Independent Season: Still On the Quest for Freedom

Hello all. This may be coming late but I know the question/statement still runs through our minds. Yes Nigeria is 53, we thank God for that.....but is she really free?( that's left for you to answer). Yearly, on the first of October we are encouraged to remember the year 1960 when Nigeria became "free" . We say we are a free nation but as the saying goes, "action speaks louder than words"....the reality in most spheres portrays a contrary picture.
Majority would want to say that our leaders are the "taskmasters" that slave the populace subtly. But before we start to play the blame game, we all should look inward. A state of Independence most likely begins with an independent mind. Many milestones , achievements and significant happenings that occurred in history began with an idea, a mind-set, a thought pattern.
Although we are still on the journey to that great and beautiful Nigeria, we should see how we can be instruments of change encouraging and effecting freedom in its diverse forms (expression, beliefs, fashion, cuisine etc). We should endeavour to have an independent mentality in the sense that we should pioneer actions that will better ourselves and society without having to wait on some Higher authorities to come and "help". Instead of sitting, whining , nagging and complaining; Arise!!! Be the change you seek, be the catalyst for a freer nation.
With all that said, here's a recent painting by Emeka Ifediora titled "Free Your Mind". It was displayed at the Society of Nigerian Artists Artburst 2013 exhibition in Port Harcourt recently.