Nigeria: 65 Legacies Lost in 65 Years!

Sele Media Africa
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Reported by David Joshua | Sele Media Africa

As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, the nation reflects not only on its achievements but also on the many legacies lost along the way — leaders, institutions, values, and dreams that once held promise.

What’s Been Lost

• Many founding icons are no longer alive: heroes like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, and others who defined the early years of the country have passed on.
• Institutions that once inspired public trust have been eroded by corruption, neglect and decay: from healthcare systems to infrastructure, power supply, and governance structures.
• The ideals of unity, social justice, and public service—so central to Nigeria’s birth—have often been sidelined in the march toward self-interest, division, and political expediency.
• Numerous human lives, particularly among marginalized communities, have been lost to insecurity, poor healthcare, poverty, and crisis that could have been prevented.

Voices and Views

While some celebrate the resilience and progress achieved over six decades, others see 65 as a reminder of unfulfilled potential and enduring challenges.
Critics point out that despite advances in telecoms, finance, and culture, many Nigerians still lack access to basic services, and the gap between elite and ordinary citizens is as wide as ever. [1]

Analysts warn that remembering losses is not enough — what matters more is how the country rebuilds from those lessons and recaptures lost legacies for future generations.

Citations:

1. The Guardian Nigeria: guardian.ng/politics/nigeria65-two-days-after-independence-bitter-divisions-persist-over-nations-future/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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