By Bashir Ahmad, OON

As Nigeria marks its 64th independence anniversary, let’s reflect on the journey that began on October 1, 1960, when our nation declared its sovereignty from British colonial rule.

Sixty-four years later, we celebrate not only the remarkable milestones achieved but also the enduring spirit of our unity, resilience, and hope that defines Nigeria.

Nigeria’s history is as diverse as its people. Long before the colonial era, the place that is now Nigeria was home to ancient civilizations such as Hausa, Kanuri, Ife, and Benin, whose legacies in art, governance, and trade continue to inspire pride. The unification of the northern and southern protectorates in 1914 set the stage for a modern Nigeria, culminating in its independence in 1960.

Since then, Nigeria has faced challenges, from civil conflict to political upheaval, yet the country has continually evolved. We have made significant strides in governance, education, and international diplomacy, establishing ourselves as a key player on the African continent and the world.

Nigeria’s strength lies in our diversity. With over 250 ethnic groups, the country is a melting pot of languages, cultures, and traditions. From Hausa, Yoruba to Igbo in the southeast, each group brings its own unique contribution to Nigeria’s rich cultural mosaic.

Our diversity is not only seen in culture but also in religion, with Islam and Christianity beliefs coexisting within the same space. This diversity is a source of strength and creativity, seen in our world-renowned literature, music, Nollywood/Kannywood films, and innovative industries.

Our cultural heritage is one of the most celebrated in Africa and beyond. The ancient art of Ife and Benin, the festivals of Osun-Osogbo, the Durbar celebrations in Kano and northern states, and the vibrant Afrobeats sound that has taken the world by storm are just a few examples of the immense cultural wealth our nation holds.

Nigeria’s natural heritage is equally impressive. From the Aso/Zuma Rock, the Yankari Games Reserve to the Obudu Cattle Ranch, the landscapes are as diverse as the people, offering vast potential for tourism and sustainable development.

As we celebrate our 64th Independence Day, it is essential to acknowledge that challenges remain. The country continues to grapple with issues such as economic inequality, insecurity, and political tension. However, Nigeria’s future remains bright, with immense potential for growth and development. The recent advances in technology, entrepreneurship, and a booming youth population present opportunities for progress and innovation.

As we look ahead, the vision of becoming one of the world’s leading economies is within reach. With the right leadership, investment in infrastructure, education, and technology, and a commitment to good governance, we can harness our vast human and natural resources to achieve sustainable development and economic growth.

On this 64th anniversary, let’s celebrate the journey so far and renew our commitment to the ideals of unity, peace, and progress. Together, as one people, we will continue to build a Nigeria that not only honors its past but also embraces its future with confidence and optimism.

Happy Independence Day, Nigeria!

Bashir Ahmad, OON, from Kano, Nigeria

By Yemi Adeoye

I have read a series of articles attacking the Federal Government for not telling the truth about fuel subsidy payments, following the NNPC Limited’s admittance that it was owing suppliers some $6 billion.

Some of the stories have been written with relish, as the authors believed they have uncovered some scoops.

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The truth is that there is no discovery. No lie uncovered.  The government has been faithful to its policy that it was no longer going to pay fuel subsidies since President Tinubu announced the deregulation of the PMS sector on 29 May 2023.

Since then, subsidy provisions have disappeared from the budget. It was not in the Supplementary budget of 2023, not in the 2024 budget and the amended 2024 budget.

So the giddy headlines about the so-called unraveling of the Tinubu government’s subsidy payment; and return of subsidy were not justifiable.

Rather what has unravelled was the commendable disposition of the oil company owned by all the tiers of government to absorb the rising costs of petrol at the pump and protect the Nigerian consumer. That generous disposition by NNPC Limited, backed by a compassionate president unwilling to let the people suffer, has been under threat for months, because of the rising cost of crude and the devalued Naira.

The NNPC cried out recently because it can no longer sustain the price differential on its balance sheet without becoming insolvent. The situation has greater implications for the ability of the three tiers of government to function as the NNPC has failed to pay into the Federation Account, the money that should go to the government.

There are no easy choices. Something must be done to make NNPC survive, keep the engines of government running and petrol flowing at the pumps.  That is the scenario that is unfolding and the game changer and big relief giver may well be the Dangote refinery and other local refineries which will become the fuel suppliers to the local market. When Dangote Refinery and other refineries,  including government owned Port Harcourt Refinery,  come fully on stream, our country and economy will benefit on all fronts. There will be many good paying jobs that will be created along the value-chain. There will also be  a drop in the huge demand for foreign exchange to import petroleum products.

By Olusegun Adeniyi

To say that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is enmeshed in a crisis of credibility is to put the situation mildly. For a man who got to office with a statistically narrow mandate of 37 percent of total votes cast, many expected Tinubu to rise above himself in order to establish an enduring legacy. That expectation now appears misplaced. Even more worrisome is that despite being in a ditch, the president and his handlers continue to dig by displaying a behaviour the Yoruba would describe as “tani o mu mi”. As I once explained on this page, it is the kind of impunity that carries a certain sense of hubris, not only for the perpetrator(s) but also for the larger society.

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It all began with a report in TheCable, which supplied the proof for what most already suspected or knew: The federal government has been spending trillions of Naira to pay for fuel subsidy even when officials continue to parrot the presidential deceit that “subsidy is gone.” Then, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar released a scathing statement that Nigeria “has been effectively mortgaged to President Bola Tinubu, his family, and associates,” citing how the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) allegedly put its retail arm under the control of OVH, which he claimed (it has been disputed by NNPC Ltd) is controlled by Wale Tinubu’s Oando.

These issues were still playing out when Nigerians got to know that a new presidential jet had been surreptitiously purchased by a government that has been doubling down on policies that make life difficult for the ordinary Nigerian. “The new plane, bought far below the market price, saves Nigeria huge maintenance and fuel costs, running into millions of dollars yearly,” was all the explanation from the villa, even when Nigerians still don’t know the cost of this plane and how it was acquired. And we probably would not have been informed about it had the Chinese firm, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co Limited, not impounded three presidential aircraft in Paris, following the order of a French court on their dispute with Ogun State. It was the court that included one ACJ330-200, 5N-FGA (msn 1053), “recently bought from AMAC Corporate Jet (AMK, Zurich) and still stationed at Basel” while authorising the bailiffs “to go any place where the aircraft registered 5N-FGU, 5N-FGT and 5N-FGA are located and seize them.”

That was how Nigerians got to know that we have a new presidential jet. The aircraft, we would later learn, was released as an act of benevolence to our president by the Chinese company so that it would not affect his travel plans, including to China next week for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit. Incidentally, I am currently in Chengdu, Sichuan Province of China for the 2024 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road where I was among the speakers yesterday on the theme, ‘Enhancing media cooperation for common development.’ I will also be attending the 3rd Belt and Road News Network (BRNN) Council meeting today before heading back home on Sunday.

In his column last Sunday explaining how Tinubu’s fuel subsidy reform efforts unravelled, Waziri Adio concluded that for the administration, “an open acknowledgment” that subsidy is still very much with us “is a necessary starting point, for you cannot address what you haven’t even accepted exists or is a problem.” And “after coming clean, the government needs to level up with Nigerians about how it plans to manage the subsidy in a transparent and accountable way.” But that is precisely where the problem lies: This president is exhibiting a contempt for transparency and accountability in the conduct of government business. We saw that with the award of the contract for the multi trillion Naira Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project and the manner several budgets are running concurrently.