A REFLECTION ON THE CELEBRATION OF OCTOBER 1ST

It is on a day like this that it get so obvious how fast life style is changing. Many years ago preparations for 1st October which is Nigeria Independence day celebration begins weeks before this d-day. As a Students or pupils we were subjected to the practice of match-passed, dancing etc which we all appeared very neatly on the main day, i remember how we do wash and iron our uniform,my twin brother will even wash his rubber shoes and burry it in his box so that dust won't touch it,maybe he is still doing it but that is a story for another day.

The eve of 1st October was a sleepless night to most of us as our hopes were high for the next day. The eve also was full of lessons and stories from our elder ones about Nigeria history and the efforts of our fore fathers was brought before our site with explicit narration. Oh God bless those moments. The d-day was full of excitement as we partook in various activities with the full presence of teachers, parents,siblings,village heads, police, army and other security personnel, clergies, local government area chairman, etc who came together to witness match-passed ,quiz, debate,drama, wrestle,all forms of plays cum games that covers the three domain of learning was displayed by both young and old. 

Independence day was dignifying,there was total joy,the day usually began with workers gathering around radio set to listen to the president address and will so be at attention when the anthem is sang , with my childhood i did wonder what it means but soon learned with time it was a sign of Respect and subsequently began obeying it too. The presidentially radio broadcast was follow up by analysis by my elder ones while i sat on the ground listening attentively with my usual torn short nika around the anus region which earned me the name "ka pa ligem" , the more you don't know what it means ,the better for me. 

The Life style has evolved to what we know now,parents don't want their kids out on such day again because of how bad the society is. Children now are taken to fastfood joints(to eat what they have never eaten before?),party hull to display what they watch on Music Videos,To swimming pool (to start learning how to show their nakedness in public?) oh....., There is now less dignity attached to such days that is the most important day in the life of every Nigerian. An Igbo child don't want to celebrate again because he feels indifferent, Northerners don't want to celebrate again because it will be a place of target by terrorist, Southerners don't want to celebrate again because they are less Favour by the system. Young and able Nigerians don't want to celebrate again they are not employed in fact they will tell you "who you help". Workers don't want to go out again because they are hungry and haven't been paid salary for months.

The celebration of independence have been left for Nigerians who are benefiting with Nigeria. They seat with the goodness of Nigeria on their palms,they lye with the hopes of accumulating more and care less about another man because the hungry in a poor man house does not prevent them from sleeping. Who then are these people? That has been our biggest problem because no one feels they are talking to him, as long as you are a Nigeria, this message is for you. If in your little capacity you do just it will contribute to a bigger capacity. There is general need to imbibe forgiveness, happiness, cordial relationship, freedom, integrity, accountability responsibleness, unity and discipline that will all ensure the judicious use of our God given available resources else we are celebrating without celebration, we are happy without happiness, we are comfortable without Comfort, we are Rich without Riches. 

Don't forget the theme of this year celebration is "Unity the wireless force to growth." We have come a long way,57 years its not 57days, the threat of Cultism, Politics, Witchcraft at the grassroots levels and Position, Money and Religion at the national level all to our unity must be pulled off as a dirty cloth and embrace unity for the essence of development else we will keep coming every October first to write good worrisome speeches showcasing our psychomotor efficiency.

GOD BLESS THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, arise o compatriot and let the works of our forefathers not be in vain and that can only be achieve through unity. When there is unity they are several jobs opportunities and many more.

MY NAME IS ZEDICUS PIRO AND YOU KNOW SAY WORDS NO BE PROBLEM