Dependent Independence

Every October 1st We Celebrate

With Loads of activities

Street walks, marching and chanting

It is like a carnival.

Over the years,

The  relevance of our celebration has been quashed

Such that, it now means different things to different people

To the working class it's just another holiday

To the traders an extension of the weekend sales

To the politicians another opportunity to propose and

Approve bogus budget for celebration,

Another avenue for embezzlement.

To the Government of the Day

Another opportunity to list out projects that would never be completed

State Progress that's bleak and promise of a future better imagined

Think about this

Why do we celebrate independence?

Is it just another day to remind the west that we seem to be free?

Why was it celebrated by our founding fathers?

How is it celebrated in well meaning countries?

On July the 4th 2012,

President Obama after saluting members of the United States Armed Forces

Said and I quote

"You serve under a proud flag.

You and your families sacrifice more than any of us can ever know,

in defense of those God-given rights that were first put to paper 236 years ago......

The Nation will always be there for you as you have been there for us"

He went further to appreciate Specific,

Low ranking officers who performed the exceptional and

suffered varying degree of loss For example

Petty Officer Taylor Monis, Sgt. Alan Ruechs and Corp. Alex Nguyen.

To America 4th of July is regarded a sacred day

A day of reflection not only for the Government but its citizenry

It is a day every American is called to Service

While the contribution of those in service is enumerated and appreciated

A day the Nation stands in Pride of its achievements so far

What has Nigeria as a Nation Achieved that is worth Celebrating?

The undeserved Title: The Giant of Africa

Please Do not get me wrong

I am neither trying to make jest of our Celebration nor

Castigate our Government for their insensitivity and Lack of regard for its citizen

I am just thinking out Loud!

October the 1st is declared our independence

My question is this

How independent are we

When our Economic policies is just an extension of IMF and World banks Ideas

Ideas which do not put into consideration

The millions living in make-shift homes and the destitute?

How independent are we

When we still depend on Foreign investors

While chocking up our indigenous companies with taxes, levy's and duty?

We are quick to lure foreign investors with

Tax free zones, duty free goods, percentage cut on taxes and so on

How independent are we

When we spend Millions of Naira on treatment of political office holders abroad

While neglecting our hospitals?

We spend billions on Scholarship of select individuals abroad

While suffocating our educational system

Our Government hardly embark on a project without foreign aids and Grants

Yet we boast of savings in foreign banks in the name of reserves.

What is the relevance of our independence

When despite living in abject poverty

Our economic team continually inform us that the economy is improving

Stating parameters which do not relate to the common man.

Our Youth, the bedrock of our Productive capacity,

Run to foreign lands in search of greener pastures

Doing odd jobs and enslaving themselves

The American Visa Lottery, an avenue of modern Slavery

Is being celebrated in Nigeria.

I was heartbroken the day i read in the dailies

that hundreds of our Ladies were being deported from Mali for Prostitution.

In my Opinion

Until our Government begin to enact policies geared towards alleviating poverty

Not putting into consideration the views of our task masters, THE WEST.

When we stop depending on medical care Abroad

When we encourage our local manufacturers and

Stop lobbying the Lebanese, Stingy Cheap Labor-finding Chinese and

Broke-ass Indians In the name of Foreign Investors

When we stop building other Nations economy and 'Revolutionalise' our educational sector

Instead of sending selected few abroad in the name of Scholarships

In fact

Till our Economic Growth is measured by our

Gross Domestic Product Per Capita and Per Capita Income

We are

DEPENDENT IN OUR INDEPENDENCE

......... My Dependence is in God...............