Celebrating sixty-one years of Independence, the conundrum remains. We’re independent, but not liberated. Roaming, but not free. Mighty, but oppressed. If all of us isn’t free, none of us are.

By this we understand that sixty-one years of independence doesn’t necessarily translate to sixty-one years of freedom. If for anything, the average Nigerian is more oppressed today than he was sixty-one years ago.

Sixty-one years ago, we fought colonialism and won (or so we thought). Today, we’re fighting the masquerades of colonialism and the horrors of atrocious leadership. I dare say, we will win. We ought not to rest in our laurels. When the British – our colonial masters – left and we gained independence on this day in 1960, we forgot to flush, along with him, the seeds of division and hatred he planted within us.

This is the true independence; that we aren’t simply a people free from the perfidious aliens of colonialism, but a people whose camaraderie even in diversity transcends to unity in the face of adversity. If freedom is not free, our collective will and burning desire to be liberated from the divisive hacksaw that so easily besets us should be fostered and treasured.

Let us ‘unsee’ our differences as we’re not different, and appreciate the possibilities which lies within the grasp of a united nation. As we arise to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign, may the mercies of God see us through. And may the labour of our heroes past never be in vain, O’ compatriots.

God bless Nigeria.