On Monday, October 1, 2018, Nigeria celebrated 58 years of independence. Here’s how Nigerians observed the day on social media.
Celebrating Nigeria
For the love of our dear country, Nigeria.💚 #NigeriaAt58 #NID18 pic.twitter.com/oHi4KNMACS
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) October 1, 2018
Advertisement
#NigeriaAt58 name a cleaner group of people, I'll wait pic.twitter.com/Ah5i5Sq2vX
— Dozie Le Beau 🇳🇬 (@dozie_didit) October 1, 2018
Happy 58th Independence Day to our beloved Naija! 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬 #NigeriaAt58 pic.twitter.com/w0wbp7XF51
— William Troost-Ekong (@WTroostEkong) October 1, 2018
Happy Independence Day to my beloved country Nigeria 🇳🇬 #Nigeriaat58 pic.twitter.com/nSBnDcD2tz
— 🇳🇬A Namany🇳🇬 (@Abubakarnamany) October 1, 2018
There’s nothing to celebrate
Report card as Nigeria celebrates #NigeriaAt58 & #HappyIndependenceNG
• Corruption – A1
• Leadership – F9
• Health – E8
• Transportation – E8
• Education – F9
• Security – F9
• Agriculture – D7
• Economy – F9
• Power supply – C6Remark: You need to improve seriously pic.twitter.com/ncVLERclfD
— FB/IG: TheAxisNG (@TheAxisNG) October 1, 2018
Independence day blah blah blah, is there light in your area?#NigeriaAt58 pic.twitter.com/NBBsuPjCGW
— King Dahny 👑 (@DahnyDan) October 1, 2018
WOW!
Someone decided to showcase #NigeriaAt58 pic.twitter.com/7Kk4fLJUNe— Amaka Ekwo (@Amaka_Ekwo) October 1, 2018
Is der anything worth celebrating bout Nigeria’s independence, I’m disappointed, I’m disgusted, I wish we had done better, I’m disillusioned #NigerianIndependenceDay
— 👸🏾Aderoju Omoba 🇳🇬 (@Abisola_konga) September 30, 2018
Other reactions
No better day to upload this than today. This is from "The Golden voice of Africa" Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa speaking from 58 years and 7 days ago. #NigeriaAt58 #October1st 1960 #HappyIndependenceNG pic.twitter.com/YW9ah1gpOi
— Faith Philemon (@philemonfaith) October 1, 2018
We all love Nigeria, it’s our leaders that we have problem with since 1960.#HappyIndependenceNG #NigeriaAt58 pic.twitter.com/fUgOsu7Oms
— king of the South 👑 (@its_saviii) October 1, 2018
The Nigeria our Fore Fathers dreamed of Vs the Nigeria we have today…#NigeriaAt58 #IndependenceDay2018 #NigerianIndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/MeiOEBtOFf
— Iyke Davies (@vizrite) October 1, 2018
Our heroes past will be like;
Look at the idiots I wasted my life for.#independenceday2018 pic.twitter.com/sKxE4efU2l— Mr Advicer (@olusamson22) October 1, 2018
Crisis in Jos
Meanwhile, while we the rest of Nigeria was (not) celebrating, people in Jos were trying to stay alive. It all started when an Okada rider was reportedly killed by thugs. Read all about it here.
This is not a Movie, this is a Video of gunshots heard in the University of Jos. Students reportedly killed & some Injured. Our Fellow Youths are being Killed in Jos. The Media wont report this so RT for people to see & Hear their Cry!!!#JOSCRISIS pic.twitter.com/OylhDRqJgm
— KinG NomSo👑 (@ani_nomso) October 2, 2018
I spent #NigeriaAt58 bound at home. Gunshots all over my neighborhood in Jos, Nigeria. It is the first time I'm experiencing such.
