Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Quiet, watchful celebrations

There are many reasons for subdued celebrations of Nigeria's independence. Perhaps some reflection will be a prelude to positive change.

Nigeria: Again, FG Plans Low Key Independence Day Celebration [from Leadership in Abuja]

The Federal Government has for the second time, decided to mark the Independence Day Anniversary of the Country in a low key. This time, it is not because it is wary of bomb attacks by the Boko Haram sect, which has been waging a relentless war against it, but in tune with the national mood. The occasion will rather be used to reflect on our national lives as well as correct some anomalies in the nation such as fixing the nation's dwindling economy.

The Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro who made this disclosure while intimating journalists on the activities that have been lined up for the 2012 and 52nd Independence Day celebration, explained that the low key celebration ,is in tandem with the current transformation agenda of the current administration.

"No aspect of the celebration has been withdrawn. The country is troubled at this particular time, and we have several cases of decayed infrastructures, natural disasters which affected so many people. Instead of a flamboyant celebration where a lot of money would be allocated, the federal government has decided to channel the money towards assisting victims of the natural disasters", the minister said…

And then

Nigeria: Gunmen Destroy MTN, Airtel Masts in Kano, Borno [from Daily Trust]

Gunmen attacked and damaged many mobile phone masts belonging to MTN and Airtel in Kano and Maiduguri yesterday, disrupting telecommunications in parts of the two cities, Daily Trust learnt.

In what appeared to be coordinated attacks on telecom installations, at least eight MTN masts were destroyed and its office burnt in Maiduguri between Tuesday night and early morning yesterday, while attackers detonated an explosive in front of a cell phone tower in Bauchi…