Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, said Nigeria came into being on October 1, 1960, and not in 1914, advising the Federal Government not to distort history by its planned centenary celebration next year.
Fashola spoke at the Nigeria’s 53rd Independence anniversary parade which involved the Police, voluntary organizations, school children and Para-military agencies, led by Superintendent Chris Nwokolo, at the Police College, Ikeja.
The governor while addressing the gathering said “For me, Nigeria was born as an independent sovereign nation on October 1st, 1960. Perhaps she was conceived in 1914 but as we race towards this, it is important not to distort history.”
He said the reason was that “a generation is coming behind us they need to be sure about the history of their fatherland. I will seek better understanding and explanation by those who are behind the centenary celebration.
“This is because if we roll out the drums three years ago to celebrate the 50 years of Nigeria’s nationhood, the independent that we fought for and our nationalist went to jail for.
“Many of our prominent leaders lost many things. Some lost their lives, some lost their dignity. Some lost their freedom. The scars of those years of colonial dominion are firmly etched and preserved in the freedom Park on Broad Street in Lagos. It was built with bricks imported from England with money earned in Lagos in order to keep our nationalists in confinement.”
“Let us be very clear October 1, 1960 was the day of nationhood for Nigeria. My teachers and parents thought me that history. I used to come out as a child to participate in the Independence Day parade exactly as the children that here today.
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State acknowledges cheers, during the 53rd Independence day anniversary, at Police College Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Akeem Salau.
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State acknowledges cheers, during the 53rd Independence day anniversary, at Police College Ikeja, Lagos, Tuesday. Photo: Akeem Salau.
“Then what is this centenary suddenly about because I don’t remember as a child ever coming on amalgamation day to celebrate the day. And suddenly how did we get to 100 when we did not celebrate the 50th, 60th and 99th anniversary.”
“There is something wrong here. I don’t know why the celebration but I will like clarification. Maybe conception of Nigeria took place in 1914. But it is the date of birth of the child that one celebrates and I think that birthday is October 1st, 1960.”
The governor however called for tolerance and peaceful co-existence, saying “I am lending my voice to the appeal for peace across our land.
“Only a peaceful solution must be found to arrest the present worsening stalemate and restore normalcy into the country.
“I believe that we are too blessed to resolve our differences with threats of violence. For me, compromise is critical and we must all reach for it in order to make more meaning out of our situation.”
Centenary celebration is another avenue for the fed gvt to waste resources. Its sad
ReplyDeleteFashola does not know history. Nigeria existed after the amalgamation of 1914 when the southern and norther british protectorates were joined together. After this time the British still ruled us until 1960 when Nigeria was granted independence. After independence was granted,Nigeria started manging her own affairs including governance. I was thought this in my social studies and general studies in the universities. our leaders should stop playing politics with everything.
ReplyDeleteI think Mr. Fashola is not correct with History, because history taught us that Nigeria came to be in 1914 after the amalgamation of Northern and southern protectorates, not every child celebrates it's birthday and besides nigeria was still under the british colonial rule, so yes Mr. Fashola, nigeria will soon be 100yr old.
ReplyDelete@anonymous October 2, don't mind Fashola jare. How is he expecting me to get my own gold plated cell phone, (somebody to remind me the cost again) if we do not celebrate 100 years of our existence next year? Fashola continues to pretend not to know that the boys must wack. Rice, chicken and drinks for all schools in Nigeria next year joo. Caveat..if the schools are still there!!!!
ReplyDeleteGovernor Fashola. It is just like a child that was born into slavery by a mother in slavery. He can not convert day of freedom from slavery to be date of birth. Though born into slavery, his date of birth remains the day he was born. So, Nigeria became existing in 1914. Thanks my performing governor
ReplyDeleteI don't still understand the significance of the centenary celebration, afterall our stay as a Nation has not been successful, especially after independence. This is just one of those avenues our govt creates for some people to loot the country more. Its really unfortunate, given the rate of poverty, unemployment, insecurity etc. in the land. This has further proven the inefficiency and incompetence of the GEJ led administration.
ReplyDelete