Peace be upon this nation. pic.twitter.com/4Bnio8Bxh3
— Naija OAP (@Cleancaleb) October 1, 2018
Crisis going on in Jos, Plateau state since Friday, 28th Sept. My fellow students got killed, numerous injured in the hostels by muslims and according to what I've heard, soldiers who were supposed to protect them. All you see here happened just yesteday. Please retweet. pic.twitter.com/pJ4FgYJOVV
— PaperCha⚡er💸🏃 (@iam_chinox) October 1, 2018
Shii started again
Had to evacuate my place and run to my friend's area #JOSCrisis— ċıňєғѧňɢ™ 📽🎥 (@looyeh) October 1, 2018
Al Jazeera English did a story on Taiwo Akinkunmi, the man who designed the Nigerian flag
Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi: The man who designed the Nigerian flag https://t.co/PkaYDe6Cye #NigeriaAt58 #HappyIndependenceNG
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 1, 2018
Dear Nigeria, you can do better. Now, read on for other trending topics on social media this week.
Lagos state APC drama
After being postponed last week, the All Progressives Congress (APC) held its Lagos state gubernatorial primary elections on Tuesday this week. The race was between incumbent governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Jide Sanwo-Olu.
Two days prior to the primaries, Governor Ambode held a press conference. He had some interesting things to say about his opponent.
The battle has begun: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode speaks on why Jide Sanwoolu doesn't deserve to be Lagos State governor. #AHM #AbsoluteHearts pic.twitter.com/J6YZKi5yW5
— Absolute Hearts Media (@absolutehearts) September 30, 2018
Sanwo-Olu reportedly replied;
Sanwoolu's response to Ambode. Purely matured pic.twitter.com/Cn8C3z7tXr
— Fashe Olakunle, Esq. (@Goonerfash) September 30, 2018
Election day came and we saw these
"In this place, we're going not allow anybody vote for Ambode here."
Thugs loyal to Jide Sanwoolu threatening to disallow party delegates from voting for Governor Akinwunmi Ambode earlier today at the #LagosAPCPrimaries @JideS x @AkinwunmiAmbode #NaijaVirals pic.twitter.com/xDuTbPx4RG
— Naija Virals (@NaijaVirals) October 2, 2018
“The party has chosen a man and it is that man that I will support and follow,” says Lagos deputy governor, Idiat Adebule, as she dumps Akinwunmi Ambode for Babajide Sanwo-Olu.https://t.co/hxOk8UbGCa#Sanwoolu #Ambode #LagosAPCPrimaries #Lagos
— The Guardian Nigeria (@GuardianNigeria) October 2, 2018
Ambode loses another political ally as Bamigbetan shifts support to Sanwo-Olu; a move connected with the resolution of party leaders to adopt Sanwo-Olu as the APC governorship flag bearer.https://t.co/W7BTVhXxYG#Ambode #SanwoOlu #LagosAPCPrimaries #APCLagosPrimaries
— The Guardian Nigeria (@GuardianNigeria) October 2, 2018
"@AlimoshoOnline: #LagosAPCPrimaries
Agbado/Oke-Odo LCDA Result
Sanwoolu – 13,380
Governor Ambode – 115VIDEO : The announcement of the results #LagosAPCPrimaries
pic.twitter.com/JeUHq5uYyY— GIDITRAFFIC (@Gidi_Traffic) October 2, 2018
So the final result was not surprising
O can only laugh at these result.#Sanwoolu #AMBODE #APC pic.twitter.com/bkAmTkNrt5
— Makinde David (@David_Makinde_) October 3, 2018
Reactions;
In case you missed the result of the #LagosAPCPrimaries between Ambode and Sanwoolu, here’s the highlight 😢 pic.twitter.com/nRuBowRImR
— Toluwani O. 🇳🇬 (@toolzofficial_) October 2, 2018
I never believed
India Vs Nigeria scoreline of 100-0.
