It was the day Nigeria attained independence from the British colonialists after dogged efforts by the country’s nationalists. It was not exciting then.”According to him, after the eventful day, subsequent Independence Day celebrations while in school involved visiting people or following masquerades and dancing. He explained that succeeding Independence Day anniversaries were wrapped up in academics and the celebrations later became “repetitious and boring.”Also, a famous labour unionist and elder statesman, Chief Frank Kokori, said that the October 1, 1960 Independence Day celebration was the unforgettable one among subsequent ones. Onobrakpeya said he joined the celebration in Lagos by painting murals on the walls of the Race Course, adding that the 1960 Independence Day celebration was the most unforgettable for him. Many Nigerians were there and I was blessed.”Mixed feelingsThe excitement that pervaded the air on October 1, 1960, during the Independence Day celebration appeared to have waned among many Nigerians including the elderly who witnessed the first independence celebration.

Source: Punch October 02, 2021 23:36 UTC