#TBT: From Independence To The Next Level, A Timeline Of October 1sts In Nigeria

It is no longer news but history that our great country and the Giant of Africa, Nigeria gained her Independence from the British colonial masters on Saturday, 1st October, 2019.

This event marked the success to the efforts and trials of heroes of our dear nation, seeking to free the Niger-area from the dictatorship and captivity of her masters with the aim of making her a stand-alone yet great and productive fatherland to her citizens. It also brought to an end, the physical authoritarianism, exploitation and custody of the British over the blessed land which flows of milk and honey.The whole nation and her indigenous inhabitants were filled with joy and anxiety as Nigerians stormed the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos to witness the long-awaited celebration. Students, Civil servants, Traders, Activists and Performers (cultural dancers, masquerades, acrobats, etc) all from the various ethnic groups in the nation gathered together with all eagerness to paint the celebration red. The celebration was not limited to the capital city of Lagos in the then Western region but every region celebrated in her capacity. That of Lagos, however, was the biggest and most colourful. Nigerians who could not make it to the TBS relished the memorable event through their black and white television sets.The event had kicked off with a great speech from the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who expressed his excitement for the newly liberated nation and her people, promising the colonial masters of a good rapport going forward. The two-coloured Nigerian flag as designed by Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi in 1959, was erect in replacement of the British flag and the National Anthem was sung amidst all joy.

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Since then, October 1st has become a National Day of prayers, of celebration of freedom, of belonging and of reflecting on issues, concerning the economic, social and political development of the country. Apart from this, however, there are other notable events that took place alongside the Independence celebration of the following years which we will be reminding ourselves of.

1. October 1, 1960: Nigerian gained her Independence, with Nnamdi Azikiwe as the Governor-General and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as the first Prime Minister.
2. October 1, 1963: Nigeria became a republic with Nnamdi Azikiwe as the President of the country and Tafawa Balewa retaining his position as the Prime Minister. Nigeria became more independent with her own constitution. The administration was however overthrown by a bloody coup in January 1966, just 6years after the Independence and one event leading to another, Nigeria was caught in the web of bloodshed, disunity, tribalism and civil war.
3. October 1, 1979: Alhaji Shehu Shagari was sworn in as president after he beat Obafemi Awolowo hands down in an election. Thus, the Second Republic began on this day.
4. October 1, 2001: Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo announced the formation of a National Security Commission to address the issue of communal violence.
5. October 1, 2010: Nigeria celebrated her golden jubilee anniversary of its independence.