Nigeria @ 65: “We Are Not Better, Our Independence Is Like A Bondage” – Primate Ayodele

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has expressed dissatisfaction with the state of Nigeria’s independence, describing it as another means of bondage.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele stated that the country has not become better and that people who fought for the nation’s independence have not been fully appreciated.

He stated that there are several differences in the country on different grounds, most especially politically, which have not allowed Nigeria to experience what it means to be independent

“At 65, we are still not better; those who fought recklessly for our independence have not been fully appreciated. They need to be appreciated by Nigeria getting united, but as it stands, we are not yet fully independent because of our several differences as a nation, especially politically. “

“Our independence is bondage for us; we are in a serious situation where there is no rest of mind and peace, for how long do we continue to pass through all of these?”

He frowned at people ruling the country the way they want it, which includes not appreciating those who worked tirelessly for where the country is at the moment.

“It’s unfortunate that the country is being run just the way people want; leaders are not appreciated, and people who have worked tirelessly have not been allowed to gain ground.”

Furthermore, he advised Nigerian leaders to work on five major things for the nation to experience what it means to be independent. He noted that the nation is sitting on a time bomb due to the issues in the country involving citizens.

“These are the five things we need to work on as we clock 65 we need to work insecurity, increase in production, utilisation of our mineral resources, agriculture and true federalism. It would be a fantastic independence.

“A lot of people are praying for separation; they have seen the government as without direction, there is tribal war, and I doubt if we are improving because we are not committed. Nigeria is in a very difficult independence moment, and we are sitting on a time bomb.”

TY BURATAI HUMANITY CARE FOUNDATION CELEBRATES PRESIDENT TINUBU, NATIONAL UNITY AS NIGERIA MARKS 65TH INDEPENDENCE

The TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation has joined Nigerians in celebrating the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary, paying glowing tribute to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and calling for renewed national unity, support for security agencies and remembrance of the nation’s heroes.

The announcement was disclosed in a statement made available to the press and signed by the Chairman of the Foundation, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu. The statement carried the message of the Foundation’s Grand Patron, His Excellency Amb. Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai, CFR (Rtd), former Chief of Army Staff.

In a rousing message to Nigerians, the Grand Patron urged citizens to “always remember and emulate our heroes past,” highlighting the values of patriotism, courage and selfless service that sustained the nation through difficult times. He urged Nigerians to uphold the legacy of those who sacrificed for the country, and to honour particularly the military personnel who “paid the supreme price” in service to the nation.

Amb. Buratai used the occasion to call for broad based support for security agencies, emphasizing that sustained public cooperation is vital for operations to succeed. He also praised the current service chiefs for their ongoing efforts to confront and reduce insecurity across the country, commending their dedication and urging continued collaboration between civilians and security forces.

The Grand Patron reiterated his confidence in the Tinubu administration, calling on Nigerians to support the President with prayers and patriotic cooperation. “We must stand together citizens, security agencies and government to secure the gains of our independence and to ensure that the administration’s efforts translate into peace, prosperity and progress for all,” the statement said.

The Foundation’s statement additionally highlighted the humanitarian footprint of the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation, underscoring its commitment to vulnerable communities across Nigeria. Since inception, the Foundation has been actively involved in relief distribution, healthcare outreach, and other social interventions designed to alleviate suffering and foster social cohesion, the statement noted. The Foundation reaffirmed its pledge to deepen humanitarian efforts and expand programs that support displaced persons, victims of insecurity and economically marginalized families.

Sadauki reiterated the Foundation’s solidarity with Nigerians as the nation reflects on its past and looks forward to a more secure, prosperous future. He described the Grand Patron’s message as “a clarion call for unity, resilience and decisive action” and urged citizens to translate words into collective commitment.

As Nigeria marks six and a half decades of independence, the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation’s message is emphatic: remember the heroes, support those who protect the nation, and rally behind leadership that seeks to restore peace and advance national development.

Nigeria at 65: A Celebration or a Call to Conscience?

By George O. Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

“65 years after independence, Nigerians at home and abroad must ask: Are we celebrating freedom or enduring failure?”

Introduction: Between Celebration and Reflection.
On October 1st, 2025, Nigeria marked its 65th Independence Anniversary. Around the world, Nigerians unfurled the GREEN-WHITE-GREEN flag, sang the national anthem and are organizing gatherings in unity. Among the voices of commemoration was Adv. Smart I. Nwobi, President General of the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA). In his message, he reminded Nigerians in the diaspora to remain steadfast and not relent in their daily pursuits, despite the odds.

“We Nigerians in Diaspora should not relent. We must always strive to thrive in our daily activities and endeavors,” he told SaharaWeeklyNG.com. His words, while encouraging, also raise a deeper question: what exactly are Nigerians celebrating at 65? Is it true independence, or is it endurance in the face of recurring hardship?

A History of Hope and Betrayal.
Nigeria gained independence from Britain on October 1st, 1960, amid great optimism. With vast natural resources, fertile lands and one of the largest populations in Africa, the nation was tipped to be a continental powerhouse. At independence, Nigeria’s GDP per capita was higher than South Korea’s and the country had a robust agricultural sector feeding not only its people but also serving as a major exporter of cocoa, groundnuts and palm oil.