But with the way Sanwoolu is whooping Ambode, I now believe.😂
•
"When they go low, we go High" wasn't actually a clap back, it was a prediction..😭😭😭
•
Pablo Escobar is winning..😂😂😂#LagosAPCPrimaries pic.twitter.com/ELa6RKQflS— The Kingmaker🦅 (@SmithVinci) October 2, 2018
Most results be like sanwoolu:thirteen thousand four hundred and twenty one
Ambode:two!!
#LagosAPCPrimaries pic.twitter.com/ylP8G4Ok2v— Radical_abyzou (@abyzou80) October 2, 2018
May you and i not be disgraced the way Ambo is being disgraced. I feel for him 😔 #APCLagosPrimaries pic.twitter.com/n9hbhdoLWn
— Lemon Oluwatobi (@LemonOD) October 2, 2018
Then we saw this;
#LagosAPCPrimaries : APC's National Working Committee says, no election took place in Lagos!
Ambode
Sanwoolu pic.twitter.com/oqenOt1lkJ— #TotalGossips (@total_gossips) October 2, 2018
Afterall said and done, Ambode concedes
Watch Governor Ambode’s address as he concedes defeat and congratulates Sanwo Olu Part 2 pic.twitter.com/DXpDxZ2QhA
— Planetstorm Media (@Planetstorm3) October 3, 2018
Reactions;
The fear of Impeachment made Ambode conceded defeat to a fake dollar spender and Gbagada's patient….
What a scapegoat..
— Modebolanle (@modebolanle) October 4, 2018
My colleague just called Ambode a mother-fvcker for conceding defeat and not decamping to PDP.
They are in severe pains.
LMAOOOOOO
— Adebayo Bankole Akintunde (@AdeBanqie) October 3, 2018
Ambode will eventually join Sanwo-Olu’s campaign tours. All you displaying holy anger because of Ambode’s defeat will be left in the lurch
Wetin concern bird with toothpick? pic.twitter.com/sDV4GCP32C
— 10th Wedding Anniversary (@iameneji) October 3, 2018
So Governor Ambode has finally accepted defeat. Congratulated Sanwo-olu and says APC is a great party.
Issorite. So How will he now convince Lagosians to vote and support a man he said was mental patient and was spending fake dollars?
— ıfý™ (@nnekei) October 3, 2018
People have their doubts about Sanwo-Olu
Dear Sanwo-Olu, It is Michelle Obama and not Mitchell Obama. pic.twitter.com/z3wzH3QDXU
— I am Baba Idris (@babaidris090) October 1, 2018
To be honest Babajide sanwo-olu doesn’t look like my next governor. Lagos will be too hard on him.
— SemiDemiGod (@jaiyejaiye31) October 2, 2018
I honestly doubt SanwoOlu is an upgrade on Ambode. He doesn't strike me as one. Not even one bit
— Trophy Husband (@femiDNL) October 3, 2018
This Sanwo-Olu guy doesn’t strike me as a bright person sha.
— Karo (@Karovoni) October 1, 2018
Other reactions
Imagine an elite state like lagos, the state with the highest population of educated citizens in nigeria, one man determines who will be governor and unseats an incumbent while at it.. #LagosAPCPrimaries
— Rocky Okafor (@rockyokafor) October 3, 2018
Lagos is the most populous state in the country and supposedly have the largest number of APC supporters and it came down to this
Ambode – 72,901
Sanwoolu – 970,851So who can explain what happened in Kano with 2.9m voters for only APC primaries for Buhari? #APCPrimaries
— NazaInnocent (@NazaInnocent) October 3, 2018
If APC can do this to themselves in an election that's between APC, ladies and gentlemen imagine what they will do in an election against PDP or any opposition. Charity begins at home. #APCLagosPrimaries pic.twitter.com/Hg18OGcWcf
— AJALA (@UNCLE_AJALA) October 2, 2018
Tinubu oh, Ambode oh and that Sanwoolu oh..
They are all mad..they're using us to catch trips..smh— Fictionary (@PhantomIsGuilty) October 2, 2018
Read more reactions here.
