By Laraba MUREY
The minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa- Musawa, has commemorated the nation’s 65th Independence anniversary with a poetic tribute titled “Remember, Remember the 1st of October.”
The ode, rendered in rhyming stanzas, reflects on Nigeria’s history, its struggles, and the resilience of its people. In the opening lines, Musawa writes:
“Remember, remember, the last day of September.
It ushers the dawn of the 1st of October.
Independence Galore for each person, each member,
Nigeria is still populated with ginormous ember.”
Her verses recall the promise of independence, the pains of the civil war, and the challenges of corruption, while also calling for unity and renewal. “What we must not condone is the divide of religions and ethnicity scorn. For what is this nation, where will we be thrown, if Nigeria divided and we each went alone?” she wrote.
The minister also paid homage to Nigeria’s founding fathers, noting their contributions to self-rule. “Awo, Zik and Sardauna made a fortress for thee. Balewa he stood, as did Macauley, to make Ye as brave as Ye can be,” she penned.
Closing her tribute, Musawa urged Nigerians to look to God and remain steadfast in building a better nation:
“Whatever will happen we must look up to God,
He giveth and taketh with merely a nod!
…Nigeria is beautiful, our homeland is glorious;
And with help from above, she can be meritorious.”
Her message comes as Nigeria marks 65 years of independence on October 1, 2025, with citizens reflecting on the country’s progress and prospects.
