By Chiagoziem Abosi
As Nigeria prepares to celebrate its Independence Day, there’s a quiet heaviness in the air, felt by many citizens who have lost faith in a brighter future. Once, this time of year was marked by hope and patriotism, but now, whispers of disillusionment have taken their place.
In Ikeja, Lagos, Mr. Gbenga, a civil servant in his 40s, expressed what many Nigerians are thinking. “All I ask for this Independence is that the price of fuel drops. It’s not much, but it would go a long way in showing the government listens,” he says earnestly. His plea isn’t just about economic relief; it’s about the need for a symbolic gesture that might restore a bit of faith in leadership.
For many, like Gbenga, the current economic hardships—fueled by high inflation and skyrocketing fuel prices—have made daily survival a challenge. People no longer dare to dream about the Nigeria they want, for fear of their wishes falling on deaf ears. “I stopped hoping,” says Mrs. Nneka, a teacher in Ikeja. “How can I wish for something better when the basics are missing?”
There’s a growing sentiment that the meaning of freedom, which Independence once symbolized, has lost its shine. It no longer represents a collective hope for the future, but rather a reflection of broken promises. “We’re free in name, but what does that freedom even mean?” asks Chinedu, a young entrepreneur. Like many Nigerians, he feels trapped by the lack of opportunities and an unresponsive system.
Yet, in the midst of despair, some still hold onto a fragile hope. “Even with all the disappointment, I believe things can change,” says Kemi, a shop owner in Ikeja. “Maybe if the government listens—just once—things will improve. We just want one of our pleas to be answered, even if it’s small.”
For many Nigerians, the best Independence gift this year wouldn’t be grand speeches or fireworks. It would be the simple gesture of being heard. Whether it’s a reduction in fuel prices, better healthcare, or security, they seek tangible change that affects their daily lives. It is a hope that, even if faint, still flickers in the hearts of those who haven’t entirely given up.
As the nation reflects on its history this October 1st, perhaps the greatest gift Nigerians could receive is the chance to believe again in the possibility of a better future—a future where freedom truly means something.
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