Samuel Eto’o reveals his political stance
On Tuesday this week, Cameroonian world-famous football star Samuel Eto’o revealed his support for incumbent President Paul Biya in lieu of the country’s October 7 presidential elections.
Eto'o Fils declares for Paul Biya;
The football legend Samuel Eto'o Fils has said he will vote for incumbent Paul Biya.
The former Lion's captain said throwing his weight behind the CPDM candidate is an expression of gratitude.
"We need the united, and peaceful Cameroon" Eto'o pic.twitter.com/Gw0dXNda8w— Mimi237 (@Mimimefo237) October 2, 2018
The announcement did not sit well with many Cameroonians owing to the fact that Paul Biya has been the country’s president since 1982.
Reactions
Shame!
Samuel Eto'o you are a disgrace!
— Emmanuel Achiri (@liquids25) October 2, 2018
Samuel Eto’o vient de passer de héros à zéro pour moi vraiment. Allez dire qu’il soutient Biya, non non et rerenon ! Tellement déçu..
— J-Trésor (@MenoJmen) October 5, 2018
Nah, Eto’o has been crossed off. What a disappointment
— Martins Kepe (@kepikeps14) October 2, 2018
Samuel Eto'o choosing paul Biya as his choice of candidate for presidential elections makes me think he should be suffering from vertical photosynthesis #Etoudi2018 #237Community
— 237 Bk Claud🇨🇲 🌟 © (@bkclaud) October 2, 2018
What were you expecting?
If I were Eto'o, I'll endorse Biya too.
— Manyi Arrey W.T (@WilliamTakor) October 3, 2018
Eto’o is standing with Paul Biya bcuz he made his football carrier, politicians are standing with Paul Biya bcuz they don’t want to go to jail. Now ask yourself why are you standing with Paul Biya ?
— Mizter P 🇨🇲 (@MizterrP) October 4, 2018
Did you really believe eto'o would say something else?
— 🇨🇲 (@FINALLEVEL237) October 2, 2018
Eto’o wears the same Rosicrucian symbol on his suits as Popol.
Y’all really expected him to vote for someone else ?
Lmao.— Steve Ditko (@YOLO_AEMCS) October 2, 2018
Other reactions
So now Eto'o is a national scumbag now for not sharing your political stand😂😂😂😂😂😂LOL
— Will-King 👑🇨🇲 (@Will_King13) October 3, 2018
Beyonce et Jay-Z avaient soutenu la campagne de Barack Obama vous n'aviez pas bronché. Aujourd'hui Samuel Eto'o fait pareil mais parce qu'il ne supporte pas votre candidat vous le dénigrer.
Ridiculous bias.
— Gaspari ~ ⚖️ (@MKgaspari) October 5, 2018
Don’t let Samuel Eto’o influence your choice. By law he is NOT a CAMEROONIAN. #237community #Etoudi2018
— JE VOTE OSIH 🇨🇲 (@Chiafuchu) October 2, 2018
Please oh let me understand something, why are people so mad at Samuel Eto’o, is he not just another citizen casting his vote on his choice of candidate like every other citizen who chooses to vote will do 🤷🏽♀️
— dark chocolaté (@sparkelluv) October 2, 2018
Read more reactions here.
DJ Cuppy again?
On Independence Day, DJ Cuppy, Nigerian DJ and daughter of oil magnate Femi Otedola, posted a few pictures on social media celebrating her country. The caption of one of her posts described Nigeria as “the greatest nation”.
Today, we experience the joy and pride of being called NIGERIANS! The greatest nation. 🇳🇬 #NigeriaAt58 #NigerianIndependeceDay pic.twitter.com/V8xFkTJUrI
— Cuppy (@cuppymusic) October 1, 2018
This seemed to anger another Nigerian Twitter user.
