Nsukka, NIGERIA – Today marks the day Nigeria gained independence from colonial rule.
It’s arguably the most important date in Nigeria’s history, as it crystalizes the day the labors of our past heroes prevailed over the control of the British colonial government.
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Even though my country’s history ever since has been laced with ups and downs, including the bloody Nigerian civil war of 1967-1970, different military juntas, press suppression, the oil boom, Olympic milestones and citizen protests, we must not neglect one remarkable benefit of being independent – the freedom to make choices.
As simple as it may seem, people make choices every day. Some are significant, while others aren’t. And as a country, we have been making choices since October 1, 1960. Those choices have made us who we are today.
On January 16, 2027, eligible Nigerians who are at least 18 years old will be able to make another defining choice by selecting a few who will lead the majority for the next four years, through a practice referred to as election.
This brings us to an important question: if independence gives us the freedom to choose, shouldn’t we also take responsibility for understanding what we are choosing?
This question is important because understanding is the bedrock of quality choice.
If we are going to enjoy the next four years, we must move past the stage of selecting leaders based on inconsequential reasons like ethnicity, fear, favor, political party affiliation or immediate benefits at the polling unit.
We must probe each party, candidate, and option by asking specific questions like:
What does the office actually do? What has each candidate previously done? What are they promising? Can those promises realistically be delivered? What does their record tell us? What information are we consuming? Are we examining claims or merely sharing them?
The message is clear. As Nigeria turns 66 today, we cannot forget that the better country we hope for lies in our hands and the quality choices we make.
Nobody will do the work for us.
Happy Independence Day, Nigeria.
Chibuike Chukwuka is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
