Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has stated that Nigerians cannot genuinely celebrate the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary while millions of citizens remain trapped in poverty, hunger, unemployment, and insecurity. He noted that Nigeria cannot claim to have achieved true independence without freedom, dignity, justice, and equality for its citizens. Sowore made these statements in a post on X to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
Sowore emphasized that although Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960, millions of Nigerians were yet to enjoy the fundamental benefits associated with independence. He said that the fundamental promise of independence, including freedom, dignity, prosperity, justice, and equality, remains unfulfilled for many Nigerians. According to Sowore, Nigerians are still grappling with poverty, hunger, unemployment, insecurity, and inadequate access to basic services.
The human rights activist criticized the state of education, healthcare, and electricity in Nigeria, accusing those entrusted with public resources of misappropriation. He stated that Nigerians cannot call themselves truly independent when their children are denied quality education, workers earn wages that cannot sustain their families, hospitals are collapsing, and electricity remains a luxury. Sowore also noted that those entrusted with public resources loot with impunity.
Sowore maintained that Nigerians are not responsible for the challenges confronting the country, describing them as hardworking, creative, and resilient. He said that Nigeria’s problem lies with successive governments that have failed to adequately utilize the country’s human and natural resources. According to Sowore, the tragedy is that successive ruling establishments have squandered Nigeria's enormous human and natural wealth while demanding endless sacrifices from those who have the least.
Sowore argued that Nigerians deserve more than ceremonial celebrations and promises, advocating for equal rights and revolutionary justice. He stated that citizens should enjoy equal rights and have access to basic services, including quality education, healthcare, and reliable electricity. Sowore also emphasized that workers should earn a living wage, and young people should be able to build meaningful lives without fear.
The human rights activist called for genuine independence from corruption, oppression, poverty, injustice, ethnic manipulation, and religious bigotry. He stated that the responsibility of his generation goes beyond celebrating the independence attained in 1960, but rather to redo it. Sowore emphasized that Nigerians must build a country that is genuinely independent, not just from colonial rule, but from internal colonizers.
Sowore concluded by calling for a Nigeria that serves all citizens rather than a privileged section of the population. He advocated for a country where workers can earn a living wage, access quality education and healthcare, and enjoy reliable electricity. According to Sowore, this can be achieved by building a Nigeria that is genuinely independent and just, where no Nigerian is arrested, brutalized, or imprisoned simply for challenging those in power.
Key points
- Omoyele Sowore criticizes Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
- Sowore calls for institutional reforms to unlock economic wealth.
- He advocates for genuine independence from corruption and oppression.
