Nigeria @58: Senior citizens recall 1960 with nostalgia

Inaolaji Oyinkansola, Naomi Ugbiedah, Damilare Oguntoyinbo, Ewejobi Pelumi, Aderibigbe motunrayo,

Whenever Nigeria marks its independence, it’s often common to hear people saying that the socio-economic and political conditions in Nigeria were sliding.

But most times, when one bothers to ask from some senior citizens, how the Nigerian society used to be, and how its faring in different areas, mum has often been the word. To mark this year October 1, senior citizens reveal details of the 60s they recollected.

Mrs Comfort Sharemi is a 73-year-old woman, who, while reminiscing over the past, had a smile stealing across her face. No one is sure what flashed through her mind, probably love, but she preferred to remember and discussed something else other than love.

She said: “Life was easier before October 1960. At least, financially, life then was fun and our money had real value. We were using pounds and a worker, earning just a pound as salary every month end, could live fine. In fact, a family of four can spend just a pound for a whole month. School fees then were quite affordable for everyone. Back then, there was nothing like sachet water. What we had then was iced-water, which was just about five kobo. It was still the same size with the present sachet water of today.”

Sharemi said that when she was in secondary school, she was usually given only one pound as a feeding allowance to boarding, which served her for a whole term. She recalled that her school fees for a complete session were just 60 pounds.

“I was receiving just 17 pounds when I started working. I made contributions out of it. I fed my younger ones and usually bought foodstuff. Do you know that after all these, I would still have money left with me? Whatever you bought, like furniture, was usually made of good quality,” said Sharemi.

According to her, security wise, citizens were sure of protection, than present day Nigeria.

She added: “After independence, we build houses that had no burglary on the window. I can tell you that today; we have imprisoned ourselves in our own houses. Today, because of security apparatus, it takes a long time to open door for a visitor. Now, people have to open the burglary before opening the door itself. Back then, we had only divine security and it really worked for us.”

She said that even as people these days are screaming about insecurity in some certain parts of Lagos State, people back then walked freely at any time without fear of being robbed or attacked.

Smiling softly she said: “We used to have overnight parties and we go home whenever we liked. Education was real, because we all read and tried our best possible to pass our exams. We made sure we didn’t miss classes. But these days, students wouldn’t attend classes and end up having excellent results.”

She described as worrisome, a situation, whereby present day graduates can’t write a good application letter. She said that whenever students were about to graduate in the 60s, parents were always excited, knowing that graduation means immediate employment.

“We valued our resources like the cow skin, groundnuts, Cocoa and some other things that we exported to other countries. Cocoa farmers back then were very rich, but now all have being neglected and oil is the only natural resources we have now. There are too many atrocities now because our youths are too lazy. They don’t want to use their energy for good things. They do illegitimate job like robbery and they won’t have peace of mind even when they have the money,” said Sharemi.

As for Mr. Oluremilekun Oguntoyinbo, 58, October 1, 1960, was the day he was born. He described it as his year.

He noted that between 1960 and 1970, there had been a lot of differences. He explained that the economy, during that time boomed and everything was swell.

He further said: “During that period, we had good leaders, who were concerned about the well beings of the citizens. The voices of the poor were heard. During that time, the world had not been civilised. Nigerians valued everything they had, unlike now that Nigerians have taken everything with levity.

“Even during the time of General Gowon, after the independence, you can still use N1 to purchase many things. But today, even with thousands of naira, you can only get a few things. I believe in Nigeria. I believe in our leaders, those ones that are God fearing. I pray that Nigeria will be a better nation very soon because we still have leaders that fear God, but the bad eggs did not give gap for the good leaders to be recognised.”

Mr. Steven Selowo, a retired federal civil servant in his mid-90's, residing at Close 32, Satellite Town, Lagos State, said that Nigeria as a country was peaceful before it gained independence.

He said: "I call the days of Nigeria before it gained independence, ‘The old good days,’ because Nigeria was peaceful with no crime as much as there is now. Back then, you could go out as late as 11pm and no one would attack or harass you. Security was tight, and money was managed compared to now. Travelling from Lagos to Ibadan used to be as cheap as 5 shillings; Naira had a great value. Nowadays, Naira had no value. I can remember how 1Naira was to 1pound. Salaries were paid as at when due. There was nothing like corruption and food was affordable.”

Selowo said that what killed Nigeria was corruption. He claimed back then, there was no corruption, and there was less crime.  “People were committed to their works and there was discipline.”

He said that the advent of the internet, had added to the country’s doom. “We’ll keep praying that Nigeria will change, but looking at the situation in Nigeria, one may lose hope. Those who were in power and control of the country managed the government compared to now where the people in power embezzle money and are not honest. We, the governed, don't even have a say in this country. At least, during the time of Gowon, civilians were still encouraged. There are many crimes right now and poor governance and we want to celebrate Nigeria? What exactly are we celebrating,?” asked Selowo.

