Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN has urged Nigerians to celebrate Despite the Situation in the Country.

In a Statement to mark the 62nd Independence Day, Osigwe noted that the today “should be a soul-searching moment”.

The statement reads in part “I wish Nigeria and all its citizens a happy 62nd Independence Day.

“When Nigeria gained independence on the historic October 1, 1960, there were high hopes that it would set the pace for Africa and indeed blaze so many trails. It was hailed as the “Giant of Africa”.

“Today we clock 62 years as a nation independent from British colonialists. It’s been a mixture of successes, near-misses failures and disappointments. Despite the great expectations, Nigeria as a nation is on bent knees. It is yet to maximize its potentials. In fact, we face so many socio-political, economic and security challenges.

“Many expectations remain a mirage. A people once regarded as the happiest people on earth, bemoan their fate and live on hope. The country is enmeshed in several challenges, insecurity, terrorism, agitations of separatist groups, education crisis, abuse of rule of law, executive lawlessness, lack of transparency and accountability, corruption and numerous vices that have stifled our growth and development etc.

“The level of despondency gets worse. Confidence in governments continues to ebb as the economy worsens, insecurity gains ground, Naira continues to slide, jobs disappear, public universities remain close and social infrastructures buckle under. These have no doubt occasioned the young population, especially skilled professionals abandoning the country, seeking refuge in other climes and crimes increase.

“Today therefore calls for reflection, on how far we have gone low and derailed from the goals of the founding fathers of our dear nation. This should be a soul-searching moment. We must not improve things for the current, but ensure we make constructive plans to leap into the future. We cannot afford to be left behind or be a laughing stock.

“Hopefully, it is believed that we will reverse and turn around our fortunes, to really be the giant of Africa! Today, therefore we shall celebrate not only a great country but also also hope, resilience and can-do spirit that will surely propel us to greatness.

“Long live Nigeria!”