I’ll say this real quick, calling Nigeria “the greatest nation”, especially when you’re in the 0.5% mega privileged bracket, is an insult to every Nigerian who has to suffer every single day because of the REAL and unnecessary challenges they face. https://t.co/HHKwFmEh1E
— Wᴏʟᴇ́ (@Kingwole) October 2, 2018
In the thread, he described Cuppy as being insensitive to the plights of the average Nigerian. Check out a few reactions below.
Wole’s right actually
I love DJ Cuppy, but what Wole said is not wrong. You may not understand until you meet people that are suffering real bad here.
But then, everyone is entitled to their opinion. So when I say VIC O is the greatest rapper alive, don't bite me.
— Umeh and 99 others (@UmehOMA) October 3, 2018
DJ Cuppy is not the cause of your problem, DJ Cuppy is not the reason you’re poor. DJ Cuppy is not the reason why Nigerians are suffering. Yes, no shit.
But DJ Cuppy has proved several times that from her point of privilege, she’s blind to plight of the average Nigerian.
— "WiLLZ" (@aint_willz) October 3, 2018
Wole hasn't said anything wrong.
Truth is, when I saw her tweet on my timeline, I shook my head n hissed. Nigeria is not the greatest, Nigeria is hell but I won't argue with DJ Cuppy as she has a right to her opinion.
Y'all forming DJ Cuppy advocate, it doesn't fit you. pic.twitter.com/yPTkYNZxqL
— Orji.O (@orjikuramo) October 3, 2018
I don’t see anything wrong in what that wole guy said. DJ Cuppy is a public figure, her saying nigeria is the greatest nation makes people who are going through the worst in the country feel neglected and angry. People are going through hell here "DJ Cuppy" pic.twitter.com/qAZ2oCWX3t
— Yomiiee (@yurmee77) October 3, 2018
Leave DJ Cuppy alone!
DJ Cuppy cannot be the cause of your misfortune. Channel your anger towards your favourite political leaders who can’t do any wrong. Their kids studied abroad too.
— Dr. Dípò (@OgbeniDipo) October 3, 2018
Why do people attack DJ Cuppy so much online?
She tries so hard to send out positive energy, She DJ's, does music, owns a foundation that helps less privilege, doesn't brag.. Why the hate?
The only crime she committed so far is being the daughter of a Billionaire
— Enekem 💎 (@EnekemGreg) October 3, 2018
Kingwole actually wrote a faux deep antagonizing thread under DJ Cuppy's post like she was the only one who celebrated Nigeria's independence in a positive light.
— 🌎 (@_Adunnss__) October 3, 2018
Why are people always dragging that dj cuppy girl? I don’t get it. All she does is mind her business and DJ.
— •Scilla• (@Scilla_xx) October 2, 2018
Other reactions
What if Wole toasted DJ Cuppy and she refused and he is pained??? pic.twitter.com/BHS7j10mat
— BeingHumanAintEnough (@realdanielemeka) October 3, 2018
Despite the hate some of you dish out to DJ Cuppy on a regular, she has remained calm, unperturbed and never for once insulted anyone back. A Queen, I stan
— Mazi Olisaemeka ™ (@OlisaOsega) October 3, 2018
See how Nigerians were hating on dj cuppy cause she is rich is the same way village people hate you when you prosper
We are the village people, the village people are us.
— Fake Earpiece 🎧 (@Mister_Judah) October 3, 2018
DJ Cuppy needs to tweet “I’m not the reason you people are poor”
One time for the culture. 😂😭
— JAGS (@EtniesJags) October 3, 2018
Read more here.
Featured Image source: Twitter
Want more articles like this? Subscribe now to our newsletter for periodic updates on African startups, innovation and tech.
New Report: Nigerian startups raised $24.7 million in Q2 2019, 40% higher than Q1. Find out more in the latest quarterly edition of the Nigerian Startup Funding Report here.
I’m always open to new experiences. Director, SME by Techpoint. Get in touch.