Mrs. Bose Okubote, a retired banker, who is in her late 70's, also residing in Satellite Town, Lagos, said: “Even as Nigeria was less developed, the electricity, good roads, education, excess food, running water is nothing to be compared to now. The salary of 50kobo was more than enough to feed the family, and paid house rents. People were so committed to their jobs that no one had time for kidnapping, corruption and embezzlement. People were disciplined and organised. The cost of living was far   better than now because there were trusted and faithful people in leadership positions.”

Okubote said that there more love among Nigerians then, than now. “These days, you switch on television and all you hear is how people are killed daily. The costs of building materials were cheap. People built houses with less than hundred thousand Naira. There was free education, which enabled some of our leaders to get knowledge. But as it seems like now, they are nothing but educated illiterates. Foodstuffs were distributed to teachers in their respective schools on monthly basis, with just a token, which is no more happening today. Our economy was better in those days than now. Naira superseded the Dollars because of economy stability. The graduates were employed after schooling.

“Why wouldn’t there be kidnapping and robbery when the government has failed to provide good employment. Nigeria's population has added to the problems in Nigeria. You find people who couldn’t take care of themselves giving birth to babies, and having as much as five children. Nigeria has to recover from a lot and recover her lost glory, until then, Nigeria is not worth celebrating.”

Mrs. Muibatu Balogun 75 opined that the systems of independence and democracy have now changed.

She said that during the period Queen Elizabeth came to Nigeria, to give Nigeria independence, everything was so peaceful and there was no hardship, no killing and no kidnapping.

She said there was no much struggle back then and traders were not inflating prices at markets.

Balogun said: “Even the Obas didn’t disturb anyone. But our leaders of these days bring hardship, which cannot be compared to when we first gained independent. People can’t walk freely and even the economy is now so bad. There is inflation everywhere. The independent celebration of now is not in favor of anybody. Life is so hard for people. The one we celebrate now is very different compared to when we first gained independent.”

Mr. T.A Aliu 65 said that Nigeria Independence Day today, was different from before.

He said: “We celebrate Independence Day lining up, and cups painted Nigeria colour are shared. The Nigeria flag would be hoisted high everywhere. Then everything was peaceful. In fact, three days before the independent celebration day, everybody would have been preparing for the big day. But now, everything has changed. No one knows that we are about to celebrate our independence day, and now things have really changed. Before, everything was free; education, medical and other things were free. Now, our leaders have brought hardship into the country.”

Mr. Adeleke Badmus recalled that on October 1, 1960, he was still a student at Government College Ibadan.

“We were looking forward to the day of Independence which we thought at that time was the day of liberation. We expected absolute freedom.”

He said that 58 years ago, even before the national Anthem was written, the Federation of Nigeria got her independence and freedom and became the Republic of Nigeria.

Badmus said: “In 1960, I was seven-year-old. I remembered vividly that when they said the queen was coming, we were asked to come outside. We were so innocent. Unfortunately, the ruling class did not understand what independence meant. They thought it was the beginning of sharing the loot that was in Nigeria. I’m happy for the country, but things would still get better. I believe that, but it will take us time, I still believe in Nigeria. Nigeria is a land of hope and glory.”

Mrs. Omilola Lawrence remembered: “I was 11years and in elementary school in 1960. I was very young, but one thing I do remember was before 1960, we used to celebrate the queen’s birthday. I grew up in Onitsha and we used to have soldiers march to the stadium. But after we became independent, we were listening to what we used to call radio vision. It was a radio set tuned to one station. We would be hearing what they were doing at Tafawa Balewa Square on the queen’s birthday. Schools would be shut down and we would go to the field and watch soldiers during the march past, and clap for them.”                                        

Lawrence said that Nigeria needs people to develop its potentials, emphasizing that the country was experiencing a stunted growth.
According to Mr. Aderibigbe Abiodun, 65, before and after independence, life was good. He recalled that most people were comfortable, not rich, and they were all alright with that. Nobody yearned or desired stupendous wealth.
His words: “After Nigeria got her independent, things were going smoothly with the citizens of the country. Not everyone was rich, but the little ones they had was enough for them to survive.”

Mr. Adeoti Kayode Samuel said: “This is not the first independence. The future of Nigeria is big. We will be better. Just like what we all know, there are some people coming together to destabilize the future, but their plans will not work. Nigeria is what it is today because of God’s grace. I believe in Nigeria and I believe we will be a great nation, because it was good before, and now that we are experiencing many challenges, I believe it is for a great testimony.”