As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence Anniversary, former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch, Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, FCIArb(UK), has called for sober reflection on the state of the nation. He urged Nigerians to honour the sacrifices of the country’s founding fathers while acknowledging that the current realities of poverty, insecurity, and underdevelopment betray the promise of independence.
Akangbe warned that corrupt and undemocratic elements have captured the state, exploiting religion and ethnicity to divide citizens and entrench misrule. He emphasized that true independence will only be realized when leaders rise above selfish ambition and citizens demand accountability, justice, and vision, insisting that the Nigerian dream is not dead but rests in the hands of the people.
Read full statement below;
Sixty five years ago, our founding fathers wrestled freedom from colonial rule, giving us the gift of self determination. Their sacrifice deserves remembrance. We must also salute the living nationalist legends who, in their own ways, continue to speak truth to power and labour for a just society.
But let us be honest: Nigeria is how it is today because we, the citizens, have allowed it. Corrupt and undemocratic elements have captured the state, using religion and ethnicity, gifts meant to unite us, as tools to divide and weaken us so they can plunder without resistance. We cannot speak of true independence while our people remain trapped in poverty, insecurity, and despair.
Other nations that started this journey with us, like Singapore and Malaysia, are far ahead. Yet the Nigerian dream is not dead. Its destiny rests in our hands. Now is the time for common sense, for citizens who will not be deceived again by empty promises or divisive rhetoric.
Our leaders must rise above selfish ambition to true nation building. And we, the people, must demand accountability, justice, and vision. Only then can independence become more than a date, only then can it become our reality.
Signed,
LATEEF OMOYEMI AKANGBE, SAN, FCIArb(UK)
Former Chairman, NBA Lagos Branch.
