Independence or Another Word to Describe Hardship?

By Popoola Idayat

We say we gained freedom, but are we really free?

We say we are independent, but are we sure we are not held down by the shackles?

We say we are Nigerians, that we are one, but are we truly one?

Independent but still we fight over religion, tribe, ethnicity and gender.

Independence cannot be independence by saying we are one but despise one other.

O Nigeria! Oh my dear Motherland!

65 years it has been—of hardship and suffering,

Sixty-five years of struggle, of hoping, and believing what will be will be.

Of hoping it will get better.

How long?

How long shall we swallow hope and wait for it to digest?

How long shall we wait?

Sixty-five years it has been, Sixteen President we have had, and we still believe that our success is in another man's land.

O Nigeria! Oh my dear Nigerians!

When shall we wake up from this slumber?

When shall we stand together?

When shall we fight for the actual independence?

So, happy independence day, just for saying and not because I mean it.

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