The convener of Operation Rebuilding the Broken Walls and Hope Initiative, Apostle (Dr) Paul Akinselure, has urged Nigerians to embark on a deeper reflection on what constitutes genuine independence.
Akinselure stated this in a message to mark the nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
According to him, while the official commemoration recognises Nigeria’s freedom from British colonial rule in 1960, some commentators argue that the realities facing the country show that it is yet to attain complete independence in practice.
He noted that despite the sacrifices of nationalist leaders such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello, Nigeria continues to face challenges that question the true meaning of independence. He emphasised that the country still battles with problems such as heavy reliance on foreign countries for education, healthcare, food, technology, and other essentials.
He pointed to governance failures, corruption, and weak institutions as factors undermining the vision of self-rule and development that the founding fathers fought for. He argued that these realities have kept the nation in a cycle of dependency despite the symbolic freedom achieved in 1960.
According to him, Nigeria must embrace knowledge, integrity, and genuine leadership to achieve true liberation. He emphasised that independence should not only be celebrated as a historic milestone but also seen as a challenge for both citizens and leaders to build a more self-reliant and truly free nation.
