Happy Independence Day Nigeria, Cheers to a Happy People!

Since the declaration of Independence on the 1st of October 1960, Nigeria and Nigerians have transcended from different times and trends but whatever the side of the coin, we have lived happily through it; Cheers to us!!!

Nigeria hasn’t always justified the faith of it’s people but the era of communication has portrayed us in good light as a people that have mastered the art of turning limes to lemonades.

Since the advent of computer mediated communication, the nation has received a boom in the entertainment industry which somehow, always gives rest to the Nigerian mind.

Social media in some ways is a very special tool with which an average Nigerian is able to lend a voice to issues of National concern and this, most times is done with unrivaled sense of humour which places us above others  as one of the happiest people alive and this is against all odds.

In  the Music and Dance  scene, we have had amazing dance steps to go with the best of Afro music the world will ever have. As one  Nigeria, we danced ‘suo’ from the Danfo Driver’ Classic, to ‘Galala’. As a nation bound by the same social needs, we embraced  and danced to Olu Maintain’s ‘Yahooze’, then there was ‘Alanta’, ‘Alingo’ then ‘Etighi’. All the way from Ghana, we learned and danced ‘Azonto’ like it was our own. Together, we danced ‘Skelewu’, ‘Shoki’ and ‘Shakiti Bobo’ and together, we are still dancing to happy times and good tides.

The movie industry has also contributed in giving us hope, our film makers have helped project a future of a happy ever after, they have also done well to shed light on the past that brought us where we are now. Our rich cultural heritage is not left out on this one. Tunde Kelani’s ‘Saworiode’ is one of such movies.

In these times of Social Media, the roles of clap backs, puns, short skits, vox pops and other social media tools cannot be over emphasised in our quest for laughter. Fela must have been a prophet to describe us as ”Suffering and Smiling” for there are no tougher times than these but as the strong and happy people that we are, we will transition to greater times in the same high spirits as One  Nigeria.

Happy Independence Day!