On Saturday, October 1, 1960, thousands of eager Nigerians descended upon Lagos’ Tafawa Balewa square t o participate in the eagerly anticipated celebration of their country’s independence.
Students, government employees, market vendors, traders, and other people were present in the crowds. Performers (such as acrobats, masquerades, and cultural dancers) were also available and eager to amuse the crowd.
Police officers were stationed in bands at strategic locations throughout the square to thwart or suppress any unauthorized entry. Undoubtedly, it was a beautiful sight to behold.
There were celebrations in other parts of the nation as well, but the Lagos celebration was the biggest and most vibrant. Lagos is the country’s capital and is in the Western region. Nigerians who couldn’t make it to Tafawa Balewa square watched the event on their home televisions in black and white.
The first Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, gave an impassioned speech to open the festivities at Tafawa Balewa sq\., expressing his happiness and joy for the newly freed country and its people.
He continued by expressing gratitude to the colonial rulers and making a commitment on Nigeria’s part to keep diplomatic relations with them positive.
The Nigerian flag, which Taiwo Akinkunmi created in 1959 in place of the British flag, was raised after the national anthem was sung. Additionally, Princess Alexandra of Kent, a member of the British royal family who attended the ceremony in Queen Elizabeth’s place, presented Nigeria’s instrument of freedom (also known as the “Freedom Charter”) to Jaja Wachukwu, the country’s first indigenous speaker.
In the evening, a fireworks display and jubilant shouts of independence brought life to the sky above Tafawa Balewa sq\.. Acrobats as well as dance groups from various ethnic groups in Nigeria dazzled the audience with their performances.
Nigerian and international dignitaries mingled, drank wine, and danced at a state banquet. In Nigerian history, it was a day that will never be forgotten.
