INDEPENDENCE DAY: Why remembrance of our past heroes brings tears to our eyes – Akin Ricketts 

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

“We have come to a point in our dear nation where the mere remembrance of our past heroes brings tears to our eyes. Why? Because many of our present-day leaders have betrayed the sacrifices of those who fought so selflessly for the freedom, dignity, and progress of Nigeria.”

A prominent chieftain of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Akin Ricketts, has described Nigeria at 65 as a country that needs support while expressing the hope that, with collective efforts of all Nigerians along the current line being toed by the opposition’s coalition party, the country will be great soon.

Ricketts made this assertion in an Independence Day message titled, “INDEPENDENCE IN NIGERIA NOT LIKE BEFORE”, signed his media aide, Essien Emmanuel, dated October 1, 2025 and circulated to the press.

He said, “We have come to a point in our dear nation where the mere remembrance of our past heroes brings tears to our eyes. Why? Because many of our present-day leaders have betrayed the sacrifices of those who fought so selflessly for the freedom, dignity, and progress of Nigeria. The legacy of courage, patriotism, and vision they left behind is being trampled upon by selfishness, corruption, and poor leadership.

“We can no longer feel the benefits of the good ideas once initiated under the leadership of His Excellency, Late President Muhammadu Buhari of blessed memory, who gave birth to the National Social Investment Programmes. These programmes, especially the N-Power scheme, stood out as a beacon of hope, programmes where the common man did not need to lobby, bribe, or bow to anyone to benefit, but simply accessed opportunities by right, as citizens who had entrusted their votes and faith in democracy.

“Sadly, those days are gone were our ministries, departments, and agencies once extended innovative support to the less privileged and now have abandoned these responsibilities. Instead, what do we hear today? That Nigeria must not owe, that petroleum subsidy must be removed, and that spending on the people is “a waste.” What a heartless idea! What an archaic and anti-people policy! A pain inflicted on millions by a so-called leaders who refuses to listen to the cries of his people.

“Today, Nigeria groans. We can hardly celebrate occasions like Independence Day with joy, because what is there to celebrate when hunger, insecurity, unemployment, high cost of living and despair define the lives of ordinary citizens? Our nation is in pain, and our heroes of the past, wherever they are, would weep bitterly at the state of their beloved country.

“My fellow Nigerians, we cannot remain in lamentation. The time has come for us to arise and shine again. The time has come for us to rise above politics, tribe, and religion and unite for the betterment of our nation. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we must take it back, not for ourselves alone, but for the sake of our children and generations yet unborn.

“Let us put our heads together. Let us join hands in unity and determination. Let us rescue Nigeria from the grip of bad leadership and reclaim the dreams of our founding fathers.

“Together, with courage, wisdom, and sacrifice, we can build the Nigeria of our dreams, a nation of justice, equity, and prosperity for all.

“Arise, compatriots. The future of Nigeria is in our hands. ADC can refresh Nigeria again!”, Chief Akin Ricketts said urging the people to invest their trust in the ADC as a better vehicle to convey them as nation’s citizens to the desired society of their dream.