by S’ola Filani

Happy Independence day, Nigeria!

So, when my boss gave this assignment to visit a major market place in my area and talk to people to know their reaction – and their feelings towards the Nigeria Independence Day celebration today, I was indifferent…I didn’t care.

Like Tinubu stated in his speech on Tuesday, I felt there are no obvious reasons why Nigeria should celebrate its 54th Independence in an elaborate fashion.

Like the normal average Nigerian youth, I was angry. – Yes I was angry with the state of the Nation today, the bad roads, insecurity, lack of electricity, high rate of unemployment, crime and most of the corruption that has eaten deep into all the sectors.

Anyway, I braced up, left the house with an unbiased mind hoping to talk to a few people and hear them pour out the anger but surprisingly – I found out that some Nigerians still CARE about the Independence Day celebration.

On my arrival at the Sango Ota market at 10:45 am today, I saw some women buying ingredients for special stew to mark the independence.

Unlike many other Nigerians, who would rather spend today hanging out with friends, or sleeping since there is no electricity to watch Television, these ones were excited.

I approached one of them, who gave her name Mama Enoh, she had finished paying for her goods and was leaving the market when I got to her.

“Happy independence day Mama. I see you are so happy this morning”

“Why not my daughter, today is day of Joy for Nigeria and since I am a Nigerian, I must celebrate it.”

“I love your positive spirit mama” I replied.

“The Bible says we should give thanks in all situations. I am glad to be alive to witness the 54^th Independence Day celebration of Nigeria. You see my dear, I am going home now to prepare Edi ka Ikang for my husband and kids, and we must celebrate today. My husband particularly gave the money for these ingredients, he is happy and so are we….”

Another woman, who was listening to our discussion also joined in.

“Of course, the independence day calls for celebration. This day 54 years ago, we gained independence from the British people and we are still one today, it is a thing of joy. Although we are not yet there, Nigerians are still suffering but in the midst of all, we are still very happy. I have said it that I will not use m mouth to curse Nigeria or our leaders, God will do it someday. See the soldiers are already winning the battle against the Boko Haram. Isn’t that a thing of joy? There is peace in the country and that is all that matters my dear” the woman, who identified herself as Mrs Dada, said.

Two other traders around, including a pepper seller, nodded in agreement.

I moved on to another trader, a young person like me and although she seemed indifferent about the Independence Day celebration, she said “Well, I don’t care about the celebration in anyway but I am happy Nigeria is still one. At the beginning of the year, it was as if the country would split the sounds of war from the Boko Haram explosions here and there but look at us today, we are still one and it is a thing of joy….”

I hung around for some minute and spotted a young man who does the printing and photocopying business, trying to fix his generator for his shop. I passed through the muddy road and crossed over to his side.

“Oga, good morning o” I greeted

“Good morning o, my sister”

“Happy independence day o, how do you intend celebrating the day today”

He burst into laughter and hissed.

“Abegi, celebrate what? See me dey pull my generator as Nepa no gree give person light today, today of all days. See this road, see as it bad reach er. This business wey I dey do so, you think sey I like am, na frustration push me to it nah. (Switching to Queen’s English) I graduated from UNIBEN five years ago, with second class upper honours in Microbiology but no employment, so in order to make ends meet, I started this business. There is nothing worth celebrating my sister, Nigeria is a failed Nation. Nothing is working… What are we celebrating? Independence of unemployment, Independence of corruption, Independence of terrorism.” he lamented.

I couldn’t exactly console him so I moved on.

I saw a couple clad in white and green attires standing at the entrance of the market, waiting for a taxi. I approached them too.

“Happy independence day” I greeted

“Same to you” they answered

“I love your green and white outfit, how patriotic” I commended, they smiled.

“Are you not patriotic yourself, after all you are putting on a green blouse too” the lady replied.

I smiled and asked how they felt about Nigeria at 54.

“I don’t give a shit” the guy immediately responded “I’m only dressed in this to fulfill all righteousness and moreover, a friend is celebrating his 31^st birthday party today, dress code is green and white. How can I be happy when I’m practically not benefiting anything from the Nigerian government and it sucks even more that I voted him into power under the blazing sun in 2011. I was one of the candidates that applied for the Immigration service job earlier this year; thank God I wasn’t a victim of the stampede. My car is bad; thanks to the bad roads and every day I spend N500 to fuel my generator. I didn’t even bother wasting my fuel to listen to GEJ’s speech…to make matters worse; I can’t travel to my hometown anymore in Benue anymore, fear. Fear of Boko Haram….I honestly don’t give a shit, Independence day indeed”

The lady nodded in agreement but added “But all hope is not lost o, I still believe in Nigeria. The problem of Nigeria is Nigerians. We all want a better Nigeria, but in what ways are we helping. It starts with us actually, we shouldn’t always blame the government for our waterloo” she put in.

I thanked them and left the market with mixed feelings.