Yet, six decades later, Nigeria tells a different story: Ranked poverty capital of the world in 2018 (Brookings Institution).

Over 133 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty as of 2023 (National Bureau of Statistics).

A youth unemployment rate surpassing 42%.

A failing public education system and chronic power shortages.

Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka once observed, “Nigeria is a nation perpetually at war with itself.” At 65, the nation still struggles with LEADERSHIP FAILURES, TRIBALISM, CORRUPTION and INSECURITY.

Diaspora Voices: The Resilient Nigerians Abroad.
Adv. Smart I. Nwobi’s words highlight a critical reality, Nigeria’s diaspora community has become not just an extension but a lifeline of the nation. According to the World Bank, Nigerians abroad remitted $20.1 billion in 2022, an amount higher than Nigeria’s federal allocation to education and health combined.

Nigerians abroad excel in academia, medicine, technology and business. From Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, to Dr. Bennet Omalu, the Nigerian-American physician who discovered Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), to countless entrepreneurs and innovators, the diaspora consistently proves the resilience of the Nigerian spirit.

As comedian I Go Dye once joked, “Nigerians do not travel abroad, we export solutions.” While humorous, his words capture a truth: Nigerians abroad thrive despite the failures of the state.

The Homefront Crisis: Poverty Amid Plenty.
Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer, yet its citizens endure endless fuel scarcity. The paradox of wealth and poverty is glaring. Economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has repeatedly warned: “Nigeria is not poor because it lacks resources. Nigeria is poor because of mismanagement and corruption.”

Consider this:
Nigeria earned over $1 trillion from oil since the 1970s, yet most citizens lack access to clean water, quality healthcare and steady electricity.

Over 20 states in 2024 failed to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage despite rising inflation and cost of living.

Universities were shut for eight months in 2022 due to strikes, while politicians continued to collect allowances running into millions of naira monthly.

Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Vice President, noted: “Nigeria’s problem has never been resources; it has always been leadership.”

Corruption and Leadership Failure.
At 65, Nigeria remains plagued by leaders who treat governance as personal inheritance. The Senate earns some of the highest salaries in the world, yet delivers some of the lowest governance outcomes. Governors loot state coffers, while local governments have become shadows of their constitutional purpose.

Activist Omoyele Sowore bluntly stated: “Nigeria is not a poor country; it has been made poor by a criminal political class that thrives on stealing from the people.”

Meanwhile, insecurity continues to ravage the country:
Boko Haram and banditry in the North.

Kidnapping epidemics in the South.

Farmers abandoning farmlands due to fear of attacks.

As comedian Gordons once quipped, “The only place Nigerians are sure of light is inside the mortuary.” Behind the humor is a bitter truth, basic infrastructure remains a mirage.

65 Years of Missed Opportunities.
Nigeria’s trajectory since independence has been marred by missed opportunities:
Agricultural collapse – from being a food exporter in the 1960s to relying on imports worth over $10 billion annually.

Industrial failure – factories shut down due to power shortages and policy inconsistency.

Brain drain – thousands of skilled professionals leaving under the “JAPA” wave, draining the nation of doctors, engineers and academics.

Political instability – six coups between 1966 and 1999, followed by two decades of democracy riddled with electoral malpractice.

The Call of Diaspora Responsibility.
Adv. Nwobi’s call is not merely ceremonial. Nigerians abroad must ask how their success can translate into national transformation. Beyond remittances, the diaspora must:

Influence policy by engaging with home-based governance structures.

Invest responsibly in small and medium enterprises to create jobs.

Champion accountability by demanding transparency in Nigeria’s institutions.

As Nelson Mandela once said: “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation.” The Nigerian diaspora has the potential to be that generation.

Nigeria at 65: Cause for Celebration or Protest?
So, is there a cause to celebrate? Yes – Nigerians have survived despite overwhelming odds. They have built communities, thrived in foreign lands and refused to surrender their identity. The Nigerian spirit remains unbroken.

Survival is not the same as success. At 65, the nation should have moved from survival to prosperity. It should have secured electricity for all, functional schools and hospitals that save lives instead of killing hope.

Chinua Achebe, Nigeria’s literary giant, once wrote: “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a FAILURE of LEADERSHIP.” That remains the nation’s central truth.

Final Word: A Call to Conscience.
As Nigerians raise the flag at 65, the real question is not about the number of years since independence, but the quality of life those years have delivered.

Adv. Smart I. Nwobi’s reminder to remain steadfast is valid. Yet steadfastness must go hand in hand with accountability. Nigerians at home and abroad must demand more from their leaders, refuse to normalize corruption and insist on a country worthy of its immense potential.

The green-white-green flag is not just cloth; it is a symbol of hope. Though symbols cannot feed the hungry or protect the vulnerable. Only LEADERSHIP, VISION and UNITY can.

At 65, Nigeria must decide: will it continue as a nation of SQUANDERED WEALTH and BROKEN PROMISES or will it RISE, at last, to its rightful place as Africa’s giant?