, saying the task of nation building could not be left exclusively to government.
Omeri’s position comes at a time Nigerians are marking 66 years of independence amid continuing debates over the economy, security, unemployment, infrastructure, education and the ability of citizens to cope with the rising cost of living.
The anniversary has consequently generated renewed calls from public figures across the country for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey. Several leaders have emphasised unity, accountability, responsible citizenship and the need to confront the challenges facing the nation.
