By Akpan David, Calabar
A constitutional lawyer and public affairs analyst, Justice Osai Ahiakwo has urged Nigerians to use the 66th Independence anniversary to reflect on the meaning of freedom and whether the promise of independence is being translated into security, dignity, justice and opportunity.
Ahiakwo, in an Independence Day message, said Nigeria was undergoing what he described as a “clinical surgical operation” to reclaim its national image and recalibrate its sense of self-discovery.
He said the country’s challenges, including insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment and inequality, required an honest diagnosis and deliberate efforts to remove harmful practices, repair damaged institutions and preserve what remained healthy.
Ahiakwo said Nigerians’ resilience should not become an excuse for permanent hardship, stressing that the fundamental question remained whether the security and welfare of citizens were at the centre of governance.
He cited Section 14(2)(a) of the Constitution, which places sovereignty in the people, and Section 14(2)(b), which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
The lawyer also referenced Sections 16 and 17 on economic development, equality of opportunity, human dignity and social justice, saying the provisions form part of the constitutional vision for governance.
According to him, independence should mean the ability of citizens to live without fear, pursue lawful livelihoods, educate their children, protect their property, seek justice and participate meaningfully in national affairs.
He urged government to obey the Constitution, strengthen weak institutions and ensure that public power was not abused, while citizens should know their rights, fulfil their civic responsibilities and demand accountability through lawful means.
Ahiakwo also called on Nigerians to reject discrimination, saying the country’s diversity should promote inclusion and that no citizen should have to apologise for his or her ethnic origin, place of birth, religion or political opinion to enjoy the protection of the law.
“At 66, Nigeria must move from the language of aspiration to the discipline of constitutional responsibility,” he said, urging public officers to regard political authority as a trust and citizens to uphold justice, equality, dignity, responsibility and respect for the rule of law.
