Nigerian Independence Day on Wednesday, October 1 celebrates the country’s independence from the United Kingdom.
The day of independence is recognized as October 1, 1960. The break came after years of work by Nigerians.
Check out some quotes and sayings below.
1. “We want to lead a country where people will be less greedy. Where people will know that the commonwealth of Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, where people’s wealth depends on the people around you. If you become a rich person and everyone around you is poor you are very poor.” -- Goodluck Jonathan
2. “Nigeria is like everywhere, really: there are some beautiful places that have been invested in and others that haven’t been.” -- Tinie Tempah
3. “Nigeria is what it is because its leaders are not what they should be.” – Chinua Achebe
4. “Looking at faces of people, one gets the feeling there’s a lot of work to be done.” – Wole Soyinka
5. “Nigeria has had a complicated colonial history. My work has examined that part of our story extensively.” -- Chinua Achebe
6. “You go to conferences, and your fellow African intellectuals - and even heads of state - they all say: ‘Nigeria is a big disappointment. It is the shame of the African continent.’” – Wole Soyinka
7. “Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. If Nigeria succeeds at democratic governance it will be an anchor for all of West Africa. Africa needs a strong Nigeria.” -- Ed Royce
8. “Well, Nigeria has played a constructive role in peacekeeping in various parts of West Africa. But unless and until Nigeria itself is democratic and respects human rights, it too may well be a source of much greater instability as political repression limits the ability of the people of Nigeria to achieve their full potential.” -- Susan Rice
9. “Each one of us, and, indeed, all those who aspire to national leadership must bring their own visions, views and styles to the business of reforming Nigeria, and the search for solutions.” -- Ibrahim Babangida
10. “There is no country in the world with the diversity, confidence and talent and black pride like Nigeria.” -- Binyavanga Wainaina
11. “So many times I’ve encountered people who are just kind of like, ‘Yeah, Nigeria,’ and, you know, thump their chest and seem very sure of, like, being Nigerian. And I’m just kind of, like, I wish I could be that sure.” -- Helen Oyeyemi
