The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has marked Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a poignant poem she describes as a “Word-Rhyming-Flower.”
Titled “Remember, Remember the 1st of October,” the ode blends history, faith, and hope to reflect Nigeria’s journey from 1960 to the present.
In the poem, Musawa recalls the nation’s founding, the civil war, corruption, and divisions that have threatened unity, while emphasizing resilience and renewal.
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Musawa urged resilience and national renewal in her ode.
She wrote: “Of all the carnage, 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? At this time, we are 65; Folks now we must atone!”
The Minister also celebrated Nigeria’s founding fathers and called for a continued pursuit of liberty, saying:
“Even rebellion is an effort to set thee free. We, protege, must continue to give to thee, In the path of those who doth walk for Ye.”
Musawa concluded with a message of faith, love, and hope:
“Whatever will happen we must look up to God,
“He giveth and taketh with merely a nod! We must believe in this nation and love it unconditionally.
“Motherland, I gift you this Word-Rhyming-Flower…
To every Nigerian… HAPPY INDEPENDENCE!”
The poem has been shared widely on social media, resonating with citizens as a call for unity, hope, and national pride on Nigeria’s milestone anniversary.
NAN/Oluchi