In better times Nigeria’s National Day being October 1st of every year would be heralded, celebrated trailed as an aftertaste, by infectious excitement in the air across the entire country, as Nigerians would be celebrating the fortunes of the country on the anniversary of its independence as a nation in 1960.
From the national level to the regions and at a later time states, there would be dramatic scenes of people striving to outdo each other in creating sights, scenes and sounds that would make the day remarkable at paying deserving tribute to the country.
Inspired by patriotism, units of the military, paramilitary and sundry organized bodies as well as school children, would all file out in honour parades for the country, at which heads of the government at the respective tier of governance or designated representatives would stand on the dais to receive salutes on behalf of the country.
Incidentally, celebrations in respect of the 2020 National Day for Nigeria and most countries across the world were scaled down in deference to the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic, with its demanding regime of protocols on social distancing and personal protection.
In the same vein several states including Lagos have also cancelled the National Day celebrations.
However, while for Nigeria in particular this year’s National Day celebrations was low-keyed and even cancelled by some states, it had been so for some time.
Indeed, the low-key celebration of Nigeria’s National Day and other such commemorative occasions had been on for some years before COVID-19 pandemic, and had been so due to factors that were more associated with security than other concerns by the government.
Not surprising too, in the course of time special days like Labour Day May 1st and Democracy Day May 29th have also faced a gradual loss of their significance before the citizenry, and often passed off like any other day.
Throughout the country’s history, instances which featured the down play or cancellation of the National Day celebration have tallied with periods when the country faced contingencies.
For instance, in the early years soon after independence, celebration of the National Day was definably ostentatious.
But the situation soon changed from 1966 and remained so until 1970 – a period which is often referred to as the days of locusts for the country, and which featured the first and second coups (all in 1966), as well as the 30 month long Nigerian Civil War.
All through that period the National Day along with all the paraphernalia of celebration were effectively in abeyance as the country itself was in a prolonged state of political crisis.
Likewise in 1982 during the days of President Shehu Shagari when there was a border dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon, events which were earlier earmarked for the celebration of that year’s National Day were scaled down.
The significance of the National Day was to suffer further decline when on May 29 1999, the newly elected civilian administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo was inaugurated and that day from then was elevated to be the country’s Democracy Day.
Even as the new Democracy Day May 29th has enjoyed a competing status with the National Day October 1st, not a few Nigerians are still at sea over which of the two days should take precedence, when and how.
Of especial significance is the now new normal that since the onset of the Boko Haram insurgency over a decade ago hardly has the country celebrated the National Day with the traditional fanfare at least at least at the national level being the commanding height of the country, ostensibly also out of security concern.
The series of attacks launched by the insurgents in Abuja effectively put paid to any such plans of open merriment in the place and states are following the lead of the federal government.
Not unexpectedly however, a dispensation of diminished significance of the National Day, has implications for the country and the citizenry.
Generally, commemorative days and activities help build and sustain bonding between persons and past events as well as objects and other tendencies. By downplaying such a special day like Nigeria’s National Day, its symbolism is diminished before the citizenry.
The denial of the National Day of its significance also has grave implications as far as building patriotism in the citizenry is concerned.
The citizenry is not just a mass of humanity caged together in one monolithic structure at which any slogan – no matter its intrinsic value, can be thrown at.
Rather the citizenry are a community of independent minded persons who deserve personalized individual engagement to facilitate their buy-in into any pubic dispensation which is intended for public interest.
In the foregoing context lies the importance of highlighting the significance of the National Day as dedicated deservingly to celebrate the country’s heritage along with the national symbols which are the National flag, the National anthem and the National pledge.
It is undeniable that many Nigerians among the present day generation and sadly even some of older generations, are largely oblivious of the significance of these symbols of the nation’s heritage and how to honour the country through them.
For instance Nigerians are witnesses to instances where nominees to high public office like ministerial positions failed to recite before the public authorities such as the National Assembly, the various verses of the National Anthem and even the Pledge.
Beyond the open display of ignorance of the critical emblems of the country by high profile citizens, is the equally disturbing disinterest of the younger generations in the vital faces of the country.
It would seem that gradually Nigeria is breeding citizens who are alienated to the nation and whatever it stands for.
Hence while the bulk of persons in the current generations may have been lost in the ongoing miasma, over the country’s nationhood, the situation can still be resolved by ensuring a more discretional process of indoctrination for the upcoming generations.
The starting point is a renewed focus on imparting civic culture and historical appreciation of the country by the designated beneficiaries.
It is time the Constitution – even if it is only critical sections of it, should form part of the country’s primary and secondary school curriculum.
